EFM Help!

I am at work so with out looking at the unit I am not sure exactly which panel you may be referring too. The unit sits about 24 inches from the back wall.

Thanks,
Glenn

The panel that has the flue pipe collar attached...it needs to be removed in order to properly clean the boiler. 24" is probably enough, but you better stay slim & trim.

Rob,
Well I sure hope so.... GRRR... I can always put a door in the wall be hind the unit with out too much of a problem. Another learning experience I guess.

Thanks,
Glenn

It's OK for the aquastat to be there, but it's not stock.

Okay good (?). In talking with Rob it sounds that perhaps having it there allows for a faster reaction time by the boiler to changing water temps. This of course would be a good thing in my opinion as well. I can not wait until Friday when I get to work with it again. Also I wanted to ask you guys which do you like better, buckwheat or rice coal in your EFM and why? Also do you switch from a red ash to white for summer burning so you do not get as much heat out of it per pound?

Thanks again,
Glenn

there was no modification to the coil plate for the aquastat, anyone who knows about the hi-boys know that is the standard mounting plate, no modifications were done to the unit, the threaded well hole is located one and a half inches above the top of the coil plate and with the location of the probe in the aquastat the aquastat will hang down 6 inches from the mounting plate everything is in the original position as it should be SCRAPPER

24 inches is enough room to get pipi off, just don't pack on 50 pounds and you will be o.k.

I figured the aquastat wasn't going through the coil plate, the fitting and probe are on the back of the aquastst near the top.

stoker-man wrote:It's OK for the aquastat to be there, but it's not stock.

I can guarentee you it is in the stock location SCRAPPER

scrapper_23jr wrote:I can guarentee you it is in the stock location SCRAPPER

I have only see a few Highboys, but they all had the aquastat well right where you said, directly above the coil...like this one:
On my dad's I used that tapping for the low water cutoff (it was 3/4"), and put a 1/2" well for the aquastat in the tapping to the left of the coil. Either one works fine.

Well guys either way it sounds like it is a good thing. As for the space in the back of the unit, I am putting in an access door that will allow me plenty of room. Now how about my coal question?

Thanks again,
Glenn

In my opinion, having the stoker & controls properly set and a good drafting chimney is more important than the "flavor" of coal. Your EFM will happily burn rice or buck, but since you are new to the game I suggest you burn rice and follow the manual. As long as the coal doesn't have a problem with clinker formation, I wouldn't get cranked up over the ash color.

I figure there is not really a rite or wrong answer here for the coal situation. It was meant for an a survay then an exact answer. I have UAE buckwheat in there now but thought about starting it on Friday with Sherman or Blashak rice. In talking with Steve a couple of weeks ago it is my understanding that the buckwheat may do better if draft could/may be an issue but that rice may work better in the auger and not heat up so fast. I am a little worried about a hot humid summer day drafting well so I thought about using UAE Buck, but then I was thinking that stuff is going to throw off a lot more heat too, which of course I don't need in the summer.

Thanks again,
Glenn

I'm burning Harmony Rice/Buck mix. Seems to work out well. I have draft issues when we have a cold night followed by a warm day. Proper boiler settings make a big difference.

We all learned something from Scrapper today.