The Van Wert VA600 Project

 
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StokerDon
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Posts: 7484
Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 11:17 am
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 » Mon. Nov. 28, 2022 6:11 pm

A day late, but here are the readings I took yesterday.
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1391.1 - 1338.7 = 52.4 hours, 7.5 hours per day.
52.4 x 5.5 pounds per hour = 288.2 pounds, 41.2 pounds per day over the passed 7 days.
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Ash...
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Gofer...
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Feed Rate = 5.5 pounds per hour. (Rice coal, 2.0" drive pulley, 25 tooth auger sprocket).
Air = 5.5.
Aquastat = LO = 170, HI = 190, DIFF = 10.
Timer = About 15 seconds every hour.

-Don


 
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StokerDon
Site Moderator
Posts: 7484
Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 11:17 am
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 » Mon. Dec. 05, 2022 7:19 pm

A day late again. Work'in on that Axeman is taking up all my time!
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1464.3 - 1391.1 = 73.2 hours, 10.5 hours per day.
73.2 x 5.5 pounds per hour = 402.6 pounds, 57.5 pounds per day over the passed 7 days.
That's a pretty big jump from last week. It has been pretty cold though.
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That Gofer sure is hungry!
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We still had more unburnt coal in the ash than we should. So I bumped the air up to 8.5
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Feed Rate = 5.5 pounds per hour. (Rice coal, 2.0" drive pulley, 25 tooth auger sprocket).
Air = 8.5.
Aquastat = LO = 170, HI = 190, DIFF = 10.
Timer = About 15 seconds every hour.

-Don

 
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StokerDon
Site Moderator
Posts: 7484
Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 11:17 am
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 » Sun. Dec. 11, 2022 4:15 pm

SHUT DOWN!!!

Yesterday morning we shut down the Van Wert and pumped all the heat out of it before firing up the Restored Axeman in the garage.

Restored 1959 Axeman 130
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1524.4 hours on the meter.
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Now the Van Wert is part of the house heating loop. The heating loop setpoint is 130 degrees.
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The DHW and garage zones get full Axeman boiler output temperature.

-Don

 
User avatar
StokerDon
Site Moderator
Posts: 7484
Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 11:17 am
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 » Sat. Jun. 24, 2023 6:36 pm

On Tuesday we had another outfire on the Axeman. I figured that this would be a good time to give the Van Wert some exercise.
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1540.2 - 1524.5 = 15.7 hours, 5.2 hours per day.
15.7 x 5.75 pounds per hour = 90.3 pounds, 30.1 pounds per day over the passed 3 days.
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Ash.
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Stuff.
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Current settings,

Feed Rate = 5.75 pounds per hour. (Rice coal, 2.0" drive pulley, 25 tooth auger sprocket).
Air = 4.5
Aquastat = LO = 160, HI = 190, DIFF = 10.
Timer = About 15 seconds every hour.

-Don

 
User avatar
StokerDon
Site Moderator
Posts: 7484
Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 11:17 am
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 » Mon. Jul. 03, 2023 8:30 am

This might be the end of Summer coal burning for me.

Yesterday I bought the cheapest Hybrid (Heat Pump/Electric) water heat at Home Depot. I've been wanting to try one of these for a few years now.
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I've also been looking into Hydronic Heat Pumps as a coal heating system backup. In the US these things are difficult for a DIY'er to buy for some reason.

Meanwhile, back in Van Wert World...
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1583.0 - 1540.2 = 42.8 hours, 5.35 hours per day.
5.35 x 5.75 pounds per hour = 246.1 pounds, 30.8 pounds per day over the passed 8 days.
We had a day that it ran out of coal and almost went out. It took a few hours to recover the fire so the real number is more like 28 pounds per day.
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Ash.
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Summer time Gofer action!
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We'll be switching out the old rusty Boiler Mate for the newer Boiler Mate while we're at it.
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The old rusty well tank is still down here too. I guess we'll be doing a scrap metal run soon!
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Current settings,

Feed Rate = 5.75 pounds per hour. (Rice coal, 2.0" drive pulley, 25 tooth auger sprocket).
Air = 4.5
Aquastat = LO = 160, HI = 190, DIFF = 10.
Timer = About 15 seconds every hour.

-Don

 
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davidmcbeth3
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Coal Size/Type: nut/pea/anthra

Post by davidmcbeth3 » Mon. Jul. 03, 2023 11:23 am

StokerDon wrote:
Mon. Jul. 03, 2023 8:30 am
<SNIP>

Yesterday I bought the cheapest Hybrid (Heat Pump/Electric) water heat at Home Depot. I've been wanting to try one of these for a few years now.
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Paying $1300 for a hot water heater ... that's alot of hot water heating money. We had a thread about this in the past. Pros and cons to this technology. I pass on this device myself.

I use oil for my hot water heating (its all my oil burner is used for now since putting in the Hitzer)... for a year I go through ~250 gallons of oil for this use.

These electric heat pump hot water heaters only make sense in places where electricity costs are 50 cents a kwh and there are no other/regular alternatives.

Nice big ad tagline "save $315/yr" kek...they won't actually put that in writing where you get compensated if you don't save $315/yr. You're not saving money...you are spending money.

 
User avatar
StokerDon
Site Moderator
Posts: 7484
Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 11:17 am
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 » Mon. Jul. 03, 2023 7:52 pm

That math only works if you have an oil boiler already installed. This water heater was only $1199 and qualifies for a rebate (We'll see how that goes :lol: ). Still. it's no more than a 10 year regular electric water heater.

I shut down the Van Wert this morning to let things cool down. Then I rounded up all the pluming parts I needed. Luckily I had everything right there in the basement, didn't have to buy anything. 8-)
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Wired it up.
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Flipped the breaker on and........ Noth'in!!!

Then I remembered that I had some problems with this breaker years ago. I flipped it ON and OFF a few times.... Still Noth'in! :x

I pulled the cover on the breaker and saw some rusty and melted stuff in there. :o
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THAT AIN'T GOOD!!!!

This water heater 30 amp box is connected to a separate meter from the old days when you paid less for off peak usage.

I thought I was going to have to call in an electrician to replace the box and the breaker. I called CoalKirk up and had a chat. He suggested that I just connect the water heater to the main 200 amp panel. My panel is lees than half full so there is plenty of room for it. I just have to get a 30 amp breaker and wire it in. :yes:

Then I fired up the Van Wert again.
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-Don


 
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davidmcbeth3
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Coal Size/Type: nut/pea/anthra

Post by davidmcbeth3 » Mon. Jul. 03, 2023 8:43 pm

that aluminum wiring ?

 
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Rob R.
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Location: Chazy, NY
Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr

Post by Rob R. » Mon. Jul. 03, 2023 10:11 pm

Don, give your utility a call and get that second meter in the scrap bin. They are probably charging you a monthly fee for it.

 
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hotblast1357
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Posts: 5657
Joined: Mon. Mar. 10, 2014 10:06 pm
Location: Peasleeville NY
Stoker Coal Boiler: 1984 Eshland S260 coal gun
Coal Size/Type: Lehigh anthracite pea
Other Heating: air source heat pump, oil furnace

Post by hotblast1357 » Tue. Jul. 04, 2023 7:13 am

I’m looking at the same one but in 80 gallons. I believe they record electricity consumption via the controller and it displays on the app, if so please share your findings, only concern I’ve found is the noise, and in my situation the noise doesn’t matter, the benefit of dehumidification is a huge bonus as well. My electric hot water is my biggest consumption, costing me 250KW per month. Fed rebate right now is 30%.

 
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Rob R.
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Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr

Post by Rob R. » Tue. Jul. 04, 2023 7:19 am

hotblast1357 wrote:
Tue. Jul. 04, 2023 7:13 am
I’m looking at the same one but in 80 gallons. I believe they record electricity consumption via the controller and it displays on the app, if so please share your findings, only concern I’ve found is the noise, and in my situation the noise doesn’t matter, the benefit of dehumidification is a huge bonus as well. My electric hot water is my biggest consumption, costing me 250KW per month. Fed rebate right now is 30%.
Could you just install the HP unit in series with your correct water heater? This would give you more storage without having to buy the 80 gallon HP unit.

 
User avatar
StokerDon
Site Moderator
Posts: 7484
Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 11:17 am
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 » Tue. Jul. 04, 2023 4:03 pm

Success!!!

Got a 240V 30Amp breaker from HD this morning. Plumbed the wires from the old, aluminum wire, burnt, melted box into the 200Amp main panel. Flipped the braker and it came to life!
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It's running in "Heat Pump" mode. I checked the water coming out of it after 2.5 hours. It's HOT!
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You can also run this in Economy, Vacation and High Demand modes. We'll try some of those later.

If this works out the Van Wert might be shut down till October! :o

-Don

 
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hotblast1357
Member
Posts: 5657
Joined: Mon. Mar. 10, 2014 10:06 pm
Location: Peasleeville NY
Stoker Coal Boiler: 1984 Eshland S260 coal gun
Coal Size/Type: Lehigh anthracite pea
Other Heating: air source heat pump, oil furnace

Post by hotblast1357 » Thu. Jul. 06, 2023 7:50 am

Rob R. wrote:
Tue. Jul. 04, 2023 7:19 am
Could you just install the HP unit in series with your correct water heater? This would give you more storage without having to buy the 80 gallon HP unit.
Yes I could buy the cheaper 50 gallon HP unit and put it before my electric one, and then put my water to water boiler exchanger before the HP one to feed both during heating season.

 
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hotblast1357
Member
Posts: 5657
Joined: Mon. Mar. 10, 2014 10:06 pm
Location: Peasleeville NY
Stoker Coal Boiler: 1984 Eshland S260 coal gun
Coal Size/Type: Lehigh anthracite pea
Other Heating: air source heat pump, oil furnace

Post by hotblast1357 » Thu. Jul. 06, 2023 7:51 am

Don please report back on electric usage, and amount of water produced via the HP drain!

 
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StokerDon
Site Moderator
Posts: 7484
Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 11:17 am
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 » Sat. Jul. 08, 2023 9:08 am

hotblast1357 wrote:
Thu. Jul. 06, 2023 7:51 am
Don please report back on electric usage, and amount of water produced via the HP drain!
What's an HP drain?

Electric usage would have been easy to measure if the water was still hooked to it's own meter. Not sure how to measure it now that it's connected to the main panel.

I got an unexpected benefit out of this set up.

When I shut down the Van Wert on Tuesday, I left the BoilerMate valved in so I could use up the hot water in it. I expected that in a day or two it would run out and the water would start going cold. It didn't. :what:

It turns out that when both water heaters are valved in, we get a nice thermosyphon going between the two. I could use this as hot water storage if I ever needed to.
Yesterday I pulled out the old BoilerMate/heat exchanger set up and got the new BoilerMate set in place.
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I still have to figure out how to run the condensate line over to the AC condensate pump.
I still have buckets of water to move out of the basement. :no1:
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3 tanks to pull out of the basement and put in the scrap pile!
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-Don


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