Keystoker KA6 Timer Pin Settings

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steevesj
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Post by steevesj » Mon. Oct. 13, 2008 4:21 pm

I just finished my install of the Keystoker Ka6 and need some assistance. I am burning buckwheat. The timer came set at 1 minute (5 pins) every 15 minutes. It is running hot, around 200 and leaving quite a bit of unburned coal in the pan. Would you please let me know what the most efficient timer setting is? Also I could use some advice on the coal feed nut. Actually I can use all the advise you can give to get it dialed in.
Thanks,
Jon
Last edited by steevesj on Mon. Oct. 13, 2008 8:21 pm, edited 3 times in total.

 
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Post by vtec350 » Mon. Oct. 13, 2008 4:53 pm

Hi Jon Congrats. on your install :dancing:

I have my K-6 at these setting and am using it for DHW rite now

Feed nut 15 turns out (foward) aqua stat 140/160 with the dif at 15 timer 5 pins every 15 mins. and the air on the stoker motor about 1/2 open. With those settings I'm using around 12-13 lbs./day. You should have a small idling fire in the middle of the grate about 1-2" across. Start with the feed nut around 10-12 turns out to get a good fire going, then you can bring it foward another 3-5 turns after a few hours. Try adjusting it 1 turn at a time and give it a few hours to see the results between adjustments.

For heat settings I'll be setting the aqua stat up to 160/180 and adjust the feed nut back a few turns depending on outside temps. You want the coal to be burning lower on the grate for heat about 4-5" across.

These should get you going and you can dial it in from there.

Dave

 
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Post by steevesj » Mon. Oct. 13, 2008 5:38 pm

Thanks Dave. That is where I had mine set but it was really getting hot (about 220). You said that your feed nut was out 15 turns. Is it 15 from the stoker side or 15 from where you would be standing? Also, there seems to be quite a bit of unburned coal in the ash pan. Any thoughts?
Thanks again,
Jon

 
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Post by vtec350 » Mon. Oct. 13, 2008 6:22 pm

Jon

Max setting is toward the boiler, start there and 15 turns out towards you.

Depending on how much unburnt coal you have some is normal, especially when idling and not at full burn. Could also be some shale in there, and where your coals from.

Dave


 
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Post by steevesj » Mon. Oct. 13, 2008 6:23 pm

Last night I had it 13 turns out and the fire went out on me. Could there be another reason it went out?
Jon

 
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Post by steevesj » Mon. Oct. 13, 2008 6:23 pm

Last night I had it 13 turns out and the fire went out on me. Could there be another reason it went out?
Jon

 
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Post by vtec350 » Mon. Oct. 13, 2008 6:32 pm

How are you venting it, chimney, power vent

Do you have a baro damper and has it been set with a draft guage?

Did you check the air feed on the stoker motor, open it 1/2 way.

Dave

 
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Post by steevesj » Mon. Oct. 13, 2008 6:36 pm

I have a outside chimney with a new baro damper and 8 inch black pipe. I have not used a draft gauge but set up a mamometer. It read 0 and I can't get it to move from there. I do have the air feed about half way open.

Jon


 
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Post by Flyer5 » Mon. Oct. 13, 2008 10:53 pm

Keystoker sells a add on combustion blower that always runs . They say it gets rid of the unburned coal problem in warmer weather. Dave

 
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Post by steevesj » Tue. Oct. 14, 2008 6:59 am

Dave, this one came with the small fan. I am not sure if the timer needs to be reduced or the feed. I am burning buckwheat.
Jon

 
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Post by LsFarm » Tue. Oct. 14, 2008 8:19 am

If the fire went out, it is either from lack of fuel, lack of air, or poor coal.. You can compensate for poor coal by increasing the fuel and air.. Since you have the additional small fan that is on the newer Keystokers and an add-on for the older stokers, air should not be the problem.. so that leaves the fuel.

I'd increase the pins enough to get added fuel.. find a setting where it will keep burning.. in this warm weather, it is easy to get an out-fire because of the low call for heat and low chimney draft.

As for your '0' reading of your draft, pull the Manometer's probe from the flue, or disconnect the tubing for a minute, re-check your '0' setting on the manometer, then re-attach the hose/probe. You should have some draft, even .01-.02" wc is some draft.. otherwise you are likely to have some leaks from the boiler or the baro damper.. since you haven't mentioned a CO detector going off or fumes/smells.. you must have some draft,, the manometer probably needs to be 'zeroed'.

You could start back at factory settings for the pins or slightly less.. maybe run more hot water each day to get the stoker to fire up once a day.??

Hope some of this helps, Greg L

 
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Post by steevesj » Sat. Nov. 08, 2008 8:06 pm

vtec350 wrote:Hi Jon Congrats. on your install :dancing:

I have my K-6 at these setting and am using it for DHW rite now

Feed nut 15 turns out (foward) aqua stat 140/160 with the dif at 15 timer 5 pins every 15 mins. and the air on the stoker motor about 1/2 open. With those settings I'm using around 12-13 lbs./day. You should have a small idling fire in the middle of the grate about 1-2" across. Start with the feed nut around 10-12 turns out to get a good fire going, then you can bring it foward another 3-5 turns after a few hours. Try adjusting it 1 turn at a time and give it a few hours to see the results between adjustments.

For heat settings I'll be setting the aqua stat up to 160/180 and adjust the feed nut back a few turns depending on outside temps. You want the coal to be burning lower on the grate for heat about 4-5" across.

These should get you going and you can dial it in from there.

Dave
Dave are you using rice or buckwheat?
Jon

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