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1
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: GEO Thermal vs. Wood Boiler
« on: February 20, 2016, 11:22:34 PM »
Every time I visit a house during the winter that has Geo thermo; they have a ton of space heaters, and it still feels like a wine cellar. Not freezing, but you defiantly can use a turtle neck and long pants and a sweater. I love my boiler. Yes, it's more work, and have to buy some coal; but it's 75F inside and my wife is not running around in sweaters and long pants 
Last month it was -15F windchill and she had to open the windows upstairs for a min - too hot
Last month it was -15F windchill and she had to open the windows upstairs for a min - too hot
2
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Burning coal in outdoor boiler
« on: February 19, 2016, 08:20:57 PM »
to me bit coal burns more like wood. Anth burns with a blue flame, red hot. Very very very hight heat; very little to no smoke. If I don't put logs in the boiler, you cannot tell that it's even on with a bed of anth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdTUqISi_W0
http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-anthracite-coal-and-vs-bituminous-coal/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdTUqISi_W0
http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-anthracite-coal-and-vs-bituminous-coal/
3
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Burning coal in outdoor boiler
« on: February 19, 2016, 08:17:10 PM »
I always burn Blaschak anthracite. You have to get it from a dealer.
They come bagged and dumped. I get the dumped nut size. I don't pay $300 per ton. I trade, and get it much cheaper. However, anthrocite is very expensive because it's very clean and very high btu. I used to use bit coal for years. Anth is about 4:1 the BTU and very little clean up. Bit coal has a lot of clinkers and impurities, and a lot of cleaning to do weekly.
Depending on what you are looking for; my set up works for me, because I can longer cut 20-30 cords a year, dry and season, and stack all that wood. Not to mention the chainsaw, the time, truck etc. I love to cut wood, but not that much anymore. Physically it's too much now. So, I spend $600 on coal a year, and cut 3 cords, but that ensures hassle free heat 6 months. If I don't have time to cut more, I just burn coal, no worries. Plus I am out of town sometimes, and with my coal set up, I can leave for 48-55 hrs, no problems. I do have an oversized coal boiler for our house. You really only want to burn coal in a coal fireplace or boiler. Otherwise, it's just not going to work very well. Wood burns with air going around it, to the top of it, etc. For coal to burn, air has to go through the coal bed, or you get an incomplete burn and you'll be throwing out a lot of your coal. So, unless you have a boiler made for coal, I would not waste my time. Also, I don't like to burn bit coal. It has too much Sulfur and smells really bed. Anth has a sweet smell. Adding logs to it, it really smells pretty good.
They come bagged and dumped. I get the dumped nut size. I don't pay $300 per ton. I trade, and get it much cheaper. However, anthrocite is very expensive because it's very clean and very high btu. I used to use bit coal for years. Anth is about 4:1 the BTU and very little clean up. Bit coal has a lot of clinkers and impurities, and a lot of cleaning to do weekly.
Depending on what you are looking for; my set up works for me, because I can longer cut 20-30 cords a year, dry and season, and stack all that wood. Not to mention the chainsaw, the time, truck etc. I love to cut wood, but not that much anymore. Physically it's too much now. So, I spend $600 on coal a year, and cut 3 cords, but that ensures hassle free heat 6 months. If I don't have time to cut more, I just burn coal, no worries. Plus I am out of town sometimes, and with my coal set up, I can leave for 48-55 hrs, no problems. I do have an oversized coal boiler for our house. You really only want to burn coal in a coal fireplace or boiler. Otherwise, it's just not going to work very well. Wood burns with air going around it, to the top of it, etc. For coal to burn, air has to go through the coal bed, or you get an incomplete burn and you'll be throwing out a lot of your coal. So, unless you have a boiler made for coal, I would not waste my time. Also, I don't like to burn bit coal. It has too much Sulfur and smells really bed. Anth has a sweet smell. Adding logs to it, it really smells pretty good.
I have a NCB-250 COAL unit. I posted before about as well. Same as art; I load mine 1x every 1-2 days. Two logs on the side and a small in the middle. Than thick layer of coal evenly spread out. You have to shake it every 12-24 hrs, but don't shake it too much. Also, set the diff to as tight as possible; 5 is the best. Mine set at 175F 5dif. Coal will over shoot and you get 182F and lower 170F with those settings.
I never turn the fan off. I don't think I've ever done it. I just empty the ash pan 2-3x per week.
I usually use 3 cords of wood and 4-5 Ton coal on a extremely cold winter for 4500sqft.
This year, it's more like 1.5 cord and 2 ton at most. We do keep the house at 74+FHey, Thanks guys.Art you were the guy I remember posting burning coal in your outdoor unit. Ill pass it on. Thanks.
What type of coal are you burning? Do you have any specs or test info from it? The only coal I have been able to get so far is bituminous canal coal. Tractor supply does sell anthracite but I don't want to pay $300 per ton.
4
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Burning coal in outdoor boiler
« on: February 18, 2016, 01:20:03 PM »
I have a NCB-250 COAL unit. I posted before about as well. Same as art; I load mine 1x every 1-2 days. Two logs on the side and a small in the middle. Than thick layer of coal evenly spread out. You have to shake it every 12-24 hrs, but don't shake it too much. Also, set the diff to as tight as possible; 5 is the best. Mine set at 175F 5dif. Coal will over shoot and you get 182F and lower 170F with those settings.
I never turn the fan off. I don't think I've ever done it. I just empty the ash pan 2-3x per week.
I usually use 3 cords of wood and 4-5 Ton coal on a extremely cold winter for 4500sqft.
This year, it's more like 1.5 cord and 2 ton at most. We do keep the house at 74+F
I never turn the fan off. I don't think I've ever done it. I just empty the ash pan 2-3x per week.
I usually use 3 cords of wood and 4-5 Ton coal on a extremely cold winter for 4500sqft.
This year, it's more like 1.5 cord and 2 ton at most. We do keep the house at 74+F
Hey, Thanks guys.Art you were the guy I remember posting burning coal in your outdoor unit. Ill pass it on. Thanks.
5
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: OWB for domestic hot water question
« on: February 15, 2016, 01:36:13 PM »
I totally agree. I got one, I can post the brand name if someone needs it. It was $120 I think. Works great; makes the water 140F and it auto adjusts. I had a buddy who's water was 180 and he bumped the shower's cold water switch off, and he got pretty burnt in a few seconds. I think shark bite makes one too for 120F or 160F. Mine you can actually adjust 120-145.
Hi guys
Don't forget to use a tempering valve. 140 -150'F is hot enough. You might be used to regulating 180deg water manually at the faucet. But if company comes over it could turn real bad in a hurry. They are easy to install and are cheap.
Best regards.
6
Heatmor / Re: Coal modifications
« on: February 14, 2016, 10:38:07 PM »
bituminous coal burns more like wood, but has more clinkers and smoke. Cheaper.
Anthrocite is very clean, few clinkers, high btu, but more expensive.
I use less then 1/2 of anth than what I used to use from bituminous coal. I don't know what I pay for anth, because I trade help. I use 2.75-5T per season depending of the winter. This winter, I only used 1.5T and 2 cords for a 4000sqft house. I'll probably finish at less than 3T and 3 cords of wood.
Some areas anth can be very expensive; $200-$300 per Ton! I can't split and cut so much wood anymore, so coal works for me. They bring it and they dump it. Than it can sit there for 30 years in rain and snow if need to, there will be no change. It helps if you cover it up with a tarp so it doesn't freeze in clumps. I just have a lean to like shed for it.
I hope this helps.
Anthrocite is very clean, few clinkers, high btu, but more expensive.
I use less then 1/2 of anth than what I used to use from bituminous coal. I don't know what I pay for anth, because I trade help. I use 2.75-5T per season depending of the winter. This winter, I only used 1.5T and 2 cords for a 4000sqft house. I'll probably finish at less than 3T and 3 cords of wood.
Some areas anth can be very expensive; $200-$300 per Ton! I can't split and cut so much wood anymore, so coal works for me. They bring it and they dump it. Than it can sit there for 30 years in rain and snow if need to, there will be no change. It helps if you cover it up with a tarp so it doesn't freeze in clumps. I just have a lean to like shed for it.
I hope this helps.
7
Heatmor / Re: Coal modifications
« on: February 13, 2016, 11:01:57 PM »
too bad; to be honest, it's really not that easy to get in a groove burning coal even with a fireplace that it was designed to do it so. It took me almost 2 years to really get it down with NCB250 coal, and always had coal stoves. You should only have to shake the grates no more than 1-2 times a day or two. And the coals should now go out for days. I left town for 3 days, and when I came back I still had hot coals that ignited the new logs in minutes. Nice try, to bad.
8
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: adding a tall chimney
« on: February 08, 2016, 10:47:33 AM »
Very true. I tried to explain that to my wife
Actually my boiler doesn't smoke that bad; but we are in the thick woods with very tall trees, and the smoke gets trapped between the trees and the house. As long as I get up to 20 feet with the stacks, no smoke at all. It all clears the house.
I originally had 5x 4 ft stacks, but I managed to make it fall over when I was tying it down, and one section got all busted up. So, now I have 4x 4 ft pieces. Apparently, I didn't need the 5th
Actually my boiler doesn't smoke that bad; but we are in the thick woods with very tall trees, and the smoke gets trapped between the trees and the house. As long as I get up to 20 feet with the stacks, no smoke at all. It all clears the house.
I originally had 5x 4 ft stacks, but I managed to make it fall over when I was tying it down, and one section got all busted up. So, now I have 4x 4 ft pieces. Apparently, I didn't need the 5th
I found that if you don'nt over load your stove it dose'nt smoke that much! it gets burning cleaner faster
9
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: adding a tall chimney
« on: February 08, 2016, 09:31:25 AM »
this was three years ago. Stack still standing.
10
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / adding a tall chimney
« on: February 07, 2016, 08:25:44 PM »
I had to add a tall chimney to my boiler for the smoke to clear our house (or my wife was going to kill me and put me in the boiler, or make a BBQ); boiler about 100 ft away but in the woods.
I saw a picture that someone on this forum added 4x 4ft double wall pieces. Well, in 2013 I did the same. Added 4x 4ft double wall stacks, with guy wire anchors into the concrete pad.
I just wanted to update all of you, because some pople were concerned that the boiler may over heat from the extra draft.
So, I change my seal every year, and I had zero problems. I mean my boiler works perfect. I put a clean out T at the bottom of the chimney, but I don't even need to sweep it more than 1x a year if even. I burn 60% coal, 40% wood, may be that helps.
Anyway, thanks for everyone's help and input.
No smoke, happy wife...
Actually, the extra draft is nice when I open the door. All the smoke just disappears.
I saw a picture that someone on this forum added 4x 4ft double wall pieces. Well, in 2013 I did the same. Added 4x 4ft double wall stacks, with guy wire anchors into the concrete pad.
I just wanted to update all of you, because some pople were concerned that the boiler may over heat from the extra draft.
So, I change my seal every year, and I had zero problems. I mean my boiler works perfect. I put a clean out T at the bottom of the chimney, but I don't even need to sweep it more than 1x a year if even. I burn 60% coal, 40% wood, may be that helps.
Anyway, thanks for everyone's help and input.
No smoke, happy wife...
Actually, the extra draft is nice when I open the door. All the smoke just disappears.
11
Heatmor / Re: Coal modifications
« on: February 03, 2016, 09:35:11 AM »
Looks good. I've been heating with coal; anthrocite since the 1970s, and I have a NCB250 coal now. The issues you have to watch is that you have to shake the coals 1-2x a day just gently, so you need an arm or something to more the grades. Coal burns bottom up, not top down, so the ash you need to shake off is on the bottom. Second, somehow you have to remove the coal ash from under the grades because is the ash builds up, it will act like an insulation and actually melt and warp your grades.
Also, if you remake this box, I'd make it wider and put firebricks on the side. This box will be melted down, and all warped in a few weeks with the coal.
Good luck.
I love my coal NCB250. Load it 1x every 2-3 days. Saves my back from using a ton of wood. I am down to 3 cords a winter and 4 ton of coal.
Also, if you remake this box, I'd make it wider and put firebricks on the side. This box will be melted down, and all warped in a few weeks with the coal.
Good luck.
I love my coal NCB250. Load it 1x every 2-3 days. Saves my back from using a ton of wood. I am down to 3 cords a winter and 4 ton of coal.
12
Natures Comfort / Re: Nature's Comfort maintenance reminder
« on: January 27, 2016, 11:43:25 AM »
thank you so much
13
Natures Comfort / Re: Nature's Comfort maintenance reminder
« on: January 20, 2016, 06:43:48 AM »
thank you. Do you have his contacts; I tried to google him but nothing came up. Thanks a lot.
Leroy Stull is a dealer and rep in Ohio he is in the Jewett area
14
Natures Comfort / Re: Nature's Comfort maintenance reminder
« on: January 19, 2016, 11:46:24 PM »
I have a 250coal, and it has been awesome. Never let me down. I love it. 175/5diff, it keeps the 4500sqft house at 74 all the time. So far no issues with leaks and I sure hope that won't happen. It's my 5th season. I do have a 20foot chimney on it, and it has been working great. The idea came from this forum for the chimney, to get the smoke above the house 150 ft away. Several people taught that the tall chimney will be a problem with draft, but I had it 5 years now and no issues. I do keep an eye on, and change all the seals every year.
I hope it will keep running for many years. I am not super impressed with NCB support thou. I never needed repair, but when I called NCB to get a hold of a rep just to know one in case, I have never had one call me back; I called 3 they recomended. So, when I have issues I think I'll be on my own. So I bought some spare parts. Do you guys know anyone in the Ohio area who works on the NCBs?
later.
I hope it will keep running for many years. I am not super impressed with NCB support thou. I never needed repair, but when I called NCB to get a hold of a rep just to know one in case, I have never had one call me back; I called 3 they recomended. So, when I have issues I think I'll be on my own. So I bought some spare parts. Do you guys know anyone in the Ohio area who works on the NCBs?
later.
15
Plumbing / Re: Vertical Y Type Strainer filter
« on: October 22, 2015, 08:34:42 AM »
Thanks guys.
I got a 1" y-strainer on ebay that was already assembled with the shark bite push connectors.
like this one http://www.freeheat4u.com/search.asp?keyword=y+strainer&search=
thanks
I got a 1" y-strainer on ebay that was already assembled with the shark bite push connectors.
like this one http://www.freeheat4u.com/search.asp?keyword=y+strainer&search=
thanks
If you want an actual filter instead of a strainer, I don't think there are many options out there. Rusco makes one. The version that is rated for enough temp is the black spin down. There is another brand that is similar but I can't remember the name right now. I think both only come in 3/4" or 1-1/4".
I would go with the 1-1/4" or else clean it fairly often.
It probably doesn't make a huge difference where you put it in the system. I would put a bypass around it and valves so you can clean it without having to shut anything down.