ARE YOU READY??

I did a test burn in the Itasca hand-fed last week when the temperature dipped into the 30's. It seems to burn coal very well, but I discovered that my expansion tank was undersized. This past weekend I redid some plumbing on the oil boiler and added expansion capacity. Between the two units I have about 300k btu's on tap.

-Robert

Cyber36 wrote:Hey! I've heard of that Indian tribe before - Kickapoo!

Yeah, but where do they get the soda name: "Kickapoo Joy Juice" from?

The DVC-500 has been running for 77 hours straight now. Testing a hopper-full (95lbs.) of a new supply of the Black rocks. So far, so good, other than having to keep the house windows open 24 hours a day. PHEW, it still too hot for lighting up. Looks like it'll run another couple hurs until empty.

I have had the Keystoker running for a few days now. Thermostat set at 68' just to keep the chill off. Night temps have been in the low 40's and occasionally in the upper 30's. The one good thing about a stoker vs. hand fed is that when there is no call for heat, I can idle this sucker down very low. Temp on stove body runs at about 100'-125' and still maintains a draft of about .015-.02.

Jeff

I always forget to mention that I also have an Itaska wood/coal that has been in use since 1972. They are not 1/4" plate, but pretty darned durable. I haven't changed them out simply because they stills work very well. Original grates lasted 16 years, and that is all I've replaced. Heats a 1900 sq ft cape and the older building has limited insulation. 4.5 tons of nut/ season.

It isn't a fancy unit, but it's original cost of 795.00 sure came back in spades over the years....

I also have a New Yorker 130 hand fed, but after all these years with stokers, I am not going back when it's time to replace these boilers. Yes, I have a spare AHS and AA and an EFM just in case. All set up to install, should the ice age come back......

Sunny here today, 66 degrees, man what a nice day! Not ready to heat the universe yet, 3 more weeks....

You bet! New Keystoker 90 Top Vent installed last nite. It was 60 outside but I had to do it! Lit it up, and stared at it for an hour. Amazing difference between a hand fed and a stoker. I also painted the entire interior of the stove with POR manifold paint 2 coats for extra corrosion protection.

2001Sierra wrote:Lit it up, and stared at it for an hour.

Hypnotizing, isn't it? You'll do that every nite until Spring
VERY nice looking stove.

still a little warm for me to burn coal. been burning wood. although one day had a high of 39 and a low of 29 at nite, so i figured i would burn a load of coal. in no time the house was 77 and the bedroom windows were open. oops, keep to the wood for now till the highs are around 32

Keystoker fired up last week on the first try! just barely idling to take the chill off the upstairs.

Got all my new gaskets for the Leisure Line from the new guys and fired it up last night. So far so good, temps got up to 65 using 1 burner!!