Van Wert VA600 Rebuild

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alpineboard
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Post by alpineboard » Wed. Jul. 22, 2015 2:29 pm

One of the hottest /humid days of the year and I decided to go shovel some coal at high noon. Only to find a Van Wert Va600 hiding in the corner, a little work and it was in my truck. I believe the manuf year is 1980. The rings still have sharp edges. Time to clean it up and make it go again, so far, I like what I see. I will try to take pics as I go.

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rings

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Scottscoaled
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Post by Scottscoaled » Wed. Jul. 22, 2015 3:09 pm

Wow! It looks like a beauty! It doesn't look like it was hardly ran. Is that pea coal in the background?

 
alpineboard
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Van Wert 600
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Post by alpineboard » Wed. Jul. 22, 2015 3:36 pm

By the looks of it, I do not think it has had many seasons on it, I will find out more as I clean it up. I spoke to whistlenut about it, and he mentioned you. I will be looking for some kind of light door, as it has none. I may fab one.
The home from 1800's originally had nut coal, and I took that first, 500 pounds, then was converted to oil, then back to stoker buck, then as I talked with new owners, the buck coal goes with the boiler, and I offered to get it out as well, so the coal pile is a mix of nut and buck, I need to get three more loads of buck, in the next few days, I will have to re handle it, but that is life. I was originally all set up for nut, but this new find has changed everything, and definitely worth the time spent to revamp my life style method.

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Wed. Jul. 22, 2015 4:15 pm

Great find!

 
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StokerDon
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Gentleman Janitor GJ-5, Van Wert VA-600, Axeman Anderson130 X3.
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Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
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Post by StokerDon » Wed. Jul. 22, 2015 8:02 pm

A.B. that is one nice look'in boiler! Shouldn't be a problem getting it back in service. Pot looks good, the big gears look good. If the boiler holds pressure, your in buisness!

Next time I go and get coal I'm gonna look around to see if I can find something like that!

-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 » Wed. Jul. 22, 2015 8:12 pm

OK, I just went back and looked at all the pictures this time. That is a REALY nice look'in boiler! No sign of there ever being a leak around the DHW coil. I can't wait to see it run!

-Don

 
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coal stoker
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Post by coal stoker » Wed. Jul. 22, 2015 8:46 pm

Looks like it is in very good condition, knock the dust off and let her rip.


 
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Doby
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Post by Doby » Wed. Jul. 22, 2015 9:26 pm

I installed that exact model in a house I owned about 12 years back paid a 1000 bucks back then so what a find!!!!!. Looks good like Don said gears great,pot decent, even the worms appear not be worn at all. Can't see in the transmission but if thats good your going to be good to go. They sometimes have problems with the gasket around the coil leaking when left sit, no sign of that but I would keep a eye on it

 
waldo lemieux
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Post by waldo lemieux » Thu. Jul. 23, 2015 8:41 am

StokerDon wrote:A.B. that is one nice look'in boiler! Shouldn't be a problem getting it back in service. Pot looks good, the big gears look good. If the boiler holds pressure, your in buisness!

Next time I go and get coal I'm gonna look around to see if I can find something like that!

-Don
SD

you already got ten heat throwing contraptions around there and there is no more yellow paint in town! Thou shall not covet thy neighbors heatin equipment :twisted: toothy

 
ruger1980
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Post by ruger1980 » Thu. Jul. 23, 2015 10:41 am

Dang!!! I wish I could find a deal like that.

 
alpineboard
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Post by alpineboard » Thu. Jul. 23, 2015 7:53 pm

almost done with removal, 100% buck

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2nd cellar removal load, buck

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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 » Thu. Jul. 23, 2015 8:07 pm

:twisted: toothy
SD

you already got ten heat throwing contraptions around there and there is no more yellow paint in town! Thou shall not covet thy neighbors heatin equipment :twisted: toothy
Yah, most of the ones I find are all rusy though. This one A.B. got don't even need a trip to the welder!

Nice look'in Buck coal to.

-Don

 
coldinmaine
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Post by coldinmaine » Fri. Jul. 24, 2015 11:43 am

Hi....nice score!.....would you be willing to take a couple of photos of the inside of the boiler.....I cannot wrap my head around the design. Some folks here have described it, but I just cannot visualize the exhaust path!

 
alpineboard
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Van Wert 600
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Post by alpineboard » Fri. Jul. 24, 2015 2:48 pm

That is a good subject CM, I did stick my head in there and found that there are 9 vertical boiler surfaces that the exhaust comes into contact with before it goes out the 8 inch flue, the initial exhaust contact wall of the boiler is a "Double wall" and by a double boiler wall , I mean I know that boilers have double walls, but what I am saying is the there are (TWO) double walls on that side of the boiler, with an inch or so between them, and this wall is the first to grab the exhaust while it is hottest, then to the rest of the 3 sides. It must be pulling every available BTU out of the exhaust. I can not wait to fire it and see the stack temps, at different fire rates. But yes, pictures will show this better. and I will do the pics in order. R

 
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whistlenut
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Post by whistlenut » Fri. Jul. 24, 2015 2:54 pm

AB: you have them all drooling now.....and I'm the closest, AND I KNOW where you live. The reason he has so many little hand feds is because there were no stokers available to him. I have told him for years that there are 'stoker burners' and those who may not realize that 'automatic' is a life rite. This stoker will make the daily feeding a no brainer. I'll go make a gasket for you......and soak the area with PB Blaster or equal. :idea:


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