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Problem with Munchkin

Helgy
Helgy Member Posts: 12
in THE MAIN WALL
Well I'm fairly new to the Munchkin boiler line. We have installed two so far. They are both running on LP gas. As far as heating the home goes they're working fine. The complaint is that they are both using to much fuel. The radiant is fin tube base board equaling 123,000 btu's on one ane aprox. 132,000 on the other, this is at a rate of 600 btu's/ft. I used a UP26-64 for the primary loop and a UP 15-42 for the secondary. One home is has five zones controled by 24v. zone valves. The other three zones, controled the same way. Gas psi is right on. I'm going to both home in the next day or so. Any help would be great.

Thank You, Helgy

Comments

  • James_2
    James_2 Member Posts: 24
    Munchkin

    More information would be helpful. You are using more gas than before what? Are the boilers short cycling? What was replaced. Are we sure we are moving the heat to the space effectivly? (pipe size, flow, temperature difference)
  • Mark Hunt
    Mark Hunt Member Posts: 4,908
    Did you


    use a CO analyser to set the burner up?

    That is how the Munchkins are adjusted, not by gas pressure.

    You need to test the exhaust while the boiler is in high fire.

    Readings should be as follows:

    80mlp- 100ppm CO

    140mlp- 110ppm CO

    199mlp- 120ppm CO

    Any chance that there are leaks?

    Mark H

    To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
  • munchkin-man
    munchkin-man Member Posts: 247
    Helgy

    give me a call so we can talk about this. It would be a lot of typing at this point. Via phone will go much quicker. 800-323-9651 ext. 925 Jeff
  • molly
    molly Member Posts: 43
    testing for co

    Where on the exhaust do you test with a co analyzer for lp on the Munchkin? Do you drill and tap a test hole in the pvc or do you test outside? I'm an oil burner tech, very new to the gas world, thanks.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    You test outside

    just make sure the test probe is insereted into the flue gas opening far enough.
  • munchkin-man
    munchkin-man Member Posts: 247
    Molly

    I have found that we get an acurate reading if you drill a hole so as to tapp it after use and big enough to insert your probe in to. I have found that you have more meat to tapp into if you drill in to the shoe or area of were the pvc it glued in to the fittng. This gives you the thickness of the pipe and the fitting. This location also allows one to addjust the valve while veiwing the co reading.
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,184
    Question for Mark Hunt

    Mark

    From reading the Wall I am aware that you have a lot of experience with Munchkins. I was wondering if you use your CO analyzer to fine tune each unit you install or only ones that you suspect a problem with.

    I am guessing it would make sense to check all installs because on each job the vent lengths vary and this would likely effect performance.

    -Paul
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,184
    Test

    Test

    To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Mark Hunt
    Mark Hunt Member Posts: 4,908
    We test


    every one we install.

    Some of them are perfect right out of the box and some need adjusting.

    Mark H

    To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"
  • Steve McCarthy
    Steve McCarthy Member Posts: 8
    Gas hog Munchkin??

    Is it possible that the Munchkin is NOT using too much gas but that the house is using more fuel than expected?? Are these replacements or installations in new homes?

    If the gas presure is too high, efficiency would drop and condensate output would decrease but even if this happened, the fuel bill would probably increase maybe 5% and most folks wouldn't even notice. I suspect its the house.
    Does anyone have suggestions as to how much condensate these units should be making in this weather in a day? Ballpark?

    I do agree that it's important to measure CO on all installations.
  • Mike Reavis_2
    Mike Reavis_2 Member Posts: 307
    Is one of your zones a radiant Slab?

    If yes, how high is your water table?
  • Herb
    Herb Member Posts: 31
    too much lp

    gas consumption may actually be the home owner's misconception. Be sure to account for the other uses that the LP might have been used for: DHW, clothes dryer, range, fireplace, etc. Also, since your new to the LP side of petroleum remember it only has 91500 BTUs per gallon not the 130000 of oil. Then compare your estimated heat load to the consumption taking into account the efficiency of the boiler and the
    degree days involved. I don't know where your job is but in my neck of the woods this is the first real winter in a long time! Good luck, Herb @ gibbs gas service
  • Herb
    Herb Member Posts: 31
    too many gallons

    to customers may be their way of saying too many dollars! We run a propane company and it is a constant battle to make them see that increased cost was not "gas evaporating from the tank" or "there must be a leak in your tank I never use this much", etc. when in fact the cost per gallon may have gone up and their usage is right on norm when adjust for the actual degree days. Just keep in mind what the customer's eye sees and use your best skills to determine what's going on. Herb @ Gibbs Gas Service
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