CombiCor Failure

Paul Pollets

Had a 50g CombiCor fail this week with a radiant coil leak. The unit was installed 31/2 years ago in a Lake Union houseboat. The tank has a 10 year warranty, but labor isn't covered. The customer had to pay those charges. I've installed a dozen of these tanks in "budget" systems over the past 7 years. Hope it doesn't become a trend. Fortunately, every owner was advised of the warranty and longevity issues.

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Better get prepared, Paul

I haven't gotten over 6 years out of one! Installed 20 or more. Anymore I take the option to get two tanks as a warranty replacement. One for DHW and a 65,000 for the radiant.

Of course the space, and venting becomes an issue.

The concept was a great one. I think they fell short on the material selection. I've cut open two failed ones. The plastic coating seems to flake off the coil after awhile. Then, to my thinking, that soft aluminum coil becomes an anode rod! A very thin one

What did you replace it with?

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Paul Pollets

Replacement was a new one...

with the Flame Vapor system. There was some repiping required, as tapping locations are different. No room for another tank in a small houseboat. Wisbo Quicktrac on 2 levels with bamboo floating floors (about 1000SF)140 degree setpoint.

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What

kind of warranty will the manufacture offer on the replacement? Sometimes it's a one shot deal, the next time the HO will pick up the whole tab?

If it's a space sensitive job, think I would go with an external HX, until something better comes along.

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Paul Pollets

Warranty

10 years on the tank, six on the coils. When I can find some time, I'll cut the tank apart and take some pics. A good candidate for a wall-hung, but no room for an indirect.

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Dave Stroman

Hey Hot Rod, Have you installed any of the indirects? I have been installing several of them under the Lochinvar name. They say the coil is coated with PEX. Perhaps that will last longer.

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Now, the new indirects

are supposed to be a glass lined steel coil, (1-1/2" coils.) Called the PowerStor. Is this what Lochinvar offers? I feel better about glass lined large diameter coils. Although I don't think it could cross to the CombiCor due to its single wall hx.

The other is the PowerCor, as I recall it is the same coil as the CombiCor, and qualifies as a double wall HX. And actually I have a number of those in service, including my father in laws, down the street. So far (9 years) without any problems.

Makes me wonder if only the direct fired CombiCor units are seeing failures. Keep in mind with the CombiCor, the hot temperature is on the outside of the coil (up to 160°)

The indirect would be the opposite. Maybe that has to do with the failures.

Regardless I wish more info was forthcoming from BW. I've called tech support for some answers, without much substance. I know I'm not the only one with high failure %'s

I like the BW company, and have meet several of the "big guys" They made a great direction change from a former low end product to a contractor friendly manufacture, and employee owned company.

My only complaint is the Combi, and lack of answers on the failure and causes. I'll still support their other products. I like the cast iron burners in the LP heaters!

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Mark Eatherton1

Didn't Mike Gordon

go to work for them??

He still kicks aorund the wall, me thinks...

ME

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I called Mike

at BW once. Actually he had just started working there and wasn't really up to speed on the Combi issues, yet.

I think he is on the commercial side and responsible for some of the new condensors and other commercial products they have been rolling out.

Be nice to hear from him. He's a smart cookie. I've keep a bunch of his posts, for reference. He sure did challange Jean from Ergomax at one point on efficiency claims

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Dave Yates (PAH)

He is indeed!

And he is deeply involved in the 99% efficiency water heaters. He had them build us a custom beast of a 99%er for the BSA Camp Tuckahoe job and it survived its first season with flying colors. Right now, it's providing both domestic hot water AND hydronic heating via a FP HX and Burnham Duorads. The youth side was winterized, so just the mens and womens on the adult side remain open through the winter. That reduction in load permits the use of several Duorads without any loss of needed showering capacity.

BTW, as an FYI. The storage temp is 160. There is an ASSE 1017 thermostatic mixing valve on the potable outlet, constant system circulation at 140 F and ASSE 1016 Powers PT valves at each shower and Watts ASSE 1016 under-sink guardian valves to lower the temp for hand washing. This is a gravity fed well-water system open to the atmosphere via the storage tank vents. Legionella and scalding are not welcome.

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