So Lets Narrow Down the Coal Boiler Choices...Chime in!!!

 
Normy
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Post by Normy » Sat. Sep. 27, 2008 10:26 pm

This has been a very informative forum so far, you are a bunch of well informed very helpful folks.

Everything I've been reading so far I'm liking the VF3000, but there is a lot of talk about company support and parts that people aren't happy about. That being said, how robust is that machine?

What's the best size Keystoker boiler for 2000+ & DWH, also would like to add a two stall under house garage heating?

What about the auger styles? The only possible way would be to try to use the barrow bin type thing, important...how far away DOES the barrow need to be considering the the angle and the length of the auger thing I'm short on space if I can't use a power vent with it?

I think I would like used if it's a significant savings compared to new. Who's to say at this point?

So let's see if you can help me narrow the choices down? If used, I'm sure I would be happy with a couple of choices. Which ones are "the bomb" that I should look for and or the duds I should stay away from?

If new, then comparing cost and ease of use, heat output etc?

I'm sure this is subjective and opinion may vary, but, you folks that are running them know best of the good, bad, and quirky for your boilers.

Thanks
Normy


 
Normy
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Coal Size/Type: rice

Post by Normy » Sat. Sep. 27, 2008 11:39 pm

What are some keyword to use when searching ebay & cregslist? I'm having no luck whats so ever.

Also, is there a way to search Cregslist with out having to pick each and every city / state individualy?

Thanks
Normy

 
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Richard S.
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Van Wert VA1200
Coal Size/Type: Buckwheat/Anthracite

Post by Richard S. » Sun. Sep. 28, 2008 7:09 am

This thread may be of interest: What Brand of Stoker Stove Is Best
"Best" is subjective. You need to get the appliance that fits your needs, budget , circumstances etc.
I can say this, if power venting is must you've eliminated EFM, Axeman-Anderson, AHS and probably most of the Keystoker line. The larger furnces can't be power vented. They can get away with it on the smaller stokers because you only have handful of coal burning and it will go out shortly. The EFM for example is very similar to my Van-Wert, at a conservative estimate it can go for at least 4 hours before it will go out.

So if power venting is must I'd suggest finding out which ones can be power vented, if my understanding is correct only the very smallest Keystoker boiler could be power vented. Not sure about the Harman...

 
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218Bee
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Post by 218Bee » Sun. Sep. 28, 2008 8:15 am

Also, is there a way to search Cregslist with out having to pick each and every city / state individualy?
Try http://www.craigshelper.com/. You can search by region, although each city opens in it's own window.

 
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Freddy
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Post by Freddy » Sun. Sep. 28, 2008 9:26 am

Richard S. wrote:The larger furnces can't be power vented.
I'm not so sure that's a correct statement. Maybe they can't be direct vented, but that's not the same as powervented. A direct vent is usually a device made for THAT coal device. A powerventer is a general type device that can be adapted to any heater. They come in many sizes and I'm pretty sure one will fit almost any boiler. The issue with powerventing any coal device is that the venter has to run 24/7 and that's not the best idea on Earth.

 
Normy
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Post by Normy » Sun. Sep. 28, 2008 10:27 am

218Bee wrote:
Also, is there a way to search Cregslist with out having to pick each and every city / state individualy?
Try http://www.craigshelper.com/. You can search by region, although each city opens in it's own window.
Thanks, this is so much easier!

 
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stoker-man
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Hand Fed Coal Boiler: 1981 efm wcb-24 in use 365 days a year
Coal Size/Type: Anthracite/Chestnut
Other Heating: Hearthstone wood stove

Post by stoker-man » Sun. Sep. 28, 2008 11:12 am

An efm stoker CANNOT be power vented, but a draft inducer can be used. These are two different animals.


 
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Freddy
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Post by Freddy » Sun. Sep. 28, 2008 12:07 pm

I guess one would want to check with the dealer and also the powervent people. Stokerman knows his stuff and if the EFM can't then maybe I'm wrong (again). If the EFM cannot, then perhaps others cannot. I wonder why?

 
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Yanche
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Post by Yanche » Sun. Sep. 28, 2008 12:28 pm

It's simple concept to understand. CO kills. Burn something in a space occupied by humans with a combustion gas exhaust and you die. Burn a candle and it's ok because compared to the air volume in the home the combustion gases are a small percentage of the total. A stoker stove has a small volume of coal compared to a central heating appliance like a boiler or furnace. So when the stokers exhaust system fails and the combustion gases stay in your house, you still live. The central heating appliance's much larger volume of coal will burn longer and kill you.

 
Matthaus
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Post by Matthaus » Sun. Sep. 28, 2008 12:29 pm

Any coal fired unit that has enough volume of coal burning so as not to be able to extinguish quickly cannot be power vented, in other words a 85 k BTU per hour stoker stove has less than 7 # of coal burning per hour. An EFM for example has up to 25# per hour, that will not go out before releasing a large amount of CO to the area.

Pretty much the 120k BTU per hour number is the threshold for being able to power vent (I believe Keystoker will PV units up to that size). In the hand fed realm since you have 20 to 80# loaded into the stove at a time forget about any kind of PV. :P

 
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Freddy
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Post by Freddy » Sun. Sep. 28, 2008 4:06 pm

Ahhhh, that makes sense. Thank you.

 
Normy
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Post by Normy » Sun. Sep. 28, 2008 6:11 pm

Great info and good to know, this makes it easier to narrow it down. No matter what I do, if I get the coal boiler, it is going into the existing flue. If I'm able to PV the oil furnace, than the PV can be wired to come on with the oil furnace, no need to run 24/7...is this correct? Does anyone know if a PV can run a span of 14+ ft, most of it in the ceiling joist bay then thru a wall? If not, then I guess I would need to keep the oil burner from firing and block or disconnect the duct from the oil. I'm not sure if I got a definitive answer if both can be vented together.

And my other alternative is a Stoker furnace and build a hot air duct system and power vent out the wall, then I would keep the oil fired for DHW. To me it seems best to go with coal boiler.

Question: For the boilers that have augers and people use a barrow for a bin, what is the minimum length the barrow needs to be fro the boiler, giving the angle of the auger? I ask because I will be limited on space for the coal boiler location. Anyone can say what "approximates" would be if they know theirs or other systems.

Thanks
Normy

 
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Richard S.
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Post by Richard S. » Sun. Sep. 28, 2008 6:32 pm

The "short" pipe on the EFM goes only a few feet from the furnace. stoker-man will be able to give you exact numbers.

 
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vtec350
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Post by vtec350 » Sun. Sep. 28, 2008 6:38 pm

Normy wrote: If I'm able to PV the oil furnace, than the PV can be wired to come on with the oil furnace, no need to run 24/7...is this correct?
Yes that's correct, I have mine set up this way, PV for the oil boiler and a chimney for the coal boiler. The PV will only come on when the oil boiler fires, hopefully never :D
Normy wrote:Does anyone know if a PV can run a span of 14+ ft
I've seen them run over 20' but here's the link for Field Controls, call them and ask the techs. to be sure.

http://www.fieldcontrols.com/venting.php

Dave

 
Normy
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Post by Normy » Sun. Sep. 28, 2008 7:39 pm

vtec350 wrote:
Normy wrote: If I'm able to PV the oil furnace, than the PV can be wired to come on with the oil furnace, no need to run 24/7...is this correct?
Yes that's correct, I have mine set up this way, PV for the oil boiler and a chimney for the coal boiler. The PV will only come on when the oil boiler fires, hopefully never :D
Normy wrote:Does anyone know if a PV can run a span of 14+ ft
I've seen them run over 20' but here's the link for Field Controls, call them and ask the techs. to be sure.

http://www.fieldcontrols.com/venting.php

Dave
Thanks Dave, This is very good news, there is hope yet.

How do you like the Ka6 boiler? You live in Western Mass, is there a dealer near you? I'm only about a hour from Springfield, I live in Woodstock CT.

thanks for the sight info :D

Thanks
Normy


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