difference between steam and hot water boilers

Robert O'Connor_12

I don't want to take the wind out of your sails.....BUT, the boiler (if its the same one on e-bay) putting it nicely is "past its prime". Restoration of of it would be nice, relying on it to heat my home is something else. Guy, (see post above) was right on the mark. If you really like it, get it, clean it up and display it, or even make it look like its working but I highly doubt (unless your a good machinist) you will get it to perform. I do like the way you think and would like to be proved wrong (which happens alot) but winter is approaching and I'd feel better having a more modern piece heating my house.
Good Luck!

Robert O'Connor/NJ

Andrew_11

difference btween steam and hot water boilers

I have a chance to buy this antique gravity fed coal converted to gas boiler but trouble is; Im confused if its for hot water heating or steam. It has hot water boiler gauges like water level in feet and water temperature but one door says steam 15 Lbs. I can send a picture if you want. I believe it is hot water but I don't understand why it says Maximum working pressure, steam 15 Lbs, water systems open 36 Lbs and then closed 15 Lbs. Is this a hot water boiler? How do I know if its the right size for my heating system? My house once had a gravity fed system and I would like to reinstall one for reasons.

Rodney Summers

It's a

boiler that was used for both - much like today's boilers. It was probably a "gravity" water boiler capable of dual service.

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Guy_6

boiler

Although keeping history is noble, I would suggest perhaps giving the APPEARANCE that the antique is heating your home, and hide a modern, efficient boiler elsewhere in the system. I love the old equipment as much as the next person, but I like food on my table and a roof over my head more.

Guy_6

boiler

Although keeping history is noble, I would suggest perhaps giving the APPEARANCE that the antique boiler is heating your home, and "hide" a modern, efficient boiler elsewhere in the system. Combine authenticity with technology.

Andrew_11

Gravity fed boiler

Now that I know I can use it on hot water heating Im happy. Thanks for everyones input; its greatly appreciated. Now, how would I know its the right size for my house or will it work on 8 radiators throughout the house? I would like to use this and burn wood. If my hot Ruud instantaneous hot water heater is from 1927 and is giving us perfect serive and all of its past owners then a vintage boiler should work as well. This boilers name is Capitol Winchester and dates somewhere from the 1910s to 1920s. Its going to cost a lot to ship but hey it will be worth it to me because Its hard to find these old furnaces.

Jim Bennett

http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Capitol-Winchester-Furnace-VERY-COOL_W0QQitemZ7347745418QQcategoryZ12QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Jim Bennett

Boiler?

I assume you are looking at this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Capitol-Winchester-Furnace-VERY-COOL_W0QQitemZ7347745418QQcategoryZ12QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Dave Stroman

All the above posts are correct. It is a huge mistake to try to get this boiler back in service. It will leak like a sieve and then you will have to buy a new one anyway. I tear these old things out weekly. You can have the next one. Just come and get it. Just goes to show you you can sell almost anything on eBay.

Dave in Denver

Steamhead

I agree too

Andrew, those old round boilers were only about 40% efficient on oil or gas and not much better on coal. That's probably why they replaced this one. For the record, it was made by the United States Radiator Company, which is out of business.

If you want to get into dual-fuel, check out the HS Tarm or Axeman-Anderson boiler lines. They're much more efficient and will burn a lot cleaner than that old monster.

Firedragon_4

This has to be a

joke, right?

The scrapyards are full of these things, FACT!

bill_51

well worth the ten bucks though.............you could make a big profit by spending some time and cutting it up into many little paperweights, then selling then on ebay:P

Mt. Falls Mikey

This here looks like..

an old bucket a day stove...they hooked these up to a 20-30 gallon tank for domestic hot water. Name comes from using a bucket of coal a day to heat with. I have several of these,one is being used as a planter in my backyard.