Coal Stove...Still Do Not Have It up and Running Properly

blrman07 · Post by **blrman07** » Fri. Jan. 03, 2014 10:32 am

Argh!!! Can't see the forest for the trees. The direct vent unit right on the top of the stove has a T handle that controls the draft. The vent fan runs constantly and puts air up the flue pipe. The T handle is attached to a flapper in the housing that controls the amount of air being pulled through the stove. If it gets plugged up with fly ash the combustion fan will over pressure the fire box and bingo you will get fumes coming right out of the stove.. I would also bet that horizontal run has a lot of fly ash powder in it also. If the restriction is too bad the fume snap switch will activate on overheat and shut you down.

These things get really plugged with fly ash and have to be disassembled and cleaned at least yearly. Keystoker recommends that it be opened and cleaned yearly and sometimes during constant use monthly. That's a bit of overkill but who am I to argue with the manufacturer.

Here is a link to Keystoker Koker direct vent pdf if you don't have the manual that came with the stove.

http://www.keystoker.com/manuals/2012/Koker-Direc ... mostat.pdf

Rev. Larry

waldo lemieux · Post by **waldo lemieux** » Fri. Jan. 03, 2014 11:39 am

Does the tee in the stainless vent that is upside down have a baro in it? If so you should turn that 90 deg so it will work properly. How about cold air return? Are you using the basement as a plenum and If so do you have vent cut in the floor? Or maybe a stair door open to allow enough make up air for the duct blower? If not youll suck air right in through the baro. It doesnt seem likely that the exchanger will be faulty at this point. Good luck and don't give up like before, Whatever the problem its not that hard to figure out , Just keep feedig the guys info and youll be toasty in no time!

coalkirk · Post by **coalkirk** » Fri. Jan. 03, 2014 12:00 pm

waldo lemieux wrote:Does the tee in the stainless vent that is upside down have a baro in it? If so you should turn that 90 deg so it will work properly. How about cold air return? Are you using the basement as a plenum and If so do you have vent cut in the floor? Or maybe a stair door open to allow enough make up air for the duct blower? If not youll suck air right in through the baro. It doesnt seem likely that the exchanger will be faulty at this point. Good luck and don't give up like before, Whatever the problem its not that hard to figure out , Just keep feedig the guys info and youll be toasty in no time!

Waldo...this is a forced pressurized draft, no baro.

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Fri. Jan. 03, 2014 12:21 pm

Since the filter box to the blower is located a foot from the air intake for the combustion air inlet I'm thinking the immediate low pressure area created when the blower fan kicks in is overwhelming the ability of the direct vent fan to blow exhaust out the vent pipe. That makes sense to me except for the fact that the system worked for a season without problem. Probably a combination of a few small things making a big problem. Do hope its a simple fix.

Post by **Lightning** » Fri. Jan. 03, 2014 3:11 pm

If low pressure in the basement then cracking a window should fix it. If an open window doesn't help then the exit pipe must be partly blocked. If neither then a blower isn't set properly lol. Gotta be one of those three

If there is no cold air return, It's time to punt.

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Fri. Jan. 03, 2014 3:30 pm

blrman07 wrote:This has all the hallmarks of an air starved house. This puppy is tight!!! If opening a window in the basement doesn't do the trick my next bet is on ash bound flue piping. Looking at the picture with the flue tells me it has probably never been apart.

Rev. Larry

Apparently the new install was only used long enough to determine there was a problem. Other than a short running period, the pipe is new.

Post by **Lightning** » Fri. Jan. 03, 2014 3:36 pm

Is it still unknown if there is any cold air return?

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Fri. Jan. 03, 2014 3:55 pm

No return hooked to the stove.

Post by **Lightning** » Fri. Jan. 03, 2014 4:12 pm

Carbon12 wrote:No return hooked to the stove.

Oh ok, seems like that would be a problem if air from the house can't get back to the furnace.

coalkirk · Post by **coalkirk** » Fri. Jan. 03, 2014 5:17 pm

Lightning wrote:
Carbon12 wrote:No return hooked to the stove.
Oh ok, seems like that would be a problem if air from the house can't get back to the furnace.

Yes and that creates enough negative pressure to affect the direct vent apparently. Still haven't seen the outside vent.

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Sat. Jan. 04, 2014 11:10 am

eddieh: how are you making out? Any progress on diagnosing the problem? It would be great to hear you're up and running!

eddieh · Post by **eddieh** » Sat. Jan. 04, 2014 5:18 pm

OUtside vent photo

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Sat. Jan. 04, 2014 5:23 pm

Where you able to find a manometer to check the draft yet?

eddieh · Post by **eddieh** » Sat. Jan. 04, 2014 5:37 pm

No, not yet......got one ordered but it will take a few days to arrive

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Sat. Jan. 04, 2014 5:57 pm

Ok, great! Keep us posted.

Coal Stove...Still Do Not Have It up and Running Properly

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