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Quality....what happened?

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bovide_7
bovide_7 Member Posts: 8
in Strictly Steam

First, I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving.

For steam, I have always gravitated to Burnham's IN series, and now their MegaSteam (love them). This time, I used a different brand, because they allow for two specific details that save a lot of time. We had to get the boiler on by Thanksgiving Day. If you want to know what they are, just ask.

It has been years since I installed this other brand of steam boiler (I use their other products, including in my shop), and I was very disappointed in the quality of this classic that is still prevalent in NYC.

First, the bottom metal/insulation panels and channels have a burr that will slice your hand if you are not wearing gloves. Common sense would say to have someone spend a few seconds getting rid of the sharp edges, just like we do in the field when cutting strut.

Second, I thought I was losing it for a minute until I realized that the rating sticker was applied upside down. That doesn't look good when I am the one who specified the boiler. Now I have to return with a heat gun and hope it comes out clean in order to have the rating sticker right side up for inspection.

Third, the terminals on the fan center relay are too loose, and they fall of from their own weight. I squeezed them a bit tighter, but they are still loose. I think I will have to cut them off and replace them to avoid a callback.

I am renewing my loyalty to Burnham now :)

Comments

  • HydronicMike
    HydronicMike Member Posts: 243

    I always go around and check (usually re tighten) every screw, nut, bolt on every new piece of equipment. Nothing really surprises me anymore.

    Hopefully that was someone having a bad day at the factory and not a trend.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,502

    So, what brand it this? Inquiring minds would like to know. Sorry but I can't share any enthusiasm for anything Burnham.

    I will take a wild guess and say Weil McLain.

    reggiethicalpaul
  • bovide_7
    bovide_7 Member Posts: 8

    You would be correct, sir. I did not want to flame a company, but I see you are an OG here :)

  • bovide_7
    bovide_7 Member Posts: 8

    This is the last Burnham I installed.

    image.jpeg
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,502

    @bovide_7

    I would prefer Weil or Peerless myself. I am in MA. and Burnhams took a huge market share here in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s were a disaster around here.

    Intplm.
  • bovide_7
    bovide_7 Member Posts: 8

    I remember reading about a run of bad CI sections. The old standby EG reminds me of an old truck that won’t die, even with the parts falling off.
    I got spoiled with the quality of my Buderus at home.

  • gfrbrookline
    gfrbrookline Member Posts: 776

    I have a burnham 904A that has been flawless for 15 years. It replaced a Peerless that didn't make 8 years with proper maintenance. It developed a hole in the top, I am going to guess a weak spot in the casting and leave it at that. Since nothing is manufactured in the US anymore there is a quality concern with any cast iron boiler regardless of manufacturer.

    bburdbovide_7ethicalpaul
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,502

    @gfrbrookline

    I think the CI sections are American made.

    In the 80s , 90s and early 2000s. Burnham made a big push in the north east where they didn't have much market share. They must have had good prices because they were getting every job. A lot of new schools and commercial building had them installed both water and steam.

    The results were awful. Every job with Burnhams had failing boilers both steam and hot water. 10-15 years was not too early for them to fail. Some say its chlorides in the water. Some people love them

    bovide_7ethicalpaul
  • STEAM DOCTOR
    STEAM DOCTOR Member Posts: 2,506

    I have in the back of my head, that Burnham had a contract with some of the gas companies, and were installed on a lot of the oil to gas conversion jobs.

  • DanielDAY
    DanielDAY Member Posts: 39

    Anyone have long experience with New Yorkers? We’ve been installing them and they have been great so far. They are basically Crown boilers

  • bovide_7
    bovide_7 Member Posts: 8

    I've installed a few New Yorkers, and was suprised with the quality and what is offered for the price.

    To your point, the boilers from New Yorker, Crown, and Williamson look exactly the same.

    STEAM DOCTOR
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 17,060
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1875519#Comment_1875519

    Williamson is Weil-Mclain no?

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.

    ethicalpaul
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,502

    Williamson is Weil McLain.

    Crown and New Yorker are Burnham

  • RTW
    RTW Member Posts: 253

    Other than occasional photos on this site of a boiler that has had the sheet metal removed to expose the internal view of the actual construction of the boiler during removal ( or repair), I have never seen photos behind the sheet metal of new boilers posted on this site, never.

    There's a saying, "You can't judge a book by its cover"

    Regards,

    RTW

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