Year 2-Still Freezing

 
larryfoster
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Location: Armstrong County, Pa.
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Warm Morning 617-B
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Hot Blast 1557M
Coal Size/Type: Bituminous nut (me and the coal)
Other Heating: Propane Kerosene

Post by larryfoster » Wed. Feb. 10, 2016 2:34 pm

I happen to have a little box just like that in my basement.
Many years ago when I was doing a little trapping, I made it to put fine dirt on my traps.

Just started using it again, yesterday, to get my worms out of my compost.
But it should be available in a couple days.

In the mean time, I have quite a bit of small lumps to use.


 
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Lightning
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Location: Olean, NY
Stoker Coal Boiler: Modified AA 130
Coal Size/Type: Pea Size - Anthracite

Post by Lightning » Wed. Feb. 10, 2016 2:37 pm

Do you run the spinner on the ash door wide open to keep the furnace hot?

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Wed. Feb. 10, 2016 2:44 pm

THe forecast for Saturday night has just been upgraded to -10 F. I will be very selective with the sizing of my coal thru that duration carefully picking the biggest lumps for each reload.

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larryfoster
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Posts: 1352
Joined: Fri. Nov. 21, 2014 1:02 am
Location: Armstrong County, Pa.
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Warm Morning 617-B
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Hot Blast 1557M
Coal Size/Type: Bituminous nut (me and the coal)
Other Heating: Propane Kerosene

Post by larryfoster » Wed. Feb. 10, 2016 2:46 pm

Here is the size of the coal I'm using.
Tennis ball for comparison.
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Wed. Feb. 10, 2016 2:50 pm

Those are decent size. If you can do a load of that without fines with it.. :)
I still believe you need more primary air, don't be afraid of that 1 inch hole saw..

 
larryfoster
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Posts: 1352
Joined: Fri. Nov. 21, 2014 1:02 am
Location: Armstrong County, Pa.
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Warm Morning 617-B
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Hot Blast 1557M
Coal Size/Type: Bituminous nut (me and the coal)
Other Heating: Propane Kerosene

Post by larryfoster » Wed. Feb. 10, 2016 2:52 pm

Lightning wrote:Do you run the spinner on the ash door wide open to keep the furnace hot?
Yes I do.
There have been times in the past, when I wanted to be like my hero, Ky Speedracer, when I grew up 8-) where I ran it in a little but for some time now I leave it wide open.
Last year he was running his open 4 turns and I did that for the balance of last winter.

However for the last while back, I've had it wide open trying to get more air.

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Wed. Feb. 10, 2016 2:56 pm

larryfoster wrote:However for the last while back, I've had it wide open trying to get more air.
OKay, making progress, I think! :D

Do the 1 inch hole and try some loads without fines and lets see how it goes.


 
larryfoster
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Posts: 1352
Joined: Fri. Nov. 21, 2014 1:02 am
Location: Armstrong County, Pa.
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Warm Morning 617-B
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Hot Blast 1557M
Coal Size/Type: Bituminous nut (me and the coal)
Other Heating: Propane Kerosene

Post by larryfoster » Wed. Feb. 10, 2016 2:58 pm

Lightning wrote:Those are decent size. If you can do a load of that without fines with it.. :)
I still believe you need more primary air, don't be afraid of that 1 inch hole saw..
As I've mentioned a couple times, I've been keeping the fines mostly out.
There's some lumps a little bigger and some a little smaller but, with care, I avoid the fines

I'm a little nervous about that because it's irreversible.
What about this, instead?

What if I just adjust how much I open the ash door after I get it to temp.
Up until now, it's either been wide open or shut.

I suppose I could experiment with it starting open only 1", for example.

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Wed. Feb. 10, 2016 3:04 pm

larryfoster wrote:I'm a little nervous about that because it's irreversible.What about this, instead?What if I just adjust how much I open the ash door after I get it to temp.Up until now, it's either been wide open or shut.I suppose I could experiment with it starting open only 1", for example.
I understand your concern but trying to prop the ash door open just right will be very difficult. Having it open just one inch for example won't be much different than it being wide open. Once the ash door passes a certain point of openness it might as well be wide open.

When I bought my furnace second hand it already had a 2 inch hole cut in the ash door (by the previous owner) beside the spinner with a "swing" door on it to regulate air.

 
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CoalisCoolxWarm
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker KA-6
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: old Sears rebuilt, bituminous- offline as of winter 2014
Coal Size/Type: Anthracite Buckwheat
Other Heating: Oil Boiler

Post by CoalisCoolxWarm » Wed. Feb. 10, 2016 3:06 pm

larryfoster wrote:How much difference would there be?
A quick read on this very forum can answer that. Just look at how many times people ask about or recommend coal suppliers- even for anthracite, which is more consistent in my experience.

Start with the best you can get, make sure your installation and stove is all working properly and effectively, THEN you can start making substitutions and changes.

I've had some clients like that. Ask what I recommend, then start with, "but why can't I do this, I should be able to do that, it couldn't make that much difference..."

I tell them they don't have to take my advice, I get paid either way. I give you my best, it's up to you to choose to take it or not.

Each deviation from "best" is a compromise and each not only adds up, it can increase the others.

Ultimately, though, it is your system and your call. Not normally so adamant, but as your title says, it's been 2 years. We all need a nudge once in a while :cheers:

 
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windyhill4.2
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Coal Size/Type: 404-nut, 520 rice ,anthracite for both

Post by windyhill4.2 » Wed. Feb. 10, 2016 3:18 pm

There is only 1 way to tell if good quality coal will solve the problem

:)

 
larryfoster
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Location: Armstrong County, Pa.
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Warm Morning 617-B
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Coal Size/Type: Bituminous nut (me and the coal)
Other Heating: Propane Kerosene

Post by larryfoster » Wed. Feb. 10, 2016 3:41 pm

windyhill4.2 wrote:There is only 1 way to tell if good quality coal will solve the problem

:)
Sounds like all three are pretty comparable to me

 
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windyhill4.2
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Coal Size/Type: 404-nut, 520 rice ,anthracite for both

Post by windyhill4.2 » Wed. Feb. 10, 2016 3:42 pm

larryfoster wrote:
windyhill4.2 wrote:There is only 1 way to tell if good quality coal will solve the problem

:)
Sounds like all three are pretty comparable to me
You have burnt all 3 in YOUR unit ???????

 
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CoalisCoolxWarm
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Joined: Wed. Jan. 19, 2011 11:41 am
Location: Western PA
Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker KA-6
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: old Sears rebuilt, bituminous- offline as of winter 2014
Coal Size/Type: Anthracite Buckwheat
Other Heating: Oil Boiler

Post by CoalisCoolxWarm » Wed. Feb. 10, 2016 3:48 pm

larryfoster wrote:
windyhill4.2 wrote:There is only 1 way to tell if good quality coal will solve the problem

:)
Sounds like all three are pretty comparable to me
Yeah? What did you like or not like about the three different types when they burnt in your stove?

Which one had more coking, smoke, and heat output?

Which one was harder to light, lasted the longest? Notice any difference in performance between the three?

What about the fines and uniformity of size in each of the suppliers? Did one do a better job?

Which do you like best?

 
larryfoster
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Posts: 1352
Joined: Fri. Nov. 21, 2014 1:02 am
Location: Armstrong County, Pa.
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Warm Morning 617-B
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Hot Blast 1557M
Coal Size/Type: Bituminous nut (me and the coal)
Other Heating: Propane Kerosene

Post by larryfoster » Wed. Feb. 10, 2016 4:04 pm

windyhill4.2 wrote:
You have burnt all 3 in YOUR unit ???????
Only 2.
All three are Upper Freeport coal which will all have pretty similar characteristics, I believe, in BTU, sulfur and ash


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