Need to replace Burnham -PIN7SNC_ME2 steam boiler 210,000 btu/hr

Dan_43

My 16 year old boiler has developed holes at the water line on the 2 outside sections. The

boiler I replaced back then was probably better than 40 years old. They lasted longer back then, but not as efficient as today’s.

Anyway, my question to "The Wall" is:

Should I stay with the Burnham, or is there a better product out there that worth the extra effort to change over the piping to fit?

It’s very enticing to stay with the same make and size for an easier install.

What should I do?

Dan

KC_Jones

Those boilers don't seem to have the greatest reputation around here due to short life, and this post would tend to agree with that.

Are you even sure this boiler is sized correctly that you want to replace like for like? That is a rather large boiler.

I would be measuring all the radiators to verify sizing as it is more often than not, wrong.

Steamhead

Agreed. Weil-McLain or Peerless is the way to go.

mattmia2

Make sure the system isn't losing water through steam or water leaks, especially from valve packings, buried returns, or bad vents. The fresh water will kill the new boiler prematurely. There seems to be a pattern of premature failure of this series of boiler so you might not have any of those things but you need to check when you replace the boiler.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Burnhams seem to have more issues with water quality in some locations like eastern ma and Rhode island they didn't last long at all. Even the HW boilers failed.

I would go with Peerless or Weil as others have mentioned.

Check for leaks excessive MU water will fail a boiler prematurely.

STEAM DOCTOR

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1807994#Comment_1807994

Can also try Williamson. A Weil McLain in disguise.

Dan_43

I will check out Peerless and Weil McLain. As to the size of the boiler, it is a big house, and I used The Lost Art of Steam Heating 17 years ago to count and size all my radiators. I will recheck my calculations again, just to make sure.

See the attached picture I had a hole in both end sections of the heat exchange I made a couple of wedges out of aluminum use JB-weld a steel plate and some plumbers rubber to make it through the rest of the winter. It worked quite well but, I certainly do not want to push my luck.

Jamie Hall

Nice work on that patch. Not the most elegant perhaps, but… if it works, don't knock it!

STEAM DOCTOR

Glad that you survived that patchwork. Obstructing flue gases is generally not advisable, to put it mildly. And if that patch would have deteriorated, it could have crumpled and ended up on the burners.

The Steam Whisperer

I am in Chicago, and even with excellent Lake Michigan water and regular boiler treatment, we've seen the Burnham Independence failing in 12 years. WE use Peerless or WEil or Williamson.