lwco and ignition question

Dan_29

I recall in one of Dan H.s books suggesting both a probe and a float low water cutoff in a stam system. Has anyone done this? If so, have you had any more false cutoffs than usual?

Dan

Dan_29

lwco and ignition question

I have settled on a Weil-McLain EG 55 gas/steam replacement boiler for my house. The only questions that remain are probe lwco (low water cutoff) versus float type and standing pilot versus intermitent electronic ignition.

Float type lwco is tried and true to me. Probe type lwco is new and more complex (complex=more likely to fail or false cutoff). Does anyone have any experience and opinions regarding the reliability of the probe type lwco?

Standing gas pilot did not fail for 27 years (with no maintenance) on my last boiler. Nevertheless, I like the idea of using less gas with electronic ignition. Does anyone have experience and opinions regarding the reliability and longevity of electronic iginition in Weil-McLain boilers or in general?

The installer wants $150 more (than the standing pilot boiler) to install electronic ignition. I have heard it can save $60 a year over a standing pilot unit. This means a 3 year payback for the more energy efficient equipment. Does this sound right?

Dan

Steamhead (in transit)

Dual LWCOs

are commonly used in commercial applications. I've seen many probe/float combinations and they seem to work OK.

I also prefer electric ignition. The fuel savings are one reason, but the biggest reason is how quickly they cut off the gas if the flame fails. With the thermocouple system on standing pilot, this can take up to three minutes. With electric ignition using a flame-rectification detection system, this period is much shorter- 8/10ths of a second!

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"