Losch 350 Questions

Post Reply
 
User avatar
Shawn3318
Member
Posts: 28
Joined: Thu. Sep. 12, 2019 6:08 pm
Stoker Coal Boiler: 350
Coal Size/Type: Rice

Post by Shawn3318 » Wed. Dec. 25, 2019 12:39 pm

I think this is the spot. I have a couple questions that I’m hoping someone or someone’s can help answer for me.
I have an old losch 350 (size) serial number 847A steam is 15# and water is 30#( not sure if that matters)
Question 1) were the cold water goes in when it’s cold looks like I have a small leak when it warms up the leak goes away. I am thinking that a may have a leak in the pipe or a leak in the gasket. Before I get into it later this summer is there a gasket or is it metal to metal with some sorta sealer? Any kind of feed back on that would be great so I know what I need to get before I open it up.
Question 2) I have a hold fire box that the timer sticks on it (R883B) series 80 is there something on the market that I can replace that with maybe something more modern? Or is there a way to have the timer part fixed?
Question 3) I have two thermostats also series 80 RA89A can that be replaced with something more modern

Again any kinda help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and happy new year

 
User avatar
Rob R.
Site Moderator
Posts: 17979
Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
Location: Chazy, NY
Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr

Post by Rob R. » Wed. Dec. 25, 2019 1:09 pm

Welcome. The leak you described sounds like it is at a threaded connection, but a picture would be helpful. If the leak is minor and the metal is in a good shape a treatment with boiler seal would likely take care of it.

As for the timer, there are several options for replacement. Do you happen to know how often the timer runs?

 
User avatar
Shawn3318
Member
Posts: 28
Joined: Thu. Sep. 12, 2019 6:08 pm
Stoker Coal Boiler: 350
Coal Size/Type: Rice

Post by Shawn3318 » Wed. Dec. 25, 2019 2:29 pm

I think the hold fire comes on every 15 minutes and stays on for 2 and half minutes to 3 min.

Attachments

F98CCEF4-02EE-4A07-B9B7-28D62BD9B06C.jpeg

Picture of leak spot cold water into losch

.JPEG | 1.3MB | F98CCEF4-02EE-4A07-B9B7-28D62BD9B06C.jpeg
92BE3C0B-02D5-41BF-8755-19196A3937EF.jpeg

Photo of hold fire R883B


 
User avatar
StokerDon
Site Moderator
Posts: 7486
Joined: Mon. Nov. 11, 2013 11:17 am
Location: PA, Southern York County!
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 » Thu. Dec. 26, 2019 9:20 am

Shawn3318 wrote:
Wed. Dec. 25, 2019 12:39 pm
Question 1) were the cold water goes in when it’s cold looks like I have a small leak when it warms up the leak goes away. I am thinking that a may have a leak in the pipe or a leak in the gasket. Before I get into it later this summer is there a gasket or is it metal to metal with some sorta sealer?
The Domestic Hot Water coil is sealed to the boiler with a rubber gasket. When the gasket leaks, you normally don't see it because the boiler is hot and the water evaporates before it gets to the floor. Over time, this leak will eat right through the boiler. In your picture there is a lot of rust above and below the coil. I would pull one of the top covers and pull the front cover out as far as you can to see what is leaking.
Shawn3318 wrote:
Wed. Dec. 25, 2019 12:39 pm
Question 2) I have a hold fire box that the timer sticks on it (R883B) series 80 is there something on the market that I can replace that with maybe something more modern? Or is there a way to have the timer part fixed?
A lot of people on the forum covert to an electronic timer. This eliminates the possibility of the timer sticking. The Tork EJWT percentage timer is what some of us use. One member used a GRT8-S1/W240. He gutted the original timer box and mounted the new unit inside. These are very inexpensive but you have to mount them in a box.
New Solid State Timer

-Don


 
User avatar
McGiever
Member
Posts: 10130
Joined: Sun. May. 02, 2010 11:26 pm
Location: Junction of PA-OH-WV
Stoker Coal Boiler: AXEMAN-ANDERSON 130 "1959"
Hand Fed Coal Boiler: BUCKET A DAY water heater
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Warm Morning 414A
Coal Size/Type: PEA,NUT,STOVE /ANTHRACITE
Other Heating: Ground Source Heat Pump and some Solar

Post by McGiever » Thu. Dec. 26, 2019 9:47 am

That timer looks like it is a pilot for a 3rd zone, and so is a combo unit.
As for any timer considerations watch that it's contacts are rated high enough amps to handle total burner amp draw or else a heavy relay would be needed added to be piloted by timer and then heavy relay runs the burner.

As for that combo sticking, a good cleaning and some oil for the clock motor may fix it and give another 50 years of service...

 
User avatar
Shawn3318
Member
Posts: 28
Joined: Thu. Sep. 12, 2019 6:08 pm
Stoker Coal Boiler: 350
Coal Size/Type: Rice

Post by Shawn3318 » Mon. Jan. 20, 2020 5:31 pm

@ McGiever thank you. What do I clean it with. I was thinking of getting a can of carbonator cleaner ,or should I use just air like from the air compressor. Again thanks

 
User avatar
coaledsweat
Site Moderator
Posts: 13763
Joined: Fri. Oct. 27, 2006 2:05 pm
Location: Guilford, Connecticut
Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson 260M
Coal Size/Type: Pea

Post by coaledsweat » Mon. Jan. 20, 2020 8:40 pm

Hit all those nuts that hold the hot water coil in place every day for a week with some good penetrating oil. Find a piece of pipe that fits larger than the threads and solidly on the bolt face. Each day you oil it, give each nut a love tap on the pipe with a hammer. Don't wail on it, just a decent smack. When you've done that for a week, go around with a box wrench and give them a little snuggling. Don't get carried away, just a little. If you wire brush everything you will notice if it continues to leak. If so, give it another snugging. Boilers breath and this works any waterside gasket. They need to be snugged up at least once a year.

 
User avatar
Shawn3318
Member
Posts: 28
Joined: Thu. Sep. 12, 2019 6:08 pm
Stoker Coal Boiler: 350
Coal Size/Type: Rice

Post by Shawn3318 » Thu. Jan. 23, 2020 5:46 am

@coaledsweat thank you will do.


 
User avatar
coaledsweat
Site Moderator
Posts: 13763
Joined: Fri. Oct. 27, 2006 2:05 pm
Location: Guilford, Connecticut
Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson 260M
Coal Size/Type: Pea

Post by coaledsweat » Thu. Jan. 23, 2020 7:17 am

If it continues to leak you're going to have an adventure changing that gasket.

 
User avatar
McGiever
Member
Posts: 10130
Joined: Sun. May. 02, 2010 11:26 pm
Location: Junction of PA-OH-WV
Stoker Coal Boiler: AXEMAN-ANDERSON 130 "1959"
Hand Fed Coal Boiler: BUCKET A DAY water heater
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Warm Morning 414A
Coal Size/Type: PEA,NUT,STOVE /ANTHRACITE
Other Heating: Ground Source Heat Pump and some Solar

Post by McGiever » Thu. Jan. 23, 2020 9:27 pm

Shawn3318 wrote:
Mon. Jan. 20, 2020 5:31 pm
@ McGiever thank you. What do I clean it with. I was thinking of getting a can of carbonator cleaner ,or should I use just air like from the air compressor. Again thanks
Seems I missed this for a time now...aerosol contact cleaner CRC makes one....as in electrical contacts

 
User avatar
Shawn3318
Member
Posts: 28
Joined: Thu. Sep. 12, 2019 6:08 pm
Stoker Coal Boiler: 350
Coal Size/Type: Rice

Post by Shawn3318 » Thu. Jan. 23, 2020 10:47 pm

@ McGiever....thank you very much will get a can of it maybe an extra one to have on hand.

Post Reply

Return to “Stoker Coal Boilers Using Anthracite (Hydronic & Steam)”