It's Alive!
- StokerDon
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 7496
- Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 11:17 am
- Location: PA, Southern York County!
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Gentleman Janitor GJ-5, Van Wert VA-600, Axeman Anderson130 X3.
- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Harman SF3500 reduced down to 3 grates connected to its own plenum
- Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
- Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood
Rob,
I notice that 1 year ago you started running your EFM on a single 4006 aquastat. I was wondering if you are still running it? That's currently the same thing I am running on my Axeman. Its an amazingly simple control.
-Don
I notice that 1 year ago you started running your EFM on a single 4006 aquastat. I was wondering if you are still running it? That's currently the same thing I am running on my Axeman. Its an amazingly simple control.
-Don
- Rob R.
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 18004
- Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
- Location: Chazy, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr
Yes. Last February I set it at 170 with a 10 degree differential and have not touched it since. The stoker has run about 1100 hours since this day last year.
- coalkirk
- Member
- Posts: 5185
- Joined: Wed. May. 17, 2006 8:12 pm
- Location: Forest Hill MD
- Stoker Coal Boiler: 1981 EFM DF520 retired
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Jotul 507 on standby
- Coal Size/Type: Lehigh anthracite/rice coal
After constantly tweaking my VF3000 for years to try and coax more BTU's out of it I'm loving the "boredom" of my EFM. Empty the ash, pull the fines lever.Rob R. wrote: ↑Sat. Dec. 29, 2018 12:59 pmWith all of the excitment going on in some of the other boiler threads, I did not want my EFM feeling left out. I looked real hard for something that needed an adjustment, but the darn thing is still running perfect since I flipped the switch in October. I gave the stoker a few drops of oil since I had the cover off, but it looks like it is back to the normal routine of taking the ashes out every few days. If it is lucky I will vacuum out the stove pipe in a few weeks.
- Rob R.
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 18004
- Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
- Location: Chazy, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr
When I first installed my EFM, I would go down and check on it/look at the fire a few times per day. Now I go a month without even opening the fire door. It has been a very reliable piece of equipment.
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- Member
- Posts: 256
- Joined: Sun. Dec. 28, 2008 4:24 pm
- Location: Denver Pa
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Coal Chubby
I did the same as Rob. When we installed our first EFM 520 boiler I was in the basement all the time checking on it. Now I go every other day and pull the handle and change the tub every 3 days or so depending on the temp. It really is an awesome unit to have.
- swyman
- Member
- Posts: 2355
- Joined: Mon. Apr. 13, 2015 9:50 pm
- Location: Blissfield, MI
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman-Anderson 260M Leisure Line AA-220 Boiler (FOR SALE)
- Coal Size/Type: Lehigh Pea
Bla Bla Bla, you guys have not clue on how much fun your'e missing out on! Well I guess you do, you spend a lot of time trying to help me!
- Rob R.
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 18004
- Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
- Location: Chazy, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr
8 years since I created the first post in this topic. EFM just shrugged off a subzero weekend like it was no big deal...what a difference some air sealing makes.
- CoalHeat
- Member
- Posts: 8862
- Joined: Sat. Feb. 10, 2007 9:48 pm
- Location: Stillwater, New Jersey
- Stoker Coal Boiler: 1959 EFM 350
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Harman Magnafire Mark I
- Baseburners & Antiques: Sears Signal Oak 15 & Andes Kitchen Range
- Coal Size/Type: Rice and Chestnut
- Other Heating: Fisher Fireplace Insert
Same here! On the 20th of December it was 8 years since I lit the first fire in my 350. What a great piece of equipment it is. Buying that boiler was one of my best decisions.
- Rob R.
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 18004
- Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
- Location: Chazy, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr
Today marked the end of my 7th heating season with the EFM. Baseball season is going to start in a few weeks, and I need all the time I can get for spring chores - so I decided to let the oil boiler and heat pump take over.
From October 14th until April 12th I burned 5.25 tons of coal. According to the hour meter the stoker ran 1030 hours during that time. 7655 degree days. I think this is the best I have ever done in terms of economy.
Using the heat pump on mild days (when it is most efficient) has helped stretch the coal without a noticeable impact on my electric bill - so I will probably do the same thing next season.
From October 14th until April 12th I burned 5.25 tons of coal. According to the hour meter the stoker ran 1030 hours during that time. 7655 degree days. I think this is the best I have ever done in terms of economy.
Using the heat pump on mild days (when it is most efficient) has helped stretch the coal without a noticeable impact on my electric bill - so I will probably do the same thing next season.
- StokerDon
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 7496
- Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 11:17 am
- Location: PA, Southern York County!
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Gentleman Janitor GJ-5, Van Wert VA-600, Axeman Anderson130 X3.
- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Harman SF3500 reduced down to 3 grates connected to its own plenum
- Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
- Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood
5.25 ton of coal is pretty dern good for your area and house. I burn about that much down here and it's just about air-conditioning season, no heat needed.
By your numbers I come up with 9.83 pounds per hour. I'm gonna guess you are running 5 teeth on Rice coal.
-Don
By your numbers I come up with 9.83 pounds per hour. I'm gonna guess you are running 5 teeth on Rice coal.
-Don
- StokerDon
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 7496
- Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 11:17 am
- Location: PA, Southern York County!
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Gentleman Janitor GJ-5, Van Wert VA-600, Axeman Anderson130 X3.
- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Harman SF3500 reduced down to 3 grates connected to its own plenum
- Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
- Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood
- Rob R.
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 18004
- Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
- Location: Chazy, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr
Summer project - I have grown tired of burning $90-100 of heating oil per month for domestic hot water, the heat in the basement, and also tired of the roar of the oil burner. Rather than buy another tank of heating oil, I decided to buy a 50 gallon electric water heater. I will be surprised if the electric tank costs more than $50 per month to operate, but even if it is the same cost as the oil setup I will enjoy the silence and lack of maintenance.
My 80 gallon indirect water heater has provided way more hot water than we could ever use for the last 8 years, but it will soon be for sale. I am going to preheat the water going to the electric tank with a plate heat exchanger in the winter months.
In a year or two I plan to rip the oil boiler out completely and replace it with a small electric boiler.
My 80 gallon indirect water heater has provided way more hot water than we could ever use for the last 8 years, but it will soon be for sale. I am going to preheat the water going to the electric tank with a plate heat exchanger in the winter months.
In a year or two I plan to rip the oil boiler out completely and replace it with a small electric boiler.
- StokerDon
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 7496
- Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 11:17 am
- Location: PA, Southern York County!
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Gentleman Janitor GJ-5, Van Wert VA-600, Axeman Anderson130 X3.
- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Harman SF3500 reduced down to 3 grates connected to its own plenum
- Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
- Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood
Everybody hates that! It's the sound of money flying out of your wallet. It wouldn't be so bad if they were at least quiet about it!
Good luck with your project Rob. I find the electric boilers interesting and have considered doing this myself. They pop up on CL for cheap every once in a while. Maybe you can find a nice used EFM unit?
-Don