Guidance for a novice

 
cuttingback
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Hand Fed Coal Boiler: Heatmaster C 375

Post by cuttingback » Wed. Oct. 19, 2022 6:19 pm

I recently had a Heatmaster C375 installed at my home in WV. I've run wood in the unit for the first month while I finished my coal bin with no issues. I simply loaded it really well and got a 12 he burn. Upon finishing my bin on Saturday, I have started using coal and had the fire go out several times over night. When it does this, not all the coal is burnt up. I'm using bituminous coal (run of the mine and nugget mix) which has more fine than large nuggets. I've tried layering the wood across the grates and then adding the coal after the fire has created a good coal bed. I've had the temperature set at 170 with a differential setting of 2-4 degrees. Things look great a 10pm when I load for the night but by 5am there is few nuggets still glowing but the water temp has dropped to 75-100 degrees. With a wife and 3 girls at home, I hear about it when they end up taking a cold morning shower, lol. My work has me gone from 6am -6pm. Today I left at 6am and returned early around 4pm to find the pic below and the water temp at 115. Any advice would be appreciated. Definitely need to figure out how to regulate the temp since I plan to heat a greenhouse along with my house & water. Thanks

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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Wed. Oct. 19, 2022 6:28 pm

When you load it for a 12 hour burn, how many pounds are you putting in?

 
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Post by waytomany?s » Wed. Oct. 19, 2022 6:33 pm

Lightning wrote:
Wed. Oct. 19, 2022 6:28 pm
When you load it for a 12 hour burn, how many pounds are you putting in?
By the look of it, no where near enough.

 
cuttingback
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Hand Fed Coal Boiler: Heatmaster C 375

Post by cuttingback » Wed. Oct. 19, 2022 7:09 pm

I put about 5-7 shovels full of coal on top of the wood. So, I’m guessing about 25-30 pounds?

 
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Post by waytomany?s » Wed. Oct. 19, 2022 8:39 pm

cuttingback wrote:
Wed. Oct. 19, 2022 7:09 pm
I put about 5-7 shovels full of coal on top of the wood. So, I’m guessing about 25-30 pounds?
Well, tripling that would be a good start.

 
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Post by waytomany?s » Wed. Oct. 19, 2022 8:41 pm

Hey Lightning, should this topic be moved to a bit section?

 
cuttingback
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Hand Fed Coal Boiler: Heatmaster C 375

Post by cuttingback » Wed. Oct. 19, 2022 9:29 pm

I’ll try tripling the coal amount. Any advice on the water temp and differential setting? Say 180 and 5 ?


 
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Post by waytomany?s » Wed. Oct. 19, 2022 9:35 pm

I thought 20 degree differential was common, but I don't know that's a given.

 
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Post by waytomany?s » Wed. Oct. 19, 2022 9:39 pm

Let's err on the side of caution and go by an amount you can see a difference. I know bit is different, but if you were using anthracite, the entire grate would need to be covered and at least 6 " thick. If you were doing 30 pounds, go 50 and see if you get longer burn or just hotter.

 
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Post by cuttingback » Wed. Oct. 19, 2022 10:11 pm

I went ahead and covered the grate a little bit ago and set the differential to 5 for the night. Will see how it does overnight. Temp was 180. Thanks for the help

 
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Post by cuttingback » Thu. Oct. 20, 2022 4:31 am

So, I went out this morning and the water temp was at 105. Lots of coal still remained but the fan stopped working. Did covering the grates completely do something to cause it to stop? It’s only 2 months old so I’m sure if the fan motor went bad it’s under warranty. Just a little frustrating.

 
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Post by waytomany?s » Thu. Oct. 20, 2022 6:44 am

Only 6 hours and it's.out and temp is down that much? When you changed temp set difference, did you shut it off somehow?

 
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Hand Fed Coal Boiler: Heatmaster C 375

Post by cuttingback » Thu. Oct. 20, 2022 7:05 am

I did not. All switches were on and nothing tripped. I turned the main power off and back on hoping the fan would kick back on but no luck. I could hear the pump running by that’s about it. Thank the Lord for a warranty.😊 service call going in this am

 
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Hand Fed Coal Boiler: Heatmaster C 375

Post by cuttingback » Fri. Oct. 21, 2022 4:43 am

Good morning! Figured out the fan issue and was back up and running this evening. Burning at 180 with a 10 degree diff.went out at 4:30 and it was 110 and little fire but plenty of coal still. I believe my air damper is set to 60%.

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Post by waytomany?s » Fri. Oct. 21, 2022 8:13 pm

You need a bit burner to give you more advice. Add more coal next time. You may get it learned yet! Keep at it.


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