oil now .. gas later?

jpf321 · December 2009

I'm looking for a possible recommendation for a boiler to replace my old beast .. I have a Fitzgibbons 402 (rated for 700sf of steam) .. currently oil fired for a 1-pipe steam system.

This summer, I'd like to replace the current boiler with a new steamer .. however, I'm looking for one that will accept OIL now .. with the potential to convert to GAS later .. do these things exist?

A neighbor of mine recently did an oil-->gas conversion on a 23yr old Peerless boiler. I don't have specifics better than that.

Thanks, jpf

Steamhead · December 2009

Sure they do

we frequently install them. The Slant/Fin Intrepid and Smith 8 series are approved with oil and gas burners.

Refresh my memory, how much radiation do you actually have?

jpf321 · December 2009

371 sqft EDR

Thanks Steamhead .. it's in the sig .. but I measured 371sqft EDR. As well as 120lf of 2in main pipe + about 100lf of 1-1/4 risers.

Steamhead · December 2009

You'd want

a Smith 8-S-4L, at 413 square feet EDR, or a Slant/Fin TR-30, rated 421 square feet.

jpf321 · January 2010

thanks but .. confused ..

my rads come to 371sf EDR ... but what about "+33%" for pickup factor?

then I get 371 x 1.33 = 493 .. or perhaps i shouldn't figure in the 1.33..or perhaps you figured in the length of the mains somehow.

thanks, just trying too understand.

Steamhead · January 2010

The pickup factor

is already built into the boilers' Net ratings. You do not need to add any more, unless you have wildly oversized piping or some other factor. In almost all cases the built-in factor is plenty.

jpf321 · January 2010

ok thanks....

after reading the literature on them today, I did notice that it said something about 1.333 as a footnote, but thank you for clarifying it for me.

one further question since we're on the subject ..

what's your preference:

float or probe LWCO?

I see that the Smith 8 comes with either Beckett, Carlin or Riello...and it says optionally a 2-stage "fuel unit".. do you have preferences here? Do you think the Carlin EZ-H2L may be available on the Smith 8 in next 8months? Would that be the ideal situation?

I don't see the burner options that the Slant/Fin offers .. but I do see they also have an optional 2-Stage Fuel Pump. I do like the fact that Slant/Fin is based within 20mins of my house in Greenvale, NY.

Thanks for your experienced thoughts on the subject.

oil now .. gas later?

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