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Axeman Anderson 130 Value

Posted: Sat. May. 18, 2013 8:37 am
by Cold_Mainer
I just recently removed an Axeman Anderson 130 form a home thinking I would install it at my house. I was going to replace my 90,000 BTU Pocono which heats my house comfortably. I wanted to heat my hot water with the AA 130.

After furthur review I think it is going to be overkill in my small single story 1000 square foot home.

The AA 130 is in very good condition with only some surface rust on the vessel and base.....and thats becuase I have it outside under a tarp. The base is in very good condition. I had to dissasemble it to get it out of the basement. Everything is there. It had been sittiing in the dry basement unused for about 10 years. Everything turns very smooth.

I guess I am reluctantly going to sell the unit once I find out its value. I am going to test the hot water coil shortly.

This what I know it needs after dissasembling it:

> The studs that hold the mounting plate for the hot water coil need to be replaced,

> The studs that hold the vessel to the base need to be replaced,

I've seen a couple of friends buy and rebuild these units. They paid over $1,500 for them.......and they were in terrible condition.

What should I be looking at to ask for this unit in the classifieds?

Re: Axeman Anderson 130 Value

Posted: Sat. May. 18, 2013 9:01 am
by Rob R.
I see no reason why it wouldn't work fine in your home. Warm basement, evenly heated house, dhw...what is the downside?

If you are determined to sell, list it with lots of pictures and ask for offers. It is worth whatever someone will give you.

Re: Axeman Anderson 130 Value

Posted: Sat. May. 18, 2013 9:07 am
by Cold_Mainer
I'd be worried about over heating and unburnt coal whereas it would not fire all the time. I've had friends who have had to put timers on thier boilers to fire every once in a while to prevent it from going out.

yes.......need to take some photos......on my bucket list for today.....

Re: Axeman Anderson 130 Value

Posted: Sat. May. 18, 2013 10:46 am
by whistlenut
No reason that the 130 would not be an excellent performer in your home....and not use much coal in the process. There is always a timer set for 2 minutes every half hour anyway, so I've never had an out-fire in 44 years; 130 or 260.
I run year-round and always have, with no issues at all. I do have a dump zone, but have never recalled it being used. If you don't want to keep it and would like to go in another direction, send me a PM and I'll be by your place to look it over. I am going to be in Augusta, Lewiston, Sanford and Skowhegan next week if that is something you want to do. The work you mention on the boiler is typical, and is required in most cases, especially the ashing plate base rollers and ratchet sleeves. Tank-less in this one?

Re: Axeman Anderson 130 Value

Posted: Sat. May. 18, 2013 10:04 pm
by LsFarm
The AA fire does not go out in an hour or two of no call for heat.. I flipped my boiler off while I was working near it two days ago.. 36 hours later I looked in the boiler building, and noticed the water temp was only 140, Hmmm. then I remembered the switch was off, flipped it on, and 5 minutes later the fire was at full temp and the water recovered in another 5 minutes..

Unlike a flat-bed stoker like your Poccano, there is quite a bit of coal burning, and there is air being pulled through and over the top of the fire all the time, even with the fan off.. so you won't loose the fire easlily,, maybe after 2-3 days.

I run a timer on my AA in the warm weather, 2minutes once an hour..
I'd HIGHLY recommend installing the boiler, use it for a season or two,, THEN decide if it's a keeper or not.. I doubt you will decide to sell it..

BTW: if the coal is good, and you use DHW once or twice a day,, there will be very little unburnt coal..

Greg L

Re: Axeman Anderson 130 Value

Posted: Sat. May. 18, 2013 11:40 pm
by coaledsweat
I run an AA 260 in a house not much bigger than yours, you'll be fine. As far as unburned coal, with the AA it's efficiency advantage outweighs the little bit of unburned coal you may experience. You have the best stoker on the planet, don't talk youself out of enjoying it. I don't even run a timer, went away for three days and powered it off. Got back and it was down under 100*, powered it up and had roaring fire in a few minutes.

Re: Axeman Anderson 130 Value

Posted: Sun. May. 19, 2013 6:20 am
by lsayre
coaledsweat wrote:I don't even run a timer, went away for three days and powered it off. Got back and it was down under 100*, powered it up and had roaring fire in a few minutes.
On my quite similar AHS S130 there is no timer, and I'm coming up on two years of non-stop operation (sans for it's annual clean down) without losing the fire. We have taken up to two day trips and returned to find it still holding the fire.

Re: Axeman Anderson 130 Value

Posted: Mon. May. 20, 2013 12:34 pm
by steamup
A little big, yes, but my AA-130 performs fine a low loads. The AA-130 will work very well to heat your DHW also with a tankless coil. Do not hesitate to use it to heat your house. Burn buck instead of pea coal and the output is reduced about 10%.

As far as value, it depends on many factors as to the condition of the unit and if all of the parts are there. Does it have the doghouse and is it in good condition? That is worth about $300 new. The controls are expensive to replace, so knowing the condition of these is important. Moisture can damage electrical controls, so sitting outside under a tarp is not a good idea. Age? Years in operation? Interior shell condition?

Many factors can affect what the boiler is worth including market demand for a used boiler that varies to some degree. Just remember, you can drop the price you advertise, but cannot increase it.

Re: Axeman Anderson 130 Value

Posted: Mon. May. 20, 2013 9:58 pm
by coaledsweat
There is an ID plate with the serial # on it below the observation port. The first two are the year it was manufactured.