EFM-520 Build Thread

Hello everyone, my name is Kevin and I am new to coal heating and have been reading everything on this forum for the last month. Lots of great advice and ingenous solutions on every topic. I decided to go with the EFM 520 for my boiler. So went up to Dave's shop in Warrensburg (closest dealer that services) and bought a new unit. Should be couple weeks for delivery. I will be doing the install myself, should be straight foward since I am a pipefitter by trade. If I had alot of time on my hand I could build one, except for cast parts of course. I will be greatfull to any members that guide me through some areas that I am not to familure with, as I only am involved with commercial jobs and not familure with residential. My hobby is radio controled model airplanes, and on are forum we do alot of 'build threads'' so I thought it would be neat to do the same here with my new boiler install. So it starts, picked up 7.2 tons Blashack rice bagged (6 pallets). Slid them down a chute and stacked them back on pallets (1 man on top and 1 in basement, 1 hour 30 min !) Took pallet jack and rolled them over to the corner by the oil tanks. Then I ripped down one wall of my boiler room to make room for the new EFM. Thats it for now. Will take pictures of progress and post them when my wife figures out how to load them.

Kevin:

I am right there with you. My EFM 520 Boiler should arrive in less than 2 weeks, but, unlike you, I am having it professionally installed. I am just not skilled in this area. I am scheduled for an installation date of July 28-31, but that will also depend upon whether my two custom water to air exchangers arrive by then. I had delivered this past Tuesday 24 tons of Summit rice coal, and I have another 5 tons (bagged) coming from the dealer of my boiler, when he delivers the boiler. I have to build a coal bin in my cellar, but I am waiting until the boiler is precisely located so that I know exactly where the doghouse to the bin should be located since the auger has to reach the doghouse. I will post pictures here as things progress farther. Glad to see your post in hope of getting more information on the installation.

Manny

Mine came home about 2+ months ago. It still sits in my basement in pieces. I'm more concerned about building a coal bin and filling it before Aug. 1rst.

Thanks to Richard S. I figured out how to post picks. Im in NH right now on vacation, when I get back I will get to work on them. Kevin

I can start off with a description of my house and heating system. House is a 2300 sq ft cape with full unfinished basement. Current heating system is oil fired hot water with 5 zones, one of them are for boiler mate {domestic hot water} wich is set on priority. My circulaters are on the returns due to advice from old school mindset. They work fine so they will stay for now. Not sure about piping up new boiler yet. primary secondary loop might not work without tearing everything out and starting from scratch. Oh yea, forgot, burned 1350 gallons of #2 fuel oil last heating season so we were looking at spending around $6000 this season

Looks like you already have a second flue, just need to add a thimble? It is great that you are willing to take pictures and document your install, it makes it much easier for others to understand and install their own boiler.

The two man/chute idea sounds great, I have about 8 tons worth of bags to get in the basement and will give it a try. What did you use to make the bag chute?

Kevin,

How do you like the boilermate? I recently finished installing a DF-520, and noticed there is a drop in hot water pressure using the tankless coil. The DF-520 uses a 1/2" 5gpm gallon design where the previous tankless I used was 6gpm with 3/4" copper. I don't know if EFM sells a different tankless option with higher flow. I find there is a big difference in pressure drop between the new setup and the old one. So I am considering installing an indirect water tank.

Thanks,

Dave

Markviii: The second flue you saw is the ash dump for the fireplace above. I will have to use the oil boiler's thimble for the 520. For the bag chute I used a roof panel that is basically 6" styrofoam with an aluminum skin. (Very slippery) I've also seen 12" PVC pipe cut in half for a chute. Daludes: As for the Boilermate, we love it. We are using an electric hot water heater in the summer and notice the pressure drop as well. Talked to the dealer and was told to expect delivery in a few weeks. That's all for now.

this is the supply header ready for new feed from EFM unit.

The valve I added below the header is to stop flow through oil fired bioler when coal unit is running. This is how we handle multiple boilers in commercial settings. Probably so you can repair a boiler while others are up and running. How do you guys like that press. gauge. 0-30psi. Big enough to see 1 lb incruments easily. Took it off a HB Smith boiler we demo'ed last week.

I see you're not using a product made by Permatex called Ultra Black for your pipe joints. Think you could buy a tube and let us know how you like it? I'll be starting my own double boiler project at efm soon and would like to use it.

I have used A permatex product (not sureif it was ultra black) with great results on oil piping, even high temp (240 degrees) # 6 oil lines. But on water lines or anything else teflon tape can be used, I stay away from messy and sticky componds. The truth is anything will work as long as you have good clean threads and use 3 or 4 wraps (no more, no less) of teflon tape. This is my experiance of pipe sealing a gajillion joints. I like whatever washes of my hands the easyist at the end of the day

I've used the Ultra Black RTV during a few engine rebuilds, it is a good product. They have an Ultra Grey RTV that is excellent as well.