Yellow Flame, A Christmas Stoker Boiler

 
waldo lemieux
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Post by waldo lemieux » Sun. Jan. 12, 2014 7:39 pm

yeah but its on the wrong side of the shut off :D


 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Sun. Jan. 12, 2014 8:08 pm

StokerDon wrote:
Rob R. wrote:If it is hard water, and you don't have water softener, that tankless coil won't be very functional in a year or two.
Is there a way to test for hard water?

-Don
I am not trying to turn this into a water treatment thread, but I wanted to point out that tankless coils are sensitive to sediment and will buildup with calcium deposits if the water has sufficient hardness. If you don't get visible buildup on shower heads, dishes, etc, it probably won't be a problem. 12 grains per gallon is a common cutoff for warranty coverage with modern appliances.

 
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tsb
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Post by tsb » Sun. Jan. 12, 2014 8:40 pm

What did I tell you about valves ?

 
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StokerDon
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Post by StokerDon » Sun. Jan. 12, 2014 9:16 pm

tsb wrote:What did I tell you about valves ?
I tried, but your right, you always need more!

-Don

 
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CoalHeat
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Post by CoalHeat » Sun. Jan. 12, 2014 9:46 pm

StokerDon wrote:
Rob R. wrote:I also used brass on the last tankless coil I installed, it makes for a very nice job. You aren't going to run hard water through that coil are you?
Ummm.... It is well water. It's got all kinds of stuff in it. So, it very well may be hard water.

-Don
If it's well water there's a good chance it's high in Calcium Carbonate. How do you heat domestic hot water now?

 
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StokerDon
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Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood

Post by StokerDon » Tue. Jan. 14, 2014 9:38 pm

If it's well water there's a good chance it's high in Calcium Carbonate. How do you heat domestic hot water now?
With an electric water heater. I currently have the most expensive electricity that I have ever had. I would love to have coal fired hot water! The irony here is that, I live less than 2 miles from a nuke plant, within 6 miles of 2 gas fired power plants, within 8 miles of 2 hydro electric plants, plus there is another hydro electric plant about 20 miles up the river and Three Mile Island is another 15 miles up from that. I truely live in the land of power generation, but I don't get one electron out of it! My power comes from Philly over 100 miles away. I guess that's why it's so expensive.

Sorry, a little bit off topic there.

-Don
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cleanup

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Last edited by StokerDon on Sat. Apr. 01, 2017 6:38 am, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Fixed quotes

 
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CoalHeat
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Post by CoalHeat » Tue. Jan. 14, 2014 10:06 pm

I've seen free water testing offered at the Home Depot, you might want to look into that. More then likely you'll find the water has considerable hardness. Have you had to change the lower element in the electric water heater yet? I have extremely hard water here, with some iron thrown in as well. A water softener is essential here. I installed one after the toilet wouldn't flush properly because the holes under the rim were all clogged up with lime deposits. I had to run a hose connected to hot water to the tank, warm all the china up and then add phosphoric acid to dissolve the deposits. :shock:


 
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StokerDon
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Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood

Post by StokerDon » Wed. Jan. 15, 2014 8:24 pm

I've only been in this house for 3 years. 2 years ago the water heater started leaking, so I replaced it. I have not had ant problems with shower heads or fucets clogging up.
So, lets just say I do have hard water, what do I do? NOT hook up the DHW? Should I just get an indirect water heater and plumb another zone?

-Don

 
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Scottscoaled
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Post by Scottscoaled » Wed. Jan. 15, 2014 8:28 pm

StokerDon wrote:I've only been in this house for 3 years. 2 years ago the water heater started leaking, so I replaced it. I have not had ant problems with shower heads or fucets clogging up.
So, lets just say I do have hard water, what do I do? NOT hook up the DHW? Should I just get an indirect water heater and plumb another zone?

-Don
Ya, that works well

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Wed. Jan. 15, 2014 8:52 pm

The cheap method is to just hook it up and run it. If the coil clogs up flush it out really well and run acid/vinegar through it to remove calcium deposits...then install a water softener.

 
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CoalHeat
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Post by CoalHeat » Wed. Jan. 15, 2014 8:54 pm

Good advice, Rob.

 
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Hambden Bob
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Post by Hambden Bob » Wed. Jan. 15, 2014 10:57 pm

You close now ! :clap:

 
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StokerDon
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Location: PA, Southern York County!
Stoker Coal Boiler: Gentleman Janitor GJ-5, Van Wert VA-600, Axeman Anderson130 X3.
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Harman SF3500 reduced down to 3 grates connected to its own plenum
Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood

Post by StokerDon » Fri. Jan. 17, 2014 2:03 pm

Rob R. wrote:The cheap method is to just hook it up and run it. If the coil clogs up flush it out really well and run acid/vinegar through it to remove calcium deposits...then install a water softener.
I will go with the cheap method.

-Don

 
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StokerDon
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Gentleman Janitor GJ-5, Van Wert VA-600, Axeman Anderson130 X3.
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Harman SF3500 reduced down to 3 grates connected to its own plenum
Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood

Post by StokerDon » Fri. Jan. 17, 2014 2:28 pm

Wood'nCoal wrote:I'll save ya a trip:
Lowe's has O2 barrier PEX but only up to 3/4", made in Red China.
You ever work with PEX? It SUCKS.
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You are absolutly right!!!

I knew it wouldn't be easy but, WOW DOES IT SUCK!!! Just that little bit took me about three hours. I used my Alaska stove to get the stuff just plyable enough to bend.
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YF PEX

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YF PEX

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This is my temporary test rig with the Taco 007 pushing water to the 50K heat exchanger, then through the 80K heatexchanger to the boiler return.
CAN'T WAIT TO FIRE IT UP!!!

-Don

 
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CoalHeat
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Coal Size/Type: Rice and Chestnut
Other Heating: Fisher Fireplace Insert

Post by CoalHeat » Fri. Jan. 17, 2014 8:09 pm

You do know that a heat exchanger needs a fan---don't you???? :devil: :twisted:


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