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Stoker during power outage???

Posted: Tue. Apr. 24, 2018 1:22 am
by Smitty275
So you've got a stoker and have prolonged power outage. Since they don't have a deep bed of coals that'll last a while how do you fire it? The pusher kind that just slides the coal across a plate I guess you just add coal to the plate. But what if it's an auger that feeds a bowl type? Do some of the auger type feed on top of a pile?
Trying to learn so I can make a wise choice in what I buy this summer.

Re: Stoker during power outage???

Posted: Tue. Apr. 24, 2018 5:21 am
by hotblast1357
Eshland 260, now the AHS company, goes days without any power, if I want to hand fire it, I could manually move the ash great, (which controls the fire) and open up the ash door to rev the fire up while holding the sight door shut.

Re: Stoker during power outage???

Posted: Tue. Apr. 24, 2018 5:41 am
by Lightning
Smitty275 wrote:
Tue. Apr. 24, 2018 1:22 am
So you've got a stoker and have prolonged power outage.
In my opinion, your best option would be to have a small 1500-2000 watt generator for it. If you want to power more stuff get a bigger one, but remember the bigger they are, the more gas they guzzle.

Re: Stoker during power outage???

Posted: Tue. Apr. 24, 2018 6:03 am
by nepacoal
I use an AIMS 1000W inverter charger system with enough battery reserve to run a few hours. Past that, I have a small inverter generator (pure sine wave) to hook up and run critical circuits. I've never needed the generator but have it in case of future extended outages.

Re: Stoker during power outage???

Posted: Tue. Apr. 24, 2018 6:25 am
by hotblast1357
Yes this is all true, I have a 25,000 watt PTO generator, I don’t worry about power outages.

Re: Stoker during power outage???

Posted: Tue. Apr. 24, 2018 9:02 am
by titleist1
Feeding coal is half the equation. Electric will also be needed for a combustion fan and it will be needed for circulator pumps or distribution fans.

Re: Stoker during power outage???

Posted: Tue. Apr. 24, 2018 9:51 am
by McGiever
This would be in remote building and be a Bituminous Stoker, correct?

Re: Stoker during power outage???

Posted: Tue. Apr. 24, 2018 6:56 pm
by Smitty275
Yes, it's going to be in an out building.

I'm trying to get all the questions, possibilities, what ifs, out there so I can develop a plan of attack and not just wing it as I go.

Re: Stoker during power outage???

Posted: Tue. Apr. 24, 2018 7:50 pm
by 2001Sierra
Keystoker will last maybe 20 minutes w/o power :cry:

Re: Stoker during power outage???

Posted: Tue. Apr. 24, 2018 10:20 pm
by McGiever
Smitty275 wrote:
Tue. Apr. 24, 2018 6:56 pm
Yes, it's going to be in an out building.

I'm trying to get all the questions, possibilities, what ifs, out there so I can develop a plan of attack and not just wing it as I go.
With a longer term winter power outage and without a back up generator your remote boiler install would be just one step away from everything full of water to start to freeze. You wouldn't want the fire to go out at that time without anti freeze installed or at least the ability of draining down system to prevent bursting pipes etc.

A quality generator and a ample amount of quality fuel can get you through a situation like this. Bad generator...too little and/or bad fuel...not so well. :cry:
Smitty275 wrote:
Tue. Apr. 24, 2018 1:22 am
what if it's an auger that feeds a bowl type? Do some of the auger type feed on top of a pile?
The Axeman Anderson and CoalGuns are the only stokers that feed coal to the top of the pile/fire.

No, you cannot maintain a under fed stoker by adding coal to the top pile...they are designed to burn from the bottom upward while air supplied from below while newly introduced raw coal pushing upward burning along the way until the remaining spent ash is forced over the top outer ring sides to fall away.

Re: Stoker during power outage???

Posted: Tue. Apr. 24, 2018 10:53 pm
by Smitty275
I do have a back up generator. I need to get it set up so it's easy for my wife to use. That's an whole nother topic in it's self.

Re: Stoker during power outage???

Posted: Wed. Apr. 25, 2018 8:32 am
by titleist1
Smitty275 wrote:
Tue. Apr. 24, 2018 10:53 pm
I do have a back up generator. I need to get it set up so it's easy for my wife to use. That's an whole nother topic in it's self.
I hope you have better luck than I had with that goal. :roll:

Re: Stoker during power outage???

Posted: Wed. Apr. 25, 2018 6:46 pm
by Smitty275
I already know it's a "nonstarter" topic. Just having to throw a disconnect in the house and flip a switch in the garage and then hit the starter button is more than overwhelming for some.

Re: Stoker during power outage???

Posted: Sun. Apr. 29, 2018 7:51 pm
by k-2
My K-2 goes out after 10 minutes without power .

Re: Stoker during power outage???

Posted: Mon. Apr. 30, 2018 3:10 pm
by coalnewbie
AA 180, Pocono and Keystoker is about the same. DVC, 10 microseconds it would seem.