Keystoker KA-6 Journey Begins
[quote="whistlenut"]I don't know much about your installation site, but if possible I suggest a layer of 4" solid core cement blocks to set the boiler up on.
Mostly because without them, the boiler clean-out door is very close to the floor, perhaps even restricted. The very same for EFM bases, too.
I do the same for AA and AHS, but some folks set them flat on the floor....not good if you have moisture all the time.
Those bases won't last more than 30 years in those situations, AND will not be rebuildable.
Yes, I'm aware of the height issue filling the hopper if you are vertically challenged, or one of the old farts like me.(That is why they make augers...a no-brainer when the funds are available.)
Patio blocks will give you 2" if that is more favorable.
Also, leave plenty of room to access the rear stack, AND make it easy on yourself to clean and/or remove the stack for cleaning. An easy tip: When assembling the stack, it is easy to apply a liberal amount of anti-seize paste to the joints before you place at least 3 metal screws in each joint. If you don't do it then, you never will. The piping will disassemble as easily as if it were brand new. Otherwise let the banging and smashing begin!!!!!!
ALWAYS anti-seize the door hinges, latches.....any bolt you can see. The three bolts that hold the burn grates are something to become familiar with also. Easy project to remove and clean if you can remove them in a minute of less.....Also, please do yourself a favor and locate the air scoop and expansion tank somewhere OTHER than directly above the boiler, where sometime down the road, the vent will corrode up, druzzle some nasty water on to the top of your immaculate covers and leave you extremely PO-ed at you lack of thought about this VERY common issue. I see it daily, and only wonder why the previous plumber couldn't just move it away......monkey see, monkey do!
*****These few paragraphs are priceless advice. I would add never-seizing the tankless bolts/studs if equipped.
Mostly because without them, the boiler clean-out door is very close to the floor, perhaps even restricted. The very same for EFM bases, too.
I do the same for AA and AHS, but some folks set them flat on the floor....not good if you have moisture all the time.
Those bases won't last more than 30 years in those situations, AND will not be rebuildable.
Yes, I'm aware of the height issue filling the hopper if you are vertically challenged, or one of the old farts like me.(That is why they make augers...a no-brainer when the funds are available.)
Patio blocks will give you 2" if that is more favorable.
Also, leave plenty of room to access the rear stack, AND make it easy on yourself to clean and/or remove the stack for cleaning. An easy tip: When assembling the stack, it is easy to apply a liberal amount of anti-seize paste to the joints before you place at least 3 metal screws in each joint. If you don't do it then, you never will. The piping will disassemble as easily as if it were brand new. Otherwise let the banging and smashing begin!!!!!!
ALWAYS anti-seize the door hinges, latches.....any bolt you can see. The three bolts that hold the burn grates are something to become familiar with also. Easy project to remove and clean if you can remove them in a minute of less.....Also, please do yourself a favor and locate the air scoop and expansion tank somewhere OTHER than directly above the boiler, where sometime down the road, the vent will corrode up, druzzle some nasty water on to the top of your immaculate covers and leave you extremely PO-ed at you lack of thought about this VERY common issue. I see it daily, and only wonder why the previous plumber couldn't just move it away......monkey see, monkey do!
*****These few paragraphs are priceless advice. I would add never-seizing the tankless bolts/studs if equipped.
- sterling40man
- Member
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- Joined: Sat. May. 03, 2008 11:52 am
- Location: Northern Maine
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker K6
That just happened to me! Luckily I noticed it right away and cleaned it up.........also put a bunch of rags down. I've got a new one and will install it before I fire up for the season.oilman wrote:where sometime down the road, the vent will corrode up, druzzle some nasty water on to the top of your immaculate covers and leave you extremely PO-ed at you lack of thought about this VERY common issue.
- whistlenut
- Member
- Posts: 3548
- Joined: Sat. Mar. 17, 2007 6:29 pm
- Location: Central NH, Concord area
- Stoker Coal Boiler: AA130's,260's, AHS130&260's,EFM900,GJ & V-Wert
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: Franks,Itasca 415,Jensen, NYer 130,Van Wert
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: Alaska, EFM, Keystoker, Yellow Flame
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Alaska, Keystoker-2,Leisure Line
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Alaska, Gibraltar, Keystone,Vc Vigilant 2
- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Ford, Jensen, NYer, Van Wert,
- Baseburners & Antiques: Glenwoods
- Coal Size/Type: Barley, Buck, Rice ,Nut, Stove
- Other Heating: Oil HWBB
Any snow flurries up there yet, Bob?
- whistlenut
- Member
- Posts: 3548
- Joined: Sat. Mar. 17, 2007 6:29 pm
- Location: Central NH, Concord area
- Stoker Coal Boiler: AA130's,260's, AHS130&260's,EFM900,GJ & V-Wert
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: Franks,Itasca 415,Jensen, NYer 130,Van Wert
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: Alaska, EFM, Keystoker, Yellow Flame
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Alaska, Keystoker-2,Leisure Line
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Alaska, Gibraltar, Keystone,Vc Vigilant 2
- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Ford, Jensen, NYer, Van Wert,
- Baseburners & Antiques: Glenwoods
- Coal Size/Type: Barley, Buck, Rice ,Nut, Stove
- Other Heating: Oil HWBB
Very impressive....right from the 'Haven' to your home. Well laid out, not much chance of problems with the way it is set up.
Thanks for the pics and when you decide on an auger to feed the hopper, we need to talk. Ash auger and you can become a lazy SOB who REALLY enjoys life.
Life is about to become REAL sweet for you and your family!
Thanks for the pics and when you decide on an auger to feed the hopper, we need to talk. Ash auger and you can become a lazy SOB who REALLY enjoys life.
Life is about to become REAL sweet for you and your family!
- sterling40man
- Member
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- Joined: Sat. May. 03, 2008 11:52 am
- Location: Northern Maine
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker K6
Nice setup wiz! Can't wait to see you fire that puppy up for the first time!Wiz wrote:Almost done, plumbing is last step. Line buried, electric ran to panel/generator
Not yet Doug.......probably in a month. I should be fired up by then.whistlenut wrote:Any snow flurries up there yet, Bob?
- Wiz
- Member
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- Joined: Sun. Nov. 27, 2011 8:45 pm
- Location: Tannersville Pa
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker Ka 6
- Coal Size/Type: Casey Junk Coal :(
Thanks Next purchase is feed auger, for next year.whistlenut wrote:Very impressive.... when you decide on an auger to feed the hopper, we need to talk. Ash auger and you can become a lazy SOB who REALLY enjoys life.
Life is about to become REAL sweet for you and your family!
- Wiz
- Member
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- Joined: Sun. Nov. 27, 2011 8:45 pm
- Location: Tannersville Pa
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker Ka 6
- Coal Size/Type: Casey Junk Coal :(
Thanks .. Did allot of reading here and used input from other members' projects.sterling40man wrote:Nice setup wiz! Can't wait to see you fire that puppy up for the first time!
- Wiz
- Member
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- Joined: Sun. Nov. 27, 2011 8:45 pm
- Location: Tannersville Pa
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker Ka 6
- Coal Size/Type: Casey Junk Coal :(
I believe 24/7 Rob, that's how my old wood boiler was set up. Stoker will be plumb into oil burner and also into 80 gal electric water tank.Rob R. wrote:Looks like things are coming along well. Are you going to circulate 24/7 through the Keystoker or only when there is a heat call?
- Wiz
- Member
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- Joined: Sun. Nov. 27, 2011 8:45 pm
- Location: Tannersville Pa
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker Ka 6
- Coal Size/Type: Casey Junk Coal :(
Domestic hot water side from boiler to water heater. It's loop into cold domestic water with a tee. my drawing doesn't show it. .Rob R. wrote:How are you tying in the electric water heater?
- Wiz
- Member
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- Joined: Sun. Nov. 27, 2011 8:45 pm
- Location: Tannersville Pa
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker Ka 6
- Coal Size/Type: Casey Junk Coal :(
Friend and me spent the last 2 days helping plumber hook up system. Twelve sticks of twenty one feet of black iron pipe later it's almost done. Really going to hate to see the bill on this project.
- stovepipemike
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- Location: Morgantown ,Penna
We all realize how important dollars are these days but you will be sooo happy that you used enough of them to get the job done correctly.After 15-20 years of steady reliable performance from your system,you probably won't even remember what it cost,you will know how much it is currently saving however. Mike
- Townsend
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- Location: Connecticut
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Hitzer 50-93 & Harman Mark I
- Coal Size/Type: Pea / Nut
Nice looking job Wiz, keep up the great work. It'll definitely pay off and trust me, I know what pipes and fittings go for, especially the thick stuff! Keystoker was in my plans at one time, great boilers.