Making Progress, but Still Need Some Keystoker Boiler Advice

Hello again, I have had some success with maintaining a fire in my k6 boiler, but have had a couple flame failures because the boiler has met the temperature setting and there is no call for heat. Therefore the stoker never runs for long periods and the "pilot" flame burns up all the available coal and goes out. Any suggestions on what to adjust first? I was running the small blower with the damper half open but found that the small fire would last longer with less air. Also, does rice coal vary greatly in size ? The first bags I used, the coal was very small (like chicklets) whereas the next few bags have been the size of large milk duds. It seems the small blower damper would have to be adjusted for these different sizes. Thanks for your input Chris

What is feed rate? Timer settings/pins? Have you check draft with manometer? Air shutter open?

I thought I was set at 12 turns of the adjustment nut. My timer is set for one minute in fifteen. Draft through the inspection door is .02. The shutter on the stoker blower is opened maybe an inch. And the small blower (when I had multi-day run time) was not quite a 1/4 way open

That draft should rea-.02 sorry

12 turns....from maximum feed? Wiz can confirm this, but I think you turn the adjustment nut all the way to maximum feed and then count the turns as you back it off.

You may need to run the timer more often, or longer.

sinistrafatboy wrote:I thought I was set at 12 turns of the adjustment nut. My timer is set for one minute in fifteen. Draft through the inspection door is .02. The shutter on the stoker blower is opened maybe an inch. And the small blower (when I had multi-day run time) was not quite a 1/4 way open

12 turns for rice is max. I would suggest 14 turns on feed nut. Timer try 2 groups of 5 pins (1min 15 secs) every 15 mins, if that doesn't help add 2 pins.. Inside of timer door will show 3 groups of 5 pins diagram this would be the way to go if 6 pins don"t work

check this post out for help Keystoker KA-6 Operation Guide.

sinistrafatboy wrote:Also, does rice coal vary greatly in size ? The first bags I used, the coal was very small (like chicklets) whereas the next few bags have been the size of large milk duds.

Perhaps your coal is "buck" size.

Rob R. wrote:

sinistrafatboy wrote:Also, does rice coal vary greatly in size ? The first bags I used, the coal was very small (like chicklets) whereas the next few bags have been the size of large milk duds.

Perhaps your coal is "buck" size.

if it's buck size 9 turns is max.. I'm running 12 for buck

Set me straight, I would run the adjustment nut up towards the stoker arm and then back down 12 full turns? And unfortunately this is the second home for this boiler and it came with a timer that has two disc and a adjustable detent so only one run period per 15 minutes is possible. I'm still wondering about the timer not activating the stoker when the boiler has reached temp?

Your correct on feed nut. Make sure stoker arm is being pulled back towards motor. Then count turns on red nut. Not familiar with your timer, someone will chime in. Your saying timer doesn't stoke boiler at all?

The timer works fine until the boiler has reached set temp (180') but as long as it at that temp does not drop, like during the night when there is no call for heat, the stoker does not run and the small pilot fire goes out. Then the temp will drop on a call for heat so coal will feed but not ignite.

Your timer must be tied in prior to the high limit control.

imo.. get newer style timer.

Rob R. wrote:Your timer must be tied in prior to the high limit control.

Rob here is his timer. might help you walk him thru it

Yes it is indeed. Is that incorrect? As I mentioned this is an older unit and does not have a triple aquastat. It has seperate controls, aquastat, low water cut off, circ relay, high limit and that disc type timer. I was thinking of getting the timer before the aquastat so it would always energize the stoker but was a little hesitant.