Almost Had a Big Problem Last Night AA130

I have seen an AHS unit with the paint cooked off the hopper. The owner said the bolt connecting the grate linkage broke, and the fan kept running. I imagine that is why they added the controls to shut it down if the hopper overheats.

cabinover wrote:Will be looking into that this week. Thanks for the idea guys.

AHS might be able to offer you a setup that is purpose built for the task.

A low coal level warning light (red) arrangement mounted on garage exterior could broadcast a remote notice of needs.

cabinover wrote:Will be looking into that this week. Thanks for the idea guys.

I think you should, not because you are forgetful and might do the same again but because something could go wrong while you're not around. Better safe then sorry.

Wood'nCoal wrote:

cabinover wrote:Will be looking into that this week. Thanks for the idea guys.

I think you should, not because you are forgetful and might do the same again but because something could go wrong while you're not around. Better safe then sorry.

That's what I was thinking after my wife (who worries about way, wayyyyyy too much) mentioned it this morning. A light outside the garage is also a great idea. Green for GTG, red for better get in here and look around. And...I could just take the 5 minutes to walk in and look around after work everyday.

Rob R. wrote:I have seen an AHS unit with the paint cooked off the hopper. The owner said the bolt connecting the grate linkage broke, and the fan kept running. I imagine that is why they added the controls to shut it down if the hopper overheats.

That would pretty much be the same symptom, and result. Should probably look over those two bolts this summer. Thanks for the reminder.

Gotta go cut some trees out of the snowmobile trail now that's it's started to come. Yipppeeeee!!!!

Forgive the question;

Was your coal stoker a used Axeman Anderson unit?
Did you modify the design by removing the the open
feed auger tube and use an AHS hopper instead to
feed coal into the firebox?

Stuff happens! Yesterday I smelled combustion in the house, I went down into the cellar and covered the auger back up. The feed tube was empty. Didn't loose the fire, but it looked mighty low.

lzaharis wrote:Forgive the question;

Was your coal stoker a used Axeman Anderson unit?
Did you modify the design by removing the the open
feed auger tube and use an AHS hopper instead to
feed coal into the firebox?

Yes sir, it was a used unit. I didn't modify it but it is modified. It uses the Anthrastat to drive a gear reduction motor with gears and chains to move the ash ....thingy. I can't tell you where the hopper came from but it's round rather than square like AHS units use.

Works extremely well...when I remember to do what I'm supposed to.

Wood'nCoal wrote:Stuff happens! Yesterday I smelled combustion in the house, I went down into the cellar and covered the auger back up. The feed tube was empty. Didn't loose the fire, but it looked mighty low.

Yup, the best we can do is show the stuff happening so maybe someone else won't let it happen to them.

cabinover wrote:

Wood'nCoal wrote:Stuff happens! Yesterday I smelled combustion in the house, I went down into the cellar and covered the auger back up. The feed tube was empty. Didn't loose the fire, but it looked mighty low.

Yup, the best we can do is show the stuff happening so maybe someone else won't let it happen to them.

Agreed! This has been a very enlightening post. Sometimes I wish there were 'sticky' posts on this forum.

cabinover wrote:

lzaharis wrote:Forgive the question;

Was your coal stoker a used Axeman Anderson unit?
Did you modify the design by removing the the open
feed auger tube and use an AHS hopper instead to
feed coal into the firebox?

Yes sir, it was a used unit. I didn't modify it but it is modified. It uses the Anthrastat to drive a gear reduction motor with gears and chains to move the ash ....thingy. I can't tell you where the hopper came from but it's round rather than square like AHS units use.

Works extremely well...when I remember to do what I'm supposed to.

AHS hoppers were round before they went to the square...it is a AHS hopper.

Yes sir M, that looks just like mine without the heat job. The neck of that one has been hot though.

cabinover wrote:Yes sir M, that looks just like mine without the heat job. The neck of that one has been hot though.

Yes, hopefully that edition had the Safety Cut Out thing Larry mentioned that was on his.

McGiever wrote:Yes, hopefully that edition had the Safety Cut Out thing Larry mentioned that was on his.

At first glance it doesn't appear to have the safety cut-off.