Old Boiler Identification

Ken D.

If it wasn't iron, I'd swear it was a Repco. Maybe a Peerless or possibly a Crown.

Cedar Hill Inspect

Old Boiler Identification

Hello,

I would like to identify and get an approx. size of a circa 1966 boiler for Hydronic Heat.

The system is in a 2300 sq, ft. colonial in CT.

The unit is green 20"w x 24"d x 48"h. It currently has a Beclett RWB burner but I suspect it is not orginal.

I can see wholes that I think was the name plate above the inspection door and below the hydrostat.

Thanks!

EBEBRATT-Ed

Not enough info. How about a picture?????????

Cedar Hill Inspect

Old Boiler Identification

Here you are. Hope it helps.

Bob

Al Corelli

Just a guess...

Is that an Arcoliner?

J.C.A._3

These were....

Made by Dunkirk and badged by many. In the Northeast, Whaleco/Pickering badged them Magnatherm (I think) and I believe Texaco badged them for a while too. The original burner was probably a 1725 (slow speed) burner. Most were some deviation of the Wayne company as I recall. When they started using 3450 motors, they were mostly Wayne MS/MSR, I can't recall the model on the 1725 units.

Hope that helped. Chris

Steamhead (in transit)

Right you are, Chris

I see lots of these badged as Columbias and Uticas too. This is called the "OU" series, and looks to me like a knock-off of the old American-Standard A-3 boiler series. It's built like a tank, will last a long time with proper care, and will show reasonable efficiency with a Kaowool bathtub chamber and a high-speed flame-retention burner like that Beckett.

"Steamhead"

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Cedar Hill Inspect

How aboutthe BTU ratings

You guys are the best. I knew this was the place to go.

Can you estimate the input/output BTU rating?

Thanks!

Bob

David Sutton_6

State line oil

Is that the one in gramby CT.

Cedar Hill Inspect

In Simsbury

No, this is in Simsbury... Here is an IR if anyone is interested...

Cedar Hill Inspect

No...

In Simsbury.... All here is an IR of the unit just for fun...

Bob

Steamhead (in transit)

It doesn't appear in the Library

but I have some other references at the house. I'll check when I get home, and re-post.

"Steamhead"

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David Sutton_6

Nice photo

Amazing the loss on those old puppys,Simsbury
i'm up the street in southwick Ma.

Edward A. (Ed) Carey_3

The burner mounting plate

Looks like an old Utica, Texaco or other.

Look at the burn mark on the burner mounting plate above the blast tube and below the flame inspection door.

I'll bet the refractory on the interior of the mounting plate was broken when they installed that new Beckett. If let go, that burner mounting plate will crack soon.

Also, that boiler also had a bathtub type chamber. I wonder if that was ever replaced when the new burner was installed.

If you can't find the actual capacity of the boiler itself, you can remove the nozzle and check the firing rate. Multiply by approximately 140,000 BTU for #2 fuel, and that will give you the gross input of the boiler as it is operating NOW.

DO NOT use that capacity to size a new replacement boiler. Size the new boiler properly for the heat load of the building.


Ed Carey

Edward A. (Ed) Carey_3

That IR Photo

Bob,

What kind of camera did you use to get that IR Image? Is there a web site link to such a device that you can send?

Thanks,

Ed

Al Gregory

Around here they are blue and named Utica

Cedar Hill Inspect

IR Image

> Bob,

>

> What kind of camera did you use to get

> that IR Image? Is there a web site link to such a

> device that you can send?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Ed



Thanks for the input. I am working on 2 things here. The capacity is for an energy audit program I am working on and looking to see how IR can identify abnormalities before they are big problems.

I can visually see the issue below the inspection door. I wanted to see the IR of that and did see elevated temps there. I take it from the comments that this could be a problem in the future?

The chamber WAS NOT replaced. I can tell that from looking in the door. It does not look like the age of the Beckett.

_________
I purchased th IR unit from FLIR systems and have been using it for water infiltration, air infiltration (energy audits) and roof inspections. The IR unit is great if you know what you are looking at. (www.flirthermography.com) Expect to pay $7k or so for entry level up to 35k+ for high end equipment. Analysis software is $$ as well. They make their buck that's for sure. (I am available in the northeast of IR inspections...:-))

Currently 85% of my business with the IR is B2B. The energy audit work will come if it ever get cold in CT...

Maine Ken

Used to use the FLIR systems mounted on Super Jet Rangers. Nothing quite like "seeing" things in the dark that people didn't want you to see!!!! And yes, there really are black helicoptors flying around at night!

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Steamhead (in transit)

From the Hydronic Rating Handbook

in Utica trim:

This could be an ACE series or an OU. The ACE appears to be the older of the two, and if you say it dates back to 1966 I suspect that's what this is. If you look into the inspection opening above the burner, you should be able to see how many sections the boiler has. From its proportions it looks like 4 or 5 sections so here goes:

4-section: Model# ACE-2, 122,000 BTU per hour, firing rate 1.2 gallons per hour with old-style burner. ACE-400, 105,800 BTUH when fired at 1.35 GPH. OU-400, 122,000 BTUH at 1.35 GPH.

5-section: ACE-3, 153,000 BTUH at 1.5 GPH. ACE-500, 135,500 BTUH at 1.7 GPH. OU-500, 154,800 BTUH at 1.7 GPH.

With an upgraded burner like that Beckett, the nozzle sizes could be reduced 15% or so for the same BTUH rating.

In the FLIR photo, I can see that the insulation is missing under the access hatch on the right. Someone removed the insulation to get at the cleanout openings and didn't put it back. On the front plate, I don't think these things had any refractory around the inspection door, but you could add some Kaowool blanket there.

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EBEBRATT-Ed

Dunkirk OU is the one I recall and H.B. Smith sold those as their own as well about 33 years ago. Not a bad boiler. We put in a few that came with the 1725 rpm Beckett burner SR????? I think. They ran good. It was a boiler sold under a lot of different names. 30 years ago---- there was worse stuff out their.

Come to think of it Frank and the other posters are correct my uncle has one that was badged Utica.




ED

David Sutton_6

Right on the money Frank!

Thats how i do all of those i custom cut a 1" kaowool board to fit the burnner breech add a quikie 100 or 200 depends on size and wedge it in with fire brick to keep it dry, a lot of old timmers would add vermiculite but that would hold the moisture and bow in the chamber after a few yrs..


David

Cedar Hill Inspect

Great info

All of you guys are tops. I plan on ordering the tech guide from Carson Dunlop. I hear that has great info.

You all have been more than helpful and I appreciate it!

Bob