Koker issues

 
gennylight01
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Post by gennylight01 » Thu. Feb. 02, 2023 2:50 pm

Hi all I have some questions regarding my Koker. With this cold spell in Upstate New York my stove is struggling to keep up. I believe this is my sixth year and I've never had an issue until this year. Same coal every year. For starters, the squirrel cage kicks in per the switch. I made some adjustments to the pins but it was when it was new and haven't touched them since. It will run for 5-10 minutes and shut off as the temp cools down and then build back up and kick in when the temp goes back up. I never remember or noticed this until this year. I could keep my basement at 75 when it was really roaring and maintain 68-70 upstairs. I cleaned it today and noticed that the feed motor screws were loose so tightened them up but then motor wouldn't turn so I loosened them up and it's working now. I also turned the feed rate up to see if this would help but I have never touched it in the past. I hear unburned coal going into the ashpan now so I turned it back down. Should that feed motor move and shouldn't it maintain a fire and blow heat as long as thermostat is calling for heat? I had it off for a couple hours today cleaning it and my house was down to 63. It's been running for over an hour and it's up to 64. Any thoughts? TIA


 
waytomany?s
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Post by waytomany?s » Thu. Feb. 02, 2023 2:56 pm

Pics would help diagnose quicker. Did you add wet coal lately? When was last time you cleaned under the grates?

 
gennylight01
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Post by gennylight01 » Thu. Feb. 02, 2023 3:00 pm

20230202_145218.jpg
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.MP4 | 102.2MB | 20230202_145325.mp4

 
gennylight01
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Post by gennylight01 » Thu. Feb. 02, 2023 3:03 pm

Attached is a picture of limit switch and a video of feed motor and what its doing. Cleaned under gates today as well.

 
gennylight01
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Post by gennylight01 » Thu. Feb. 02, 2023 3:04 pm

I have never burned wet coal.

 
waytomany?s
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Post by waytomany?s » Thu. Feb. 02, 2023 3:13 pm

Why pic of limit switch? Is something wrong with it?

 
waytomany?s
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Post by waytomany?s » Thu. Feb. 02, 2023 3:16 pm

I don't have experience with that setup but it looks like the feeder is binding to me. Where are the bolts that backed out?


 
gennylight01
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Post by gennylight01 » Thu. Feb. 02, 2023 3:25 pm

There are two screws that hold it on. One on each side. I have watched it run for quite some time and the wheel does not bind at all.

Attachments

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20230202_152141.jpg
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gennylight01
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Post by gennylight01 » Thu. Feb. 02, 2023 3:26 pm

I posted limit switch to see if it's adjusted wrong.

 
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nepacoal
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Post by nepacoal » Thu. Feb. 02, 2023 3:28 pm

No, the feed motor should not move like that. It shouldn't move at all. It's either binding up due to a build up of dirt and fines, struggling to move because the alignment screws are missing, or possibly a big chunk of coal or rock is blocking the throat area. You can see the nylon alignment screws on the side of the moving pusher bar in the photos below

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IMG_20230202_151807921_HDR.jpg
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IMG_20230202_151817776_HDR.jpg
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waytomany?s
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Post by waytomany?s » Thu. Feb. 02, 2023 3:30 pm

gennylight01 wrote:
Thu. Feb. 02, 2023 3:26 pm
I posted limit switch to see if it's adjusted wrong.
Eh, if that's where you had it before and you were happy....

 
waytomany?s
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Post by waytomany?s » Thu. Feb. 02, 2023 3:34 pm

gennylight01 wrote:
Thu. Feb. 02, 2023 3:25 pm
There are two screws that hold it on. One on each side. I have watched it run for quite some time and the wheel does not bind at all.
It appears to be rocking on the rear bolts. Something is blocking, broke, etc that's why those bolts have backed out. Empty your hopper and hope it's a rock or some fines packed in there. You have until midnight when the temps are supposed to tank.

 
waytomany?s
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Hand Fed Coal Stove: Harmon Mark II
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Coal Size/Type: Nut
Other Heating: newmac wood/coal combo furnace

Post by waytomany?s » Thu. Feb. 02, 2023 3:37 pm

Nepa, any chance you can take that pic again with a finger pointing at it? I think I understand, but not sure which part.

 
waytomany?s
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Posts: 3747
Joined: Fri. Aug. 16, 2019 3:02 pm
Location: Oneida, N.Y.
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Harmon Mark II
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Looking
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Coal Size/Type: Nut
Other Heating: newmac wood/coal combo furnace

Post by waytomany?s » Thu. Feb. 02, 2023 3:40 pm

gennylight01 wrote:
Thu. Feb. 02, 2023 3:26 pm
I posted limit switch to see if it's adjusted wrong.
My wife bitches if she feels cold air from the vents, I have fan off about 110.

 
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nepacoal
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker KAA-4 / "Kelly" and an EFM 520 at my in-laws
Hand Fed Coal Boiler: Harman SF-260 - retired
Coal Size/Type: Buck

Post by nepacoal » Thu. Feb. 02, 2023 3:44 pm

waytomany?s wrote:
Thu. Feb. 02, 2023 3:37 pm
Nepa, any chance you can take that pic again with a finger pointing at it? I think I understand, but not sure which part.

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