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Boiler Brush Recommendations

Brycewvu
Brycewvu Member Posts: 36
in Strictly Steam

I have a Weil McLain SGO Series 3 (SGO-7) boiler and I want to get things cleaned up before the next heating season. I went to my local store and they have several brush options ranging from 3/4 inch flat to 2 inch round and different handle lengths. Does anyone have any recommendations on brush size or what to buy that will fit in the heat exchange passages? I know it does't have to be an exact fit, but any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Comments

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,338

    I would think your service professional would know. Seven section steam boiler? The house must be huuuge.

  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,519

    I buy 1 the small ones. Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,401
    edited August 24
    Screenshot 2024-08-24 at 2.42.39 PM.png

    When brushing from the top, be careful on that last section. If you drop the brush too far, you can damage the back wall of the combustion chamber

    EDIT:

    Screenshot 2024-08-24 at 2.52.47 PM.png

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    PC7060Long Beach Ed
  • Brycewvu
    Brycewvu Member Posts: 36

    Thanks for the tips. I have not opened up the boiler for maintenance before and the last guy I had come out to service it didn't bother other than look in the burn chamber viewer with a flashlight and change the filters. Looking back, the guy was definitely a "knucklehead with his right turning only screwdriver" as Dan would put it. I've learned a lot in the past 2 years with this system from The Wall, Youtube, and of course Dan's books.

    @HVACNUT The house is about 2,000 feet of heated space. I think based on some EDR calculations my BTU load is about 85,000. This SGO-7 says 240,000 BTUs per hour with a 2.0 nozzle on the sticker. I need to do a bit more research and measurements this weekend but I am pretty sure this boiler is well oversized. Any tips on making this boiler more efficient or reducing the amount of oil im burning (Nozzle is 1.50 - 70deg B) is greatly appreciated!

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,338
    edited September 5
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1809504#Comment_1809504

    Not too much you can do. What burner? With a 7 section, I'd want a long throw down the chamber, but without impingement.

    You could try down firing a little, as long as the stack temperature remains above the Dew point at steady state. If the boiler has the PA404A PressureTrol, and its set as low as it can go, with a diff. of 1, that's all I can offer.

    There are however excellent steam pros here. There could be numerous things they can recommend to increase efficiency and comfort. If you want to start a new thread with pics of the boiler piping, controls, vents, and some rads, I'm sure you'll get some good tips.

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,401

    Since a steam boiler operates at higher temperatures, (215° as opposed to 180°) you may be able to get away with down firing the boiler by as much as 25%. (15% is the usual recommended reduction). Try a 1.10 GPH nozzle at 140 PSI pump pressure. that may still have a stack temperature high enough to eliminate flue gas condensation.

    At the end of the heating season, inspect the heat exchanger for signs of wet soot or corrosion of the heat exchanger pins. if you see that… then increase the firing rate. If the HX looks good, then use that reduced firing rate. One of the Weil McLain reference manuals indicate that a *GO-7 boiler can fire as low as 1.35 GPH.

    Screenshot 2024-09-05 at 5.20.30 PM.png

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,338
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1809553#Comment_1809553

    Where is that data from? I see a reduced firing rate of 1.60 GPH for the WGO. And the literature for the SGO doesn't show a down fire option.

    Screenshot_20240905_212308_Drive.jpg

    My Beckett OEM specs download is weird for the WGO 7 section. It's shows 2 identical setups except for the nozzle.

    Screenshot_20240905_213415_Samsung Notes.jpg

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,401
    edited September 6

    I was looking at page 5 of the Beckett Burner manual that is included with the WGO, WTGO, and SGO boilers . @HVACNUT

    Screenshot 2024-09-06 at 1.26.43 PM.png

    https://www.weil-mclain.com/sites/default/files/field-file/Beckett%20AFG%20Burner%20Manual%20for%20WM%20GO%20Oil%20Boilers%20-%200618_1.pdf

    So I would try it and see if it works. 1.10 @ 140 PSI gets you close to 1.35 GPH

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,338
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1809636#Comment_1809636

    Actually, looking closer, it's a 1.35 GPH nozzle with a 1.60 GPH input.

    At 1.35 GPH input, those rear sections would sweat like Michael Jackson at Chuck E. Cheese.

    EdTheHeaterMan

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