EdC
@knoll.com
|  Weil McLain CGA-4 Boiler Convert from NG to LP
I am trying to convert a 1 year old CGa-4 gas boiler to LP. Weil McLain sells a conversion kit for these boilers if they are standing pilot, but they do not sell a conversion kit for electronic ignition.
Has anyone converted such a boiler and what is the real answer to why this would not work if it in fact does not??
Thanks,
Ed |
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leibold
Premium,MVM
join:2002-07-09
Sunnyvale, CA
clubs: 
| My guess would be that they don't trust the electronic ignition to reliably ignite the LP (which is indeed harder to ignite than natural gas).
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SandShark
So it goes
Premium,MVM
join:2000-05-23
Santa Fe, TX
clubs:
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to EdC
I think leibold  is right. However, why don't you call and get it directly from the horse's mouth or call a local mechanical contractor in your area and ask?
»www.weil-mclain.com/contact/ |
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edc
@knoll.com
| reply to EdC
Weil McLain does not approve of the conversion unless it is standing pilot. So basically, they will not even field the question and I had to do some dancing just to get an answer to anything. The guys voice was saying... you can do it, we just do not approve and are not liable.
All of the professional HVAC stores do not field questions from anyone but HVAC contractors. And I am not sure of a HVAC contractor that will do this if the mfg does not suggest it. I am looking online on the honeywell site (the mfg of the NG valve and spark ignition control module), and Honeywell has a conversion kit for the valve and they insist on changing the control module which I will do (I believe the control module may do something different with the speed of ignition or amount of gas for the pilot - hence, needs conversion). They also have a pilot orifice and main burner orifice conversion kit. So in my simple mind, everything is convertable.
And I plan on hooking this up myself and having a HVAC tune it before firing it up.
Any comments or reassurance is welcome. |
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SandShark
So it goes
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join:2000-05-23
Santa Fe, TX
clubs:
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4 edits | While I do not recommend going against the manufacturer's recommendations, before going through all the trouble and expense, why not try with the existing ignition system? The worse that could happen is the module will shut down the system if there is no ignition. Now that I think about it, though I've never done it in the field, I'm pretty sure LP conversion kits are available for pretty much all systems and ignition systems that come setup for NG. I'm at a loss to figure out why Weil-McLain won't provide guidance. I still recommend calling a mechanical contractor. They should be able to provide you with more insight. |
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cissado
Premium
join:2008-01-14
Clifton, NJ
| reply to EdC
CGa-4 gas boiler
Can't help you, sorry. Just see that I have the same exact boiler but it's a 'direct vent' or powered vent? The kind that doesn't have a chimney going up the roof, but uses a motor to exhaust. It's the Gold model. Anyway, can you tell me how much those units go for? I see that yours is one year old. Mine is a bit older but it hasn't been turned on yet in a few years , due to my laziness. So, I guess it's "new" still. Just wondering the price. Good luck with your conversion. |
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jack b
Gone Fishing
Premium,MVM
join:2000-09-08
Cape Cod
clubs:
 ·Comcast
| reply to EdC
There should not be any reason why you can't have electronic ignition with propane, that I am aware of...
For the conversion all the orifices for the main burners and the pilot burner all have to be replaced with a smaller size, and the combination gas control valve regulator needs a different spring for the higher pressure LP gas is delivered.
The main burner regulator needs to be adjusted to 10" WC (inches water column) for proper operation...not something the average homeowner can perform.
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Ed C
@dejazzd.com
| reply to cissado
Thanks to everyone for responding.
This was a boiler I spent a great amount of time researching before purchasing on Craigslist.org. The Allentown/Lehigh Valley area. If you do a search for Weil, you will find it. $850 for the boiler, circulator, electronic vent opener, expansion tank, etc. It is 1 year old and in perfect condition. Very neat and professionally installed. Anyway, I decided against converting and had to tell the people I decided not to buy it. Still is on there as of 10:50 Saturday night. Anyway, with the $200 oonversion needed, I decided on spending some extra money and getting one of those condensing boilers that are near 98% efficient. For the NJ person wanting to know the price, etc. new these boilers are low to mid 2000s. Thanks again. |
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