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Restoring old Dearborn heater #13120246 04/11/19 12:47 PM
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Cast Offline OP
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Originally Posted by Cast
I picked up another one. This one is NG from the factory (ugh) but it has a thermostat (yay).

[Linked Image]

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]

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]

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?

[Linked Image]


Cast


[Linked Image]

I have a short attention spa
Re: Restoring old Dearborn heater [Re: Cast] #13120563 04/11/19 06:14 PM
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hopalong Online Confused
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who ya tryin to gas?


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Re: Restoring old Dearborn heater [Re: Cast] #13120569 04/11/19 06:19 PM
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Cast Offline OP
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Ive got three of those now. One heats my mancave. This one will swap out so my cave heater has a thermostat.


Cast


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Re: Restoring old Dearborn heater [Re: Cast] #13120687 04/11/19 09:02 PM
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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.

Re: Restoring old Dearborn heater [Re: Cast] #13120690 04/11/19 09:06 PM
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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


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Re: Restoring old Dearborn heater [Re: Cast] #13120706 04/11/19 09:32 PM
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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.

Re: Restoring old Dearborn heater [Re: Cast] #13120714 04/11/19 09:39 PM
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Cast Offline OP
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To add the thermostat you need a new valve like mine. Its a $100 part.


Cast


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Re: Restoring old Dearborn heater [Re: Cast] #13120810 04/11/19 11:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Cast
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.


[Linked Image]
Re: Restoring old Dearborn heater [Re: Cast] #13121244 04/12/19 02:53 PM
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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]
[Linked Image]

Re: Restoring old Dearborn heater [Re: Cast] #13121246 04/12/19 02:54 PM
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And one of the small ones.

[Linked Image]

Re: Restoring old Dearborn heater [Re: Cast] #13121305 04/12/19 04:14 PM
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Wow, those are nice!


Cast


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