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Beckett burner banging real bad

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Comments

  • Alan R. Mercurio_3
    Alan R. Mercurio_3 Member Posts: 1,620
    RE: Help

    Charlie, Jcamp respectfully declined my offer to help him out. I think it was because I was offering my services for nothing more than a cup of coffee. He sounds like a guy that does not want to take advantage of people and I surely respect that.

    Here’s a new offer Jcamp let’s see how soon I can get out to your home (it would have to be a weekend) I’ll diagnose, possibly correct or at very least recommend what needs to be done. I offer a service through my website called consulting for consumers. You can follow the link below to see how it works. If I can’t solve your problem I’ll refund your money no questions asked.

     http://www.oiltechtalk.com/thankyou.shtml
    Your friend in the industry,



    Alan R. Mercurio



    www.oiltechtalk.com
  • jcamp
    jcamp Member Posts: 27
    Beckett Burner banging

    Alan

    I never declined your offer, just told you how far it is to my house. Yesterday an old timer came up and wanted to look at it. He came with no test equipment only knowledge. He closed the air band on the top of burner and opened the air in the side of burner. Looked at the flame and made some more adjustments. We then bled the oil line again for about one minute. I have to admit it is now quieter but still banging or boofing. He said it is normal for the Beckett to bang. I took him across the street to my neighbor who has the same exact setup and guess what no banging. It is getting livable but still wakes me up at night when it comes on. I know it has to be set up with test equipment but he is retired for a few years and doesn't have any. My next project is to replace oil line from tank to filter and see if it makes a difference but I have to wait for my grandson, I'm getting too old to start crawling over tanks under porch to change line.

    I'm trying.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    You and me both

    but Baltimore is even further away.......................
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Patchogue Phil_2
    Patchogue Phil_2 Member Posts: 304
    Anything new?

    No updates on this problem?



    Did you ever visually inspect the chimney for (partial) blockages?
  • Matthew Grallert
    Matthew Grallert Member Posts: 109
    fuel line

    I might have missed it in all the posts put have you replaced the fuel line, from stem to stern?

    I find that this is maybe the single biggest cause of ignition and wacky combustion problems.

    peace

    Matthew
  • jcamp
    jcamp Member Posts: 27
    Beckett Burner banging

    Ok followup.

    Still banging but getting better. Chimney was inspected and ok. Fuel line will be replaced as soon as it warms up a little as it is under porch and tough to get to when your 70 years old. Waiting for grandson to come up. Right now last guy that was here has the damper closed so it doesn't open at all. Right now burning the wood burning stove so have plenty of heat, burner only going on for hot water. Thanks to all but I have given up for now. Maybe in the Spring I can start over with a tech who knows what he is doing and has the proper instruments to fix it.

    Joe
  • Patchogue Phil_2
    Patchogue Phil_2 Member Posts: 304
    The suspense!

    You're gonna make us all wait until Spring?   LOL  :-)
  • jcamp
    jcamp Member Posts: 27
    Beckett Burner banging

    Hey, got a question for you guys. How come the boiler doesn't bang as bad when my wood burning stove is going. They are separate chimneys right next to one another.

    The wood burning is a insert in fireplace with a 8X12 chimney and the boiler is a 8X8 enclosed in cement block.  Both are clay pipe. Does this tell me anything that I need to know?
  • clammy
    clammy Member Posts: 3,103
    how about low fire baffle?

    been reading your promblem and see how long you have put up with it .It seems every body has gone over just about every thing i was thinking as i read the post do you have the low fire baffle installed on the burner to find it lift the transformer and you will see it it clips right onto the housing by the cad cell .Some beckett burners are required to use it to help create a bit more static and less air  for the gun to fire a smaller noz without the banging.I have installed and serviced  becketts with burnhams,weils ,peerless and buderus and have never had any issue like you are having,has anyone opened the combustion chamber  up to ensure the target wall is not leaning forward ? Has anyone checked your pump pressure ,vacume and fuel supply via the jet line ?what model gun is it and  does this burner have does it have the f head or is it a v series either way i do believe it needs a low fire baffle kit being it is firing under a gallon . Post back peace and good luck clammy
    R.A. Calmbacher L.L.C. HVAC
    NJ Master HVAC Lic.
    Mahwah, NJ
    Specializing in steam and hydronic heating
  • icesailor
    icesailor Member Posts: 7,265
    Banging Flues:

    You didn't tell us that the boiler was venting into a two flue chimney with a wood stove in the other flue. The wood stove is taking make up air from the boiler flue. Becketts HATE back pressure/positive draft pressure. If it was a gas boiler, and it had a draft hood, the spill out switch would be tripping it off. You'd have CO coming in the house.

    Next time a "pro" comes to work on it, have them close the doors to the upstairs and open the cellar door to the outside or open a window. Then, set the draft etc.

    You need combustion make up air. Your wood stove needs combustion air. It is getting it from the boiler flue. Or some combination thereof
  • boilerman
    boilerman Member Posts: 2
    same problem same equipment

    I am a 28 year licensed oil burner tech in MA and having the same problem with 2 Burnham v8's with Beckets I believe it's a design flaw with the l-1 and v-1 heads I will be meeting with a Burnham rep very soon
  • billtwocase
    billtwocase Member Posts: 2,385
    Burnham

    has always marched to their own beat. The burners have always seemed to be just a little different than the specs from the burner manufacture. This goes back to the Carlin 100 CRD days, and other burners that they have mounted to this old American Standard boiler design. I have converted those L and V heads to "F" heads and new tube assemblies with better results than "playing" with the out of the box Burnham supplied burner. JMHO
  • icesailor
    icesailor Member Posts: 7,265
    Banging

    Boilerman,

    Can you give us/me a more professional opinion on what the "Banging" sounds like?

    Where are you located in MA?

    Burnhams sure are noisey with a Beckett.
  • icesailor
    icesailor Member Posts: 7,265
    Banging My Head In Pain

    Bill,

    You just graphically illustrated why I despise those burners. I went to their web site to look at what is up with the parts and settings. They have F1 heads, L1 heads and different tubes, plates. They started out where you could carry a box of parts and install any burner in any application. Now, I don't even know what I am looking at. I never find settings at where they are supposed to be and I also find that settings have been changed from years ago for certain burner models.

    It makes my head hurt from trying to store all that info. 
  • boilerman
    boilerman Member Posts: 2
    passing the buck

    Surprise  Surprise  Burnham is trying to pass the buck on to Beckett .  Burnham approved the use of that burner with the V8 They are both to blame for it's failure. Oil is accumulating in the extended head of the blast tube.  Draining inside the chamber face.  Improper atomization .  Since neither Burnham nor Beckett will address the issue I will be contacting the state fire Marshall .  This is now a safety issue
  • billtwocase
    billtwocase Member Posts: 2,385
    Good luck with that

    As long as there are safety devices present, and all relevant permits pulled, it's not a Fire Marshall thing, probably more Attorney General or consumer protection. 
  • Robert O'Brien
    Robert O'Brien Member Posts: 3,540
    I refuse to believe

    that neither Beckett nor Burnham will lend any assistance,they have the best support going!
    To learn more about this professional, click here to visit their ad in Find A Contractor.
  • Robert O'Brien
    Robert O'Brien Member Posts: 3,540
    Icesailor

    I think that's what shade tree "mechanics" said when fuel injection and electronics put them out business! Things change,get used to it!
    To learn more about this professional, click here to visit their ad in Find A Contractor.
  • icesailor
    icesailor Member Posts: 7,265
    Head of the shade tree class:

    Hey, I don't have a single problem with higher forms of technology. I think you have it all wrong. As far as modern and whatever? It's about this.

    A "Fixed Head" burner and an "Adjustable Head" Burner.

    With an adjustable head burner, you slide the retention head through a throttle ring to adjust the air pressure in relation to the firing rate. The retention head is always the same. Just the distance from the throttle ring changes. No other parts are needed. The adjustments are in the nozzle pattern. The "Z" dimension is always fixed by the placement of the retention head on the nozzle adapter.

    With a "fixed head" burner, the "Z" dimension is a number that can never be violated. If you want the burner to work through a long range of firing, you have to play "tricks" with the head but that "Z" dimension can never change.

    How many combinations of parts are offered from the burner body to the end are offered on the various Becketts? Many. How many on a Carlin? One. The adjustment is dome with the head positioning bar and air pressure. Whatever you fire, its the bar you use. Not so with the fixed head.

    As far as I know, the power gas burners are adjustable head burners.

    If fixed head burners worked as well for me as adjustable head ones have, I might like them. They have never given me a reason to like them. The fact that I must put my large paw down the air tube of a fixed head burner to scrape the carbon off the retention cone with a used copper fitting brush annoys the heck out of me. There's nothing like pulling the nozzle Assembly out and cleaning the adjustable head so it looks like new.

    I left the shade tree mechanics under their trees long ago. I still see a lot of folks still back under the tree though.
  • Robert O'Brien
    Robert O'Brien Member Posts: 3,540
    I'm not following you

    Adjustable heads are good and fixed heads are bad? Yet the unit in question is using an adjustable head and that's bad because it's made by Beckett and not Carlin? There's a reason Beckett and Riello have 90% of the market between them! I have nothing against Carlin,but they are basically a non entity in NYC and LI,except on the commercial end. 
    To learn more about this professional, click here to visit their ad in Find A Contractor.
  • billtwocase
    billtwocase Member Posts: 2,385
    this has to be

    the longest damn thread
  • Matthew Grallert
    Matthew Grallert Member Posts: 109
    Fuel line

    My money is still on the fuel line.  And then of course fixing all the fixes.

    peace
  • AL Gregory_4
    AL Gregory_4 Member Posts: 8
    I hate Beckett

    Does the V8H still come without a floor blanket? If so you may want to try adding one.
  • icesailor
    icesailor Member Posts: 7,265
    Following heads:

    I didn't  say that there was anything wrong with fixed head burners, just that because of all the need for different heads and et/al, they become more complicated for a lot of techs. The problem is that given the time constraints given for service, and things being done by techs that don't really know what they are doing, it becomes a huge burden to someone trying to fix something.

    Wasn't that AFG II an attempt at an adjustable head burner? You had to take the thing apart and switch rods. I found one once where someone had changed nozzle sizes and didn't change the spacers. It ran like dog do-do. And the set of space bars were no where to be found. What does one do? That's my point. You obviously know what you are doing. I don't.

    I thought that Riello's are adjustable head burners.

    Got to go. They are about to call my flight. 
  • Robert O'Brien
    Robert O'Brien Member Posts: 3,540
    Longest??

    It's really much ado about nothing!
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  • LIBOB
    LIBOB Member Posts: 23
    Still Bangin???

    What type end cone?  Never met a L or V head I did'nt have to vac. Beckett burners have changed their design so much. Maybe to compete with Riello. Not a fan of either. A .85 nozzle I believe was in the burner? Change the blast tube with a F6 end cone.

    If it was my house I would use a Carlin. Standard parts, E Z setup.

    Just one mans opinion.
  • 95nick
    95nick Member Posts: 13
    Barometric damper

    Try a new barometric damper and move it to the Horizontial part of the smoke pipe.
  • jcamp
    jcamp Member Posts: 27
    Beckett burner banging real bad

    OK guys here is an update. Replaced fuel line from tank to burner, still banging.. I now have the damper shut all the time and the banging is livable. Still bangs but not as bad or I am becoming used to it. I had another burner man in with all the gauges and meter and he set it up according to factory specs. Took the burner out and check for leaks or excessive fuel, all ok. When he got done it is still banging. I really appreciate everybody that has tried to help me with this mess. Neither the selling dealer, Burnam or Beckett want to help. I also have too much money invested to junk the burner and get a new one so I will have to learn too live with it. The new setup is definitely working better than the old Kover boiler and the Beckett burner that I have been using. Maybe when Spring comes I will look for more answers but for now is is livable. thanks again.

    Joe
  • billtwocase
    billtwocase Member Posts: 2,385
    I would

    have liked to see Alan go "get er done"
  • chris_103
    chris_103 Member Posts: 2
    banging

    does it have an l1 head?
  • Patchogue Phil_2
    Patchogue Phil_2 Member Posts: 304
    Update?

    Anything new to add?  Problem solved yet?
  • Gramps
    Gramps Member Posts: 2
    Bryant

    AFG-AF53 Burner Specs
  • Gramps
    Gramps Member Posts: 2
    Bryant

    AFG-AF53 Burner Specs
  • Patchogue Phil_2
    Patchogue Phil_2 Member Posts: 304
    What a letdown

    I re-read this old thread after all this time.  Thought there was something useful added or a solution found.  Just a teaser.



    ::sigh::
  • Stech
    Stech Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2013
    Boof

    Is the oil tank outside? If noise only happens in the winter might be cold oil not atomizing correctly
  • Burnerboy2
    Burnerboy2 Member Posts: 26
    I also wish Alan

    was invited to go an check it out........

    After all this reading we still have no idea what the problem was........

    Are these outside tanks, cold oil??

    Burnerboy

    Ronnie
  • Patchogue Phil_2
    Patchogue Phil_2 Member Posts: 304
    Joe?

    So,  didja get it fixed?
This discussion has been closed.