Need help with boiler identity

john of Service Specialties

SpiroVent is a must. Inexpensive,removes all yes all the
air.

John Reves

Need help with boiler identity

I have an oil fired hydronic system about 30 years old and am unable to determine identify who manufactured the boiler so that I can try to find any tech data that might be available on somewhere.

Here's what I do know about the boiler:

The spec placard bears the name of no manufacturor.
It is a olive green color.
Serial number field on the placard is blank.
Model AW 52
15 PSI Steam/30 PSI Water
113,000 BTU
130 lbs/hr valve capacity
1.3 gph burner orfice

Thanks in advance.

Dave_8

My uncle has one just like it, never did figure out what it was but have had no problem keeping it running. What is your specific problem with this boiler?

B. Tice

Sounds like.........

A New Yorker or Peerless, based upon the color.

John Reves

Thanks for the responses. I received a note from a gentleman at ECR International who informs me that Dunkirk Radiator (now ECR) made this boiler for Ackerman Gas Boiler as well as other distributors.

The boiler, though around 30 years old, still works quite well. There appears to be some damage to one of the side walls of the refractory liner but target wall lining seems fine.

Like many old systems, the main problem with this one is air accumulation of which the boiler is probably not the main cause. Hydronic systems are not popular in this area and oil-fired hydronic systems are quite rare. Just wanted to find out everything I could about the entire system since I've had trouble finding local service people who are willing and able to maintain it successfully.

It's looking like the air problem is due to the absence of any automatic vents in the system even though it has a diaphragm type expansion tank which would be compatible with air vents. As I mentioned, local people able to deal with these systems are rare. It doesn't appear that whoever installed it originally was very knowledgable - no vents, at least none that I can find. Still need to perform a pressure/leak test to see how much make up water might be entering the system.

Will probably follow Dan's advice and install a water meter and low water cutoff so I can leave the makeup water valve turned off and be more aware of what's going on with the system.

ECR does still have manuals available for this boiler but informs me they no longer stock any parts. Refractory cement and materials are inexpensive and readily available so I might just patch the liner. I like this old system. It heats a 2300 sq ft home (also 30 yrs old) in lower Michigan for around $500 a year. Many people scorching air with gas in this area are spending more than double that amount in one cold month.

vinnie

vapor heating system

about a 10 year old 1 million btu weilmclain steam boiler returns are leaking boiler trap is leaking. It has a automatic feed and no condensate pump.What is the correct piping arrangement for this type of system ,and what are the do's and dont`s of serving this system?