Keystoker Lite not getting hot

 
NickG
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker Lite
Coal Size/Type: Rice
Other Heating: Oil and wood

Post by NickG » Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 8:56 pm

Hey guys, I just picked up a used Keystoker Lite and just finished the install. Heating about 1,500sq/ft. I tied it into my oil furnace plenum and ran a separate flue to my chimney which had a extra flue. Did not tie into rerun duct work just have the open air filters using basement air. My issue is got the furnace fired up and it doesn’t seem to be putting out any heat into the duct work. I have my fan limit switch set at 140 on and 110 off. It will run for about a minute or so then shut off for about 3 minutes. When the fan is running I can hold my hand on the duct working coming out of the top of the furnace and you can feel it cool off rather quick, I’ve adjusted feed rate, tied adjusting air intake to the blower. I’ve cleaned all the grate holes and vacuumed out underneath them. Any ideas? I’m beginning to this this furnace isn’t going to work for what I need. Thank you!


 
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nepacoal
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Post by nepacoal » Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 9:41 pm

A short video or picture of your fire after it's been running for 30+ minutes would help diagnosis the issue. Is your fire touching the top of the stove and is there fire down the grate with just 1.5 to 2" of ash at the end?

If your fire ends up being okay, you may have an distribution problem.

Here's mine after 25 minutes or so. It is almost at full fire with another 1/2 to 1 inch to go for maximum burn

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.MP4 | 26.8MB | VID_20220214_105615355.mp4

 
NickG
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker Lite
Coal Size/Type: Rice
Other Heating: Oil and wood

Post by NickG » Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 9:59 pm

The fire is not touching to top. I’d say the flames are 4-5”. There is about 2” of ash. I have the feed set pretty high right now. I would post a video but I can’t seem to figure out how to.

 
NickG
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Posts: 24
Joined: Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 8:51 pm
Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker Lite
Coal Size/Type: Rice
Other Heating: Oil and wood

Post by NickG » Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 10:01 pm

IMG_4364.MOV
.MOV | 11.2MB | IMG_4364.MOV
This is a video of it after running for about 1hr

 
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nepacoal
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Location: Coal Country
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 » Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 10:08 pm

And it was running during that video? That fire is very sluggish. Two things to check... How many turns out is the feed. Turn clockwise all the way in, then back it out 5 turns to start. Your fan blades may be very dirty. I take mine apart every year and brush the leading edge of the fan blades with a small brass brush. A dirty fan blade can cut airflow quite a bit.

 
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nepacoal
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Joined: Wed. Nov. 21, 2012 7:49 am
Location: Coal Country
Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker KAA-4 / "Kelly" and an EFM 520 at my in-laws
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Coal Size/Type: Buck

Post by nepacoal » Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 10:11 pm

Also, did you use a 1/8" drill bit and make sure all the air holes were clear? Were the grates sealed with stove cement along the back edge and down the seams and sides?

 
NickG
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker Lite
Coal Size/Type: Rice
Other Heating: Oil and wood

Post by NickG » Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 10:14 pm



 
NickG
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker Lite
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Other Heating: Oil and wood

Post by NickG » Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 10:16 pm

Yes it was running in that video. I did take a 1/8 bit and cleaned all the holes. It’s 4 turns out in that video. I did not have the grates out to re cement. And the blower motor looked pretty clean but it didn’t take apart. I just took it off the back so I could vacuum out the inside under the grates

 
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nepacoal
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Coal Size/Type: Buck

Post by nepacoal » Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 10:21 pm

Is the shutter on your combustion blower about halfway open?

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IMG_20200125_153811124_01.jpg
.JPG | 477.6KB | IMG_20200125_153811124_01.jpg

 
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nepacoal
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Coal Size/Type: Buck

Post by nepacoal » Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 10:24 pm

I'd try cleaning the fan and oiling it if it has oil ports. Are you connected to a chimney or direct vent? Do you have a manometer to check your draft?

 
NickG
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker Lite
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Other Heating: Oil and wood

Post by NickG » Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 10:34 pm

I opened the shutter about 3/4. I’m connected to a chimney. I just ordered a manometer will have it Wends.

 
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nepacoal
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Posts: 1696
Joined: Wed. Nov. 21, 2012 7:49 am
Location: Coal Country
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 » Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 10:39 pm

That smiley face pattern of the fire is usually caused by rough grates. They can be sanded smooth the next time you shut down. It can also be caused by the combustion air being too low but it wouldn't hurt to sand it if you shut down. It will let the coal feed smoother/faster.

 
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nepacoal
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Posts: 1696
Joined: Wed. Nov. 21, 2012 7:49 am
Location: Coal Country
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 » Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 10:48 pm

NickG wrote:
Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 10:34 pm
I opened the shutter about 3/4. I’m connected to a chimney. I just ordered a manometer will have it Wends.
What do you have you barometric damper set at? I'd set it at 5 until I got the manometer to set your over fire draft. FYI, the Mano probe will go in the small hole in the door frame close to where the door handle is. It'll be tough to set it until you get the fire running better.

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1674519102429.jpg
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Last edited by nepacoal on Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 10:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.

 
NickG
Member
Posts: 24
Joined: Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 8:51 pm
Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker Lite
Coal Size/Type: Rice
Other Heating: Oil and wood

Post by NickG » Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 10:50 pm

Okay I’ll give it a shot. Thank you for your all your help!

 
NickG
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Posts: 24
Joined: Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 8:51 pm
Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker Lite
Coal Size/Type: Rice
Other Heating: Oil and wood

Post by NickG » Sun. Feb. 19, 2023 10:51 pm

I’m not sure what it’s set at right now but I’ll set it to 5


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