Combustion analyser for boiler start-up

[markushofer27]

As the tittle states , I'm going to need one for my lp boiler start-up. Anybody got any recommendations for one for one time use .
Other than buy a testo 310 for $600 and maybe sell on ebay when I'm done

 

[johnnyradiant]

Maybe a local wholesaler might be able to steer you towards some help. A plumbing or HVAC or a gas valve & controls wholesaler counter person may know of one of their clients that might be willing to come do the 'one time' test. The local wholesaler for gas valves and controls may even have a rental unit. Bacharach seems to be the most common flavour in my neck of the woods.

 

[ezridr60]

A rental would be the way to go, if, you can find one. Second, bite the bullet, have a local HVAC guy set it for you. I’ve got this unit. Think I paid around $700 for it initially, but the cost doesn’t not stop there. The sensors lose their effectiveness just sitting, it seems 18 months is about all I can get out of the O2 sensor, then it’s back for replacement, and calibration. I think the last time, about $150. It does have several features in addition to a flue gas analyzer. Leak detect. Manometer. A couple others.

 

[Kaizen]

I paid a local guy to do mine after major changes.


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[platypus20]

Hire I done, there is a lot more to it than getting a O2 reading, what’s the fuel?, is the air flow right?, has it the right stack configuration?, what’s your inlet gas pressure?, what do you do if you have excessive CO? Do you know what readings are acceptable?. There is a lot more to it than firing up a BBQ grill or even a water heater.

 

[markushofer27]

The manual show the natural gas to lp conversation steps. I called a couple hvac contractors the firstone didnt have one and the other said he has access to one.
So i thought hell i can do that myself. I'll call a few more places and see what i can find.

 

[platypus20]

I sincerely wish you the best. I set combustion on industrial boilers, furnaces, heat treating ovens, setting combustion, so it burn efficiently, safely and CLEANLY, is a serious business, not a job for a inexperienced home owner.

 

[fitter30]

platy.puss is correct its not for the homeowner. Trying to get the O2 & CO correctly setup can be interesting to say the least. And the sensors are sensitive to extreme reading that can make fail.

 

[markushofer27]

platy.puss is correct its not for the homeowner. Trying to get the O2 & CO correctly setup can be interesting to say the least. And the sensors are sensitive to extreme reading that can make fail.

Yeah , thinking it through I'll be cheaper to have somebody do it for me . I just need to find somebody who seems o know bout it than me.

 

[brewchief]

Yeah , thinking it through I'll be cheaper to have somebody do it for me . I just need to find somebody who seems o know bout it than me.

National Comfort Institute (NCI) has a find a contractor section that may point you to contractor that has taken there combustion analysis classes. This would be a good start.

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[markushofer27]

National Comfort Institute (NCI) has a find a contractor section that may point you to contractor that has taken there combustion analysis classes. This would be a good start.

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Thanks I'll check that out.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I sincerely wish you the best. I set combustion on industrial boilers, furnaces, heat treating ovens, setting combustion, so it burn efficiently, safely and CLEANLY, is a serious business, not a job for a inexperienced home owner.

X2. This is one time where I do not recommend a DIY approach.

Tommy

 

[markushofer27]

I'll cost me $279 + 2.10 per mile being 18 miles away.
I'm in the trades also but in don't think we charge anywhere near that for mileage .
Set for Monday morning.

 

[platypus20]

Damn!! We only charge $1.25/mile......, but also charge drive time to and from the job..

 

[markushofer27]

Damn!! We only charge $1.25/mile......, but also charge drive time to and from the job..

Ya i hear u there, I'll ponder that over the weekend i might call em back to discuss that.
I have other options if I change my mind.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

You can rent one here, but you have to call for the price.

https://www.globaltestsupply.com/product/testo-0563-3220-70-combustion-gas-analyzer-kit-rental

Phil

 

[BrokeEF]

As someone who was tech support at a burner manufacturer for almost 10 years, even guys who "know what they are doing" still need quite a bit of help. Though it was pretty rare to talk to someone with an analyzer, that didn't always guarantee success.

Combustion gas analyzers are very sensitive and thus very easy to throw WAY off calibration. We had a local contractor who came in and learned about them, bought one, and then had nothing but issues for months. He brought it in and we checked it in our certified lab and found it was way WAY off. Probably had over loaded the sensors and didn't even notice.

I would call the burner manufacturer and ask them to recommend a contractor that knows what they are doing. It makes everyone's life a lot easier and safer. All that said, if you have any questions you can PM me.

Sean

 

[markushofer27]

Well I had a guy come out this am , but he couldn't get his tester to work. Waiting game now.

 

[markushofer27]

He had a testo 327 i believe

 

[markushofer27]

You can rent one here, but you have to call for the price.

https://www.globaltestsupply.com/product/testo-0563-3220-70-combustion-gas-analyzer-kit-rental

Phil

Thanks wish I would be known that sooner.

 

[Jackfre]

One resource not discussed here is the local supply house selling your brand of boiler. Suppliers will generally have someone in house who is tuned in to the particular line. They do not do service, but if you find that person and stop in for a conversation asking who would he suggest to do this, you might get a referral for someone to do it in off hours. Keep the info under your hat so no one gets in trouble. If you try this over the phone you will get nowhere.
O2 analyzers are a giant pita to deal with. I represented manuf of them years ago and would occasionally have the "opportunity" to display performance of the unit. Using them once in a while demonstrates that knowledge can be a mile wide and a 1/4" deep. You sit there going, "is this thing my friend?" it isn't! Without the background and experience you damned sure have zero confidence in the data. It is the very definition of "hit and hope."
Getting someone in there that you can bird dog will teach you a lot. Pay him well and call him at your service intervals. You will be money ahead and get the best life and performance out of the equipment.

 

[markushofer27]

My supply house doesn't sell the burnham , I bought it online. And im
nowhere near any major city.
I know the guy i hired to do the analysis .just waiting for them to get their meter on working order.

 

[rotortuner]

I know it’s been a couple weeks but I just installed my own boiler and called a local plumbing company, they also do mechanical etc. $175 and they came out with an analyzer and manometer To check it and give it a little fine tune. Ended up needing a little bump on my propane 2nd stage reg. I think it was worth it. Keep calling different places. Ask if they work on boilers and tell em u just need a combustion analysis.

 

[markushofer27]

A question for the great minds here , would I be ok to run it without combustipn analysis for a week or so while I wait for em to get their meter back?

 

[markushofer27]

I know it’s been a couple weeks but I just installed my own boiler and called a local plumbing company, they also do mechanical etc. $175 and they came out with an analyzer and manometer To check it and give it a little fine tune. Ended up needing a little bump on my propane 2nd stage reg. I think it was worth it. Keep calling different places. Ask if they work on boilers and tell em u just need a combustion analysis.

I would call other places, but they wanted to be paid when they where done, so I paid em and went to work an hour later he call me says he couldn't get his meter to work. So here i am waiting.

 

[Sokoloff]

A question for the great minds here , would I be ok to run it without combustipn analysis for a week or so while I wait for em to get their meter back?

IMO, absolutely yes. Make sure you have CO monitors nearby as recommended. Look at the flame. If it looks mostly blue, let ‘er tip while you wait for the tech to come out.

These things were run for years before handheld analyzers became a thing. Gas is expensive enough that you want to run efficiently, but I don’t think it’s a life safety issue to run one without it, provided it’s been installed correctly, of course.

 

[rotortuner]

I ran mine for about two weeks before they came out. Mine has a glass inspection window. I made sure the flame was blue and ran it. I kinda kept and eye for any soot and also made sure there was condensate being generated. Lack of condensate could mean its way out of tune.

 

[markushofer27]

Thanks guys , did all of the above, its cooking with gas.
I will say, having the basement unheated for 10 year it sure feels damn nice. Funny now the first floor feels cold when u walk up the stairs.

 

[markushofer27]

There she is.