Removal and cleanup of blower AA-130

Try removing the Pope's hat. Its held down by two bolts at the exhaust port.. it may take a little pursuation to lift it out depending on how it was sealed to the exhaust port.

It seems like there shouldn't be a blockage there. When the fan runs there is high velocity gases flowing between the swirl chamber and the fly ash separator..

Okay , Lightning, I have not ever pulled that popes hat out . Is that the only way to clean that passage? There is definitely at least a part blockage because it was getting more and more difficult to get the boiler going if it went out . The last time I tried for over an hour and it never got up above 140 or so ....

Oooo... that might be a different issue. Hopefully Mac or Don can chime in with more information for you.

Ctraffie wrote: ↑

Mon. Oct. 28, 2019 9:09 pm

So how do I clean that passage and know if it’s clean? Can’t see in there ...

Free up the "popes hat" and draw it up out of the exhaust riser.

Okay guys I pulled the popes hat out and got access to that last passage to blower area. I used a small wire brush, but I also will blow it all out with air compressor. Thanks,

Ctraffie wrote: ↑

Mon. Oct. 28, 2019 9:22 pm

Okay , Lightning, I have not ever pulled that popes hat out . Is that the only way to clean that passage? There is definitely at least a part blockage because it was getting more and more difficult to get the boiler going if it went out . The last time I tried for over an hour and it never got up above 140 or so ....

That is hard to believe. Mine from 50°F will hit cutoff of 170°F or so within an hour and shut down having satisfied all calls for heat. I sometimes let the coal run "a little low" overnight just to make sure. Then when I wake up with cold air blowing and the light blinking on the indirect I realize just how low it was.

How do you start your fire? I use a couple handfuls of pellets marinated in ATF. Quick shot with a torch, turn fan back on, and add a couple handfuls of coal every 10 or 15 minutes until I have a good amount cooking. Depending on how cold it is I either stay with it adding until it's around the level of the viewer (warm out) or put the coal right to it and bury the fire(30°F or less).
So long as it's calling for heat I've been OK doing that.

How much ash is on your shaker when you start it up? Is it still shaking constantly while it's trying to get going? I can stop mine from ashing while starting otherwise I'd never get it going.

I got everything back together and to get the boiler going I usually unhook the auger belt and use match light charcoal and a propane torch . As far as the shaker grate I let that do its thing usually... i suppose a guy could tie up that pushrod so it can’t make the grate move ...

Do try stopping the ashing while starting your fire. I'll bet you'll find a difference in how quickly the fire is established then you can start the asher again and walk away.

I always wait until the heat load is satisfied and the boiler has shut down before starting the ashing again. That way there will be no fresh coal dumped on just prior to shut down, a scenario that encourages puff backs. Next time it starts it goes into ashing like normal and all is good.

Ctraffie wrote: ↑

Mon. Nov. 04, 2019 9:44 pm

I got everything back together and to get the boiler going I usually unhook the auger belt and use match light charcoal and a propane torch . As far as the shaker grate I let that do its thing usually... i suppose a guy could tie up that pushrod so it can’t make the grate move ...

I'm confused, with belt off as you say.there can be no 'shaker'...

There is ability to manually 'pump' the lever for some grate motion though still no auger for replentishing coal to transfer head...that can be done manually though by opening transfere head long enough to add more coal as needed. And/or just defeat the arm/lever from dropping to engage the 'teeth' during normal auger operation...just don't forget to un-defeat it.