The Heat is On

Post by **Lightning** » Sun. Sep. 01, 2019 1:02 pm

No not literally! The Heat is On me to get this AA boiler in the basement and get a fire in her!

I started tearing into the Clayton furnace disconnecting all my gadgetry. Man I put a lot of work into this thing. Some mixed feelings about all of it.. I mean, for me. A lot of exciting discovery and learning are going to be taken out of the basement, with new adventures ahead

I've got two full months to get her done/usable. The pellet stove and electric fireplace will be employed till then as needed.

Post by **Rob R.** » Sun. Sep. 01, 2019 2:02 pm

Time to get a move on. How is your shoulder?

Post by **Lightning** » Sun. Sep. 01, 2019 2:20 pm

It's come a long way.. I didn't think that I would ever get full range of motion back, but since late spring I've been able to lift it straight over head without assistance. Although, it's not very strong in that position. Otherwise it's pretty good when doing work below chest level. Thanks for asking

Post by **franco b** » Sun. Sep. 01, 2019 3:30 pm

Will be looking forward to a reload of all your ventures. Time for new stuff.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Sun. Sep. 01, 2019 7:29 pm

Lee, Did ya Pick up any plumbing parts or equipment in the interim?

warminmn · Post by **warminmn** » Sun. Sep. 01, 2019 8:03 pm

Im going to miss your Clayton stories. many here including me learned from all those mods you did. But I sure dont blame you for the upgrade! New adventures!

Post by **Lightning** » Sun. Sep. 01, 2019 9:34 pm

McGiever wrote: ↑
Sun. Sep. 01, 2019 7:29 pm
Lee, Did ya Pick up any plumbing parts or equipment in the interim?

No I haven't partner... money and time/effort has been tight with finishing the new building but that's about change. I'm taking a loan from my 401k to help with the boiler install.

I do want to go with electronic controls and a separate motor for ashing/auger that I will be eternally grateful for your advice with

Today I finished disconnecting the Clayton and have it on a bread dolly for easy movement around the basement. I have a plan for getting it out with the assistance of a couple strong bodies.

warminmn wrote: ↑
Sun. Sep. 01, 2019 8:03 pm
Im going to miss your Clayton stories. many here including me learned from all those mods you did. But I sure dont blame you for the upgrade! New adventures!

Thank you for the kind words and I'll continue to try to help others with the clayton/hot blast struggles. Hopefully at some point I can add to the AA/coal gun community too

Post by **StokerDon** » Mon. Sep. 02, 2019 8:40 am

Glad to hear your are finally getting back at this thing!

I'm sorry to hear you are taking out a loan to do it though. If I were you I wouldn't go out an buy any fancy controls yet. Clean it up, paint it, replace any worn out parts and install it with the controls it has on it now. You can always change them later.

Do the near boiler plumbing in black iron or copper. Stuff the biggest heat excahnger you can fit in your plenum and plumb the supply and return in PEX. Heat exchangers and PEX are cheap. Once you have that done you can add radiators, base board, DHW, ect... later.

-Don

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Mon. Sep. 02, 2019 8:55 am

Pellet Stove???

Lee, what kinda mods ya got planned for this poor thing?????????????? LOL

Post by **Lightning** » Mon. Sep. 02, 2019 9:57 am

freetown fred wrote: ↑
Mon. Sep. 02, 2019 8:55 am
Pellet Stove??? Lee, what kinda mods ya got planned for this poor thing?????????????? LOL

I've always had the pellet stove.. it's just a small one, fire place insert, good for about 25,000 BTUs wide open. I only burn a few bags in the spring and fall.

StokerDon wrote: ↑
Mon. Sep. 02, 2019 8:40 am
m sorry to hear you are taking out a loan to do it though.

I took out the loan for a new car, just got a little extra for odds and ends.. I got sick of driving junk that was nickel and diming me to death

Thank you for all the great advice

Post by **Rob R.** » Mon. Sep. 02, 2019 10:36 am

I'm sorry to hear you are taking out a loan to do it though. If I were you I wouldn't go out an buy any fancy controls yet. Clean it up, paint it, replace any worn out parts and install it with the controls it has on it now. You can always change them later.

I'm with Don. These projects tend to run over budget even if there are no big surprises. Assuming the Anthrastat and existing motor are functional, I would run those for at least the first year.

Post by **Lightning** » Mon. Sep. 02, 2019 10:41 am

Thanks Rob, yeah the motor runs since the last time I powered it up.. Not sure about the anthrastat. Is there a way to test it before firing the boiler?

Post by **coaledsweat** » Mon. Sep. 02, 2019 11:48 am

You can test it with a meter and pot of water on the stove with a thermometer. Raise the water temperature until the meter shows continuity, that's your setpoint.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Mon. Sep. 02, 2019 11:49 am

Lightning wrote: ↑
Mon. Sep. 02, 2019 10:41 am
Thanks Rob, yeah the motor runs since the last time I powered it up.. Not sure about the anthrastat. Is there a way to test it before firing the boiler?

Not Rob here, but Lee, the Athrastat is a simple temperature switch aka single pole switch signaled by proximity to a heat source and cycles on and off as per set point selected.

FYI: $32. bucks gets you digital controls package but I am not pushing for you to go against other's wisdom...

I'll hook you up with the Official Calibration Procedure after I locate it.

.PDF | 2.2MB | Anthrastat Calibration.pdf

Post by **Rob R.** » Mon. Sep. 02, 2019 11:53 am

The temperature control is not expense I was thinking of...the second motor is what comes to mind for me.