Hitzer 503 vs 983

 
Broni
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Post by Broni » Sat. Aug. 18, 2018 7:26 am

Good morning,

We've just purchased a 1400 sqft ranch in NE. Looking to install a coal stove for primary heating. Couple of questions, but I'll start with the title of the thread first. Looking between the two, they seem nearly identical save for the 983 having a higher BTU output and being a slightly larger stove. From what I gather the 983 has the larger firebox due to needing to be manually loaded? Due to that larger size, that means it'll put out more heat... does that logic follow? Also, I'm not sure how the 503 hopper system works. I've done some reading but can't find a definitive answer. And the million dollar question from the experienced folks here, which would you recommend?

The other question I have is regarding the stove's ability to heat. I've never owned a stove (wood or coal) so I'm not sure how well it travels around the house. The fireplace is in what could be described as a small sitting room when you first walk into the house. There is then a standard doorway that leads into an open kitchen/living room, and then a hallway that has a bathroom and bedrooms. The fireplace is not in an ideal situation, and my worry is I'll have a 95 degree sitting room and 50 degree bedrooms.

Lastly, and maybe this should go in a different post on a separate section of the forum, I have a DVC-500 I never installed at our other home. Bought it used, so the investment was significantly less than new. I'm sure it'll need service after sitting in a garage unused for 6 years, but it is a monster and the house is only 1400 sqft. Not sure I want to dedicate what'll probably be 25sqft to a corner installation. Am I being ridiculous and should just install the DVC? Being in the living room it's more centrally located so I'm sure it'll heat more evenly, but also not crazy about the idea of the stove being dependent on electricity either.

Thanks for any insight!


 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Sat. Aug. 18, 2018 8:34 am

Welcome B. The 503 should meet your needs & a hopper is the only way to go. People on here have them & I'm sure will chime in.

 
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McGiever
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Post by McGiever » Sat. Aug. 18, 2018 11:22 am

More details of fireplace construction etc. may help for input.
Clay liner or metalbestos Type A? Chimney height? Measurements of firebox? Pictures?

 
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Post by CapeCoaler » Sat. Aug. 18, 2018 11:27 am

Depends where in NE you are!
503 heated the 'rents 2400 sq foot gambrel with a large 1story family room...
A thru the wall fan will solve any heat problem...

 
Broni
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Post by Broni » Sat. Aug. 18, 2018 12:36 pm

Here are photos of the inside and outside. Looks to be clay lined? Will need a rain cap. Not sure on measurements of the firebox yet.

Is there any advantage to going with an insert over using the DVC outside of just aesthetics and possible power outage?

Is there any advantage of going with the 983 over the 503?
chimney.jpg
.JPG | 58.7KB | chimney.jpg
fireplace inside.jpg
.JPG | 86.7KB | fireplace inside.jpg

 
Broni
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Post by Broni » Sat. Aug. 18, 2018 12:51 pm

Oh! And right on the MA/RI border.

 
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McGiever
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Coal Size/Type: PEA,NUT,STOVE /ANTHRACITE
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Post by McGiever » Sat. Aug. 18, 2018 1:27 pm

Great job on the pics, B. :) That'll help us all get you more accurate info. :yes:


 
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McGiever
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Post by McGiever » Sat. Aug. 18, 2018 1:41 pm

Broni wrote:
Sat. Aug. 18, 2018 12:36 pm
Here are photos of the inside and outside. Looks to be clay lined? Will need a rain cap. Not sure on measurements of the firebox yet.

Is there any advantage to going with an insert over using the DVC outside of just aesthetics and possible power outage?

Is there any advantage of going with the 983 over the 503?
Well, DVC burns rice size coal whereas the inserts would need nut size coal..and either will need to have a method to have ashes hauled away gracefully.

Often times purchased bagged coal can be wet and dripping. Extra prep done earlier on can alleviate that dripping.
What was your thinking for coal handling...bags or bucket/hods in and through house?

 
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Post by Broni » Sat. Aug. 18, 2018 1:45 pm

Most likely delivered bagged, and then dumping bags into larger container into the garage with a catch pan to let it drain out some, as I recall when I bought a couple of bags when I first purchased the DVC they were quite wet. I would then fill the bucket out of the container in the garage and haul that in.

 
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McGiever
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Coal Size/Type: PEA,NUT,STOVE /ANTHRACITE
Other Heating: Ground Source Heat Pump and some Solar

Post by McGiever » Sat. Aug. 18, 2018 1:50 pm

Gotcha. :)

As far as picking between the two inserts, I believe the measurements of your FP and matching up to Hitzer specs could be where your ultimate choice between the two may come from. :annoyed:

 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Sat. Aug. 18, 2018 1:54 pm

B, call Dean at HITZER, he's a wealth of knowledge. 260-589-8536

 
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Post by CapeCoaler » Sat. Aug. 18, 2018 3:50 pm

No hopper on 983...
100k btu on 983 vs 80k on 503...
pea or nut in the 503 hopper...
I think it would be a PIA to shovel coal into an insert that goes deep...
The hopper system is a beautiful thing...
Had the 'rents running the 503 like a pro in 3 days...
click on the brochure download for each below...
http://hitzer.com/uploads/page/Files/983_Brochure_2011.pdf
http://hitzer.com/uploads/page/Files/503_Brochure ... 11_(1).pdf

 
Broni
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Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Harman DVC-500
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Post by Broni » Sun. Aug. 19, 2018 7:38 am

Great thanks for all of the input so far. We close in the beginning of October so I'll have to try to get some measurements before then. One thing I'm noticing is no one is jumping in saying I should just use the DVC-500. Is that not a good option then?

Off topic.... If I keep the DVC it'll need to be painted. Looking at Stove Brite, do you have to use the primer? I know it only says for outdoor or extreme environments but is it worth using indoors?

 
CapeCoaler
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Coal Size/Type: Pea/Nut/Stove

Post by CapeCoaler » Sun. Aug. 19, 2018 11:18 am

Sat for 6 years...
Electronics...
Harman...
Top 3 reasons...
LOL...
I would fire it up outside as a test just to see if it runs properly first...
They can be temperamental...
Harmon DVC-500 2 Blink Code Error
The Hitzer inserts only use electric to run the distribution fans...
And even without electric will still produce heat...
K.I.S.S...

 
CapeCoaler
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Joined: Sun. Feb. 10, 2008 3:48 pm
Location: Cape Cod, MA
Stoker Coal Boiler: want AA130
Hand Fed Coal Stove: DS Machine BS#4, Harman MKII, Hitzer 503,...
Coal Size/Type: Pea/Nut/Stove

Post by CapeCoaler » Sun. Aug. 19, 2018 11:20 am

Stove Bright is fine without primer for the indoor stove...


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