Timer in the Winter

As it gets colder out I'm thinking of cutting my timer back from 2 min/half hour to 1min/half hour trying to save some coal. Is it a smart idea in the dead of winter to just turn the timer off? I'm trying to be frugal (cheap) but I don't want an outfire in the middle of January.

You probably have more call for heat in the winter than 2 mins per half hour and maybe you don't need the timer. But even if the timer comes on, you're only storing a little more heat that will soon be used anyway.

Yeah, I guess you're right. I noticed the boiler temp is up to 180 today. Maybe it's just better to leave well enough alone.

billw wrote:As it gets colder out I'm thinking of cutting my timer back from 2 min/half hour to 1min/half hour trying to save some coal. Is it a smart idea in the dead of winter to just turn the timer off? I'm trying to be frugal (cheap) but I don't want an outfire in the middle of January.

Bill can't you run the timer every Hr. like 2 min. I have been doing that setting since I started the boiler in Oct. The only
time I had a fire out is when I was playing with the feed rate. I set it on one tooth 2.5 lbs hr it went for three days then
out it went but I should of went with 2 min every 30 min instead of 2 every hr. I think it will work but won't play with it
until spring comes. Try 2 min every hr. If the fire goes out bump it to 3 mins every hr. I know with my will - burt timer
it will run twice on the 30 min cycle setting and once on the hr cycle setting .

I've got an Intermatic. It's a half hour timer only. I don't know of a way to set it to come on once an hour. A Wilburt timer might just be another upgrade I do next summer. I'm definitely putting in a DHW coil.

I have an old honeywell S400 timer bill. You can switch it from 1/2 hour to 1 hour. Works good so far.

billw wrote:I've got an Intermatic. It's a half hour timer only. I don't know of a way to set it to come on once an hour. A Wilburt timer might just be another upgrade I do next summer. I'm definitely putting in a DHW coil.

You don't need a will- burt timer why Pay that much look on ebay you can find good cheap ones he is my back up it is a
Dayton timer switch 2E-357A Itermatic makes them for Dayton . The old honeywell Mecury switches will work to the also
are 30 min & 60 min timers. Probably the best ever made they last forever you have to mount them level .

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/2E357

Don't ever junk the S400. They're worth their weight in gold.

Don't ever junk the S400. They're worth their weight in gold.

The plant where I work are a ton of old mercury switchs. They keep on working. The stuff that seems to break is the new stuff.

The Honeywell S 400 is the best timer out there. It is easy to set, switches between hour and half hour easily and lasts forever. I am glad that I have a bunch on the shelf.

RY

The Honeywell S 400 is the best timer out there. It is easy to set, switches between hour and half hour easily and lasts forever.

...........and hasn't been available new, for many years.

The Wil-burt is a far better timer than any Intermatic. When you shop for price, you get exactly what you pay for.

Well stoker - man not everybody makes as much money As you do So some people have to shop around not everyone can afford a 287.00 timer. You can find intermatic / Dayton timer for 35.00 to 50.00 on ebay. Nothing wrong on saving
money. That the whole reason why we use coal to heat with in the first place .

That the whole reason why we use coal to heat with in the first place .

Not me! I'm doing it so I don't have to cut firewood anymore. Well ok it is for money reasons. I wouldn't be able to afford Oil or Propane.

i am using a one hour paragon timer that abbots oil left behind.....they left all sorts of hvac stuff....i must have 40 boxes of flex ducting......i need to get some of it hooked to the plenum on the efm some time

Could someone explain to me what the timer is for

Pat