Hitzer 503 - Fix Angle Iron

Post Reply
 
grottorian
Member
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed. Jul. 16, 2008 12:32 pm
Location: So. Md.

Post by grottorian » Wed. Dec. 23, 2009 11:47 am

This is the 3rd winter for my Hitzer 503.. It is a great insert! When I went to clean it out the other day - the 6x9 flue baffle plate had fallen out. The front angle iron shelf where it sits is about gone - I guess from the heat ? -- Has this happened to others? How should I fix it ? The plate will stay up there for awhile - but will fall back down... I guess it needs another angle iron welded in - I wonder if I can get to it -- pull the insert out etc... ( after the seasons over) --- I reckon - I'll go without it the rest of this season .. without it it'll burn up more coal & more heat will go out the chimney.. thanks for help ! - Steve

 
User avatar
cf1
Member
Posts: 73
Joined: Sat. Feb. 10, 2007 9:43 pm
Location: north east ohio

Post by cf1 » Wed. Dec. 23, 2009 12:46 pm

it sounds like the plate is warped. the angle iron should be ok.

 
grottorian
Member
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed. Jul. 16, 2008 12:32 pm
Location: So. Md.

Post by grottorian » Wed. Dec. 23, 2009 1:39 pm

Nope - the front angle iron is gone - burnt up I guess - -- has anybody had this happen and how do I weld in another ? Will this happen every 3 years?

 
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 » Wed. Dec. 23, 2009 11:44 pm

Call Hitzer...
They would know best and are very nice to deal with...


 
User avatar
grizzly2
Member
Posts: 844
Joined: Tue. Feb. 12, 2008 7:18 pm
Location: Whippleville, NY
Other Heating: Oil foilfurnace, Jotul#3 woodstove,electric base board.

Post by grizzly2 » Thu. Dec. 24, 2009 8:01 am

I agree with CapeCoaler about contacting Hitzer. As long as my advise does not conflict with theirs, I would use a 125 volt mig welder to weld in new angle iron so I could use house electrical outlets thereby saving the work of getting the stove to a welder's shop. Also I would contact a metal supplier and ask for angle iron that will resist deterioration caused by high temps. Heat cooks the carbon out of steel. Carbon is a big factor in resisting rusting. When you shut the stove down for the summer, wipe the angle iron down with baking soda and water, let it dry and wipe on some oil. Most rust takes place when the stove is shut down. :)

 
grottorian
Member
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed. Jul. 16, 2008 12:32 pm
Location: So. Md.

Post by grottorian » Thu. Dec. 24, 2009 8:36 am

Ok - I'll call them up again -- I did once and they said it has never happened before - to check & make sure It is the correct place that the plate goes. It is and the angle iron shelf is just about gone. I can balance the plate up there - but it falls out when I shake the grates.. I'll call Hitzer back again.. I just hope it can be welded without cutting the top off to get to it...

 
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 » Thu. Dec. 24, 2009 10:28 am

If you have a digital camera...
Take a picture...
Post it here and send the picture to Hitzer...
There is a first time for everything...

 
grottorian
Member
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed. Jul. 16, 2008 12:32 pm
Location: So. Md.

Post by grottorian » Fri. Dec. 25, 2009 11:26 am

The area is inside & back up top near the flue pipe.. Even if I pull the insert out - I don't think I could get a camera to the spot. I guess after this season I'll have to pull it out and torch the top off the insert to be able to get to it.... It sucks - especially since it's only 3 yrs old... I figured others might have had this happen ---


 
User avatar
LsFarm
Member
Posts: 7383
Joined: Sun. Nov. 20, 2005 8:02 pm
Location: Michigan
Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson 260
Hand Fed Coal Boiler: Self-built 'Big Bertha' SS Boiler
Baseburners & Antiques: Keystone 11, Art Garland

Post by LsFarm » Fri. Dec. 25, 2009 11:40 am

Talk to a local welder, I have welded items I couldn't see. If you are good with a 'stick' welder or a MIG welder, you can do some amazing things. The other option is to create some 'legs' on your shelf. Have the 'legs' attached by bolts to a tab welded on plate, the legs swing out of the way as you put the plate in place, then drop down and support the shelf . I'm sort of guessing on this, since I haven't see your exact stove's interior.

Most digital cameras have a 'Macro' setting, this allows focused shots from like 2" out to 18". You can hold the camera up with one hand and snap numerous pics,, and see which ones make sense or show what you need to send to Hitzer or show us.

Also, maybe you can access the spots that need welding through the exhaust flue exit hole??

Is the location of the corroded-away angle iron on a portion of the stove that is double wall or single wall? if single wall, I'd just bolt a piece of steel in place, use SS bolts [get them from a marine supplier] so the corrosion won't attack the bolts..

We need either a photo or a drawing.

Greg L

 
ohiocoalburner
Member
Posts: 25
Joined: Wed. Nov. 01, 2006 10:48 pm

Post by ohiocoalburner » Sat. Dec. 26, 2009 7:06 am

I believe that the stove should still be under warranty. Call Hitzer - they may work something out with you.

 
grottorian
Member
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed. Jul. 16, 2008 12:32 pm
Location: So. Md.

Post by grottorian » Sun. Dec. 27, 2009 2:11 pm

It is rusted out - pretty bad --- I hope I can fix it & reckon I need to pull it out every year to clean & lube... Here is a pic... the back side is good -- but the side toward the hopper/front is burnt / rusted out bad... the shelf is gone and the metal around it is thin...

Attachments

P1010203.JPG

the end of my finger is where the angle shelf was.. It is rusted away now

.JPG | 224.7KB | P1010203.JPG

 
grottorian
Member
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed. Jul. 16, 2008 12:32 pm
Location: So. Md.

Post by grottorian » Sun. Dec. 27, 2009 2:18 pm

Here's another pic -- the metal on the back part of the hopper that stays in the insert has deteriorated too - very thin

Attachments

P1010195.JPG
.JPG | 213.3KB | P1010195.JPG

 
grottorian
Member
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed. Jul. 16, 2008 12:32 pm
Location: So. Md.

Post by grottorian » Sun. Dec. 27, 2009 2:47 pm

These pics show the stops at the ends of the shelf -- that keeps the plate from sliding out...they are still there -- the rest is rusted out!

Attachments

P1010002.JPG
.JPG | 305.7KB | P1010002.JPG
P1010003.JPG
.JPG | 263.4KB | P1010003.JPG

Post Reply

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