Feed Rate Adjusting??
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- Member
- Posts: 2366
- Joined: Sun. Mar. 25, 2007 8:41 pm
- Location: Ithaca, New York
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker KAA-4-1 dual fuel boiler
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: former switzer CWW100-sold
- Coal Size/Type: rice
- Other Heating: kerosene for dual fuel Keystoker/unused
The KAA-2 you and Oliverpower have is different in how it operates versus my KAA-4-1.
The KAA-2-4-6 share the same model Pocono AA flat 3 grate stoker.
After I got rid of the 2 bad hydrostat controls, bad Chinese gauges and a dead timer motor I have had no control problems using the HoneywellL8124L1011 horizontal triple aquastat and a separate B+G RB-122-E Low water cut off. I have a little more wiring but the boiler works right finally.
I have my stoker set at 12-13 threads out now with the high limit at 150-60 and the low limit at 120-30 with a fifteen degree differential.
All I do is raise or lower the thermostat as the more the coal burns the hotter the fire stays and the easier it is to keep the water hot at a lower temperature.
I am very happy with how its running and I have lots of domestic hot water.
The KAA-2-4-6 share the same model Pocono AA flat 3 grate stoker.
After I got rid of the 2 bad hydrostat controls, bad Chinese gauges and a dead timer motor I have had no control problems using the HoneywellL8124L1011 horizontal triple aquastat and a separate B+G RB-122-E Low water cut off. I have a little more wiring but the boiler works right finally.
I have my stoker set at 12-13 threads out now with the high limit at 150-60 and the low limit at 120-30 with a fifteen degree differential.
All I do is raise or lower the thermostat as the more the coal burns the hotter the fire stays and the easier it is to keep the water hot at a lower temperature.
I am very happy with how its running and I have lots of domestic hot water.
- nepacoal
- Member
- Posts: 1696
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 21, 2012 7:49 am
- Location: Coal Country
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker KAA-4 / "Kelly" and an EFM 520 at my in-laws
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: Harman SF-260 - retired
- Coal Size/Type: Buck
No. Keystoker states in the manual that once you have it set, leave the feed rate alone. You should have 1.5 to 2 inches of ash on the end of the grate after a long call for heat (30 plus minutes). A new batch of coal may require minor tweaks. Some people turn their low limit up to 170 during real cold spells and others add pins to the timer so the fire can recover faster after idling. I have mine at:
200/165, 3/3/3 pins every 10 minutes, 8.5 to 9 turns out and use a 50/50 mix of buck and rice. Mine heats a converted gravity system with about 450 sq ft of radiators
200/165, 3/3/3 pins every 10 minutes, 8.5 to 9 turns out and use a 50/50 mix of buck and rice. Mine heats a converted gravity system with about 450 sq ft of radiators
- Rob R.
- Site Moderator
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- Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
- Location: Chazy, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr
No. My only exception would be if the stoker ran for hours and the house was cold.Kungur wrote:Do you fiddle with the feed rate adjustment on you stoker as the temps go up & down?
- oliver power
- Member
- Posts: 2970
- Joined: Sun. Apr. 16, 2006 9:28 am
- Location: Near Dansville, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: KEYSTOKER Kaa-2
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Hitzer 50-93 & 30-95, Vigilant (pre-2310), D.S. 1600 Circulator, Hitzer 254
Hi Kunger,
I don't monkey with the feed adjustment. I have played around with it some while trying to fine tune the boiler. Now that it's fine tuned, I never touch it.
One thing that's real important is to clean the fly ash you CAN NOT see. That fly ash is on top, in-between, and around the water walls. It makes a Big, big difference.
I thought my Kaa-2 ran good before. Once I discovered, and cleaned the water wall fly ash, I ended up turning my feed much lower. Maybe another 2 or 3 turns lower. The little Kaa-2 just shines. I never have to touch the feed. Not even in the bitter cold days.
Before the discovery of the water wall fly ash build-up, I was convinced the Kaa2 was at it's max capacity when the outside temps dipped low. After cleaning the fly ash I could never see, the Kaa-2 laughs at the cold snaps. And that's with the feed backed off 2 or 3 more turns. It is nice knowing I have plenty of feed adjustment left if needed.
I don't monkey with the feed adjustment. I have played around with it some while trying to fine tune the boiler. Now that it's fine tuned, I never touch it.
One thing that's real important is to clean the fly ash you CAN NOT see. That fly ash is on top, in-between, and around the water walls. It makes a Big, big difference.
I thought my Kaa-2 ran good before. Once I discovered, and cleaned the water wall fly ash, I ended up turning my feed much lower. Maybe another 2 or 3 turns lower. The little Kaa-2 just shines. I never have to touch the feed. Not even in the bitter cold days.
Before the discovery of the water wall fly ash build-up, I was convinced the Kaa2 was at it's max capacity when the outside temps dipped low. After cleaning the fly ash I could never see, the Kaa-2 laughs at the cold snaps. And that's with the feed backed off 2 or 3 more turns. It is nice knowing I have plenty of feed adjustment left if needed.
- CoalisCoolxWarm
- Member
- Posts: 2323
- Joined: Wed. Jan. 19, 2011 11:41 am
- Location: Western PA
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker KA-6
- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: old Sears rebuilt, bituminous- offline as of winter 2014
- Coal Size/Type: Anthracite Buckwheat
- Other Heating: Oil Boiler
I used a paint scraper. Not a putty knife. It allows me to reach up in through the door, the ash door, and the stove pipe hole to drag/scrape the buildup off the walls.Clousseau wrote:How do you clean the water wall fly ash build-up on a Keystoker KA-6 boiler?
I've wondered if some kind of neutralizing spray solution might be helpful to condition/season the walls. But truth be told, I'm lucky to get it cleaned at all. It involves some awkward positions that I'm not build for, LOL.
- oliver power
- Member
- Posts: 2970
- Joined: Sun. Apr. 16, 2006 9:28 am
- Location: Near Dansville, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: KEYSTOKER Kaa-2
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Hitzer 50-93 & 30-95, Vigilant (pre-2310), D.S. 1600 Circulator, Hitzer 254
And one of these in a size that fits in the tight places. https://www.amazon.com/Mill-Rose-Weil-McLain-Boiler-Overall- ... ng+brushes Without looking, my brush is around 2 inches in diameter, with about a 12 or 14 inch handle.CoalisCoolxWarm wrote:I used a paint scraper. Not a putty knife. It allows me to reach up in through the door, the ash door, and the stove pipe hole to drag/scrape the buildup off the walls.Clousseau wrote:How do you clean the water wall fly ash build-up on a Keystoker KA-6 boiler?
I've wondered if some kind of neutralizing spray solution might be helpful to condition/season the walls. But truth be told, I'm lucky to get it cleaned at all. It involves some awkward positions that I'm not build for, LOL.
- oliver power
- Member
- Posts: 2970
- Joined: Sun. Apr. 16, 2006 9:28 am
- Location: Near Dansville, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: KEYSTOKER Kaa-2
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Hitzer 50-93 & 30-95, Vigilant (pre-2310), D.S. 1600 Circulator, Hitzer 254
- Rob R.
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 17980
- Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
- Location: Chazy, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr
I think the cleaning process is one of the biggest drawbacks of a Keystoker.CoalisCoolxWarm wrote:I used a paint scraper. Not a putty knife. It allows me to reach up in through the door, the ash door, and the stove pipe hole to drag/scrape the buildup off the walls.Clousseau wrote:How do you clean the water wall fly ash build-up on a Keystoker KA-6 boiler?
I've wondered if some kind of neutralizing spray solution might be helpful to condition/season the walls. But truth be told, I'm lucky to get it cleaned at all. It involves some awkward positions that I'm not build for, LOL.
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- Member
- Posts: 2366
- Joined: Sun. Mar. 25, 2007 8:41 pm
- Location: Ithaca, New York
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker KAA-4-1 dual fuel boiler
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: former switzer CWW100-sold
- Coal Size/Type: rice
- Other Heating: kerosene for dual fuel Keystoker/unused
The job of cleaning of the KAA-4-1 is why I invested in the hand held inspection camera sold by Harbor Freight. The inspection camera It makes it so much easier to see what your doing when your cleaning it.
I will be buying one or more of those boiler brushes this coming year to help in cleaning it though.
My removing the hopper and stoker and cementing the grates will open the dry wall of the boiler and also make it easier to clean like I did this past summer.
If you do not use the keystoker the year round a work light with an clear incandescent bulb which is heavy duty use/abuse rated will keep the firebox warm and dry.
I used Damp Rid in mine after I cleaned it until I started burning but I did not have that much water that collected in the damp rid basins but the desiccant bags they use work very well.
I plan on spraying the inside of mine with Fluid Film next year after the heating season is over.
I will be buying one or more of those boiler brushes this coming year to help in cleaning it though.
My removing the hopper and stoker and cementing the grates will open the dry wall of the boiler and also make it easier to clean like I did this past summer.
If you do not use the keystoker the year round a work light with an clear incandescent bulb which is heavy duty use/abuse rated will keep the firebox warm and dry.
I used Damp Rid in mine after I cleaned it until I started burning but I did not have that much water that collected in the damp rid basins but the desiccant bags they use work very well.
I plan on spraying the inside of mine with Fluid Film next year after the heating season is over.
Last edited by lzaharis on Sun. Dec. 25, 2016 12:53 am, edited 2 times in total.
- CoalisCoolxWarm
- Member
- Posts: 2323
- Joined: Wed. Jan. 19, 2011 11:41 am
- Location: Western PA
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker KA-6
- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: old Sears rebuilt, bituminous- offline as of winter 2014
- Coal Size/Type: Anthracite Buckwheat
- Other Heating: Oil Boiler
I wouldn't argue with that. Some of the passages are way up in there, pretty much have to lay inside the ash door and use a face shield and maskRob R. wrote:I think the cleaning process is one of the biggest drawbacks of a Keystoker.
- oliver power
- Member
- Posts: 2970
- Joined: Sun. Apr. 16, 2006 9:28 am
- Location: Near Dansville, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: KEYSTOKER Kaa-2
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Hitzer 50-93 & 30-95, Vigilant (pre-2310), D.S. 1600 Circulator, Hitzer 254
HEY!, You just described me.....CoalisCoolxWarm wrote:I wouldn't argue with that. Some of the passages are way up in there, pretty much have to lay inside the ash door and use a face shield and maskRob R. wrote:I think the cleaning process is one of the biggest drawbacks of a Keystoker.