KA4 Project (Pic Heavy)

 
Qtown1835
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker '81 KA4 (online 1/16/17)
Coal Size/Type: WAS Lehigh Rice (TBD)
Other Heating: EFM SPK600

Post by Qtown1835 » Tue. Jan. 31, 2017 9:10 am

lsayre wrote:Why not just tie in a second #30 in tandem with your existing #30. That would be way better than wasting the extra money on a #60 and replacing your #30 with it, seeing that the #60 won't change things much, if at all.

A second #30 will double your expansion volume, and cost less than a #60. A #60 has the same expansion volume as a #30, so what have you gained?
Good point

Think I will drop off the bottom of the scoop with a 1/2" tee and 5" nipples. This should give me enough clearance for the additional tank.


 
Olllotj
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Post by Olllotj » Tue. Jan. 31, 2017 9:36 am

Throw in a 1/2" npt ball valve so that next time you don't have to drain down.

 
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lsayre
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Post by lsayre » Tue. Jan. 31, 2017 12:49 pm

Of course the problem with the present #30 may merely be a pressure imbalance between the baseline system pressure (fill pressure) and the #30's bladder air pressure. The two must start out on the same pressure footing.

 
Qtown1835
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker '81 KA4 (online 1/16/17)
Coal Size/Type: WAS Lehigh Rice (TBD)
Other Heating: EFM SPK600

Post by Qtown1835 » Tue. Feb. 14, 2017 10:32 am

So I am 30days into running the boiler. I have dumped 32 bags into the hopper so far. 8 bags were TSC and the balance has been Lehigh. I figure if I subtract the 5 bags it takes to load the hopper(Day 1) I have used a total of 27 bags since 1/15 or 36#/day. This has been keeping 3 heating zones(~3,000sf) satisfied as well as DHW demand for 5 people. I think that with some adjustment to the idle draft I may be able to squeak a little more out of it, but overall I am happy. Before the boiler install, the Harman was using about 45-50#/day to keep the house heated to comfortable plus I needed to burn #2 for my domestic needs.

 
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McGiever
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Coal Size/Type: PEA,NUT,STOVE /ANTHRACITE
Other Heating: Ground Source Heat Pump and some Solar

Post by McGiever » Tue. Feb. 14, 2017 12:07 pm

That's a Big Success. :dancing: :up:

Welcome to Easy Street 8-)

 
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StokerDon
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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 » Tue. Feb. 14, 2017 7:25 pm

Qtown1835 wrote: I figure if I subtract the 5 bags it takes to load the hopper(Day 1) I have used a total of 27 bags since 1/15 or 36#/day.
Q, I know it's a mild Winter and all but 36 pounds per day? Jeez, I use almost twice that in one of my boilers.

-Don

 
Olllotj
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Post by Olllotj » Tue. Feb. 14, 2017 7:44 pm

Yeah, is that thing idiling on a beach in Miami?


 
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lsayre
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Post by lsayre » Tue. Feb. 14, 2017 7:50 pm

StokerDon wrote:
Qtown1835 wrote: I figure if I subtract the 5 bags it takes to load the hopper(Day 1) I have used a total of 27 bags since 1/15 or 36#/day.
Q, I know it's a mild Winter and all but 36 pounds per day? Jeez, I use almost twice that in one of my boilers.

-Don
I've been averaging 50 lbs. per day for February (so far). 36 lbs. is fantastic!!!

 
Qtown1835
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker '81 KA4 (online 1/16/17)
Coal Size/Type: WAS Lehigh Rice (TBD)
Other Heating: EFM SPK600

Post by Qtown1835 » Tue. Feb. 14, 2017 8:02 pm

Idk why I am getting the rate that I am. Maybe the CI baseboards? I did reinsulate the attic when moved in, but other than that I haven't done anything in the way of efficiency upgrades. I do get real good southern exposure along the back of my house which I do think helps keep the temps stable. I would like to add a timer to the stoker to see how long it actually runs over a day/week. We are modest with temperatures. LR is set at 70* bedrooms are at 66* and basement is pretty much off since passive boiler heat keeps it warm, I have it set to 70*.

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Tue. Feb. 14, 2017 8:26 pm

Your coal consumption figures are very impressive. I have long thought that a well tuned stoker boiler and multizone hydronic system would easily outperform most hand fired stoves.

Not only are you burning less coal, you are probably saving at least 1 gallon per day in heating oil from the domestic hot water load.

 
Qtown1835
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker '81 KA4 (online 1/16/17)
Coal Size/Type: WAS Lehigh Rice (TBD)
Other Heating: EFM SPK600

Post by Qtown1835 » Wed. Feb. 15, 2017 7:46 am

I started a new mark for bag consumption last night and topped off the hopper. I will see how much I use over the next 30days and see how the numbers fare. Im guessing with the warmer temps forecast next week I will need run 4pins on my timer to keep the fire going. Currently running 3pins @ 0, 10 & 20min. Im hoping the numbers hold fast and that my 2 tons will last until April, when I can shut the boiler down for the season and switch to electric hot water.

 
waldo lemieux
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Post by waldo lemieux » Wed. Feb. 15, 2017 7:58 am

Qtown, The rate your goin that thing will start making coal before long.. :woot:

 
Qtown1835
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Location: Quakertown, PA
Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker '81 KA4 (online 1/16/17)
Coal Size/Type: WAS Lehigh Rice (TBD)
Other Heating: EFM SPK600

Post by Qtown1835 » Sat. Feb. 25, 2017 12:45 pm

Topped off the hopper on 2/14. Just topped it off again this morning. 9 40# bags since 2/14. Warm weather is a big help with usage

 
Qtown1835
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Posts: 705
Joined: Sat. Nov. 08, 2014 11:47 am
Location: Quakertown, PA
Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker '81 KA4 (online 1/16/17)
Coal Size/Type: WAS Lehigh Rice (TBD)
Other Heating: EFM SPK600

Post by Qtown1835 » Fri. Mar. 03, 2017 10:39 am

So the last week or so maybe longer ive had hot water "leaking" into the baseboard zones. Somehow the water is bypassing the flocheck. I never had a problem with it before not sure why it is happening now? I checked the adjusting screws on top of the flocheck and they are cranked down away from the gravity flo setting. Any ideas other than replacing flochecks? I currently have the heat set at 68* in the LR and the other morning I got up and it was like 74-76* with hot baseboards. I have a dump zone set in my basement but that has not been hit yet.

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Fri. Mar. 03, 2017 2:14 pm

Is this happening to all zones or just one?


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