Fields RC vs. Fields Type-M barometric draft control
- lsayre
- Member
- Posts: 21781
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 23, 2005 9:17 pm
- Location: Ohio
- Stoker Coal Boiler: AHS S130 Coal Gun
- Coal Size/Type: Lehigh Anthracite Pea
- Other Heating: Resistance Boiler (13.5 KW), ComfortMax 75
Having recently switched to an RC, after having used a Type-M for many years, I can't believe that the Type-M is considered to be superior, as the RC is simply better in every measurable way. Its ripping windy here today and my RC is nicely modulating to hold the system at 0.045" of water column draft. The Type-M was either fully closed or fully open (no level of modulation), and occasionally it stuck wide open. I could never fine tune the Type-M to the degree that the RC is tuneable. And the RC's weight indicator markings are not far off. I have my weight set smack between 0.04" and 0.06" (call it 0.05"), and I'm getting a consistent 0.045" as seen on the manometer.
- Lightning
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 14669
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 16, 2011 9:51 am
- Location: Olean, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Modified AA 130
- Coal Size/Type: Pea Size - Anthracite
I haven't tried the Type M but I do like the RC. It's reliable and very effective at holding the draft pressure steady. I also agree that the scale is pretty accurate. That baro was a serious game changer for me. It's really amazing for what it does for being as simple as it is.
- nepacoal
- Member
- Posts: 1701
- 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
I also retired my type m... It was regulating just fine but had started to stick closed every now and then. It is now in the spares locker. The RC that came with my boiler works just fine and has not stuck open or closed so far
- coaledsweat
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 13767
- Joined: Fri. Oct. 27, 2006 2:05 pm
- Location: Guilford, Connecticut
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson 260M
- Coal Size/Type: Pea
The M is designed to swing both ways unlike the R/C which has a stop to prevent it. The reason being is to survive puffbacks and that is why Field recommends it for coal. Either will work fine.
-
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 11417
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 05, 2008 5:11 pm
- Location: Kent CT
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: V ermont Castings 2310, Franco Belge 262
- Baseburners & Antiques: Glenwood Modern Oak 114
- Coal Size/Type: nut and pea
The RC has simpler but superior bearings; a round shaft on a flat surface. All friction is rolling.
- 2001Sierra
- Member
- Posts: 2211
- Joined: Wed. May. 20, 2009 8:09 am
- Location: Wynantskill NY, 10 miles from Albany
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Keystoker 90 Chimney vent
- Coal Size/Type: Rice
- Other Heating: Buderus Oil Boiler 3115-34
I too ran a Type M for a few years. After time it started to bind in my 22 guage T it was installed in. I had to make some adjustments on the initial install to keep it from binding. I think the Type M is a heavier build but the binding over time was just plain frustrating, so I installed an RC.
Last edited by 2001Sierra on Sun. Oct. 15, 2017 11:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- McGiever
- Member
- Posts: 10130
- Joined: Sun. May. 02, 2010 11:26 pm
- Location: Junction of PA-OH-WV
- Stoker Coal Boiler: AXEMAN-ANDERSON 130 "1959"
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: BUCKET A DAY water heater
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Warm Morning 414A
- Coal Size/Type: PEA,NUT,STOVE /ANTHRACITE
- Other Heating: Ground Source Heat Pump and some Solar
I like my type M just fine. I use a 7" size M after the 6" stove pipe from a fan forced burner coming out of the 5" boiler breech.
Chimney>>7"Thimble>>7"type M>>reduced to 6" stove pipe>>reduced to 5" breech
Chimney>>7"Thimble>>7"type M>>reduced to 6" stove pipe>>reduced to 5" breech
-
- Verified Business Rep.
- Posts: 356
- Joined: Mon. Aug. 03, 2009 10:11 am
- Location: southern anthracite field,Schuylkill County,Pa.
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: warm morning # 500
- Baseburners & Antiques: Peninsular Western Hot Blast No.44K and Reading Foundry & Supply Co.
How about those vogelzang dampers?I have never seen one in use.How do they work?I have seen 6” model advertised for just over $30.
- lsayre
- Member
- Posts: 21781
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 23, 2005 9:17 pm
- Location: Ohio
- Stoker Coal Boiler: AHS S130 Coal Gun
- Coal Size/Type: Lehigh Anthracite Pea
- Other Heating: Resistance Boiler (13.5 KW), ComfortMax 75
$26.69 at Menards right now (on sale). It's a complete 'TEE' with damper. Can't speak for it, as I've never seen one in person. Only in pictures.
- lsayre
- Member
- Posts: 21781
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 23, 2005 9:17 pm
- Location: Ohio
- Stoker Coal Boiler: AHS S130 Coal Gun
- Coal Size/Type: Lehigh Anthracite Pea
- Other Heating: Resistance Boiler (13.5 KW), ComfortMax 75
In retrospect, mine was likely sticking closed as well as sticking open. That seems to be a good reason for why I never saw mine partially open and actually modulating.
- lsayre
- Member
- Posts: 21781
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 23, 2005 9:17 pm
- Location: Ohio
- Stoker Coal Boiler: AHS S130 Coal Gun
- Coal Size/Type: Lehigh Anthracite Pea
- Other Heating: Resistance Boiler (13.5 KW), ComfortMax 75
This (bearings) is most likely where my Type M failed. It either got its bearing surfaces crudded up internally with fly ash, or they got messed up during one of the puffs I experienced early on when I had my ashing initiation temperature set at the factory default of 140 degrees. Back then my fire was riding so low in the fire tube that I got a few substantial puffs. To this day I can't imagine why AHS warns in its operation manual to never set this control below 120 degrees. I eventually eliminated puffs by setting mine at 105 degrees and tightening the hysteresis to only 5 degrees (from 10), and I've had it at 105 degrees with 5 degrees of hysteresis for several years now with no issues or puff-backs. YMMV
- Lightning
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 14669
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 16, 2011 9:51 am
- Location: Olean, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Modified AA 130
- Coal Size/Type: Pea Size - Anthracite
I use my tooth brush to remove fly ash from the back side of the baro door every couple weeks. Fly ash build up will increase the draft slightly over time from what I've seen. It's not a huge increase, maybe -.005 to -.01 influence.
- lsayre
- Member
- Posts: 21781
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 23, 2005 9:17 pm
- Location: Ohio
- Stoker Coal Boiler: AHS S130 Coal Gun
- Coal Size/Type: Lehigh Anthracite Pea
- Other Heating: Resistance Boiler (13.5 KW), ComfortMax 75
Some of us merely use "a" toothbrush, but Lee is clearly a coal burner among coal burners.