Temperature of Hopper Wall and Odor

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heatwithcoal
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Post by heatwithcoal » Wed. Jan. 21, 2009 2:22 pm

I am trying to find out where I am getting a sulfur(?) odor from a new-to-me stove. It is a Alaska Kodiak Stoker Hearth circa '92. The wall on my hopper closest to the firebox is 250* just above the coal line. This seems really hot. Is this enough heat to create a sulfur smell? The hopper is mounted on the left side of the stove. I have about 1/2" gap/clearance between the hopper wall and the firebox wall that the stoker mechanism is on.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark

 
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WNY
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Post by WNY » Wed. Jan. 21, 2009 2:41 pm

YES, that is NOT normal, check your draft! have you calibrated your baro and/or power vent (if you have one).

You are getting fumes back up into your hopper and it might be burning back farther on the grate.

Is it idling a lot? or running full burn when you experience this....?

 
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heatwithcoal
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Post by heatwithcoal » Wed. Jan. 21, 2009 2:51 pm

Stove temp was about 400* with -.02WC. on the DFT. I have about a 4' vert directly off the bottom of the stove then 4' horizontal run of stove pipe to the chimney. The reason for the 4' horizontal is that I did not want to move my Magnum, which usually is vented to this chimney, just wanted by-pass it to test run this stove. I have done this in the past with other stoves without odor problems. Wonder if I need to move the stove closer? I guess .02 is a bit low for a 400* firebox temperature, right?

Just checked my LL Econo upstairs, and am getting 175* in the hopper with a FS of -0-. never had odor problems.

Thoughts?
Thanks,
Mark


 
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WNY
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Post by WNY » Wed. Jan. 21, 2009 3:03 pm

Most stove should run about the .03-.04 on a full burn, you might have to adjust something.

 
Matthaus
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Post by Matthaus » Wed. Jan. 21, 2009 4:01 pm

As Dave said the draft could be a little higher.

Also, make sure the grate is sealed where it touches the stove body in the back. Air leaks there will cause coal flue gas to blow up into the hopper. I use 1/2" rope gasket cemented to the back of the grate, that way it stays in place while you install it. The factory gasket is only on the bottom and has a piece of sire in it. I wrap the gasket up the sides to prevent coal from falling into the firebox or ledge around the grate. :)

 
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Post by heatwithcoal » Wed. Jan. 21, 2009 4:31 pm

Thanks for the help guys. Call me foolish but I turned the Kodiak way down then moved the Magnum out of the way, unplugged the Kodiak, disconnected it from the chimney by pulling the 4' horizontal stove pipe section out, repositioned the stove where the Magnum was then reattached the pipe to the chimney. I am now turning the stove up to see the results.The CO detector never registered a thing. ;)

There is a small gap between the grate and the stove body but the rigid factory gasket is present. The gasket will be my next step.
In the next week I will be putting it up for sale. Once I get the odor figured out. Great looking stove :D

Any additional input on hopper side wall temps and odor troubleshooting would still be appreciated.

Mark

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