How Does the KA 6 Compare to Other Boilers in Its Class

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JOE.G
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Post by JOE.G » Mon. Aug. 11, 2008 12:33 pm

I have a KA 6 on order, i]I have cast iron radiators about 12 of them, and heating 2,500 SQ roughly, I am wondering how it compares to other coal boilers in it's class, does it take longer to get hot? Effiency durability and things like that is what I am wondering. I probably should have asked that before purchasing.

 
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gaw
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Post by gaw » Mon. Aug. 11, 2008 7:43 pm

As far as durability you may as well write it in your Will to whom you want it to go when you are no longer around. Once hot it should stay hot. If it is constantly cooling off excessively then something is not setup correctly. Axeman Anderson is the only boiler I know of to be studied in depth. I know of no head to head controlled comparisons between different manufacturers' boilers. It is generally believed that the Axeman Anderson & AHS units are more efficient at extracting their heat from the coal. My own experience with a Keystoker has been positive.
It looks like your going to the dance with a KA 6 anyway so don't worry about it. I think you will be happy.

 
JOE.G
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Post by JOE.G » Thu. Aug. 21, 2008 11:00 am

Anyone else?


 
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Freddy
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Post by Freddy » Thu. Aug. 21, 2008 12:01 pm

I think the Keystoker will be fine, but if you need fast recovery, the Axeman or AHS do make heat faster because of their huge fans.
Every manufacturer is running behind. If you chose to not keep the Keystoker, you'll have no trouble selling it!

 
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LsFarm
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Post by LsFarm » Thu. Aug. 21, 2008 4:59 pm

Hi Joe, I wouldn't second-guess your decision to get a KA6, they are good units.. I doubt that you will have any issues with it. I agreee with the above statements, the AA and AHS are probably a little quicker in recovery from a cold or cool water in-rush from the radiators.. but I doubt that you will notice it. Maybe only in sudden weather changes.

You bought a good unit.. and the price is quite reasonable.

Greg L.

 
JOE.G
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Post by JOE.G » Mon. Aug. 25, 2008 7:30 pm

I do have 12 or 14 radiators in my house I hope I don't run into a problem, my family likes to keep the house hot, I have 4 zones 3 heat and 1 dhw. I have the programable thermostats, When know one is in the house for the day, should I have them come on all at the same time about a hour before anyone comes home or should I have them all kick on a 1/2 hr apart? thanks

P.S the reason I went with KA 6 is they are the easiest to find around here and never paid much attention to coal intill I found this site.


 
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LsFarm
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Post by LsFarm » Mon. Aug. 25, 2008 10:57 pm

I'd have the thermostats kick in 30 minutes apart..

Greg L

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TGMC
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Post by TGMC » Thu. Aug. 28, 2008 9:02 pm

you should be very happy with the KA-6 . that was my first choice because I changed one out for a customer of mine. my customer had me install a new KA-6 because the old one was old. he gave me the boiler. about 6 mos later another friend gave me the KB-8 that I run now. The only catch was to get the boiler out of the building. As far as the 6 the boiler I took out was installed in 1983 because the oil was too expensive, and the house was always cold. good luck with the 6. you should get many happy years of service.

 
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FingerLakesStoker
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Post by FingerLakesStoker » Fri. Aug. 29, 2008 6:49 am

I had the same question when I first started researching coal boilers. After looking around this forum and talking to people, I narrowed it down to the AHS S-130, Keystoker KA-6, and the Harman VF3000. I ended up buying the Keystoker KA-6 and it took 11 weeks to arrive when it was promised to be delivered in 8 weeks. The biggest reason I bought the Keystoker was it was available in a direct vent model. AHS was a couple grand more and they said you could build a direct vent or power vent it, but they wouldn't recommend it or engineer it. I'm in the process of installing my KA-6 now and hopefully will have it up and running in the next two weeks. Our temps here in New York are hitting the upper forties and lower fifties at night and even the days are only getting up to the upper sixties and I'm at the edge of the Bristol Hills. I'm looking forward to firing this baby up!!!

 
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Post by Matthaus » Fri. Aug. 29, 2008 7:39 am

You will be very happy with your purchase, just be prepared for the learning curve associated with getting to know your boiler and how it works best with your system set up. The main thing is don't give up! Another thing to remember is performing the required maintenance, 90% of the boilers I buy used have never been properly maintained and therefore require repairs. Don't add your name to the long list of boiler abusers out there! ;)

As far as comparing to others, too late now, just enjoy what you bought and get that thing hooked up and running as soon as it is delivered. :D

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