Small Boiler in an 8X10 Shed? Will It Work?

 
oldsch
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Post by oldsch » Mon. Jan. 20, 2014 8:51 pm

I've been kicking around the idea of a coal boiler. I currently heat with a hand fired coal stove and have an oil fired boiler and cast iron rads as backup. The radiators give off wonderful heat when I use them but I can't stand buying the oil.The boiler is about 90k BTU.
One problem is that I don't have a basement but I do have a 8x10 shed about 20 ft from the house. So, are there any smaller boilers that would fit in a shed. EFM350? Others?
Would there be any room to spare for a small coal bin?
Thanks.


 
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windyhill4.2
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Post by windyhill4.2 » Mon. Jan. 20, 2014 9:22 pm

Welcome,oldsch ,you have an earlier join date than me but yet you are a new member ?? Your shed idea will work,but it will need to be insulated all around..floor,ceiling,walls,not sure on the brand/model that would fit best but some boiler experts will chime in soon & advise.Why a shed,can't you put it where the oil boiler is ? I will be waiting with you to hear advice on this as we are looking to go from OWB to coal boiler in the sometime future.

 
Pacowy
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Post by Pacowy » Mon. Jan. 20, 2014 10:27 pm

I think the "New Member" designation is determined by the number of posts, not by the joining date.

oldsch, please check your private messages (envelope icon at top of page).

Thanks.

Mike

 
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Scottscoaled
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Post by Scottscoaled » Mon. Jan. 20, 2014 11:00 pm

While 8x10 is certainly close, it is real possible to fit a 520 with a short extension auger. I put one in a small addition that was the same size off my barn and it worked well. You have to use an extension auger or you will have coal smell when your barrel gets low. A Van Wert would be a good choice as would a keystoker or a yellow flame. And yes, your building needs to be insulated. Don't forget to run a pvc conduit or two in with the underground pex. For power and a control or two. Good luck!

 
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StokerDon
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Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood

Post by StokerDon » Tue. Jan. 21, 2014 6:03 am

I am totaly biased but the Yellow Flame has a suprizingly small footprint, only 21"x36". I'm certin there are others withe a small footprint as well. You will also gain a very inexpensive way to heat domestic hot water! If you put it in the shed, you can run it all year. For a coal bin, you could either buy or build a smaller shed and use that as the coal bin, it doesn't take much of a shed to hold 5 ton or so.
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YELLOW FLAME!!!

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-Don

 
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windyhill4.2
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Coal Size/Type: 404-nut, 520 rice ,anthracite for both

Post by windyhill4.2 » Tue. Jan. 21, 2014 6:45 am

Don, your Yellow Flame has a 21x36 base,but what is the overall or working footprint, i'm curious for my own situation. Working = space needed around it to fill hopper,maintenance,etc.,what space would you need if you were to partition boiler into its own room ? I think that would help give at least several of us a better idea of the space needed for our plans, should help oldsch to visualize his shed space working or not,thank you,nice boiler !!!!

 
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StokerDon
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Gentleman Janitor GJ-5, Van Wert VA-600, Axeman Anderson130 X3.
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Harman SF3500 reduced down to 3 grates connected to its own plenum
Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood

Post by StokerDon » Tue. Jan. 21, 2014 10:08 am

The working area for my Yellow Flame is 6' by 9'. That includes space for the flue pipe, hopper, coal buckets, ashpans and a floor mouted expansion tank.

-Don


 
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windyhill4.2
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Coal Size/Type: 404-nut, 520 rice ,anthracite for both

Post by windyhill4.2 » Tue. Jan. 21, 2014 10:17 am

Thanks,Don, woul that include any space to walk up to the hopper & dump a bucket of coal in or would the shed door need to be open for doing that ? 6x9 in 8x10 seems a bit snug.

 
Pacowy
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Post by Pacowy » Tue. Jan. 21, 2014 10:37 am

I would suggest planning to turn the boiler "sideways" so that the blank side is parallel and close to one of the 8' walls of the shed. That way the side of the boiler with the ash door will be facing the center of the shed 3' or less from the wall. Depending upon the location of the door, that would leave about a 3x8 working area next to the boiler, and a 4x8 space for coal storage.

Mike

 
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D-frost
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Post by D-frost » Tue. Jan. 21, 2014 10:48 am

Just a Thought- Buy a "doghouse coal boiler" and park it beside the 8x10 shed. Run the coal feeder into the shed.(Instant coal bin) And, the "doghouse is already insulated.

Cheers

 
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Sting
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Post by Sting » Tue. Jan. 21, 2014 12:14 pm

I am not fond of walking into the outdoors to check the fire -- I prefer to wear my jammies and slippers in the Boiler room

just cus it will fit in the space - doesn't mean it will be comfortable and convenient to work on or in!

Image

 
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StokerDon
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Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 11:17 am
Location: PA, Southern York County!
Stoker Coal Boiler: Gentleman Janitor GJ-5, Van Wert VA-600, Axeman Anderson130 X3.
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Harman SF3500 reduced down to 3 grates connected to its own plenum
Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood

Post by StokerDon » Tue. Jan. 21, 2014 1:16 pm

I don't know Sting, I'm sure there are advantages to having your boiler in the "GETTAWAY VAN".

-Don

 
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StokerDon
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Posts: 7486
Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 11:17 am
Location: PA, Southern York County!
Stoker Coal Boiler: Gentleman Janitor GJ-5, Van Wert VA-600, Axeman Anderson130 X3.
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Harman SF3500 reduced down to 3 grates connected to its own plenum
Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood

Post by StokerDon » Tue. Jan. 21, 2014 1:24 pm

windyhill4.2 wrote:Thanks,Don, woul that include any space to walk up to the hopper & dump a bucket of coal in or would the shed door need to be open for doing that ? 6x9 in 8x10 seems a bit snug.
The area behind the hopper is 6'x2.5'. There I have 4 coal buckets and the 14 gal expansion tank and enough room to load the hopper.

-Don

 
Penn507
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Post by Penn507 » Tue. Jan. 21, 2014 9:25 pm

If there is a will,there is a way. This is a EFM 520 in my shop 80 ft. from the house.

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StokerDon
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Posts: 7486
Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 11:17 am
Location: PA, Southern York County!
Stoker Coal Boiler: Gentleman Janitor GJ-5, Van Wert VA-600, Axeman Anderson130 X3.
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Harman SF3500 reduced down to 3 grates connected to its own plenum
Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood

Post by StokerDon » Tue. Jan. 21, 2014 9:31 pm

I love that coal bin Penn507!


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