Thermo-Controls Model 500 Wood/Coal Boiler

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stoker_RI
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Post by stoker_RI » Tue. Dec. 28, 2010 2:31 pm

Hello everyone...I own and operate a Thermo-Controls model 500 wood/coal boiler made by National Stove Works. I bought it in 2002, and have burned wood in it ever since. The stove is stamped as being approved to burn wood and coal, and it states that if burning coal, to use a coal grate with a specific model #, which I assume is one that used to be manufactured by the Company. The company is still selling the stove, and has an active web site and number. I have called them about the coal grate and burning coal in the stove, and it seems that no one there has any knowledge of the issue, having abandoned the coal option citing lack of consumer interest...

So..my question is where can I obtain a coal shaker sytem that I can insert into this giant firebox? The fire box is flat anf square and can accept a log of 27 inches in length, and it is a good 2 feet wide...the primary air intake is up high on the outside of the front loading door, but the air enters the stove on the inside towards the bottom of the door closet to the bottom of the stove...there is secondary air that enters the back of the stove down low....the flue is on top and has a baffle system, which, when open, allows the smoke to exit up top, but when closed forces the smoke to be pushed down towards the back/bottom before exiting down low.

ANY help will be much appreciated!

 
CapeCoaler
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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. Dec. 28, 2010 2:36 pm

Coal needs all the air to be under the grate in order to burn properly...
So no stock grates avaliable from the company...
how about a diagram or picture of what they had for coal grate...
You may need to fab your own...
the stove parts stores may have some...
others will have the links shortly...

 
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stoker_RI
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Post by stoker_RI » Tue. Dec. 28, 2010 7:26 pm

Thanks for the reply...
Here is a link to the .pdf for installing the stove...unfortunitely, because the stove is no longer 'marketed' as a coal burner, coal is not mentioned in any publication, nor any coal grates for that matter...I believe the design/model goes back to the 1970's....and what I am going on pertaining the stove's ability to burn coal is the stamping on the stove itself certifying that it has been tested and approved for burning coal....and actually lists a part number for the grates required for burning coal...so I don't think that I am just shooting from the hip here...unfortunately, I haven't a clue as to who I would go to and what to specify as to having something fabricated...any ideas?

Thanks!

**Broken Link(s) Removed**).pdf


 
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coaledsweat
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson 260M
Coal Size/Type: Pea

Post by coaledsweat » Tue. Dec. 28, 2010 10:42 pm


 
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Post by stoker_RI » Wed. Dec. 29, 2010 7:29 am

Hi Coaledsweat..
Yes...the pictures in that link show my boiler...it looks just like the tc500/2000....thanks

 
CapeCoaler
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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. 29, 2010 7:51 am

So what is the part #...
The company will usually have some docs on their older stuff...
Just so you could rig something up and use the old diagrams to go by...
The model you have is the 500 right...
Just has the coils in it not a water jacket...
You might be better off getting a new to you coal boiler...
Just sell what you got and use the cash to buy a designed for coal stove/boiler...
If you have the skills to design and build a frame and grates this might be a fun project...
Otherwise take the easy route and sell off this wood burner and buy something made to burn coal...


 
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coaledsweat
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson 260M
Coal Size/Type: Pea

Post by coaledsweat » Wed. Dec. 29, 2010 8:26 am

CapeCoaler wrote:Otherwise take the easy route and sell off this wood burner and buy something made to burn coal...
We have had a few threads with people trying to burn coal in OWB similar to this, most had very disappointing results. CapeCoaler's last bit of advice would be my recommendation. It simply does not meet the requirements to successfully burn coal, it would be a very frustrating experience IMO. I looked into something similar when I went solid fuel. The thought of bundling up and going out in the cold to tend a boiler to stay warm turned me off.

 
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Post by stoker_RI » Wed. Dec. 29, 2010 9:07 am

CapeColer...the model is the 500 but if you look at the web site, you need to look under boilers and then look at the tc500/2000...that is the exact picture..
The boiler DOES have a water jacket...the fire box is surrounded by 70 gallons of water with the coils inside..i.e, you can not see them...

I called the company, and got no where as to the particular part of old diagrams....seems as if since they don't market the boiler as a coal burner anymore, there is absolutely no support for it...

Any thoughts on a good replacement boiler? maybe a stoker? My set up is in my garage....I have an Alaska Channing III (rice stoker) in the basement and it is so easy...just hate dumping the ashes! ...check the wind direction, dump, and run the other way! ..lol

Thanks!

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