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Koker Lite Burn Problem

Posted: Fri. Oct. 26, 2018 10:46 am
by Ttem27
Hi everyone,
I'm still relatively new to the coal world. It's been a few years and have learned somethings but I need some help on this one.
I have a koker lite, direct vent. It took me about 2 years to get it burning hot and efficient. Initially my stove face temp was around 350. I could not get it to burn any hotter. After the two years and messing with the draft settings and coal feed, last year I finally got it burning hot around 550-600 on my face temp. My house was in the upper 70s -80s when burning full throttle in the dead of winter.
I fired it up yesterday, doing the same thing I always have. I'm back to not being able to burn over 380 face temp. My house is only sitting in the upper 60s and it's 45 degrees outside.
Checked my draft settings, exactly where they were last year, just a tad over -.03, the fire looks good but seems like there was a bit more ash then I had last year. Figuring I bumped the coal feed, I went to turn it up and it's pretty much maxed out. Thinking the bed was too thick I turned it back down, and my temperature dropped.
The cam is turning fine looks like the pusher is moving okay. I'm at a loss here. I took the grates out and cleaned underneath them as well. I just feel with the coal feed being maxed out I should be getting burning coals in the ash and it should be a lot hotter.
Just looking to run this by some people and see if there are any ideas. I'm wondering if my gear motor or something like that is starting to go. Thanks!

Re: Koker Lite Burn Problem

Posted: Fri. Oct. 26, 2018 10:51 am
by McGiever
At end of last seaon, Did you tear down the whole exhaust system and clean everything and give motors a couple drops of oil?

One season of direct vent operation is like putting 200,000 miles on a car.

Re: Koker Lite Burn Problem

Posted: Fri. Oct. 26, 2018 10:54 am
by Ttem27
Yep, gave it the normal cleaning that I always do. Before I start it up I always take another look just to make sure I didn't miss anything. I did my normal, I just can't figure this one out....

Re: Koker Lite Burn Problem

Posted: Fri. Oct. 26, 2018 10:57 am
by McGiever
What position is the "L" handle at? Might need adjusted in or out...likely pulled out some.

Re: Koker Lite Burn Problem

Posted: Fri. Oct. 26, 2018 11:00 am
by Ttem27
your talking on the push bar?

Re: Koker Lite Burn Problem

Posted: Fri. Oct. 26, 2018 11:04 am
by McGiever
Ttem27 wrote:
Fri. Oct. 26, 2018 11:00 am
your talking on the push bar?
Your adjustment for exhaust...what goes out allows how much fire can get in up front.

Re: Koker Lite Burn Problem

Posted: Fri. Oct. 26, 2018 11:11 am
by Ttem27
So I have an L-handle on the top of the stove near the vent fan - that I adjust for my draft. The only other thing that looks like an L on the stove is the coal feed screw on the push motor

Re: Koker Lite Burn Problem

Posted: Fri. Oct. 26, 2018 11:15 am
by McGiever
Draft, that's it.

Re: Koker Lite Burn Problem

Posted: Fri. Oct. 26, 2018 11:19 am
by Ttem27
Ok I'm following you. That I have set with a manometer. Currently sitting at -.03, tried moving it a little bit but it's not giving me that extra burn temp. Literally have not changed anything on the stove, coal is also the same from last year.

Re: Koker Lite Burn Problem

Posted: Fri. Oct. 26, 2018 3:18 pm
by McGiever
Have to ask then, is that draft setting of -.03 only after a long half hour continuous burn? Short runs don't count for accurate draft setting.

Report back after you find your fix...maybe you cleaned your stove too clean, that seems to be the only difference from then and now. ;)

Re: Koker Lite Burn Problem

Posted: Fri. Oct. 26, 2018 3:32 pm
by Ttem27
It was running full throttle for a few hours before I checked it. Checked it again about an hour ago. Same thing -.03. Only thing I can possibly think of is that maybe some of the cement dried on the grates or they’re slightly uneven. I don’t know...just trying to think of what it could be

Re: Koker Lite Burn Problem

Posted: Fri. Oct. 26, 2018 3:33 pm
by StokerDon
If it's not putting out enough heat, and the fire looks on the small side, and you think the feed rate is near max, the nylon cam is probably melted. This will cause a very short stroke of the stoker.

With these stoves you should always have a spare set of nylon screws and a nylon cam. Simple to replace but if this happens in January, on a Friday night and you have to order them from Keystoker, it could get very cold.

-Don

Re: Koker Lite Burn Problem

Posted: Sat. Oct. 27, 2018 12:51 am
by Ttem27
Good to know, I'll have to get a whole new set and see what happens - thanks, - I'll let you know how I make out

Re: Koker Lite Burn Problem

Posted: Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 9:28 pm
by NickG
I know this thread is old but I’m having the same issue. Did you figure it out? Thank you

Re: Koker Lite Burn Problem

Posted: Mon. Feb. 20, 2023 3:48 pm
by waytomany?s
NickG wrote:
Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 9:28 pm
I know this thread is old but I’m having the same issue. Did you figure it out? Thank you
Welcome Nick. Go ahead and start a new thread, you will probably have better luck getting answers that way.