Uneven Fire Patch

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satza
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Post by satza » Sun. Dec. 14, 2014 8:20 pm

I have a reading stoker stove with coaltrol. I have been using it for almost 4 years without any issues. Recently, I noticed the fire patch has become uneven. It used to be pretty much a straight line wight along the front edge. Recently it is larger on the left side. I cleaned out the holes in the grate with a pick and it didn't make a difference. I was wondering if anyone else has run into this problem in the past, and what might have corrected it. I attached a photo of my fire patch

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McGiever
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Joined: Sun. May. 02, 2010 11:26 pm
Location: Junction of PA-OH-WV
Stoker Coal Boiler: AXEMAN-ANDERSON 130 "1959"
Hand Fed Coal Boiler: BUCKET A DAY water heater
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Warm Morning 414A
Coal Size/Type: PEA,NUT,STOVE /ANTHRACITE
Other Heating: Ground Source Heat Pump and some Solar

Post by McGiever » Sun. Dec. 14, 2014 8:28 pm

All burn patterns represent the air pattern.
Usually air is most out of wack due to coal fines under grate of flat and inclined stokers. They can form micro coal fines dunes. 8-)
The next likely is a air leak due to gasket being disturbed or cracked due to age and heat.

Inspect, clean and repair.

On your Reading you can first remove feeder/fan assembly and attach small tube to vac. and see if cleaning fines gets you back running. Be quick enough and fire will not go out. ;)


 
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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 » Sun. Dec. 14, 2014 8:59 pm

Yes, very much looks like an air problem. The left,,, er, bottom side doesn't seem to be burning very much. It likely has fines built up on that side keeping air from getting to the holes on that side. OR, there could be a gasket leaking air on that side.

The easiest thing to do is unplug it, pull the through bolt out, pull the nut off the back, pull the motor/blower assy out, shine a flashlight in there and see if it is full of fines. If so, hit it with the vacuume realy quick, stick the motor back in, turn it back on.

If that doesn't do it you will have to shut it down, pull the grate and replace the grate gasket and the strong back gasket.

-Don

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