Stoker Settings EFM 520

grassman · Post by **grassman** » Tue. Dec. 17, 2013 10:23 am

I have outfire issues when it gets warm and I don't need heat all the time. I also can't keep running for DHW from spring to Dec. I started the boiler about a wek and a half ago but got warm during the day,30's,and it doesn't cycle on to keep a fire. To give some background, the stoker was installed new in 1998 by a certified installer for my mother. We purchased the house about 7 years ago. This problem has been there from the word go. The contractor says to use fuel oil during the warmer times. I'm currently on fuel oil because I'm tired of dealing with this. I just paid 3.36 a gallon for fuel oil. The settings are Blower 4 1/2, Honeywell aquastat LO 140 HI 180 Diff 15,and has a WILL-Burt model 20350 timer. The aquastat is L8124A. I cleaned the stoker every fall. There is a barometric damoer butdon't know to check that. I'm new with how this stoker is supposed to be set and I'm done with the dealer. Thanks Matt

GoodProphets · Post by **GoodProphets** » Tue. Dec. 17, 2013 10:28 am

What are your timer cycles?

Also, what feed rate for that 4.5 air?
You can check how many teeth it is, each time the pawl pushes forward on the gear.

grassman · Post by **grassman** » Tue. Dec. 17, 2013 10:34 am

GoodProphets wrote:What are your timer cycles?

Also, what feed rate for that 4.5 air?
You can check how many teeth it is, each time the pawl pushes forward on the gear.

Where do I find the timer cycles? I will have to start a coal fire to check the feed rate, correct? Matt

Post by **Rob R.** » Tue. Dec. 17, 2013 10:39 am

grassman wrote:The contractor says to use fuel oil during the warmer times.

Red flag - he either doesn't understand how the unit works, or doesn't care.

GoodProphets wrote:What are your timer cycles?

Also, what feed rate for that 4.5 air?
You can check how many teeth it is, each time the pawl pushes forward on the gear.

Good questions. I would also check to see that the timer is wired properly and is actually functioning. The timer may have never been hooked up properly, might not be set correctly, etc. The default settings for this boiler are: 4 teeth of feed, 4 air, 160 low, 200 high, 10 differential, and 2 minutes every half hour on the timer. The draft needs to be checked, and the boiler/smoke pipe needs to be clean.

If you aren't sure how to check these things, I think it would be good to have someone more familiar with EFM's stop by to check it over. A good "coal guy" will check it out and show you the important things to look for. Matt Direnzo is one option. http://www.anthracitecoalstokers.com/

Pacowy · Post by **Pacowy** » Tue. Dec. 17, 2013 10:43 am

You can power it on with no fire to check the feed rate, but for the given symptoms it seems like the timer is the most important thing to focus on.

Mike

GoodProphets · Post by **GoodProphets** » Tue. Dec. 17, 2013 11:13 am

+1. On getting a lesson taught in person.
You can learn how to use it the right way.

It may be a bit hard to work out all the kinks online,
Plus you may need some parts to make itrun correctly

grassman · Post by **grassman** » Tue. Dec. 17, 2013 1:44 pm

Thanks guys. I will give Matt Direnzo a call and hopefully get it to run the way it is supposed to. Matt

grassman · Post by **grassman** » Thu. Jan. 30, 2014 8:29 am

First, My apologies this took so long to get back to everyone. We had snow and that kept us very busy. I contacted Matt Direnzo and he came out earlier this month and I got a real education in coal stokers. He check the settings,timer,aquastat,draft, and made some adjustments. This bad boy is working like a charm and confident it will continue. Matt is not just very knowledgeable but you can talk to him!! He is worth every penny he charges. Thanks again guys. Matt

CoalHeat · Post by **CoalHeat** » Thu. Jan. 30, 2014 8:40 am

The contractor says to use fuel oil during the warmer times.

What does he tell people who don't have that option? There's no reason why a coal stoker boiler can't be run 365 days a year.

Glad Matt got it straightened out for you.

grassman · Post by **grassman** » Thu. Jan. 30, 2014 10:07 am

Wood'nCoal wrote:
The contractor says to use fuel oil during the warmer times.
What does he tell people who don't have that option? There's no reason why a coal stoker boiler can't be run 365 days a year.

Glad Matt got it straightened out for you.

They push the dual fuel option very hard. I mean very hard. My mother had them install this in 1998. We purchased the house in 2005. Matt

CoalHeat · Post by **CoalHeat** » Thu. Jan. 30, 2014 11:48 am

I suppose it's a good option to have, but not because it's needed as a replacement for when coal "won't" stay burning. I can't picture fouling the insides of my EFM with fuel oil soot!