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Restoring old Dearborn heater
#13120246
04/11/19 12:47 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12,214
Cast
OP
TFF Guru
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OP
TFF Guru
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12,214 |
I picked up another one. This one is NG from the factory (ugh) but it has a thermostat (yay). The burner is the biggest chore. It starts as a old rusty plugged up trot line weight. First you gotta get it out. It is the last piece to come out of the now empty heater cabinet. Then find your sharp 7/64 drill and start drilling out those rust filled holes. Just rust should come out. If you get shavings dropdown a size to 3/32. They were not all drilled 7/64 but most are. It went in the blasting cabinet next, then finally it was pickled with phosphoric acid to stop future rust. It is about ready to go back in. ![[Linked Image]](https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/userpics/2019/04/full-10648-183954-8fc37eee_b8eb_4ac2_a51b_7c008bed793e.jpeg) So, about converting NG to LP, the NG units have an extra regulator for the NG flow. LP does not need that, so it goes and is replaced with a short piece of 3/8 black steel pipe. This is a model of the NG burner. The big unit connecting to the burner is the valve/thermostat. It is not a regulator. The little unit connected to the valve is the NG regulator. That is replaced with a 3/8 x 6 black iron nipple. ![[Linked Image]](https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/userpics/2019/04/full-10648-183955-1b997ded_c033_4b8c_b051_c48a57968482.jpeg) Oh, one more thing about the conversion to LP. Under that round black cover there is a large brass straight slot screw. Thats a NG specific part, so it comes out and is replaced by its LP counterpart. A little tricky to remove, it has an o-ring that fights you. Just unscrew it as far as you can then use two tiny screwdrivers to carefully and gently pry it out. Those are the only two changes made converting from NG to LP. So, yall think it will ever be a heater again?
Cast I have a short attention spa
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Re: Restoring old Dearborn heater
[Re: Cast]
#13120563
04/11/19 06:14 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 121,182
hopalong
Pescador Loco
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Pescador Loco
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 121,182 |
" Hop, set the hook"! hopalong 99,999 TexDawg 99,999 FJB! not my president by a long shot!
lake fork FISHERMANS COVE MARINA/reservations - 903 474 7479
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Re: Restoring old Dearborn heater
[Re: Cast]
#13120569
04/11/19 06:19 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12,214
Cast
OP
TFF Guru
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OP
TFF Guru
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12,214 |
Ive got three of those now. One heats my mancave. This one will swap out so my cave heater has a thermostat.
Cast I have a short attention spa
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Re: Restoring old Dearborn heater
[Re: Cast]
#13120687
04/11/19 09:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,686
Todd
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,686 |
I've got 4 older versions of this one that are in excellent shape. Two smaller than yours, one about the same size, and one larger. They were used to heat my Grandmothers house. I thought about running NG to one in my man cave because they did real good at heating her house.
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Re: Restoring old Dearborn heater
[Re: Cast]
#13120690
04/11/19 09:06 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12,214
Cast
OP
TFF Guru
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OP
TFF Guru
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12,214 |
Yeah, they heat well. Post a pic of the larger one please, never seen one bigger than this one. If youve got the same valve as this one, I might have a NG kit for you.
Cast I have a short attention spa
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Re: Restoring old Dearborn heater
[Re: Cast]
#13120706
04/11/19 09:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,686
Todd
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,686 |
I'll get a pic and post it. They are NG now but use a pilot and a manual valve to turn on and adjust flame. I like the thermostat control you're doing.
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Re: Restoring old Dearborn heater
[Re: Cast]
#13120714
04/11/19 09:39 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12,214
Cast
OP
TFF Guru
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OP
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To add the thermostat you need a new valve like mine. Its a $100 part.
Cast I have a short attention spa
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Re: Restoring old Dearborn heater
[Re: Cast]
#13120810
04/11/19 11:57 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 38,953
chickenman
1:28
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1:28
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 38,953 |
So, about converting NG to LP, the NG units have an extra regulator for the NG flow. LP does not need that, so it goes and is replaced with a short piece of 3/8 black steel pipe. The only reason that I can think of that it would have the regulator is because it was on a two pound delivery pressure. Appliances on 4 ounce delivery (common residential) do not require internal regulators.
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Re: Restoring old Dearborn heater
[Re: Cast]
#13121244
04/12/19 02:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,686
Todd
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,686 |
Here is the bigger one Cast. Water jug for size comparison. Not sure if it's bigger than the one above but maybe just a different model. ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2019/04/full-56546-8553-img_0144.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2019/04/full-56546-8554-img_0146.jpg)
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Re: Restoring old Dearborn heater
[Re: Cast]
#13121246
04/12/19 02:54 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,686
Todd
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,686 |
And one of the small ones. ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2019/04/full-56546-8555-img_0145.jpg)
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Re: Restoring old Dearborn heater
[Re: Cast]
#13121305
04/12/19 04:14 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12,214
Cast
OP
TFF Guru
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OP
TFF Guru
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12,214 |
Cast I have a short attention spa
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