AFG Burner
#1
08-16-08, 07:07 PM
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AFG Burner
I'm almost finished refitting the old Thatcher boiler. I repaired some cracks in the combustion chamber, lined the cabinet insides with reflective thermal barrier, and installed a new aquastat and Beckett HeatManager. I covered the old baby blue color with hammer finish grey toolbox paint for a more manly look. :-) I also installed the outside air kit to go with the new burner.
I fired it up for the first time today. I was expecting to have to prime, per the instructions, but it started right up on its own.
Wow that AFG burner is noisy. The old one was almost silent but this one sounds like an airplane. I've seen covers for sale that claim to quiet the noise. I'd be interested in this since the boiler is next door to my home office. Does anyone know if they work? Does the unit get quieter as it breaks in?
On a positive note, I got the boiler up to 170 to check the high limit break. Nine hours later after shutting it down, the temp still reads 140.
I fired it up for the first time today. I was expecting to have to prime, per the instructions, but it started right up on its own.
Wow that AFG burner is noisy. The old one was almost silent but this one sounds like an airplane. I've seen covers for sale that claim to quiet the noise. I'd be interested in this since the boiler is next door to my home office. Does anyone know if they work? Does the unit get quieter as it breaks in?
On a positive note, I got the boiler up to 170 to check the high limit break. Nine hours later after shutting it down, the temp still reads 140.
#3
08-16-08, 08:50 PM
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Loud AFG
Before spending the coins on a burner cover, you need to determine if the noise is from the burner itself, flame noise, or flue noise. My guess is it is flame/flue noise, in which case the burner cover won't help. Flame/flue noise is generally a lower pitch than is burner noise. If the sound is coming from the burner motor/fan the sound is more of a whine where as flame/flue noise is more like a roar.
#4
08-16-08, 09:21 PM
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Before:
After:
The noise is definitely from the higher RPM motor and may be due to the thinner castings and smaller size of this burner compared to the old one. The air noise is muffled by the ductwork.
After:
The noise is definitely from the higher RPM motor and may be due to the thinner castings and smaller size of this burner compared to the old one. The air noise is muffled by the ductwork.
#5
08-16-08, 09:47 PM
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Sound Cover
Here's a link to some info from Beckett about them. http://www.beckettcorp.com/product/p...sp?detailid=13
They do help but the air boot might have to go. I think there is a fresh air connection knock out on the inside left corner of the box. BTW, from the picture, you may not have enough room between the boiler & burner to install a cover. From the drawing on the Beckett site, it looks like they want 4". You may need to get a longer air tube assembly.
Nice looking paint job but I kinda liked the baby blue.
They do help but the air boot might have to go. I think there is a fresh air connection knock out on the inside left corner of the box. BTW, from the picture, you may not have enough room between the boiler & burner to install a cover. From the drawing on the Beckett site, it looks like they want 4". You may need to get a longer air tube assembly.
Nice looking paint job but I kinda liked the baby blue.
#6
08-17-08, 12:15 AM
Looks great !
you might wanna pick up some 3/8" pipe insulation and wrap the oil feed line to protect it from contact with the concrete. (or an old piece of garden hose, slit lengthwise, and a few tyraps)
How'd ya adjust the burner ?
you might wanna pick up some 3/8" pipe insulation and wrap the oil feed line to protect it from contact with the concrete. (or an old piece of garden hose, slit lengthwise, and a few tyraps)
How'd ya adjust the burner ?
#7
08-17-08, 07:21 AM
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Originally Posted by NJ Trooper
Looks great !
you might wanna pick up some 3/8" pipe insulation and wrap the oil feed line to protect it from contact with the concrete. (or an old piece of garden hose, slit lengthwise, and a few tyraps)
you might wanna pick up some 3/8" pipe insulation and wrap the oil feed line to protect it from contact with the concrete. (or an old piece of garden hose, slit lengthwise, and a few tyraps)
How'd ya adjust the burner ?
#8
08-17-08, 07:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Grady
Here's a link to some info from Beckett about them. http://www.beckettcorp.com/product/p...sp?detailid=13
They do help but the air boot might have to go. I think there is a fresh air connection knock out on the inside left corner of the box. BTW, from the picture, you may not have enough room between the boiler & burner to install a cover. From the drawing on the Beckett site, it looks like they want 4". You may need to get a longer air tube assembly.
They do help but the air boot might have to go. I think there is a fresh air connection knock out on the inside left corner of the box. BTW, from the picture, you may not have enough room between the boiler & burner to install a cover. From the drawing on the Beckett site, it looks like they want 4". You may need to get a longer air tube assembly.
Nice looking paint job but I kinda liked the baby blue.
#9
08-17-08, 01:13 PM
oil_boiler, looks good painted. I have been thinking about doing mine. Kids splashed soda up/down the front panel and caused it to corrode. Ugly, thats why I don't show it in the pics.
About the noise. With the burner motor close to the cement block wall there is a lot of reflection of the noise.
A semi-closed box around the burner will cut that down. This was common back in the day of chain and pin head printers. I'll still do it from time to time to cut down on fan noise on power supplies.
Doesn't have to be elaborate. Try an enclosure that covers the wall side and opposite side, then the front side. Then go from there.
An interesting example is from a number of years ago. Power outage (many days). Borrowed a generator, and if you have ever run one, they are NOISY (huh, what did you say?).
I placed an empty trash can on it's side with the open end facing the exhaust (muffler). About 3-4 feet away. Cut the noise level in half.
Al.
About the noise. With the burner motor close to the cement block wall there is a lot of reflection of the noise.
A semi-closed box around the burner will cut that down. This was common back in the day of chain and pin head printers. I'll still do it from time to time to cut down on fan noise on power supplies.
Doesn't have to be elaborate. Try an enclosure that covers the wall side and opposite side, then the front side. Then go from there.
An interesting example is from a number of years ago. Power outage (many days). Borrowed a generator, and if you have ever run one, they are NOISY (huh, what did you say?).
I placed an empty trash can on it's side with the open end facing the exhaust (muffler). About 3-4 feet away. Cut the noise level in half.
Al.
#10
08-17-08, 09:10 PM
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The killer is that the boiler originally had a (baby blue) full height sheet metal enclosure surrounding everything on the business end. I tossed it in the trash because it blocked visibility and access.
Its hard to describe the noise but its similar to being in a 737 jet during a full throttle takeoff. Not as loud of course but its kind of a buzzing hum. When you're next to it you can also hear the flame, but in the other rooms you can hear only the buzzing sound.
I fully wired the HeatManager today and watched it do its thing. It only stayed in economizing mode for about 2 minutes before the burner fired again. I guess it has to learn the system over a few cycles?
Its hard to describe the noise but its similar to being in a 737 jet during a full throttle takeoff. Not as loud of course but its kind of a buzzing hum. When you're next to it you can also hear the flame, but in the other rooms you can hear only the buzzing sound.
I fully wired the HeatManager today and watched it do its thing. It only stayed in economizing mode for about 2 minutes before the burner fired again. I guess it has to learn the system over a few cycles?
#11
08-18-08, 08:15 AM
I know what you mean about the full enclosure and limiting access. I've considered removing it too. With the burner at the back of the boiler access is truely limited.
Flame noise may be from the burner not fully set up. With excess air they can roar. A solid nozzle also tends to be noisier then a hollow.
Also, double check that the ignition is turning off once the flame is established. That too will reduce the noise level.
Al.
Flame noise may be from the burner not fully set up. With excess air they can roar. A solid nozzle also tends to be noisier then a hollow.
Also, double check that the ignition is turning off once the flame is established. That too will reduce the noise level.
Al.
