Economite conversion burner assembly

[jamessnevets]

Today I encountered an Economite burner assembly and needed replacement parts. Does anyone know where to locate/obtain these parts quickly? It converts an oil burner to natural gas or LP. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks! :grin2:

[jetstream]

It's gotta be pretty old. I used to work on those all the time, but I doubt there are very many left around now. I actually had one in my own converted furnace for years.

The only odd part is the motor with the 3 bolt mounting system, other parts such as the relay, transformer, gas valve etc should be available as generic parts I'd think.

Yours is residential, is it? What's the problem?

[jamessnevets]

I needed to replace a failed motor (it was original, and it seized due to excessive dust and water exposure), and luckily we had one in an off-site warehouse among antique parts and used equipment. The company I work for has been in business since 1897 (began as a hardware store, then branched into plumbing, then hvac), and one of the owners remembered that some parts existed in our expansive stock of rare parts. I got it repaired, but I used our last motor. In the spirit of being prepared, I was curious if anyone knew where to obtain more parts. It sounds like it may be a lost cause. My contact at Johnstone Supply said he cannot acquire those service parts, and I'm still waiting for responses from our other suppliers.

[Failure2Comply]

Had you considered having the old motor rebuilt at a motor shop?

[jetstream]

I'm in Canada, didn't know those units were ever sold in the USA. I used my last new motor about 8 yrs ago, still have a couple of used ones, just in case.

Those conversion burners were very popular here in the 1970s. The local gas utility rented them out, customers could convert to nat gas with no upfront costs whatever, and keep their oil furnace, no change-out required. We had thousands of them around. There was also a commercial Economite that would fire to 400,000 I think.

They also contributed to a lot of ruined chimneys around here I suspect, this was at a time when chimneys were often not lined, there were minimal requirements for chimneys. Units were often under-fired in old over-sized furnaces with over-sized chimneys, and it was some time before anyone realized there was an epidemic of crumbling brick chimneys. The good old days....

I'll ask about to see whether anyone knows if these motors can still be obtained.

[jamessnevets]

Had you considered having the old motor rebuilt at a motor shop?

We could, but on a Saturday afternoon that was not possible and the man needed heat ASAP. I'll consider having the one that I removed rebuilt just in case I need it again in the future.

[Failure2Comply]

We could, but on a Saturday afternoon that was not possible and the man needed heat ASAP. I'll consider having the one that I removed rebuilt just in case I need it again in the future.

Sorry I did not word it right. I meant take the customer's old motor to a shop to rebuild for a spare since you put your shop motor on for the customer.

[burto]

definely still out there ,ran into a m# 800 n 33 today.
800k output, and purring like a kitten.

[jamessnevets]

Sorry I did not word it right. I meant take the customer's old motor to a shop to rebuild for a spare since you put your shop motor on for the customer.

Yes, I suggested it to the boss, and he thought it a good idea to keep on-hand. Thanks for the idea! :cheers:

[jamessnevets]

I had time to do research today, and if anyone is looking for parts for these units, I found an online catalog! Thanks to all for the suggestions! Here's the link:

http://boilerburnerpartsdepot.com/catalog/