firing the Harman VF3000 on oil

Hi Jon.
So how or what do you use for domestic hot water in the off heating season?
Do you just let the coal boiler lay dormant unheated in the summer?
Thanks
jeff

This is my first winter burning coal. I have a propane hot water heater that I was using prior to coal but I doubt I will go back to that. I am liking my propane guage now since the hot water heater it is unplugged. I only use propane for my dryer and cooking so the guage doesn't move as fast to zero. We have 5 people in our family so we use a lot of hot water. I prefer to keep the boiler going all year long to cut down on corrosion since my basement is very wet. My house was built on rock ledge and I can't keep water from seeping in. I will either use coal or oil this summer. I will have to see which ends up costing less. I am sure I know which will be best. I have a full tank of oil and a credit at the oil company for another $450 so I don't mind burning some oil. I don't know how much oil a day I would go through to heat the hot water. The flue pipe gets very hot running oil though and don't want to heat up the house. With coal I can hold my hand on it. It runs around 150-175. My draft is running around -2. I probably will try both and see what's best.
Jon

Ever gauge the efficiency of the unit burning oil or effeciency stats from Harman?

79% is not that bad efficiency wise. The best you can do with a non-condensing boiler design is 88-89%. And that is right on the edge for condensing. Its not perfect but not bad either. I'd like to install the oil fired head for when I can't burn coal. Just looked into it and was told the cost is now 2,000 dollars. That is quite the jump from 800 dollars. Does anyone know where to get it cheaper? I could fab the unit it I can get the info. You need: air tube length, type nozzle recommended, schematic of how the unit inter connects with the coal unit. The safety switches are easy. You just hook them up in series like a puff safety switch. I have access to machine shops and wholesale accounts for the burner etc thru my parents business. Thanks for the help.

khafner wrote: I'd like to install the oil fired head for when I can't burn coal. Just looked into it and was told the cost is now 2,000 dollars. That is quite the jump from 800 dollars. Does anyone know where to get it cheaper? I could fab the unit it I can get the info. You need: air tube length, type nozzle recommended, schematic of how the unit inter connects with the coal unit. The safety switches are easy. You just hook them up in series like a puff safety switch. I have access to machine shops and wholesale accounts for the burner etc thru my parents business. Thanks for the help.

I am shocked at that price for oil burner option, I paid $650.00 in 2008 and I thought that was a lot of money for what you got.
Total cost for the boiler with oil burner option was $5300.00
back in 2008 other vf3k owners wanted info to build their own oil burner option.
you might want to email them and ask for info (see link below)
the oil burner used (back in 2008) is wayne MP98 model HS with a .75 gal/hr 70 degree nozzle (.75 70R) .
you should be able to use any oil burner.

here is the link with lots of pictures:
Harman VF3000 Oil Burner option

khafner wrote:type nozzle recommended,

The nozzle will depend on the air pattern of the burner. You would use what the burner manufacturer recommends. Will also work best with a combustion chamber or at least a target wall.