Efm 520 damper question, winter settings

 
nyurch
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Post by nyurch » Sat. Oct. 13, 2018 5:05 pm

Hey everyone, cleaned my efm 520 today to get ready for the coal heating season (running oil in summer). Had to install new exhaust pipe and now my damper is on an angle, see attached. This is not okay, right? I'm trying to find anything to properly install the damper to no avail, I will probably need to modify the pipe to make the damper verticle? I'm worried this is a really dumb question but figured I haven't see anyone else ask it...

Also, what are everyone's winter settings? Air, teeth and aqua stat firing rice coal. Thanks in advance.

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coaledsweat
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Post by coaledsweat » Sat. Oct. 13, 2018 6:00 pm

The damper face should be plumb. Not sure how it can work properly like that. An adjust able elbow shoud be able to correct that, perhaps in a 45° type?


https://www.google.com/search?q=45°+elboe+ss+stov ... e&ie=UTF-8

 
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StokerDon
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Post by StokerDon » Sat. Oct. 13, 2018 6:26 pm

That doesn't look like it will work. As CS stated, the face must be plumb and strait. Also, the damper should be in the middle of a strait run of pipe. You should also have a Tee in the bottom there, not an elbow. Fly ash will accumulate in the elbow.

If you put the damper up a bit higher in the pipe, you can face it toward the front of the boiler until it is plumb. Then just rotate it until the axis is level.

-Don

 
nyurch
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Post by nyurch » Sat. Oct. 13, 2018 6:48 pm

Thank you for not making me feel like a complete dumba**! I'm going to mod the pipe to make it flush before I run the coal this week. I'm learning and trying to improve the stoker. I'm always fighting with this thing but thank heavens I am able to run oil for summers. The man that serviced the stoker before I moved in recently passed away so I'm trying to take care of this by myself. Thank you for all your help!

 
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StokerDon
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Post by StokerDon » Sat. Oct. 13, 2018 7:05 pm

No problem nyurch, there's always someone here to help you!

-Don

 
nyurch
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Post by nyurch » Sat. Oct. 13, 2018 10:14 pm

I appreciate all the help!

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Sat. Oct. 13, 2018 10:20 pm

nyurch wrote:
Sat. Oct. 13, 2018 10:14 pm
I appreciate all the help!
These guys are blood hounds for fleshing out problems and getting them fixed. Stick around, you won't need to call furnace tech to fix anything for you :)

Don - I gotta chuckle every time I read your signature quote haha


 
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cntbill
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Post by cntbill » Sat. Oct. 13, 2018 11:36 pm

One thing I notice it looks like you have a reducer from 8" to 6" and that your damper appears to be 6". I believe you should be using an 8", something to consider since your modifying your pipe. Others will verify this or not, but keep it in mind.

 
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coaledsweat
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Post by coaledsweat » Sun. Oct. 14, 2018 8:00 am

Depending on chimney height (draft), you may be fine with the 6". Best thing to do is get yourself a manometer, they are cheap and then you won't be guessing, the draft will be just right.

 
nyurch
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Post by nyurch » Mon. Oct. 15, 2018 11:58 am

I'm finding manometers on amazon for around 30 bucks.. will this suffice and exactly how do you use the thing?

 
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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 » Mon. Oct. 15, 2018 6:48 pm

If it's 30 bucks it's probably a Dwyer 25 MK2, this will work fine, many of us use it. It comes with instructions and if you type "manometer" into the search bar at the top right of this page, you will be directed to about a million threads about how to use a manometer.

Well, maybe not a million.

-Don

 
nyurch
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Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM DF520 Coal/Oil
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Other Heating: Oil Option

Post by nyurch » Sun. Oct. 21, 2018 4:06 pm

For anyone following this post... damper is flush and looks good. Getting good air reading.. now new problem/question.

Replaced a water pipe on the back of the furnace, drained system. Noticed my expansion tank was closed off, I have never touched it- is this normal? Now also have no water currently in the radiators upstairs (3) but the heat has only been running since this morning. Everytime stoker kicks on more air accumulates in them when I go to bleed them.. is the pressure building back up or do I have another problem on my hands? Thanks!

 
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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 » Sun. Oct. 21, 2018 4:13 pm

Unless this is a steam system, the whole thing should be full of water top to bottom and under about 12 PSI of pressure. If not, you got big problems.

-Don

 
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Post by Rob R. » Sun. Oct. 21, 2018 4:20 pm

The expansion tank should NOT be isolated from the rest of the system.

 
Den034071
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Post by Den034071 » Sun. Oct. 21, 2018 4:41 pm

Ny call Radocha heating in Coaldale.jack


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