Keystoker Vs Coal Gun Boiler - Any Experience?

Any experience with the Keystoker or Coal Gun Boilers?

I'm in the process of purchasing a Coal fired unit. I first intended on purchasing a fireplace insert however by the time I was done the cost total was $5,000. (insert, surround, chimney liner, delivered, installed). More money than I anticipated, and several issues that I need to content with including; not automatic system, coal/ash dust in my living area, hot spots in the house due to location, does not impact hot water usage needs.

So I began searching coal boilers (Keystoker KA-6 and Coal Gun S130) to run in series with my existing boiler. The cost for a boiler is several thousand more when completed; probably closer to $8,500 or $9,000 fully installed. I do anticipate a better recovery on the investment because I now get tied into my entire heating and hot water systems. Also, all the coal and ash is in the basement, the system is mostly automatic.

Are there any Coal Gun Users or Key Stoker users that can discuss their experiences with the system? How reliable, how easy to maintain, quality, coal usage suggestions, etc..

Thanks,

Hello juvin, welcome to the forum, Look about ten or twelve threads down the page you will find this discussion: Compare Coal Gun Vrs Keystoker

It is exactly what you are asking about.

There aren't any bad boilers in production right now, you will probably get the AA130 or AHS S-130 sooner than the Keystoker Ka6, Keystoker is saying around January or february for a new order placed today.

Plan on taking several hours and read this 'stoker, boilers' forum for several pages and also the 'chimneys' forum for more information. I'm sure you will get most of your questions answered,, if not post addtional questions here.

Greg L.

I've got several years usage on a self installed AHS130. One of the best. I can recommend it for most whole house heating and domestic hot water applications. Other brands are good too. Just depends what set of features best fits what you want.

Yanche,

Thanks for your reply and confirmation regarding being pleased with the AHS 130.

I have a few questions:
Is yours direct vent or natural draft?
Do you have the direct drive or belt drive motor arrangement?
Do you have an Auger feeder or Hopper?

Regarding the Direct vent, I do have some reservation that under loss of power there could be residual vapors escaping the system. Do you have any comments on this concern?

Thanks,
Juvin

LsFarm,

I'm glad I found this forum; you can't beat experience!

Your right, availability is an issue. Right now most manufacturers are quoting between 8 and 16 weeks delivery. So this will have an influence on my decision.

Gary

juvin wrote:I have a few questions:
Is yours direct vent or natural draft?
Do you have the direct drive or belt drive motor arrangement?
Do you have an Auger feeder or Hopper?

Regarding the Direct vent, I do have some reservation that under loss of power there could be residual vapors escaping the system. Do you have any comments on this concern?

Thanks,
Juvin

My AHS boiler is natural draft into a two story clay lined masonry chimney. I have the belt drive option. Mine is hopper fed, the most common configuration for AHS Coalgun boilers. I also have the standard timer not the optional thermocouple grate control.

In my opinion any coal appliance has a potential problem when it depends on electric power to vent combustion gases. The potential problem is greater when there is a large volume of coal fire, e.g. in a boiler or furnace. With a small volume of fire as in a stove, one could argue that that amount of combustion products compared to the room and/or house air volume would not raise the CO concentration to dangerous levels. I don't see how you could make that line of reasoning for the volume of burning coal in a Coalgun boiler, especially in a modern tight construction home.

I don't believe an AHS or AA boiler could or should be hooked to any chimney but a masonry chimney, or a SS chimney,, I would not want a powervent to fail with the open inspection port design in an AHS or AA,, the combustion gasses would have noplace to go but into the house.. VERY Dangerous..

Have a masonry chimney built or build it yourself.. by the time you subtract the cost of a powervent, and electricity, the materials for a masonry chimney are nearly free. A masonry chimney will last several lifetimes..

GReg L
.

I've sent a request to Eric at AHS asking him about the DV arrangement. The AHS literature states "Positive Draft Design Eliminates Troublesome Chimneys".

Also, I'm trying to obtain a copy of technical literature from AHS because the standard brochure content is terribly weak on details.

Juvin, check your pm's..

The statement about 'positive draft design eliminates troublesome chimneys' means that the AHS 130/260 and the AA 130/260 and the larger models have a combustion fan that creates a forced draft.. So if you have a 'lazy chimney' it doesn't really matter,, once the boiler turns on, the combustion fan forces the exhaust fumes up the chimney.. Not much natural draft is needed except about .02-.04" wc with an idling fire..this pulls the fumes off the top of the idling firebed, pulling fresh air in through the open inspection port over the top of the fire.. The combustion fan sucks the inspection port cover closed with a 'clang' when the fan starts,, and there is a very significant draft pulled through the firebed, taking the flue temp from ~130* to 400* in a few minutes..

Greg L

.

Your input is exactly why I'm trying to get an installation manual. I had the impression from the on-line brochure that the AHS could be direct vented outside with a power vent arrangement. It appears that this unit will require a full chimney regardless of whether I use a metalbestos or traditional mortar with liner.

juvin,

Do you have a chimney for your current boiler?

If you are running this in series with your existing oil boiler, you should direct vent the oil boiler and use your current chimney for the coal boiler.

welcome!

Jeremy