May Have to Downsize Boiler for New Home

 
Rigar
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Post by Rigar » Wed. Sep. 25, 2013 9:09 am

vampiro....
im gonna approach your current situation from a different angle.
... it seems to me this is your first winter in the home
... do you have any idea of the previous owners gas usage?
being all brick construction... with plaster walls on the inside?... your home may not heat as easily as you think... it's hard to improve the R value of a brick home shy of building new walls inside...
... again this is just something to consider...
... maybe your current system is sized appropriately for the radiators that you have.. but based on your house size:... construction.. and age... maybe oversized is not a bad way to go

...just my 2 cents

 
Pacowy
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Post by Pacowy » Wed. Sep. 25, 2013 10:30 am

Vampiro wrote:Efm sure made it simple. Always was wondering what those numbers meant. Thanks.

So, all in all I guess I'm ready for a swap. My calculations seem right. Mozz what is the maximum size for the steam outlet?
I'd be very nervous swapping a 200k boiler for a 130k boiler. You might fill your current radiators with steam, but you'd have much less available capacity to cover DHW production, a bad batch of coal, future expansion needs, etc.

Mike

 
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Vampiro
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Coal Size/Type: Anthracite, Pea Coal
Other Heating: POS gas boiler

Post by Vampiro » Wed. Sep. 25, 2013 1:07 pm

Rigar wrote:vampiro....
im gonna approach your current situation from a different angle.
... it seems to me this is your first winter in the home
... do you have any idea of the previous owners gas usage?
being all brick construction... with plaster walls on the inside?... your home may not heat as easily as you think... it's hard to improve the R value of a brick home shy of building new walls inside...
... again this is just something to consider...
... maybe your current system is sized appropriately for the radiators that you have.. but based on your house size:... construction.. and age... maybe oversized is not a bad way to go

...just my 2 cents
This will be my first winter. The brick walls have plaster, and then there is the framing wire mesh, and sheet rock in some of the home, as some of the walls were redone. I guess I'll just try the 260M and see how it goes for this winter. If there is a lot of unburned coal, etc. then I will just swap it out for next season. That is the only problem....I do not want the hassle of wasted fuel, sifting through it, out fires, and so on. I do have a timer that I will install with a bypass switch just in case I need it. Thanks all for the help. I guess I'll finish prepping the 260 over these next few weeks. It is easier being I have it here. There is a pulley wheel that has a chip on the guide, so I'll have to replace that. The motor works from the last test, and the auger is fine. Have to run for now. Be back later.

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Wed. Sep. 25, 2013 1:26 pm

You should plan on using the timer...AA has kindly provided settings in the manual that work excellent for most situations.


 
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mozz
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Post by mozz » Wed. Sep. 25, 2013 6:53 pm

Vampiro wrote: Mozz what is the maximum size for the steam outlet?
My AA130 has a 3 inch outlet on top. There is a 2 inch reducer in there when I bought it(former owner had it running steam also). When I ripped the old oil burner out I basically slid this boiler right under the same spot with a 2 inch steam header right there and hooked it up, then did the return and Hartford (spelling?)loop. Get the books on steam heat.

Mine has a 3-4 inch base on which the boiler sits so the auger is that high off the ground inside the bin. There's 500 lbs of coal which never make it to the auger. Last time I was at the Williamsport PA. AA factory, he had a separate motor modification available to run the auger and the original motor to run the fan. I put in a new sealed bearing motor (1/3 hp?)and new belts and haven't had a problem with any of the drive in 5 plus years. I grease and oil anything and everything that moves on the first of each month. Yeah, I have a drip pan under the auger roller bearings but cheaper than a new auger.

I have 1600 sq ft 2 stories, dhw and 800 sq ft unfinished basement w/stream. I can't say how much coal it uses for hot water in the summer but I once figured electric would be a little cheaper but it keeps the basement dry and the floors warm when it is like now 40-60's outside.

I have the old mercury thermostat with the anticipater set for coal and don't really have much of a swing in temps. Some rooms may be hotter than others but I slowly tune the steam adjustable valves each year. I don't think I have ever seen 1 lb steam on the gauge and it doesn't really seem to run that much at all in the winter.

I should have put hot water baseboard in here before we repainted, floored and receiling-ed each room but in a way I don't mind the steam. grew up with it. We lose power each year with bad storms and when my neighbors have to leave and get a hotel room after a few days, I still have heat for a long time the first day before I have to bring out the generator.

 
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Vampiro
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Post by Vampiro » Thu. Sep. 26, 2013 5:57 pm

Thanks again all for the great info. I placed an order today with axeman to get the final few pieces I need for the boiler install. I ordered a new anthrastat as well, just so I don't have any issues. Ordered the gaskets as well, even though I can make gaskets, it's already done. I have new belts, gauge glass and valves, low water cut out. I believe I just need some steel pipe, fittings and an m type draft control, a vaporstat ......oh and some coal too. :D

If anyone wants to help clean it up, and paint it feel free to come by. There is food, beer or booze for you... That goes for the install too :0)

 
Rigar
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Post by Rigar » Thu. Sep. 26, 2013 6:11 pm

Vampiro wrote:Thanks again all for the great info. I placed an order today with axeman to get the final few pieces I need for the boiler install. I ordered a new anthrastat as well, just so I don't have any issues. Ordered the gaskets as well, even though I can make gaskets, it's already done. I have new belts, gauge glass and valves, low water cut out. I believe I just need some steel pipe, fittings and an m type draft control, a vaporstat ......oh and some coal too. :D

If anyone wants to help clean it up, and paint it feel free to come by. There is food, beer or booze for you... That goes for the install too :0)
...whats ur location??
any where near CNY ?....I LL pick up FF on my way there (free food and beer/booze!) :D

 
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Vampiro
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Post by Vampiro » Sun. Sep. 29, 2013 8:53 am

Being you and FF will car pool, you'll save some money to buy more coal. :D Ok, being I have all the parts coming, does anyone have a steam wiring diagram? There is an aqua stat on there, but I will not be running dhw this winter....Unless someone has a coil they don't need.


 
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mozz
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Post by mozz » Sun. Sep. 29, 2013 3:30 pm

There should be the triple aquastat (8124a???) on there for steam, although there are many others that would work. PM me your email address and I will send the pdf files for the AA.

 
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Vampiro
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Other Heating: POS gas boiler

Post by Vampiro » Sun. Sep. 29, 2013 7:11 pm

PM sent

 
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Townsend
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Post by Townsend » Mon. Nov. 04, 2013 9:03 am

Vamp, how are you making out? I hope all is well and you have that 260 close to firing. Sorry for delay in contacting you, I've been building a new coal bin downstairs among other things.

As in terms of near boiler piping sizes your 260 has a 4 inch supply on top. I decided to keep with the 4 inch and built a drop down 4 inch header. It would appear from your measurements for heating requirements that you can easily use a 3 inch instead and save some money. What is there on your set up now?

I will post a link for you regarding near boiler piping requirements for a one pipe steam system, which, by the way, is an excellent system for steam heat. That being said, in order to utilize the one pipe you need to follow some guidelines in the near boiler piping.

How many take offs does your system now have? Can you post a pic of the current set up? Do you have dry returns or wet?

I think you are fine with the 260. Especially if you utilize DHW. If you can get buck use it, if not just use pea. I know that AAs "like to run" implying a heavy load is easily handled and desirable, but after having one for a couple years I can also say they just simply run at any level. For instance, I run mine all year for DHW and I don't even have a timer! Thankfully I have a tall chimney. Even with the hot summer days I never went out. My water consumption is low and it still runs fine. I went away for a week and it stayed running fine, I came back and had no problems. In fact, its as easy as oil in the summer aside form the once every two weeks to dump the ash.

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