The Epoch of the Axeman

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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 6:31 pm

Yes it's that time guys and gals.. The AA130 compassionately named "Ruby" has been restored and installed and is providing heat for her loved ones. As I sit in the basement with a rum n cherry coke in hand and gaze at this marvelous machine, I cannot help myself to feel like a little kid in a candy store. How did the stars align so that I could experience such sweet delight, I'll never know. :ugeek:

This thread will be for general discussion about its workings, modifications and performances.

And to open the discussion, I'd like to talk about the fire, ash, anthrastat, incoming combustion air and how it relates to the ashing sled rhythm. Tall order right? Well, you know me :lol: , I have a hypothesis that I'd like to run by you guys... because this machine has such resemblance of a hand fired appliance done automatically, I've come to this conclusion..

When the fan runs, the view port is pulled shut causing the combustion air to come up thru the fuel bed. From the hand fed days its understood that the ash layer impedes combustion air. In the Axeman, there is also an ash layer and it seems to me that it's depth would somewhat throttle the amount of combustion air that is given to the live burning coals above it. Given those as true (if it's true) the ashing sled rhythm would play a big part in its combustion rate and heat output. Not that I'm lacking any capability of heat generation lol, but what I'm saying is that my preliminary thinking is that the ash sled and the combustion rate will strike a balance all by itself depending on how many "clicks" the ratchet is set at. If the ashing rate is too fast the anthrastat steps in and intervenes, its basic function is as a coal miser, to stop ashing if live coals get underneath it.

I'd be interested in hearing and learning more from you all that have had these awesome pieces of engineering in their presence :)


 
scalabro
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Post by scalabro » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 6:43 pm

You’ve succumbed to the power of Lord Palpatine 💀

Looking forward to reading this thread but sadly it will all be Greek to me 🤣

Cheers Lee!

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 6:46 pm

Thank you coal burnin brother, I sincerely appreciate your interest :)

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ASea
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Post by ASea » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 6:54 pm

So is the Axeman a set it and forget it type of boiler? Or do they have to be tinkered with? Some of the Axeman posts on this forum are by boiler aficionados who like to experiment. I find watching some of the videos and reading the threads a little intimidating. I'd be looking for something where I set it,feed it, and take out the ashes.

Tell me about your boiler settings, how warm are you keeping the house? What size house? Are you making hot water with it? And lets not forget photos?

Thanks!

Andrew

 
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coaledsweat
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Post by coaledsweat » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 7:07 pm

It's pretty much set and forget. There is no adjustment for air and the only thing that needs to be set is the anthrastat and ashing lever stroke. Once set, it would take an extreme change in fuel to require adjustment.

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 7:10 pm

Hey Andrew, thanks for your interest. Yes, this is certainly a set it and forget it machine, other than emptying the ash tub every few days and raking coal towards the auger if it needs it. Other than that it's fun to watch. I have the aquastat currently set to turn on the combustion fan at 160 and turn off at 170, I may set it higher later in the season. I have the livingroom thermostat set at 72, heating 2400 Sq ft. Today I measured 61.5 pounds per day over the last 4 days. This includes heating 100% of my domestic hot water for a family of 5, two teenagers involved that I incessantly tell to shut off the shower, you've been in there long enough.

And a few photo ops..

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ASea
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Post by ASea » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 7:39 pm

That thing looks like it means business! I bet it really warms the basement and the floors with the radiant heat.

I have five kids, wife is prego with number 6 and four are teenagers! Showers for days! It's brutal!

One of these days I'll get a coal boiler.

Watching some of Stoker Don's Videos can be a little intimidating. Though I realize he is experimenting. I'm away for 48hrs at a time some times so something I can walk away from for a bit is desirable.


 
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Post by franco b » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 7:57 pm

Looking forward to this thread also.

You do have a talent for clear thought and explanation. Probably part of your super hero powers.

 
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Post by joeq » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 8:04 pm

Oh no! What happened to your Clayton, Lee? All that work into that monster, and have you caved? Did I miss something? :o

 
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Post by hotblast1357 » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 8:10 pm

Just think lee, eshland and AHS got rid of the click stuff! Lol all I have is aqua stat setting, and ash temp setting.

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 8:53 pm

ASea wrote:
Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 7:39 pm
I bet it really warms the basement and the floors with the radiant heat.
It certainly does. No fear of freezing domestic water lines as I did before. The boiler vessel, black piping and headers do radiate a lot of heat to the basement. But like you said, heat generally wants to go upwards and heat the floor above it.
ASea wrote:
Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 7:39 pm
I'm away for 48hrs at a time some times so something I can walk away from for a bit is desirable.
I'm pretty sure that once its dialed in (which was pretty effortless) that a few days between visits would be very realistic.
franco b wrote:
Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 7:57 pm
Looking forward to this thread also.

You do have a talent for clear thought and explanation. Probably part of your super hero powers.
Thank you Richard, I appreciate your kind words and always regard your advice with high authority. All of you here on the coal board are the real super heroes, I'm just trying to keep up.
joeq wrote:
Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 8:04 pm
Oh no! What happened to your Clayton, Lee? All that work into that monster, and have you caved? Did I miss something? :o
Yep, it was time. I reached the full potential of the Clayton at least with my ability anyways. Now we have a separate building to heat, my wife's salon/my music studio and the best way is from the basement of the house with coal fired hot water.
hotblast1357 wrote:
Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 8:10 pm
Just think lee, eshland and AHS got rid of the click stuff! Lol all I have is aqua stat setting, and ash temp setting.
Yes sir, and that's the beauty of the situation. It makes room for me to exercise my curiosity with experimentation and development. Not that it needs it, more for my entertainment :)

 
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Post by warminmn » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 9:10 pm

I hope there are lots of gadgets you can attach to it! Start adding meters, gauges, thermometers, etc, until there isnt space for another! :lol: Congrats! Your on easy street now.

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 9:34 pm

Thanks warmin, I've added a few so far. A thermometer to monitor DHW production, another for boiler temp and warm air supply, and of course a draft gauge. Its crossed my mind to involve a water meter to see exactly how many BTUs (pounds of coal) are being used for DHW.

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Post by joeq » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 10:11 pm

The space shuttle, has nothing on Lee. LOL.

 
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Post by hotblast1357 » Thu. Nov. 21, 2019 4:21 am

Lightning wrote:
Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 9:34 pm
Its crossed my mind to involve a water meter to see exactly how many BTUs (pounds of coal) are being used for DHW.
I put one in, I use around 1,100-1,300 gallons a month of hot water, takes me usually about 3-4 pounds of coal per day.


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