Keystoker KA-4 or LL Wl110 ?? Buying Friday

 
lephturn
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Post by lephturn » Tue. Nov. 05, 2013 10:41 am

OK here is my dilemma. Keystoker has made their KA-4 again and is slightly more expensive than the LL wl110. MY concern about the LL is the low mass it holds vs: the 34gal that the keystoker holds and my heat load swings. That is why I am asking here. I have 2 children that LOVE their hot water. I have a 42gal indirect HWH that Will be zoned and my home ( 3 Zones ) has a heat load of 72,000 btu/h. I am concerned in the mornings 5:30 when heat and hot water needs ramp up that I would need more mass storage than frankly both of my choices that I need to make. A little comfort in opinions is welcome before dropping the coinage. I will be running it year round.

Thank You

4300 for the LL
4700 for the Keystoker


 
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McGiever
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Post by McGiever » Tue. Nov. 05, 2013 10:46 am

I think you alreay know ;) ,you just want reassurance...don't have regrets...get the higher water capacity you know you'll need. 8-)

 
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SMITTY
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Post by SMITTY » Tue. Nov. 05, 2013 10:49 am

That $400 price difference & top-notch customer service would sway me in the other direction though .... ;)

FYI ... Not saying Keystoker has bad customer service - I honestly have no idea.

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Tue. Nov. 05, 2013 11:03 am

Do you require dealer service?

 
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McGiever
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Post by McGiever » Tue. Nov. 05, 2013 11:03 am

SMITTY wrote:That $400 price difference & top-notch customer service would sway me in the other direction though .... ;)

FYI ... Not saying Keystoker has bad customer service - I honestly have no idea.
Joy of money saved fades fast when needing more water capacity would bring much hot joy.

And don't forget DHW needs can take a big toll...every day many times.

Sorry, but nobodies customer service can fix a customers problem of insuffient size water capacity in an installed boiler on a sub-zero blustry night. :roll:
Last edited by McGiever on Tue. Nov. 05, 2013 11:14 am, edited 1 time in total.

 
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SMITTY
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Post by SMITTY » Tue. Nov. 05, 2013 11:12 am

True ... but that extra $350 left over after buying a solution to the problem would sure make me feel better. $50 electric hw tank on Craigslist .... :D

 
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McGiever
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Post by McGiever » Tue. Nov. 05, 2013 11:16 am

SMITTY wrote:True ... but that extra $350 left over after buying a solution to the problem would sure make me feel better. $50 electric hw tank on Craigslist .... :D
Please explain solution and where can I learn more.?


 
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EarthWindandFire
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Post by EarthWindandFire » Tue. Nov. 05, 2013 11:19 am

They are both very good units. You really can't go wrong with either one, apple to apple as they say.

I think the better choice would be the Leisure Line WL-110 because that unit is multi-fuel capable. The boiler is made by Axeman-Anderson and is a vertical firetube design. The WL-110 can also be ordered with the optional 320 lb coal hopper.

 
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Post by McGiever » Tue. Nov. 05, 2013 11:34 am

The op is not asking which is anyone's favorite and states his main concern is between LL's lower boiler mass vs. KS's greater mass.

So, the question is, do you think the LL w/ the lesser mass can hold up when temps get down and dirty? What do you think?

 
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McGiever
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Post by McGiever » Tue. Nov. 05, 2013 11:44 am

Mass in a boiler is storage of heat.
More mass, more storage of heat.
A definite plus for just the senario that the OP described during a cold wintry 5:30 am. household start.

 
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Post by whistlenut » Tue. Nov. 05, 2013 11:55 am

Having the 42 gallon indirect levels the playing field somewhat, and everyone knows I like bigger reserves. I watch all the OWB guys and the large storage tanks...which do work very well,......(cost plenty, too!),......... but back at the ranch, the advise is that the BTU ratings are about the same, and I know you can flip a coin, and be safe either way. Both are excellent companies, so it is not a quality question, more a pricing one, apparently. I know several folks heating with the LL and are extremely happy. I also know folks with K-2s, older k-4's and K-6's. No one looses, it just matters which capacity you think works best for you. Your choice..... :!:

 
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Post by EarthWindandFire » Tue. Nov. 05, 2013 12:23 pm

You can ADD mass, you can't add or change the boiler after purchase and installation.

 
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Post by Rob R. » Tue. Nov. 05, 2013 12:36 pm

Help Me Decide Stoker Boiler / Stoker Stove and Brand & Mdl

It took a few years, but I see that you followed through with your plan to start with a stove and install a boiler down the road.

Do you live in the same house that you described in the thread I linked above? How did you arrive at the heat load figure of 72,000 BTU's per hour?

Next question...will the coal boiler be installed as a stand-alone unit or will it be tied in with the oil boiler?

 
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Post by lephturn » Tue. Nov. 05, 2013 2:54 pm

I like the LL Better than the KS and even LL Matt Atkinson said in his email to me that both are great units, He is just happy I burn Coal which we all agree is the best, cheapest and all American way to heat. I do not need service and I like the backup oil gun( although I hate Beckett Burners) :idea: It will have to do for the once or twice a year I may need it. I have to figure out a way to create thermal mass w/o costing a fortune. As 1 Person said ,I think A commercial HWH with 1 1/4 taps could be used in a primary loop situation but a residential 1" or 3/4" tap would not unless I use 2 of them set up in parallel to have the proper flow. Anybody that has a superstore tank or know where the cheaper ones to be bought are.. Please chime in

 
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Post by EarthWindandFire » Tue. Nov. 05, 2013 3:08 pm

I agree with you about the Beckett burners, personally I like Riello. They are better quality, made in Italy.


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