Hello all. Brand new to this forum, or any forum for that matter. But, I just wanted to relate my recent experiences regarding my Optimizer 250 so others may learn.
Firstly, I am very experienced with a gasification boiler, having used an Alternate Heating Systems boiler for 7 seasons. With that boiler, the ash blew out into a cyclone separator, so it was never necessary to remove ash from the fire box. Thus, it seemed reasonable when I was told that it was rare to take ashes out of the 250 fire box. I suppose my expectation was that they would be removed from the lower refractory chamber. Also, I was told that it was necessary to maintain a good bed of coals. Additionally, the furnace came with a rake, so it would seem reasonable, that the rake would be used to pull the coals to the top, and let the ashes settle to the bottom.
The problem with all of this, is it doesn't work.
After weeks of frustration, experimenting with more air, less air, different adjustments to the primary and secondary air, and concluding that air adjustments make very little difference at all, I finally got in touch with Brian from the factory, who did a really, really good job of calming me down and reassuring me that we could make it work.
He referred me to Jim, and within a few minutes, told me that all of the above was wrong. He said, to simply take a flat bottom shovel, shovel right to the bottom, ashes are on the shovel, coals on top. Tip the shovel, and allow coals to fall back into fire box, then discard ashes from shovel. Simple as that. He said 2 or 3 inches of coals are all that are required. I would venture to say 1 to 2 inches is fine.
It's like a different machine. Works much much better. Gasified immediately. Even at very low water temperatures. He told me other things, like how to load the wood, and that has been mentioned elsewhere, but I don't think it's as important as the ash removal.
So, I am a bit annoyed. Wouldn't it be better educate dealers and customers on how to operate these furnaces? And wouldn't it be better to supply a flat bottomed shovel rather than a rake?
In conclusion, I am generally satisfied with the boiler. I am a little nervous, about the mild steel rather than the stainless, like my previous boiler. But I have been assured that as long as my water chemistry is correct, all will be well. Unfortunately I have no idea what that is. I sent a sample with my dealer months ago and have heard nothing.
And finally, is this the best boiler ever? I'm not sure, but it is no longer the worst.
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Topic: What to do when our optimizer 250 won't gasify? (Read 6079 times)