LG Heater for the Win

I am going to just order a new LG heater for the box truck next week instead of replacing the coil on the other one. It has been a disaster up to this point and I want it to be over with so I am not going to replace the coil only to chase another problem somewhere.

With that in mind, I am leaning towards just going with a #3 high psi unit instead of the #4 heater. Everyone seems to have parts for the #3, but the #4 always seems less convenient and I really don't know if I need that larger unit anyway.

I have never been a high heat cleaner since my limited time behind an El Diablo. I don't clean grease pits any more and that high heat just resulted in earlier death of hoses and fittings. My old Butler can only push out 205 max at the TM, but it has always been plenty except during the winter when I would like a little more. Of course, this box truck has proven to not be a winter unit anyway, so during the warmer period, I would think that the #3 would be adequate.

What do you think? What will I be missing with a #3 instead of the #4? What temps can you hold with a #3 running off a Judson?

I don't know much about propane but since you are selling the unit soon, I would go with #4 just because it's going to be easier for you to sell the unit with #4 than with #3, most people like larger unit, my everest hp 650 has more interests than the smaller everest.

I was going to say; #3, IF you are a hi flow cleaner. But then DP has a good point about resale value.

Well, the resale value is a valid point.....it sold me on it, to much pain.

Well, the ball is in the Little Giant court right now and I should hear something tomorrow about my options. I really doubt it at this point, but I am going to see if it can be repaired with them.

It looks like my options are going to be:

Replacement #4HP coil ($1325 plus tax and shipping)
Replacement #4HP heater complete ($2304 plus tax and shipping)
Repair cost plus shipping....if that is an option yet.

Kind of wish I had gone with that Northstar heater from the beginning. I can get one of those for $1,400 and that schedule steel pipe will not fail so easily and it handles extreme pressures.

I guess I could revisit that option, but then I need to rig up some electrical supply to the igniter, convert to using kerosene, and dealing with the 350 lbs that it weighs dry.

Can't believe I am still trying to settle this decision after all this time. I will make the decision tomorrow and have something in place ASAP before the rush hits. I have already booked solid for the second half of March.

I don't blame you, it's a huge price tag, I wish you get a price range for the repair, but then again, there are 2 shipping costs for repair, one for going there and one for coming back, if I were you and I'm dead set on selling, I think I would go with the repair if it's substantially cheaper, if you think the resale value will be higher with new lg, then buy new.
Nonetheless it is a tough decision to make.

I would go with the new coil cuz it will be essentially a new heater. The box on your heater looks brand new and you just bought a new unitroll.

Well, I discovered that the former person that I had been working with at LG is now his own distributor of the LG products. His prices look good as well, so I am going with him.

I can get a new #4 HP complete for $1,925 or a replacement coil for $1,350. The #4 Extreme PSI coil is only another $100 more.

The extreme psi coil is rated to 2,200 psi, but that far exceeds the ratings of our trigger and shut off valves so I don't think it has any value except that it might be more durable with thicker copper.

So, the real decision now is going with the new coil or a new unit? I replaced a lot of my parts on that heater already, but the thought of having a ready-to-go out of box heater with a new burner assembly doesn't sound bad to me instead of having to re-assemble the old heater and hope all is well in the end. Not sure if that is worth $600 though.

I am getting closer to this decision....I guess I will think it over while I shovel snow all day.

You can make that $ 600 in 2 - 3 jobs, and have a peace of mind which is priceless, as well as full confidence that you will go through the jobs without anything leaking or anything goes wrong in the LG, plus you also get a full warranty on a whole new unit ? That warranty alone will make it slightly easier for you to sell the unit if it's still valid when you are selling the unit.
However I also know $ 2000 is a lot of money, if you are not going to use that unit every day, then may be saving $ 600 is not too bad after all, so essentially it comes down on how are you planning to use it and when are you planning to use it since your winter is so brutal down there.

I have been thinking along the same vein Dp and leaning towards a complete heater and then seeing if LG can repair my old coil later this Spring. I am going with the Extreme Psi coil regardless just for the extra strength aspect, even though it provides no other real value for our equipment.

Even better is the shipping on these coils is pretty cheap at $95, so it makes that replacement an even better price than expected.

I am pulling the trigger first thing Monday morning, so I have some time to finalize the decision.

Having a back up little giant giant would be a good selling point when the time comes to sell the unit

This is not an endorsement mind you, but I am listing it so that cleaners have another option to consider along with all the others out there.

http://www.littlegiantheater.com/

What did you decide ? Let me guess, the whole heater ?

I really want to go that route Dp, but I was leaning on just getting the new coil and psi relief valve for it this morning. I was about to order it, but then started to question that decision and so I delayed it for another day.

There is just no work coming in right now, so buying a whole heater just seems like too much money to spend. I am booked out starting on the 18th, but I literally have nothing scheduled between now and then.

It will be decided by morning.

In all honesty, since you plan to sell the truck soon, try to see it how your potential buyer will.

That is another way to look to at it Freemind. The only thing is that if I was to replace the entire heater, by the end of the Summer it will not be any newer than what I have now. There would be a warranty for a few more months, I guess, but I don't know if that would be transferable.

To me, I just want this heater back to working status so that I can start making some money off this truck for a change. It is almost paid off at this point, so if I can make some money off it this Summer, I will be way ahead on the deal when I sell it come Fall.

I am just going to replace the coil and psi relief valve. I already replaced everything else on it minus the burner ring when I built this truck. Other than some little visual cues, it should be just as good.

Which reminds me, I did have one question for you guys. How much insulation do you have around the coil in your heaters? When I pulled that coil the first time, it was wrapped in insulation so I re-packed it with wool insulation. The problem is, I was under the impression that my heater had never been opened up before, which it certainly had when they tried to repair the coil before. As a result, I really don't know how it is supposed to look when new.

The last thing I want to do is start scorching insulation and have to open it up for a 3rd time. Do they have the coils wrapped in insulation and how far down does it extend?

I just placed the order for coil and proper psi relief valve. I have to say that it made me feel a little sick...spending that kind of money to rebuild a heater that was supposed to be near new and undamaged in the first place.

When I think about what I paid for that heater plus the freight shipping back then, it just angers me to know end. And now I have to dig deep at a time when I am still spending more time looking for work than finding it.

It just didn't feel good. It better be worth it is all I have to say. I could have purchased a lot of nice things with that money.

I feel your pain Bob ! This is the main reason why carpet cleaners fold, some people can't handle the pressure, some just give up, the way I see it is, there is almost always light at the end of the tunnel, when those work start to pour in, you'll feel good about this spending.

I feel the same way Dp, this winter has taught me a lot about not focusing on the bank account as much as focusing on the business plan. It can become very scary watching a negative cash flow during the winter period yet still remain calm and confident that it will turn around when things warm back up.

That confidence has been kicked in the nuts a few times, but we are about to hit March and we are actually getting decent weather so I am optimistic that things are going to turn around very soon.

I am just hoping that these LG heaters turn out to be as reliable of a heater as people claim and can get me at least as much heat as my butler is providing now. I really want this truck working as the primary unit after all this time.

You made the right decision Bob. The only thing that isn't new on that heater is the case and even that still looks good.

I try and hold of on major equipment purchases when it slows down n the winter.

Heck Ive been cleaning with my HX all winter and maybe cracking 140 degrees. It works great in the summer but the winter time .., not sot much. Maybe Ill get a new coil this summer.

I had the best Feb ever but the last week sucked and I dont know where all the money went

Thanks Mo, I feel better about it now that the deal is done. They already shipped it (same day) so I will likely have the heater all back together this weekend.

I am still not sure if I will install it on the truck yet though until the freezing at night ends.

Wouldn't you know it, my router died a sudden death last night so I didn't get the heads up that the coil would be arriving today. I actually missed the delivery while out buying a new router. Oh well, it will be here tomorrow.

I still don't know if I should install it on the truck yet with temps still being well below freezing this time of year, but I will have it all re-assembled this weekend and ready to go....pics to follow.

Put that sucker in and use it. Just drain it at night keep the van heated and as a back up wrap it an electric blanket

I probably will mount it up, we have some good weather in the forecast for the near future. I might just build a platform for it and set it up for quick disconnect and removals at night.

It would be nice to see the truck working for more than the "once in a blue moon" like it has been.

I won another battle with FedEx this morning.

I stayed in my office today knowing that FedEx would be delivering my coil and it required a signature. When I saw the truck pull up, I ran downstairs and caught the driver filling out the "attempt delivery" slip. He was surprised to see me open the door. No knock, no doorbell, just assumed I wasn't going to be home.

He told me the box was still on the truck so I followed to pick it up at the curb. It was all the way up behind the driver's seat buried beneath a pile of packages. He clearly didn't expect to be delivering it today.

We had to move about a dozen boxes to dig it out. I realize that I am not a store front and that most people are not home on a weekday morning, but I would expect a doorbell or at least a knocking attempt by the driver.

This is why I don't care much for delivery services. They are under such time pressure, that they routinely round corners with the end user paying the price for it. This has happened with every delivery service for me, so it isn't an indictment against FedEx alone.

Oh well, I have it now so I am good.