Groen NGB/3 Series, NGB/3/E Series Operator's Manual

? IMPORTANT INFORMATION ? KEEP FOR OPERATOR ? IMPORTANT INFORMATION ?

OPERATOR MANUAL OM-NGB/3

Part Number 121003 DOMESTIC

Model: NGB/3, NGB/3/E

Steam Boilers

Gas Heated
200,000 BTU/hr firing rate
120,000 BTU into product

3.7 effective boiler horsepower

FOR YOUR SAFETY
DO NOT STORE OR USE GASOLINE OR OTHER FLAMMABLE VAPORS AND LIQUIDS IN THE
VICINITY OF THIS OR ANY OTHER APPLIANCE.

READ THE INSTALLATION, OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLY
BEFORE INSTALLING, OPERATING OR SERVICING THIS EQUIPMENT.

POST IN A PROMINENT LOCATION
INSTRUCTIONS TO BE FOLLOWED IN THE EVENT USER SMELLS GAS. THIS INFORMATION
SHALL BE OBTAINED BY CONSULTING YOUR LOCAL GAS SUPPLIER. AS A MINIMUM,
IMMEDIATELY TURN OFF THE GAS AND CALL YOUR GAS COMPANY AND YOUR
AUTHORIZED SERVICE AGENT. EVACUATE ALL PERSONNEL FROM THE AREA.

WARNING
IMPROPER INSTALLATION, ADJUSTMENT, ALTERATION, SERVICE OR MAINTENANCE CAN
CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE, INJURY OR DEATH.

Information contained in this document is
known to be current and accurate at the time
of printing/creation. Unified Brands recom­mends referencing our product line websites,
unifiedbrands.net, for the most updated
product information and specifications.

OM-NGB/3

IMPORTANT — READ FIRST — IMPORTANT

WARNING: THE UNIT MUST BE INSTALLED BY PERSONNEL QUALIFIED TO WORK WITH GAS,

ELECTRICITY AND PLUMBING. IMPROPER INSTALLATION CAN CAUSE INJURY TO
PERSONNEL AND/OR DAMAGE TO THE EQUIPMENT. THE UNIT MUST BE INSTALLED IN

ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE CODES.
CAUTION: AN ELECTRICAL GROUND IS REQUIRED.
CAUTION: DO NOT LOCATE THE BOILER CABINET DIRECTLY OVER A FLOOR DRAIN OR FLOOR

SINK. HUMIDITY OR WATER FROM A DRAIN WILL DAMAGE ELECTRICAL PARTS OF A

UNIT.

WARNING: TO AVOID DAMAGE OR INJURY, FOLLOW THE WIRING DIAGRAM EXACTLY WHEN

CONNECTING A UNIT.
CAUTION: DO NOT USE PLASTIC PIPE. DRAIN MUST BE RATED FOR STEAM AND BOILING WATER.

WARNING: DO NOT CONNECT THE DRAIN DIRECTLY TO A BUILDING DRAIN.

WARNING: BLOCKING THE DRAIN MAY BE HAZARDOUS.

IMPORTANT: Improper drain connection will void warranty.

WARNING: ALLOW COOKING CHAMBERS TO COOL BEFORE CLEANING.

WARNING: CAREFULLY READ THE WARNINGS AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ON THE LABEL OF

EACH CLEANING AGENT. USE SAFETY GLASSES AND RUBBER GLOVES AS

RECOMMENDED BY DELIMING AGENT MANUFACTURER.

WARNING: DO NOT MIX DE-LIMING AGENTS (ACID) AND DE-GREASERS (ALKALI) IN THE STEAM

GENERATOR OR ON THE COOKING CHAMBER WALLS.

NOTICE: Do not use a cleaning or de-liming agent that contains any sulfamic acid or any chloride,

including hydrochloric acid (HCl). If the chloride content of any product is unclear,

consult the manufacturer.

NOTICE: Do not use a de-greaser that contains potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide or that is

highly alkaline.

WARNING: USE OF ANY REPLACEMENT PARTS OTHER THAN THOSE SUPPLIED BY GROEN OR

THEIR AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR VOIDS ALL WARRANTIES AND CAN CAUSE BODILY

INJURY TO THE OPERATOR AND DAMAGE THE EQUIPMENT. SERVICE PERFORMED BY

OTHER THAN FACTORY-AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL WILL VOID ALL WARRANTIES.
WARNING: HIGH VOLTAGE EXISTS INSIDE CONTROL COMPARTMENTS. DISCONNECT FROM

BRANCH BEFORE SERVICING. FAILURE TO DO SO CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY

OR DEATH.

WARNING: DO NOT EXPOSE SKIN TO ESCAPING STEAM. SEVERE BURNS CAN RESULT.

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OM-NGB/3

Table of Contents

OPERATOR WARNINGS ....................................................................2

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION .................................................................4

WATER CONDITIONING REQUIREMENTS .....................................................4

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS ..............................................................5

INITIAL START-UP .........................................................................6

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS ................................................................7

SEQUENCE OF OPERATION ................................................................ 8

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES

CLEANING .........................................................................9

MAINTENANCE ....................................................................11

TROUBLESHOOTING ...............................................................12

DIAGRAMS ..............................................................................15

SCHEMATICS ............................................................................18

REFERENCES ............................................................................ 20

SERVICE LOG ............................................................................21

NOTES ..................................................................................22

WARRANTY PROTECTION .................................................................23

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OM-NGB/3

Equipment Description

Groen NGB/3 and NGB/3/E steam
boilers generate low pressure
steam for use with HyPlus cabinet­mounted steamers and steam
jacketed kettles. The models are
distinguished by their ignition
systems. The NGB/3 uses a
standing pilot and the NGB/3/E
uses a spark ignition system.

The boiler is housed in a stainless
steel cabinet. Various
combinations of steam-operated
kettles and steamers can be
mounted on the top. The boiler is
small enough to fit in a 24-1/8” wide by 34-3/16"
deep by 29-3/16" tall (maximum) cabinet.

Water Conditioning

It is essential that the boiler be supplied with water
that will not form scale at an unacceptable rate. The
boiler was engineered to minimize scale, but its
formation depends on water hardness and how
much the unit is used.

In some areas of the United States the water is low
enough in mineral content to avoid scale build-up.
However, most water supplies carry heavy loads of
minerals. This will form scale on the boiler, reduce
its steam output, and possibly cause premature
component failure.

Your water utility can tell you about the minerals in
your water. The water going to the steam generator
should have between 1 and 30 parts per million
total dissolved solids (TDS) and should have a pH
(acidity rating) of 7.0 or higher.

Please follow these simple precautions:

1. Do not rely on unproven water treatment

equipment which is sold for scale prevention or

scale removal. They frequently don’t work.
The best way to prevent scale is to supply the
purest possible water.

The boiler is constructed of 1/4" thick
steel, which is certified by the
American Society of Mechanical
Engineers (ASME) for pressure
vessels. All welds are hydrostatically
tested. The boiler is also equipped with
required instruments, fittings, and
controls.

Heat transfer fins inside the
combustion chamber add to the unit’s
high efficiency. The NGB/3 and
NGB/3E are both rated as 60%
efficient or better, with a firing rate of

200,000 BTU per hour using natural or
propane gas. Energy output is 120,000 BTU per
hour, with an effective boiler horsepower of 3.7.

generator life, higher steam capacity, and
reduce maintenance requirements.

4. If you notice a slowdown in steam production,

check the boiler for scale build-up. Heavy scale
reduces the unit’s ability to boil water, and can
even cause heating elements in the steam
generator to overheat and burn out.

5. Groen gas and electric pressure boilers are

available with two separate water intakes:
one for the boiler (soft water)

one for the spray condenser (untreated water).
The steam generator only uses 14 to 31% of a

steamer’s water. Since softener systems are
typically sized by total GPH (gallons per hour),
the second intake could reduce treatment
requirements by up to 80%, resulting in
significant savings.

Reduce scale problems by using and
maintaining a water softener for your
steamer !

2. If your water contains scale-forming minerals,
as most water does, use a well-maintained
water softener. Whether an exchangeable
softener cartridge or a regenerating system is
chosen, a regular exchange system is essential.

3. Installing a water meter between the softener
and the steamer will provide an accurate gauge
of water use, and will help determine when to
exchange cartridges or regenerate the softener.
Using a water softener will provide longer

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OM-NGB/3

Installation

WARNING
THE UNIT MUST BE INSTALLED BY PERSONNEL WHO ARE QUALIFIED TO WORK WITH
GAS, ELECTRICITY AND PLUMBING. IMPROPER INSTALLATION CAN CAUSE INJURY
TO PERSONNEL AND/OR DAMAGE TO THE EQUIPMENT. THE UNIT MUST BE
INSTALLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE CODES.

Getting Started

WHEN THE UNIT IS RECEIVED, IMMEDIATELY
INSPECT IT FOR EXTERNAL OR INTERNAL
DAMAGE. REPORT ANY DAMAGE TO THE
FREIGHT CARRIER.

After inspection, keep the unit in its shipping
container until it is installed. It can be installed on
combustible and non-combustible floors. Minimum
clearances are:

Right Side — Two inches
Left Side — Four inches
Rear — Six inches

In order to service the unit properly, access with
at least 24 inches clearance is needed on the
right side.

Install the unit in a well-vented room so that there is
an adequate air supply. Since products of
combustion come out of its flue, the appliance must
be located under a ventilation hood. Do not

directly vent the flue.

Level the unit front to rear and left to right by
adjusting its legs. Levelness may be checked by
using a spirit level on top of the cabinet.

A free flow of air around the boiler promotes
efficient operation. Items which might restrict air
flow must be removed. After installation, do not
obstruct the flue, or any front, side, rear or top
vents. Similarly, keep the area directly around the
appliance clear of combustible material.

Installation must conform with local codes, or in the
absence of local codes, with the National Fuel Gas
Code, ANSI Z223.1 (latest edition, including the
following paragraph:

“The unit and its individual shut-off valve must
be disconnected from the gas supply piping
system during any pressure testing of that
system at test pressures in excess of ½ PSI
(3.45 kPA). The unit must be isolated from the
gas piping system by closing its individual
manual shut-off valve during any pressure
testing of the gas supply piping system at test
pressures equal to or less than ½ PSI
(3.45kPA).”

CAUTION

MAKING ANY ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL
CHANGE IN THE UNIT WITHOUT PRIOR
GROEN APPROVAL WILL VOID ALL
WARRANTIES.

1. Gas Supply Connection

a. Connection to the gas supply can be completed

with 1/2" NPT pipe or approved equivalent.
Although this is the diameter for immediate
connection to the unit, gas supply piping must

be large enough to provide volumes and
pressure sufficient for 200,000 BTU per hour.

Supply pressure must be at least 5.0" W.C.
(14.0" W.C. maximum) for natural gas or 11.0
W.C. (14.0" W.C. maximum) for propane.

b. In Canada, the installation must conform to the

Canada Gas Code, CAN 1-B149 (Installation

Codes for Gas Burning Appliances and
Equipment), and/or local codes.

c. After the unit has been connected to the gas

supply, check piping joints for leaks. Do NOT
use flame to check for leaks. A thick soap
solution or other suitable leak detector should be
used.

2. Electrical Supply Connection

a. The maximum electrical load is 4 AMP. You

must provide 115 Volt Alternating Current, 60
Hz, 1PH, 15 AMP service. Local codes and/or
the National Electrical Code should be followed
(ANSI/NFPA-70-1987 - or latest edition). AN

ELECTRICAL GROUND IS REQUIRED.

b. Copies of the electrical schematic are located in

the electrical enclosure on the equipment and in
this manual. In Canada, electrical service must
comply with the Canadian Electrical Code, CSA
C22.1, Part 1, and/or local codes.

3. Water Connection

a. Cold water is supplied via a 1/2" NPT pipe

connection at the rear of the unit. A check

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OM-NGB/3

valve (back siphonage device) must be installed
in accord with local plumbing codes.

b. Water pressure should be between 30 and 60

PSI. If it is over 60 PSI, a pressure regulator is
required. A strainer screen at the connection is
also recommended, to trap any debris before it
can enter the system.

c. The NGB/3 boiler uses a maximum of 12.9

gallons of water per hour. Piping should be
sized to handle total water consumption.

4. Drain Connection

a. The drain connection is made at the rear of the

unit with 1 - 1/4" NPT pipe. DO NOT USE
PLASTIC PIPE. DRAIN PIPING MUST
WITHSTAND STEAM AND BOILING WATER.
Extend the drain piping to a nearby floor drain.
Piping of 1 - 1/4" NPT (or 1 - 1/2" NPT) is
acceptable for distances of six feet or less. If
the distance to the drain is further than six feet,
use 2" NPT piping.

b. The drain line must be installed with a constant

downward pitch. Do not permit any water traps
in the line. DO NOT CONNECT THE LINE
DIRECTLY TO ANY BUILDING DRAIN. A
vertical air gap of at least two inches must be
maintained between the drain line and the
building drain unless otherwise specified by
local plumbing codes.

CAUTION
DO NOT LOCATE THE BOILER CABINET
DIRECTLY OVER A FLOOR DRAIN OR FLOOR
SINK. HUMIDITY OR WATER FROM WILL
DAMAGE ELECTRICAL.

Leave a two-inch air gap between the hose and
the building drain, and don’t allow water traps
in the line.

IMPORTANT: Improper drain connection will
void warranty.

6

Initial Start-Up

After the unit has been installed, test it to ensure
that it is operating properly.

OM-NGB/3

When the water level reaches the “mid” probe,
the red RESET light will come on. Push the start
switch.

1. Remove literature and packing material from the
interior and exterior of the unit.

2. Make certain the water supply is turned on.

3. Turn on electrical power to the unit.

4. Make sure the gas supply line is open, and turn
on the gas valve.

a. For NGB/3: Turn the knob on the gas valve to

“PILOT,” then push the knob inward and hold,
while lighting the pilot burner. Continue to
hold the knob in for about 60 seconds after
the pilot burner lights, so that the
thermocouple energizes, and the pilot stays
lit. Release the knob and turn it to the “ON”
position.

b. For NGB/3/E: Turn the knob on the gas valve

to the “ON” position.
NOTE: On NGB/3/E, the “trial for ignition”

period is approximately 90 seconds after the
on/off switch is turned to the “ON” position.
(Refer to the Control Panel illustration in the
Operation Section).

• The green light in the switch will come on

• The RESET light will go out

• The main burner will light
When the water level reaches the “hi” probe, the

water supply to the boiler will shut off.

6. After about 15 minutes, the pressure on the
gauge will rise. When the pressure reaches 9­1/2 PSI, the main burner will turn off. Thereafter,
as pressure decreases, the burner will
automatically re-light to maintain the 9-1/2 PSI
level. The pilot burner should stay lit, even
though the main burner cycles on and off.

7. To shut the unit down, turn the on/off switch to
OFF. When it has cooled to approximately
170oF, the unit will automatically drain.

If desired, the pilot burner may also be turned off
at the gas valve on the NGB/3 (standing pilot), to
conserve energy during idle periods.

On the NGB/3/E (spark ignition)boiler, the pilot is
off when the on/off switch is OFF.

During initial start-up several trials may be
necessary to remove air from the gas piping.
Subsequent start-ups should only need about
five seconds for the pilot to light. If the pilot
burner does not light within the trial period, the
ignition system will automatically stop gas
flow to the pilot burner, and terminate the
ignition trial. If this happens, turn the switch
to “OFF” and then “ON” again, to repeat the
trial for ignition.

5. Turn the on/off switch on the cabinet front panel
to the “ON” position:

• The amber light in the switch will come on

• The boiler drain valve will close

• The unit will fill with water

If the unit functions as described above, it is ready
for use. If it does not, contact your authorized
Groen Service Agent..

Operating Controls are located on the front of the cabinet base unit.

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OM-NGB/3

Operation

WARNING
ALL POTENTIAL USERS OF THE EQUIPMENT MUST BE TRAINED IN SAFE AND CORRECT
OPERATING PROCEDURES

1. Controls

Operating controls are located on the front panel of
the unit.

a. The on/off switch starts the unit or shuts it off.
b. The RESET indicator lights to show that the

boiler has filled with water and that the main
burners can ignite.

c. The start switch (momentary) lights the main

burners. It also restarts the unit if electrical
power is interrupted, or if a low water
condition in the boiler disables the unit.

In addition to operating these controls, there are gas
supply controls located on the gas valve.

a. For NGB/3: The control knob is turned to the

“PILOT” position and held down to light the
pilot burner. If the pilot remains lit when the
control knob is released, the knob may be
turned to the “ON” position. This lets gas flow
to the main burners. When the knob is turned
“OFF,” gas flow stops to both the pilot and
main burners.

b. For NGB/3/E: When the control knob is “ON,”

gas flows to the pilot, as well as to the main
burners.

2. Operating Procedure

a. Turn on the water supply to the unit.
b. Turn on electrical power to the unit.
c. Turn on the gas supply to the unit, and turn on

the gas valve.

1) For NGB/3: Turn the gas valve control
knob to the “PILOT” position. Depress the
knob and light the pilot burner. Keep the
knob depressed for about 60 seconds
after the pilot lights, to allow the
thermocouple (which controls gas flow to
both the burners and the pilot) to heat up.
When the knob is released, the pilot
burner will remain lit. Turn the control to
the “ON” position.

2) For the NGB/3/E: Turn the control knob
on the gas valve to the “ON” position.

terminate the ignition trial. If ignition is
terminated, turn the switch off and then
“ON” again to repeat the trial. Normally,
the pilot should light within five seconds of
turning on the unit.

d. Turn the on/off switch on the front of the

cabinet to “ON.”

1) The amber light will come on.

2) The boiler drain valve will close and the
unit will fill with water.

3) When the water reaches the “mid” probe,
the red RESET light will come on.

4) Press the start switch.

5) The green light in the switch will come on,
the RESET light will go off, and the main
burner will light.

6) When the water level reaches the “hi”
probe, the water supply to the boiler will
shut off.

e. After about 15 minutes, the pressure gauge

will indicate that the pressure is rising. When
it reaches 9-1/2 PSI, the main burner will shut
off. Thereafter, the burner will periodically re­light to maintain the pressure at 9-1/2 PSI.
The pilot light should stay lit when the burner
is off.

f. To shut down the unit, turn the on/off switch to

OFF. The unit will drain automatically after it
has cooled to about 170oF. When the NGB/3
(standing pilot) unit will be idle for extended
periods, the pilot burner may be turned off at
the gas valve to conserve energy. The
NGB/3/E (spark ignition) turns off the pilot
light when the on/off switch is turned to OFF.

NOTE On the NGB/3/E the “ignition trial” period

runs for approximately 90 seconds after
the on/off switch is turned ON. This
means that if the pilot light does not light
within the “trial” period, the ignition system
will automatically stop the gas flow and

8