Finally began installing Burnham MST w/indirect tank

ctjomac · June 2012

Thanks to ALL of you for guiding me with my questions throughout the winter in preparation for my switch out. I finally got the ol' 1950 HB Smith moved out and partially installed a new Burnham MST 396 with a SuperStor 40 indirect water tank. I don't have the steam connected yet...just the header and shut-offs. I did connect the domestic and BOY what a difference in the hot water~!!! My wife is VERY happy. THANK YOU!

In my ongoing questions: I currently have the boiler set at 150 degrees with a 10 degree differential and the tank set to bring the pump on at 130 degrees. Do you think this is the best way t run the system? I've read a little bit about COLD STARTING. Would this be an even greater saving? Should I wire it that way. If I should, how do you wire it up for cold starting. If it makes a difference, there are 3 of us, son to be 4 of us and showers are daily. THANKS MUCH.....Joe

Steamhead · June 2012

Here's an install where we did that

using a gas-fired Smith G-8. Scroll all the way down to see the indirect hookup:

http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/132567/One-of-the-worst-maintained-oil-fired-boilers-weve-seen

Basically, you use an R845A relay to start the circ and the burner. Wire the thermostat terminals (T and T) on the R845A to the aquastat on the indirect. The line-voltage contacts (terminals 3 and 4) send power to the circ. For this hookup you put a jumper on terminals 1 (hot) and 3, and the circ then gets its power from terminal 4.

The low-voltage contacts on the R845A (terminals 5 and 6) function as a switch to close terminals T and T on the boiler. This is the low-voltage burner control circuit. On the MegaSteam these terminals appear as two leads in the power box. Wire the aquastat into this low-voltage circuit between the R845A and the boiler, so it will break the circuit if the water gets too hot. The room thermostat is also wired to T and T on the boiler, in parallel with the wire to the R845A thru the aquastat.

This way, when only the indirect calls, the boiler will not get hot enough to make steam. But any time the room thermostat calls, whether or not the indirect is calling, you will get steam. And if neither the indirect nor the room thermostat call for heat, the burner will not run, saving fuel.

Pictures please!

Hap_Hazzard · June 2012

I'm shocked

that you were so critical of the maintenance of that Utica. I think that is possibly the finest ductape craftsmanship I've ever seen. I hope you saved it when you scrapped what was left of the jacket.

Steamhead · June 2012

You can probably find it somewhere

in the form of pipe or fittings that were made in China ;-)

As an aside, I recently found a copy of the I&O manual for that boiler series. Seems that installers not following the instructions is not a recent problem >:(

Finally began installing Burnham MST w/indirect tank

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