AA-260 Install

Freddy, it is a steam system. No expansion tank required.

Rob R. wrote:it is a steam system. No expansion tank required.

<slapping forehead>

You're a trip Freddy. You can't have my gauge. The beast is going to be pumping out steam to the radiators.

I ran some steam through it today from the other boiler, and the pipes don't leak thank goodness. Light off should happen Friday morning, and if all goes well then I'll be leaving the boiler in service.

Keep us posted!

Will do. It's going to be warm the next few days, which sucks, but I plan to light off anyway. Can't wait to get the hot water coil. This way I can shut the gas off completely. I may get an electric stove too, this way I avoid the minimum gas delivery charges and what not, and then turn it on when necessary.

Hi Vampiro, I went through the same procedure about a month ago. Waited for the weekend to fire off and hardly slept a wink, checked it like it was a new born baby. The excitement was short lived, it just does its thing every day, I stick my nose in the dumped ashes and look for unburnt coal, play with the palm sized clinkers and give her a little squirt of oil now and then. Just hung a calendar on the wall next to it so that I can log some data. I am very happy with mine and I am sure you will be. Good luck and enjoy the excitement while it lasts.

How much should I fill up the fire box? I used charcoal the fist time, and am planning on using it again. It seemed to work pretty good. I need to get an ash bucket to stick under the boiler. And now that everything is working pretty good I'm going to throw some cement on the inside of the base. My temporary coal bin will be good for measuring usage for the day. I have some charts that I have made copies of from when the schools burned coal to track my daily usage.

Where,s the comb. Air going to come from if you seal the base?

McGiever wrote:Where,s the comb. Air going to come from if you seal the base?

Under the doors. They do recommend cementing the inside of the base. I'm not sure why.... maybe it helps keep dust down? I dunno.

Vamp, I fill the burn chamber up to the lower side of the viewing door. If you don't, when the blower kicks on, it sucks air from the easiest path....not up from the bottom....and through the coal.
I assume the cementing is more about sealing and movement that structural. Charcoal is great stuff to use as a lighter...cowboy charcoal is the very best.
Get some coal in the pot; light it......relax........enjoy.

Ok, light off went extremely well. The AA steamed like a monster . Man this boiler kicks some serious @$$

I'm going to get a different belt for the auger. The other one just flies off . After the second attempt at putting the belt on, it flew off and I don't know where the hell I went. So I was searching like mad for it, and it wound up being behind some wall debris from the wall that was taken down.

I have my chair by the boiler now...and I need to go wash my hands. I smell like match light.
Here are some pictures.

Did you give the auger belt the special AA twist?

The twist.

Fire looks great! It is a heating machine.....funny looking to most folks, but a BEAST that looks like a popcorn popper. When folks see them on my trailer or truck they come over and ask what the heck it is...always! Mention that it burns Anthracite Coal and they are lost......some actually know what you are talking about. Two things about the belt flying off: Alignment of the gear motor to the drive motor, and/or tension adjustment is off a little. Most of the time it is the motor being twisted slightly and with the larger pulleys...well you know the deal. Don't forget that the stand the motor is on has 3 bolts that allow for vertical and horizontal adjustment, and 'fudging' in between. I would try the alignment first, and positioning. Don't forget to keep an eye on the chain tension, because realignment might make it too loose or too tight. Once you are over the "Honeymoon' , she will continue to perform waaaay past expectations. She's a keeper, just remember to meet her needs. I HOPE YOU DID PUT 3 OR MORE SCREWS IN EACH PIPE JOINT AND ADD SOME ALUMINUM TAPE TO THE SEAMS AND CONNECTIONS. The joint around the 'Pope's Hat' is notorious for fines leaking out onto the top of the boiler. ....a few more pics..........ashing established yet? Did you break a bottle of champagne over the 'Snout'???

I purchased a belt from the auto parts store. It worked out great. It has the AA twist.

The grate switch worked, and it ashed for a little while. The fire is now built up pretty well, so it won't be asking for a while I guess. The draft is set nice so far. The fire keeps the boiler hot, while not blazing. In building the fire, I figured it took in 60 lbs or so. It hasn't burned all 60 lbs, as there is very little ash on the floor, and I peaked inside and seen the fire was hit, with a small layer of ash atop the other ash that was already on the grate. I even watched the grate move while I was looking inside. Moves like butter.

My temporary bin is working out ok. Am looking forward to building the bin sometime during next week.