Getting Started, New Hitzer 503 Insert

Post Reply
 
MarkHalo
New Member
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue. Sep. 29, 2009 8:57 am

Post by MarkHalo » Tue. Sep. 29, 2009 10:02 am

The installation is done, making a coal storage bin this weekend. Have read and gone over the start up instruction several times, but I still have questions. The damper that opens and closes the exhaust outlet opening, I assume full open to start the fire, but am unsure how far to close it once the coal is burning good. This unit has two draft slide adjustments, The main one in the ash door and a secondary slide vent in the fire box door to help burn off coal gases. The ash door vent I understand the operation, but am unsure of how to tell when the firebox door vent is adjusted correctrly? I have more questions am just getting started with these Thanks Mark in Ohio :shock:

 
CapeCoaler
Member
Posts: 6515
Joined: Sun. Feb. 10, 2008 3:48 pm
Location: Cape Cod, MA
Stoker Coal Boiler: want AA130
Hand Fed Coal Stove: DS Machine BS#4, Harman MKII, Hitzer 503,...
Coal Size/Type: Pea/Nut/Stove

Post by CapeCoaler » Tue. Sep. 29, 2009 1:22 pm

Damper controll depends on your draft...
The 'rents have a s/s liner 27' high...
damper stays shut all the time.
We kept the secondary air door shut...
all the time.
The primary air we kept at the size of a pencil...
They love the 503...
house stays at 72...
all the time


 
User avatar
JafaDog
Member
Posts: 98
Joined: Fri. May. 30, 2008 8:24 am
Location: Upstate NY (Schoharie County)
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Hitzer 503 Insert

Post by JafaDog » Fri. Oct. 16, 2009 3:09 pm

Mark:

CapeCoaler is absolutely right. The manual pipe damper (or restrictor)--the rod near the top that slides in and out--is something that you'll have to play with to find out what works. My draft is nowhere near as good as CapeCoaler's parents'. I only have about 15' of uninsulated flexpipe, so my draft isn't that great. With my 503, I need to have the restrictor open at least halfway to get the temps I need out of the 503. If it's more than halfway closed, I don't get the combustion I need to get the temps up. I can idle just fine (about 200* on the stove top) with it in, but to get the 503 cranking (250* and up), it needs to be open. You'll need to experiment with it to see what your draft is like. I'd recommend starting out with it pushed all the way in. If you get the stove temps you need, leave it there. If not, open it up 1/4 and see what happens. Go in 1/4 increments until you get what you need. One caveat: on windy days my draft increases, so I need to close off the restrictor more than on calm days. Again, your mileage may vary.

And always leave it open all the way when lighting the stove until it's going good.

As for the air wash under the door, I leave mine open all the time. Seems to help keep the glass cleaner and may help a little w/ combustion. Hard to say. From what I've read from other 503 owners, this one is almost a personal preference.

The ash pan dampers are what really control things. I open mine about 1/8 (cat's eye) for idling, 1/4 (pencil) for cooler weather, and 1/2 or more when it gets really cold outside. Once you know where to set the restrictor, the ash pan damper will take care of everything. Another caveat: I'd say that if you're not getting 250-300* on the stove top with the ash pan dampers 1/2 open, you might need to open the restrictor more.

Also keep in mind that coal is much slower to react to changes than wood. It may take a while after making changes before you see a result. Be patient! It'll happen.

Last year was my first year with the 503, and I recorded everything each time I shook and loaded the stove (stove temps, inside and outside temps, damper settings, etc.). That gave me a baseline so I could begin to tell what settings I'd need for certain outside temperatures. Every setup is different, so you'll need to experiment with yours. After a while, you'll know what you need to do. I know that I need to keep my living room on one end of my house (where the 503 is) at 80* in order to keep my master bedroom at the other end of the house at 66*. Depending on the layout of your own house, you'll need to figure out what works and what doesn't.

Good luck. There are a lot of 503 owners on these forums with a lot of knowledge. Don't hesitate to pick their brains!

Post Reply

Return to “Hand Fired Coal Stoves & Furnaces Using Anthracite”