Coalpail.com Forum

gregolma wrote:Nice looking job! Two questions:

1) Why not use a drop header?

2) There is a McDonnell low water cut off that mounts right in the fitting; is it not available?

I do have a drop down header. I put in a substantial 4 inch drop down header that is working flawlessly.

Two reasons I did not use the 2.5inch port that Axeman supplies for my low water cut off: First, the low water cut off intended for that type port is the McDonnell model #69. It is an older design that does not have the provision of a valve attached so that one can do a weekly blow down. It is recommended that you remove it from the boiler annually for cleaning. I much prefer the model 67 that attaches to the sight glass plumbing and has the attached valve with it so that I can blow it down weekly and test it when I do so.
Secondly, I can now use the available port as a skim tap port, which you see being used in the above videos.

Video shortly after skim process. House temp went down to 60 degrees, so the pressure did go up to 7 ounces for the long call for heat. Not too shabby!

I watched the videos. Nice job on the skim process.

I see how it is, now that the system is up and running you start harassing the EFM guys that provided advice and information throughout the installation process.

Rob, thanks for the skimming compliment and you know my EFM teasing is only in jest, for I admire greatly those blue beauties that grace the basements of many a keen and knowledgeable coal burner.

Here is a little video exemplifying one of the benefits that any coal burning operator, hand-fired or stoker, can enjoy. Certainly helps with the domestic peace and tranquility of a household too!

With the coming of warm weather I am wondering if I will need a timer to keep my fire going. I will be burning all year for DHW. I plan on changing my aquastat setting a bit lower since I will not need steam. Will that change combined with the demand for hot water keep the fire going? We've had some days with high 60's and I have not had any problems. My draft is excellent all year.

Townsend wrote:With the coming of warm weather I am wondering if I will need a timer to keep my fire going.

MY guess is, yes you will need a timer. Before work today I looked in on mine, and it was running off the low limit on the triple aquastat, and I have the timer 1 minute once an hour. She was down to 145 and the pressure droped 2 degrees. Their was still fire but not so HOT, I will probably bump up the timer tomorrow.

Townsend wrote:Will that change combined with the demand for hot water keep the fire going? We've had some days with high 60's and I have not had any problems. My draft is excellent all year.

The fire may stay burning without the timer, however...a timer does more than just keep the fire alive, it keeps the fire burning evenly across the burn pot (combustion tube in AA lingo). When you run without a timer, the fire can shrink in size and you will have unburned coal around the perimeter of the fire. Also, when the fire has shrunk to a small size and the fan kicks on, the fan will have to run a LONG time before the water temperature will start to change...this can cause hots spots/clinkers, and possibly a cold shower. Thanks go to Whistlenut for explaining this to me.

Townsend wrote:With the coming of warm weather I am wondering if I will need a timer to keep my fire going. I will be burning all year for DHW. I plan on changing my aquastat setting a bit lower since I will not need steam. Will that change combined with the demand for hot water keep the fire going? We've had some days with high 60's and I have not had any problems. My draft is excellent all year.

The draft bypasses the fire at idle on an Axeman, you'll need a timer once the house stops looking for heat every day.

Cotter Pin lol ... Nice!!

Lightning wrote:Cotter Pin lol ... Nice!!

I try and give my dogs unique names. Wasn't sure what to call the hound. I happened to be standing in the barn and I looked down at my feet at the puppy and saw a cotter pin lying there. Done deal: Cotter Pin it is!

Rob (Whistlenut), Coaled, AA, that makes a lot of sense about keeping the fire touched up for those reasons. I'll be ordering a timer.

Townsend wrote:

Lightning wrote:Cotter Pin lol ... Nice!!

I try and give my dogs unique names. Wasn't sure what to call the hound. I happened to be standing in the barn and I looked down at my feet at the puppy and saw a cotter pin lying there. Done deal: Cotter Pin it is!

Thats cool man I thought that was a very clever name for a hound, I got quite a chuckle outta that

Hello fellow coal burners! Well, it got down to freezing last night and it's cold again tonight so I felt like watching the Axeman on a call for heat instead of just hot water. I am still amazed at the amount of heat that it can pump out in a short time and to do it while ay such low steam pressure. Came home from work and the house is at 68 degrees. I can't have it that chilly while I wind down so I turned the mercury switch T-stat to 72 and let the Axeman have at it. In a half hour the rads are all at least half way hot across with some fully hot. I go down stairs and check out my pride and joy and the pressure gauge is reading 1/2 pound!!! I really love that 4 inch header and near boiler piping!!! I decided to take a short video of the moment.

Here's a toast to a wonderful heating season for 2012/2013.

Sorry about the video orientation! When I play it on my computer it is right side up but after downloading on this site it changes somehow.

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