Dear Burnham Hydronics,

Nick W

Why do you install that plug on the skim port of your Independence series steam boilers?
Your installation instructions, and good sense, require it be removed and the tapping valved.
Yesterday, my installer spent an hour removing the jacket panel and drilling out the plug because it was screwed in so tightly.
It wasn't the first time.
Could we make it the last?

Six Burnham installations last week alone.
Love the product.
Great company.
Tom at Venco Sales (my area rep) is a most valued trade ally.


Thanks for hearing me out.


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paul lessard_3

Mr universe w/3 foot wrench

No joke! I saw him at the burnham plant "geting on it".
Last week I did the same and the drill bit got sucked in and was this close to hitting the coil.
Can't you just skim at the relief valve tapping heheheh

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Constantin

Take it a step further...

... how much does a small, full-port ball valve with a hose bib cost Burnham? $3, maybe... Putting a hole in the jacket is free, the slit in the insulation is peanuts also. Now...how many more installers would be thus inclined to actually skim the boiler because it's no longer a pain in the rear?

Also consider how some companies in this market take such small installation/time-save gestures to such an extreme that their installers cannot think of using any other boiler. It's not always about price...

Brian_19

SKim Plugs

This is one of my biggest complaints. The plugs should not be installed at the factory. Ship it in the bag with the relief valve. I always install the skim tap on a new installation and always curse the person who puts the plug in. Burnham and Weil-McLain both.

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Phil_6

yes yes

forget the plug, a valve, a nipple or whatever... I just need a hole like for all the other trim

JM_2

Why not?

I know you cant skim @ the relief valve tapping because i tried it, for Hrs, and it doesnt work. But why?

Unknown

John

Two weeks ago I had our plant supervisor look into why those plugs are in so tight. Apparently they are installed on our hydrostatic test line just before the section assembly is tested with water pressure to 1-1/2 times working pressure. They are installed on that particular line with a pneumatic impact wrench that apparently has only one preset value. As a result of this, we are working on addressing this difficulty by installing adjustable impact wrenches on that line and looking into thread compounds that remain more pliable.

As far as leaving them out, I don't see that happening. We advise installing a skim nipple and fittings and then removing them afterwards for possible liablility reasons. I have seen several jobs both here on the wall and in the field where a skim provision with valve was left in with no plug or cap installed. All it would take would be an over curious homeowner or child to open that valve and the results would not be desirable.

And Paul, as far as Mr. Universe goes, he's not the one that puts that plug in the boiler. He is on the final assembly line in a different building from where the section assemblies are assembled and tested. Sure looks like he could be the reason though! Just want you to know John and others that we are aware of this and are doing something about it! Hope this helps.

Glenn Stanton

Burnham Hydronics

Nick W

It does, Mr. Stanton, and I appreciate your cooperation as usual.

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Unknown

Thankfully

the 1 1/2 inch skim port is left open on the Burnham V8 steam boilers . We also use Peerless for steam and they install a flat plug in the skim port at the factory . I've given up plenty of times tying to remove that plug - usually with scraped knuckles as a reminder .

Glenn , we're still wondering why the V8 water trim comes with a bunch of flat plugs , a regular 3/4 and 2 inch plug , and a 1 1/2 by 3/4 bushing . We have so many now that we're throwing out all the flat plugs and the bushing . Any way to keep the plugs and bushings and maybe send a 3/4 by 10 inch nipple , instead of the 8 inch for the relief valve ?

Unknown

You are probably

using the Knocked-Down version of the V8 for steam Ron. The packaged models should have the plug installed. Our new "Parts Depot" department will be looking into why those fittings are still appearing in the Trim Cartons for the knocked-down water boilers. I would imagine that it may because they could have been a carry-over from the V7 trim carton. They are looking into it. I doubt the 10" nipple will happen though, but I'll mention it.

Glenn

gehring_3

Another Question for Burnham


Along the lines of the various tappings...I tried to stub out my "R" tapping on the V8 steamer for a future hot water loop. I used a short nipple and a cap and found that doing so prevented the swing door from opening. How does one use that tapping and still have access to the swing door? Should I have used a street elbow?

Unknown

Carl

I have seen these piped in the field and they have either turned 90 degrees to the left or down right off (possibly with a street elbow) or extended out a bit with a longer nipple before and fittings were put on. I wish I could tell you the precise length nipple it takes to get uot of there and clear the swing door, but I don't know for sure. I'll try and find out though as this is the first time this has come up. Thanks.

Glenn

Brian_19

liability

What about someone opening up the ball valve type blow off on a #67 low water cut off? There still needs to be a better solution. The problem is not so much how tight the plug is but that the plug is inside the boiler jacket and is difficult to get a good grip with a wrench.
Maybe a nipple and a cap?

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billygoat22

Glad to see the manuf is so ready to lend an ear. I'd be happy just to see caps with the raised square instead of the recess square.
When I put in the skim, I put a plug in the valve to make sure the valve isn't accidentally opened and spews on someone.

Robert O'Connor_7

I Agree ...

I agree with Brian Slovinski. I nipple and cap would be better, it will also give you better leverage (something to acually grab on to when moving it around). Robert O'Connor/NJ

Boilerpro_3

I have the same problem with the plugged second supply

Took two men 2 hours to get that plug out on one. Usually two men and an hour on others by the time you pull apart the cabinet and get both plugs out It sure does discourage the use of both tappings on the smaller models and runs the installation cost up compared to boilers that are not plugged. Something to get the boys on. Just put in some nipples and leave the caps for the installers. And go ahead and raise the price... it will save alot on labor costs on each boiler installation.

Boilerpro