316 or 316L SS Plate Heat Exchanger?

[November Wolf]

I need to get a water to water heat exchanger and have found a big difference in price in what seems to be the same thing. I am looking at a 30 plate heat exchanger from the local Central Boiler dealer and his price is $312.00. I found one on ebay that is $189.00. It looks likes the only difference is the more expensive one is type 316L stainless steel and the cheaper one is type 316 ss. Does this make much difference at all. They both are the same size 5 x 12 and 1 inch ports.

 

[Crofter]

Just from memory, I dont think SS denotes a common modification of basic 316 alloy. 316 L usually means a lower carbon content and resistance to corrosion at weld boundaries. Do both exchangers have the same construction and rating as to BTU exchange and pressure drop? I would think the difference in material cost should not cause that difference in price if construction is identical.

Link to 18 8 stainless alloys http://www.bosunsupplies.com/StainlessInfo2.cfm

 

[November Wolf]

Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure of the specs of the one from Central Boiler but the cheaper one on ebay says max pressure is 435,the max temp is 392 deg. Here is the link to that one. It looks like in the picture the name is taped off.
http://cgi.ebay.com/OUTDOOR-WOOD-FU...14&_trkparms=72:1205|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

 

[ghitch75]

90 buc's with shipping...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...rkparms=algo=CRX&its=S%2BI&itu=UCI%2BSI&otn=2

i bought 10 of them... work just fine...

 

[November Wolf]

My manifold on my boiler is 1 1/4 so would it matter if I used a heat exchanger with smaller ports like 1" or 3/4"? I have five zones in my house that are all 3/4 and just wonderd if that would be a bottle neck at the heat exchanger. I just want to make sure before I buy something.