50-93 not running right

Jimbjr · Post by **Jimbjr** » Tue. Jan. 29, 2019 5:58 pm

Hey sorry to bother you all, but I seem to be having an issue with my stove, it always has gone 12 hrs between shaking and always been burning strong when I get up, but this past couple days has been terrible, I get up and the sides and front are full of white burn pieces of coal and just about the whole thing is almost out. I’ve also noticed that the hopper isn’t completely empty when this happens. It has been colder this past week but I’m just not sure what is going on, I thought I had everything figured out and all was perfect and suddenly this start. Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks Jim

Post by **Rob R.** » Tue. Jan. 29, 2019 8:44 pm

Could be a few things. Are you running the stove real hard? If so, 12 hours might be too long between tending.

Sounds like the coal is bridging in the hopper. What size coal are you using? Is the inside of the hopper clean/smooth? You might have a clinker or something stuck on the bottom of the hopper that is obstructing the flow of coal.

Lastly, you could just be into some coal that burns a lot faster than you are used to. If all else fails, try some different coal.

Jimbjr · Post by **Jimbjr** » Tue. Jan. 29, 2019 8:49 pm

Yeah the hopper seems clean and when I shake it down, it slides easily, but just seems like the sides and front burn very quickly but the center doesn’t so the hopper doesn’t push down. I’m burning reading nut coal, I have burnt Leighi nut in the past as well.

Post by **franco b** » Tue. Jan. 29, 2019 8:57 pm

The center is the hottest part, so might have some clinker buildup there. Do an extra good job of ash clearing including poking along the sides and front. Ash there might be stopping a complete burn.

corey · Post by **corey** » Tue. Jan. 29, 2019 9:03 pm

Could also be a change in chimney draft maybe.

Post by **Lightning** » Tue. Jan. 29, 2019 9:10 pm

You might have a build up of unburnable material on the grates in the center, preventing an even distribution of combustion air up thru the fuel bed. I've seen this happen with shale laden coal before. I was forced to shut it down and clean it out monthly. If a more thorough ash clearing doesn't solve the problem, you made need to shut it down and clean it out completely, then start with a new fire.

Franco summed it up nicely.. lol

How old is this fire?

Jimbjr · Post by **Jimbjr** » Tue. Jan. 29, 2019 9:31 pm

Started it at the end of November and it was fine until this past month, then started acting up.

Post by **Lightning** » Tue. Jan. 29, 2019 9:50 pm

Jimbjr wrote: ↑
Tue. Jan. 29, 2019 9:31 pm
Started it at the end of November and it was fine until this past month, then started acting up.

I'd give it a total clean out and start a new fire... if anything it would take that possibility off the table.

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Tue. Jan. 29, 2019 10:50 pm

Big clinker in the center...
Have a 503 with hopper...
I knife along the top of the grates daily...
And run a straight poker thru the top of the hopper when I intentionally run out the hopper once a week...
Lehigh nut...
With the cold weather and sick kids the house stays 73*...
The stove will run between 350* and700*...
Never an issue with the hopper not feeding as the clinkers never get a chance to build up...

Serge · Post by **Serge** » Wed. Jan. 30, 2019 12:37 pm

I would start first to clear the ash first, on both sides and front of the grate then give him a good shake, you should normaly see the new fallen black coal filling these empty spaces. You should normaly see blue flammes catchin up whithin 5 minutes.

oliver power · Post by **oliver power** » Wed. Jan. 30, 2019 7:44 pm

Also, check to make sure flapper door isn't hanging up (open). Sounds like you're over firing.