Pictures of your stove

Boy, you've been busy. How many BTUs do you think you'll get out of the stove? How much coal can it hold? It certainly looks like it will do the job for you. Lisa

lowfog01 wrote:Boy, you've been busy. How many BTUs do you think you'll get out of the stove? How much coal can it hold? It certainly looks like it will do the job for you. Lisa

BTU's? Not a clue. More than four adults and one tween need for showers, dishes, and laundry (on warm). It takes a long time to heat up 77 gallons but I have to let it go out now and then so it doesn't overheat. No one match club for me. I have streamlined the relight. I don't empty it. I shake it down till I get to the partially burned coal that is alway on top of the ash. It is a lot harder to break up through the rocking grates so you can tell by the feel it is time to stop. I put it about 4 to 5 sheets of newspaper on top of what is leftover, kindling, a few chunks of hardwood. I light that off with a propane torch. Once I'm sure it is going to go I put about 3 or 4 hand fulls of coal on, before the newspaper is even fully burning. Careful not to put on too much because I want it to roar. Leave it alone for at least 15 minutes. I almost alway have dancing ladies. Then I will layer coal in to build up the fire. Once I get it where I want it depending on the water temp, whether I'm going to be home, going to bed whatever, I close the manual damper and air and it will run low for many hours. I try to keep it between 110 and 140 but I don't have it down to a science yet. More like guestimating. I think it starts easier leaving the partially burned coal in place.

I think it will hold about twenty pounds but I never put that much in at once.

The mini boiler was a yard sale leftover I picked up about 5 years ago. When I inquired about it it's owner told to just take it away. Free is good. The indirect was $275 used on Craigslist and it came with controls, brass fittings and a 60 watt circulator. I had to drive 4 hours round trip to get it. Many of the parts and pieces where salvaged off old oil boilers but I had to buy a few bits here and there to get it all together. I don't keep good records. If you figure in gasoline and assorted parts I might have another $200 invested in the project.

Cokehead;

Do you have a safety blowoff valve on the boiler, I couldn't see

one in the picture?


BigBarney

i thought i saw two of them??

BigBarney wrote:Cokehead;

Do you have a safety blowoff valve on the boiler, I couldn't see

one in the picture?


BigBarney

It is in the 2nd to last picture with a copper pipe going into a plastic jar. 30 psi set point. The boiler was rated working pressure of 125 and I tested it to 50 something with domestic water pressure. Boiler explosions are no fun. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Sultana

Poconoeagle wrote:i thought i saw two of them??

The indirect has a high temp/ pressure relief valve, 150 psi set point or 210 degrees. I still need to pipe that within 6 inches of the floor. I'll get there........someday.

I hear ya.... at 150 psi it will splash less at that height!!!

It is far more likely to plow off due to hi temp (210 degrees) than hi pressure. 150 psi set point is an industry standard for domestic hot water. There is no way the pressure could get to that point with my lame centrifical well pump.

I got the tempering valve hooked up yesterday. My wife is complaining the water isn't hot enough at the kitchen sink. The temp is right for the shower and bathroom. I might have to run untempered water to the kitchen to keep her happy. The temperature of the water pulses with the well pump cycles in the shower. warm hot warm hot. It's not uncomfortable but just does't seem right. Maybe the valve needs to break in or I might have to run a separate water feed to the tempering valve instead of sharing with the indirect. It's still a work in progress.

I see the blowoff on the top of the tank, don't you need it on the top of

the boiler in the tee there?

The boiler blowoff is much lower, like 60-80 psi, not 150 psi.


BigBarney

BigBarney wrote:I see the blowoff on the top of the tank, don't you need it on the top of

the boiler in the tee there?

The boiler blowoff is much lower, like 60-80 psi, not 150 psi.


BigBarney

I do believe you are right about the improper placement of the boiler relief valve. I will change it. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.

Here is my new BB (Base Burner) with a salt lamp in it.

My recently installed Yukon Eagle IV wood/coal add-on furnace to my existing propane furnace & ductwork. Works GREAT! I'm loving it!!

Hi Dennis, that is a nice looking install. How well does the Yukon burn coal?

Hitzer 503, freshly installed and ready to burn.

Hi all, This may not be the right topic here but I'm looking for help with my new bucket-a-day heater. I'm new to burning coal but I'm having alot of trouble lighting my nut anthracite. I started with what I thought was a good hot pine fire with alot of coals and added two or three inches of coal and it was like I put wet wood on the fire, went out instantly. I even tried putting a hair dryer under the fire for added air and it made no differance? Any help from the group would be appreciated.

thanks in advance
Gary C