Van Wert VA series boilers, what are their BTU ratings?

They have a deep throat( ) that holds a fire a long time. Not many outfire issues. With newer timing controls, a big coal saver for us guys up here paying $300 + a ton.

I love how things come full circle. Some time last year Arnie was looking for some Van Wert literature; Matt Direnzo faxed that brochure/manual to Arnie and saved the day. John Rice made a copy and snail-mailed it to me, and I scanned it to distribute via email....and here it is.

Richard S. wrote:

Rob R. wrote:I believe any of the stokers used in the VA1200 or larger units had a rotating pot.

The pot doesn't rotate on the 1200, there is three fingers that go around the outside. You can see them in the picture I posted above.

I knew something rotated...guess it is just a set of clinker slicers.

MATTHEW D. wrote:The stoker gear transfer comes in from the back of the boiler, coal pipe can go right or left from the back

There is no way to do that on mine, you'd need a different assembly.

That rotation is accomplished by 56 ball bearings

Roughly what's a fully refurbished (both as to excellent working condition and good looks, and complete with DHW coil) and ready to install and run VA 600 complete with cover going for these days?

Ballpark, that is.

Just call the boss and ask.

http://abvanwert.com/

Scottscoaled wrote:They have a deep throat( ) that holds a fire a long time. Not many outfire issues.

If the power goes out it will stay lit for 4 to 6 hours depending on how much coal was in the pot. There is a natural draft on it, I'd imagine you could add some extra coal if you had too for longer time. Never really thought about until now.

It rarely ever went out, the only thing we have on it now controlling it is the aquastat that keeps it between 160 and 180. It's been lit for about 18 months now . My Uncle had a 600 in a really small house, that went out a lot in rhe spring/fall. You'd get a demand for heat in the morning and lot of hot water. The temps would come up outside, it would never run for hours and go out.

Richard S. wrote:

MATTHEW D. wrote:The stoker gear transfer comes in from the back of the boiler, coal pipe can go right or left from the back

There is no way to do that on mine, you'd need a different assembly.

Your right, I just didn't explain it correctly. I ment the stoker unit comes in from the back and you have an option to go right or left with a different assembly. Correct???

I think the smaller units would benefit greatly from modern controls.

MATTHEW D. wrote:Your right, I just didn't explain it correctly. I ment the stoker unit comes in from the back and you have an option to go right or left with a different assembly. Correct???

On mine you would need a different assembly that connects the auger pipe for the bin to the auger pip in the boiler.





You could probably rig it to work the other way but it doesn't look like it was made for that.

Richard S. wrote:

MATTHEW D. wrote:Your right, I just didn't explain it correctly. I ment the stoker unit comes in from the back and you have an option to go right or left with a different assembly. Correct???

On mine you would need a different assembly that connects the auger pipe for the bin to the auger pip in the boiler.

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You could probably rig it to work the other way but it doesn't look like it was made for that.

I'm not saying you have to rig anything. I worked on some that came in from the left and some that came in from the right. I guess back in the day you had that option to order it that way. Does Arnie still give that option??

This is the secret part needed to switch the auger direction on the smaller units. Image courtesy of Scottscoaled.

Yes, it is just a cast piece where the augers change direction. The smaller units use a 2.5" and the 1200 and bigger use a 3" tube. To change it is just one piece that the other pieces hook to. I would have the right piece to show you the difference but it went on Joe McGillicutty's machine. His nice VA400

lsayre wrote:Roughly what's a fully refurbished (both as to excellent working condition and good looks, and complete with DHW coil) and ready to install and run VA 600 complete with cover going for these days?

Ballpark, that is.

Someone would have to have or find an old Van Wert first to be able to do a refurb. I think they are pretty rare, many have already gone for scrap metal.

Turn over enough stones and one may turn up though.

Check out Joe's Van Wert 400 on the "pictures of your stove" thread on page 38. It shows the change over piece pretty good.