VF3000 Performance Tweaks

Rob, Scott and Kevin - It's not that often that the boiler comes up short. Only in extreme weather. Most of the time the boiler temp stays in the 180-160 range and does the job. I guess I'm obsessing. The house is pretty tight. Built in the 50's with virtually no insulation. Since I bought in 1983, every room has been gutted and rewired and insulated with R13 in the walls and R30 in the ceilings. All but 4 windows have been replaced and those 4 are in good shape and also have storm windows. I even insulated the basement walls.

Rob I had the same thought as you with the improved performance of the fan coil. I still can't believe the difference in performance by piping it this way.

Windy - No setback thermostat. The chimney is about 14.5' but its an exterior chimney so not as effective as one that stays warmer.

titleist1 wrote:CK....Did you mess around with the feed rate and air when trying to burn the buck? As mentioned it seems that less air would be required for buck and maybe a little faster feed rate would have kept it from heading back tot he hopper.

coalkirk wrote:if I had known I would live this long I would have taken better care of myself!

I think Keith Richards said the same thing!!!

No I did not mess with the feed rate or air. It happened so quickly that it kind of freaked me out. Seeing smoke coming out of the hopper and the thought of all that coal in the hopper burning.

Don, after seeing that stoker fire last year at the coal forum gathering, I think my little VF3K would be a puddle of steel on the floor!

So the plan then is to do what I've been doing and if the coal boiler falls short, I'll burn a little oil. At least it is cheap now.

Some suggestions:

1. Source some premium rice that burns hot and is sized properly, without so much undersized, to use at least during the coldest months.

2. Open the air setting to the max permitted by your draft conditions during the coldest months (may be better than beginning of season). Close it some as needed during shoulder months.

3. Check your ash band regularly and adjust feed as needed to achieve 1-2" ash band after long run.

4. Perform more frequent cleanings of heat exchange areas, including the funky arm with the chains, during cold weather.

5. If this unit supplies your DHW, move your discretionary uses of DHW to times when the heating load is (closest to being) satisfied.

I'm going to disagree with the chorus against setbacks. The highest heating load normally occurs at night, when the outdoor temps typically are lowest and there is no solar gain. If you have multiple zones, setbacks can allow you to "shed" the portion of your heating load that has the lowest priority at different times (e.g., prioritize bedrooms at night and living area the rest of the time). Overall the house will be more comfortable than if limited BTU's are expended heating spaces that aren't being used.

Mike

If you have issues with clinkers at high feed rates a different coal source may help as well.

I think the OP has answered his own question. I know my Vf3000 is more challenged then his, as mine is 1000 miles north of him. My son recognizes the money he saved last winter even though he burned over 6 tons. And some propane.
I spent countless hours tinkering with flow rates, drafts, buck, barley, different brands. And anything else I could think of or learn here. There is only so much you can do with the given btu/hr output of an device.

Kevin

KLook wrote:I think the OP has answered his own question. I know my Vf3000 is more challenged then his, as mine is 1000 miles north of him. My son recognizes the money he saved last winter even though he burned over 6 tons. And some propane.
I spent countless hours tinkering with flow rates, drafts, buck, barley, different brands. And anything else I could think of or learn here. There is only so much you can do with the given btu/hr output of an device.

Kevin

Bingo! You are right. And as I'm in the tropics of Maryland it's not that bad. I'll be fine most of the time but when those polar vortex's rage I'll have to burn some oil. At least I'll be doing it more efficiently and with relatively cheap oil this year.