Teledyne/ Laars boiler

[Richie208]

Im working at a prison where every unit in the prison has 2 Teledyne Mighty Max Boilers model VW. A lead and a lag. Boilers give hot water for showers. All together there are about a good 14 of these boilers around. Anyways there is a reoccuring problem with fireboxes burning holes through them. As far as i know a good 5 boxes have been replaced on different boilers. Has anyone else had problems with fireboxes in these boilers? they have an air shutter on them that combine the air and gas before it hits the igniter. Im guessing that its just not set up right

[doubleduece]

Are the heat exchangers clean?

[Richie208]

these boilers dont really have heat exchangers the hot water coils sit right on top of the fireboxes and then the flu box sits on top of that and thats it

[klrogers]

The hot water coil is what he ment by heat exchanger, there is a good chance that they are plugged.

Kevin

[DPinst]

Are these boilers atmospheric?
What is the ratings in btu's
What are the pressures."wc
Are these gas valves high and low fire and what are the settings in /wc
I have had these boilers do exactly this and it was because of incorrect firing.
Also if they are atmospheric how are they vented.
Post this info and it would help? Also a picture if possible

[steveholt]

This is a mid efficiency fan assist domestic hot water boiler.

I suggest that you disassemble the unit and inspect the heat exchanger (extruded fin tubes).

You will likely find that it’s green in colour and perhaps has some carbon build up. The heat exchanger is partially blocked. The green build up is copper oxide (like rust).

The blocked heat exchanger is trapping heat in the combustion chamber resulting in over heated burners and the failure of some combustion chamber components.

Cleaning the heat exchanger will solve your problem for the short term.

Check the plumbing arrangement of the storage tanks tied into the heater. You will likely find that cold water is directed right into the heater (boiler) inlet. Entering water temperatures of less than 130 deg F will cause the boilers to condense (the HX will turn green and plug up). These heaters are not designed to condense despite what any sales staff will tell you.

You have two options to correct this problem.

1) Sell a frequent maintenance package that includes HX cleaning.

2) Modify the plumbing to temper the boiler inlet water temperature. Consider plumbing the boiler inlet from the top of the storage tank. You can also install a bypass tempering loop on the boiler.

Good luck...

[steveholt]

Once you take a mighty max apart once, I think you’ll consider the plumbing option. There are no shortage of gaskets and screws on this baby. Don't forget the insulating board...

Remember to complete a combustion analysis on the boiler when you fire it back up.

This boilers work great with a hot return water temperature (130 deg plus).