Fines Cleanout Lever Open for 2 Days

Brad'79 · Post by **Brad'79** » Tue. Mar. 15, 2011 8:23 pm

I pulled my fines clean out lever on my DF520 and got busy doing something else. I left it open for two days. Other than burning through more coal than usual I didn't notice anything wrong.

Should I be checking anything for damage?

Thanks

Post by **Rob R.** » Tue. Mar. 15, 2011 9:14 pm

Do you have a return spring on the cleanout rod?

Post by **stoker-man** » Wed. Mar. 16, 2011 5:49 am

About all I can think of is that your coal wasn't burning very well.

CoalHeat · Post by **CoalHeat** » Wed. Mar. 16, 2011 8:05 am

Don't pull it and walk away, pull the lever for 15 seconds and then push it closed. Any fines in the bottom of the pot will fall out in that time.
Even with the spring intact the lever sometimes needs to be pushed closed.
On the other hand...after 2 days all the fines are out of the pot...I hope.

Post by **Rob R.** » Wed. Mar. 16, 2011 8:14 am

Wood'nCoal wrote: Even with the spring intact the lever sometimes needs to be pushed closed.

Yes, but it shouldn't allow the cleanout to stay wide open. I got the impression that he was able to walk away with the cleanout fully open, maybe I misunderstood.

I usually hold the lever open for 15-20 seconds, then gently let it snap back.

CoalHeat · Post by **CoalHeat** » Wed. Mar. 16, 2011 8:16 am

You're right, mine will not stay open all the way and it won't close completely either if I release the lever.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Wed. Mar. 16, 2011 8:46 am

back to the drawing bd. That should be corrected.

Scottscoaled · Post by **Scottscoaled** » Wed. Mar. 16, 2011 8:57 am

freetown fred wrote:back to the drawing bd. That should be corrected.

Yes, they should take away his stoker for a week until he learns his lesson

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Wed. Mar. 16, 2011 9:02 am

By God, I think that should work---snow here on the hill this AM

Brad'79 · Post by **Brad'79** » Wed. Mar. 16, 2011 11:54 am

Thanks for the reply's

Post by **stoker-man** » Wed. Mar. 16, 2011 3:48 pm

The cleanout lever must be pulled open when the fan is running, otherwise you won't thoroughly empty the fines. I was at a house recently where the owners didn't know that the fan must be running. I checked the fines lever and plate and about 2 coffee cups of fines came out.

If the plate doesn't fully open or close, the rod eye may need to be adjusted. Also, a longer replacement return spring can prevent the holes from opening all the way up.

whistlenut · Post by **whistlenut** » Wed. Mar. 16, 2011 8:45 pm

I always pull and release a few times, and you can feel when the fines are gone. I think most people read the instructions and don't even consider any other possibilities. That way I can make sure the lever returns manually to the rest position by feeling it seating.