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Combustion Analyzer: CO2 sensor only or O2 sensor only?

Damon
Damon Member Posts: 32
What do you guys think about analyzers that measure O2 vs CO2? My concern is that the O2 versions require ~annual sensor replacements and the CO2 measurers don't so the latter would be more cost effective in the long run. I'm looking at the UEI Smartbell (CO2) for ~$420) and the UEI C50 (O2) for ~$330. Neither measure CO. Any other analyzer suggestions in that price range?

Comments

  • R Mannino
    R Mannino Member Posts: 440
    C75

    The C75 does CO, yeah it's an O2 sensor and has all the accompanied baggage involved with an O2 sensor.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Don't even bother

    with an analyzer that doesn't do CO and CO/air free. You MUST measure CO and CO/AF on every job.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
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  • R Mannino
    R Mannino Member Posts: 440
    C75

    The C75 does both of those Frank and although it may not be a professional grade analyzer it will do the job.
  • Damon
    Damon Member Posts: 32
    Thanks for the input

    Any reasonably priced C02 measuring units with CO?
  • Robert O'Brien
    Robert O'Brien Member Posts: 3,540
    That's why

    it's not a viable DIY tool, if you're lucky you can get 3 annuals out of a sensor.Then it's $300 to replace,cheaper to call a pro in this case
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  • Damon
    Damon Member Posts: 32
    Exactly!

    Now if the C75 measured CO2 and CO while calculating everything else, at that price it would be a steal since the CO2 sensor would probably last 10 yrs and the CO might go about 7 or 8 if it wasn't peaked out too much.
  • Robert O'Brien
    Robert O'Brien Member Posts: 3,540
    It's

    not a CO2 sensor,it's an O2 sensor,the analyzer converts the O2 reading to CO2
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  • Ron Schroeder
    Ron Schroeder Member Posts: 998
    O2

    The old wet analysers measured CO2 because the consumables were cheaper and lasted longer than the consumables for O2 measurement.  So all of the industry tables were based on CO2 readings with a specific fuel.  The important thing is actually excess air measurement which is really an O2 measurement.  A true O2 measurement is better (even if it is "converted" to CO2) because it automatically corrects for differences in actual composition of fuel delivered from one fill to another.
  • Saggs
    Saggs Member Posts: 174
    I've used a

    C75 for a couple yrs and it's been back to Oregon twice for repairs and was gone for 2 weeks then over a month. The unit worked well but the readings on CO always seemed a little high and the stack temps seemed low? I got sick of the down time and bought a great unit from E-Instruments. I think it is the new 1100 model? It has replaceable CO and O2 sensors, filters out NoX so the CO readings are more accurate and has a built in printer. It was $1200 with the $150 1 year service contract. The tech support is great, and they can ship out field replaceable sensors within 2 days (pre calibrated). I do this for a living so it was definately worth it for me. I saw the unit down at the Buderus school in NH and was impressed w/ it there.
  • Damon
    Damon Member Posts: 32
    Ron

    "A true O2 measurement is better (even if it is "converted" to CO2) because it automatically corrects for differences in actual composition of fuel delivered from one fill to another. "



    Excellent point!
This discussion has been closed.