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1
General Discussion / Re: Anyone burning coal?
« on: January 11, 2013, 06:41:42 AM »
Insulation in my house is somewhat decent, the problem is I have 12 ft ceilings through more than half of the house and the knucklehead that designed the place put a furnace in the attic for the back half instead of the basement. They ran the ducts through the ceilings instead of the floor and it's tough to push the heat down to the floor level even with the 72" commercial ceiling fans I have installed.
It's poor design, but nothing I can do anything about for a while. I shouldn't complain too much I suppose. A truck of wood lasts 2 years and costs $1700. Before I had the OWB I was paying $950 a month to heat the house. So it didn't take long to recoup the investment money.
Soft coal is so much easier to keep lit, however I do have to say that there is some satisfaction to tossing a bag of hard coal in and calling it good for a burn cycle. I just got a truck of wood delivered Tuesday so probably won't work too much on the coal the rest of this season. The neighbor hates it when I burn coal anyway, but I always have some around just in case they upset me
It's poor design, but nothing I can do anything about for a while. I shouldn't complain too much I suppose. A truck of wood lasts 2 years and costs $1700. Before I had the OWB I was paying $950 a month to heat the house. So it didn't take long to recoup the investment money.
Soft coal is so much easier to keep lit, however I do have to say that there is some satisfaction to tossing a bag of hard coal in and calling it good for a burn cycle. I just got a truck of wood delivered Tuesday so probably won't work too much on the coal the rest of this season. The neighbor hates it when I burn coal anyway, but I always have some around just in case they upset me
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General Discussion / Re: Anyone burning coal?
« on: January 05, 2013, 11:15:34 AM »
I fill Morning, Dinner and Bedtime. I rarely get much more burn time then those three fills. So on average, I am running on about 8 hours burn time. Sure I could probably get close to 12, but only on warm days above 30 degrees and only if I packed every last possible space full of wood.
Bit Coal works better than Anthracite as the Anthracite is hard to keep burning.
I have 2600-2800 square feet with 2 furnaces. Problem is I am in a ranch so there is no upstairs that benefits from heat rise.
I set my boiler at 180 with a 10 degree swing when I am burning coal. Any longer the coal just goes out. On warmer days I drop down to about a 4 or 6 degree swing.
You'd think after 5 years with the thing that I would have this down and all tweaked out, but it seems it's constant testing.
Bit Coal works better than Anthracite as the Anthracite is hard to keep burning.
I have 2600-2800 square feet with 2 furnaces. Problem is I am in a ranch so there is no upstairs that benefits from heat rise.
I set my boiler at 180 with a 10 degree swing when I am burning coal. Any longer the coal just goes out. On warmer days I drop down to about a 4 or 6 degree swing.
You'd think after 5 years with the thing that I would have this down and all tweaked out, but it seems it's constant testing.
3
General Discussion / Re: Anyone burning coal?
« on: January 03, 2013, 05:36:34 AM »
To pull that kind of burn time, what did you have the temperature differential set to?
I would load mine like that everyday if I could get even a 14 hour burn out of it.....
I would load mine like that everyday if I could get even a 14 hour burn out of it.....
4
General Discussion / Re: Anyone burning coal?
« on: December 28, 2012, 10:05:05 AM »
I still burn it when I can find it. Being in Michigan it's tough to come across a good source. I have burned Anthracite in the past with no luck at all. Bit burns great and would love to get to Oxford to get a load if I had something more than a pickup to haul it in to make it worth the long long drive I would have to endure to get it.
5
HeatMaster / Re: Temp. On the OWB
« on: September 19, 2012, 10:38:26 AM »
Another great tip! That's something I will get on immediately. Until I started reading this forum again a few days ago, I didn't even realize the importance of the return temp. Will work on getting that installed this weekend and since I have had the parts for 2 years, maybe I will cut in the hot tub at that same time.
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HeatMaster / Re: Temp. On the OWB
« on: September 19, 2012, 06:09:17 AM »
That makes sense. I will check it when I fire it up in a couple of weeks. I don't think there is that much heat loss in the return line, however, I honestly have never checked it.
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HeatMaster / Re: Temp. On the OWB
« on: September 18, 2012, 05:21:26 PM »
Insulation is fair. It's a 1970's home, remodeled a couple of times. I don't have any drafts that I have found in all the years I have been here.
Both furnaces are on the same loop. It heats the house very well, no complaints there. Just really surprised how much wood I pump through it. Unfortunately, I am a considerable amount North from you so it's like comparing apples to oranges. Or temps are regularly 20 degree's or lower here in the winter. The burner essentially has zero protection from the elements. I only have the stubby chimney no added pipe.
Both furnaces are on the same loop. It heats the house very well, no complaints there. Just really surprised how much wood I pump through it. Unfortunately, I am a considerable amount North from you so it's like comparing apples to oranges. Or temps are regularly 20 degree's or lower here in the winter. The burner essentially has zero protection from the elements. I only have the stubby chimney no added pipe.
8
HeatMaster / Re: Temp. On the OWB
« on: September 18, 2012, 09:50:33 AM »
Twenty pulp cord, tandem trailer semi load. I know it's not a full 20 cord, but it's common here in Michigan. 8' logs mostly red oak. They can haul up to 80,000lbs here in Michigan.....
I don't buy fresh cut, I buy 1 year seasoned, although they are still pretty green not being cut or split until I get them.
I don't buy fresh cut, I buy 1 year seasoned, although they are still pretty green not being cut or split until I get them.
9
HeatMaster / Re: Temp. On the OWB
« on: September 18, 2012, 09:24:19 AM »
Scott,
Yes it's always been that way. Unit is bone stock as it was installed. Haven't removed any insulation or anything.
I get the wood trucked in 20 pulp cord at a time, (semi load) and it lasts about a season and a half at best. Coal is much cheaper, but it's harder to get up here and I don't have the means to haul large quantities. Can only haul about 1 ton at a time. Don't have room to get a 24 ton load delivered, but I sure would love it!
I also haven't cleaned the stove other than the inside at the end of the season and obviously the ash pan. I figured something could be tweaked with the water temps a little and maybe that would help, which is why I posted in here. Almost everybody I have spoken with thinks that 180 with a 20 degree swing is excessive. I may drop down to 170 this season and give that a shot. I probably have about 7-9 cord on the ground and I am hoping to supplement with coal to make it last this winter.
Yes it's always been that way. Unit is bone stock as it was installed. Haven't removed any insulation or anything.
I get the wood trucked in 20 pulp cord at a time, (semi load) and it lasts about a season and a half at best. Coal is much cheaper, but it's harder to get up here and I don't have the means to haul large quantities. Can only haul about 1 ton at a time. Don't have room to get a 24 ton load delivered, but I sure would love it!
I also haven't cleaned the stove other than the inside at the end of the season and obviously the ash pan. I figured something could be tweaked with the water temps a little and maybe that would help, which is why I posted in here. Almost everybody I have spoken with thinks that 180 with a 20 degree swing is excessive. I may drop down to 170 this season and give that a shot. I probably have about 7-9 cord on the ground and I am hoping to supplement with coal to make it last this winter.
10
HeatMaster / Re: Temp. On the OWB
« on: September 18, 2012, 05:42:31 AM »
I am heating a 2800 sq ft ranch on a basement. There are 2 furnaces installed both with coils installed in their plenums for the heat. I also have a plate exchanger for my domestic hot water.
OWB is 65' from the house. Thermopex is trenched 4' deep to the house and enters through the basement wall, to the hot water heater and on to furnace one then to furnace two before returning.
Total loop is approximately 250' with 130' of that being in the ground. Only using one outlet on the stove with one pump.
I usually fill the thing 3 times a day during the winter. Morning before work, Evening as soon as I return from work and Bedtime just as a follow up to be sure there is adequate fuel in there as nobody likes the 3am nostril icicles.
I have read here and other places that people have their top temp set lower than mine. After reading around, I just questioned if the 180 and 20 degree swing was too much. Since I intend to burn primarily bituminous coal this season, I know there are a few changes that I need to make, just trying to figure them out in advance.
The whole draft fan setting in the rear is what I think confuses me most. When I am burning coal, wouldn't I want that wide open so as to stoke the coal with more air flow? And from what I have seen wouldn't I also absolutely want to change the swing from 20 degrees to far less like closer to 8 degrees so the coal has less of a chance of going out?
I appreciate the help and tips.
-Jeff
OWB is 65' from the house. Thermopex is trenched 4' deep to the house and enters through the basement wall, to the hot water heater and on to furnace one then to furnace two before returning.
Total loop is approximately 250' with 130' of that being in the ground. Only using one outlet on the stove with one pump.
I usually fill the thing 3 times a day during the winter. Morning before work, Evening as soon as I return from work and Bedtime just as a follow up to be sure there is adequate fuel in there as nobody likes the 3am nostril icicles.
I have read here and other places that people have their top temp set lower than mine. After reading around, I just questioned if the 180 and 20 degree swing was too much. Since I intend to burn primarily bituminous coal this season, I know there are a few changes that I need to make, just trying to figure them out in advance.
The whole draft fan setting in the rear is what I think confuses me most. When I am burning coal, wouldn't I want that wide open so as to stoke the coal with more air flow? And from what I have seen wouldn't I also absolutely want to change the swing from 20 degrees to far less like closer to 8 degrees so the coal has less of a chance of going out?
I appreciate the help and tips.
-Jeff
11
HeatMaster / Re: Temp. On the OWB
« on: September 17, 2012, 01:36:12 PM »
Sorry to reactivate this old thread, but have some burning questions.
Have the Heatmaster MF5000SS
Love the thing, but have definitely got to tweak it some as I am ripping up about 18-20cord of wood a year and I only heat from October - March on average.
I live in Mid Michigan. Winters can be harsh, but not in my opinion what I call horrible. I have played with coal, both bituminous and anthracite and learned that anthracite is definitely out.
When the unit was installed, I believe 5 winters ago now, the dealer set it at 180max temp with a 20 degree swing. I have never lowered the max temp but I have lowered the swing a few times and always end up setting it back to 20. I think partially because I am just not familiar enough with the unit to fine tune it and if the dealer said do it, I listened.
Well, after reading here, I believe I should lower the max temp some and my swing. Seems like I will use less wood. What I haven't been able to find information on is what to have to draft/blower set to in the back of the unit? I believe it's set at 1/4 or might even be at 1/2. I haven't looked at it in a while but it's getting to be about that time to fire her up again and I would like to try to be as efficient at possible this winter. What is the setting for on the fan duct and are there advantages to having it at one setting for wood where another setting would be better for coal? I primarily burn red and white oak seasoned and this year will probably burn 50% wood and 50% coal.
Any help of suggestions would be appreciated. Just trying to get more bang for the buck. Incidentally we calculated that even with buy the wood by the semi load, the unit paid for itself in 3.5 years. I don't run it all summer because my gas bill is minimal for hot water usage in the summer.
Have the Heatmaster MF5000SS
Love the thing, but have definitely got to tweak it some as I am ripping up about 18-20cord of wood a year and I only heat from October - March on average.
I live in Mid Michigan. Winters can be harsh, but not in my opinion what I call horrible. I have played with coal, both bituminous and anthracite and learned that anthracite is definitely out.
When the unit was installed, I believe 5 winters ago now, the dealer set it at 180max temp with a 20 degree swing. I have never lowered the max temp but I have lowered the swing a few times and always end up setting it back to 20. I think partially because I am just not familiar enough with the unit to fine tune it and if the dealer said do it, I listened.
Well, after reading here, I believe I should lower the max temp some and my swing. Seems like I will use less wood. What I haven't been able to find information on is what to have to draft/blower set to in the back of the unit? I believe it's set at 1/4 or might even be at 1/2. I haven't looked at it in a while but it's getting to be about that time to fire her up again and I would like to try to be as efficient at possible this winter. What is the setting for on the fan duct and are there advantages to having it at one setting for wood where another setting would be better for coal? I primarily burn red and white oak seasoned and this year will probably burn 50% wood and 50% coal.
Any help of suggestions would be appreciated. Just trying to get more bang for the buck. Incidentally we calculated that even with buy the wood by the semi load, the unit paid for itself in 3.5 years. I don't run it all summer because my gas bill is minimal for hot water usage in the summer.
12
General Discussion / Re: Anyone burning coal?
« on: March 03, 2011, 07:11:24 PM »
yoder,
The big problem that I have been noticing is that if the shutoff temp is 180, then when the fan shuts off the coal still heats up to sometimes 195 before the coal cools enough to stop temperature rise. If I have it set to a 10 degree differential, that would be a 25 degree swing and in turn the coal goes out before the stove cools enough to fire the fan and in turn stoke coal.
I have been playing with it all day today, 5 so far seems to be my optimal differential number. I also added about 6' to my chimney to help increase my up draft. So far so good, my fan damper is set wide open for max airflow when it's on.
Thanks for the tips.....
-Jeff
The big problem that I have been noticing is that if the shutoff temp is 180, then when the fan shuts off the coal still heats up to sometimes 195 before the coal cools enough to stop temperature rise. If I have it set to a 10 degree differential, that would be a 25 degree swing and in turn the coal goes out before the stove cools enough to fire the fan and in turn stoke coal.
I have been playing with it all day today, 5 so far seems to be my optimal differential number. I also added about 6' to my chimney to help increase my up draft. So far so good, my fan damper is set wide open for max airflow when it's on.
Thanks for the tips.....
-Jeff
13
HeatMaster / Re: Any heatmaster owners
« on: March 03, 2011, 06:57:16 AM »
For what it's worth, I love mine. My fire has gone out a few times, usually because I push it too long or I am burning extremely dry wood so it just goes "poof" in the chamber, but for the most part it's all been entirely user error. Trying to burn coal in mine has become more of a challenge. I prefer cob corn, but I have such a hard time finding it that I am moving to the coal route.
3 years now on mine and no major issues, like I said, strictly user error.
3 years now on mine and no major issues, like I said, strictly user error.
14
General Discussion / Re: Anyone burning coal?
« on: March 03, 2011, 06:37:31 AM »
Have a HeatMaster 5000, have been trying to burn coal and when it does, it's wonderful. My problem is I can't seem to get my blower/aquastat settings right to keep the coal lit. Over time, (hours) when the fan kicks on it can't get the coal bed burning again.
Wondering if any of you guys that are burning coal, specially the HeatMaster guys, are having this issue and if not, what percentage to you have the blower damper set at and what is the shutoff temp on your aquastat set to as well as the temp differential?
Thanks in advance for any and all help.
-Jeff
PS Love the burner by the way, have had it 3 years. Just running low on wood and can't get any delivered for a while. Have a ton of coal and thought I would use it to supplement the wood I do still have to try to get through this season before I order up another truck of wood.
Wondering if any of you guys that are burning coal, specially the HeatMaster guys, are having this issue and if not, what percentage to you have the blower damper set at and what is the shutoff temp on your aquastat set to as well as the temp differential?
Thanks in advance for any and all help.
-Jeff
PS Love the burner by the way, have had it 3 years. Just running low on wood and can't get any delivered for a while. Have a ton of coal and thought I would use it to supplement the wood I do still have to try to get through this season before I order up another truck of wood.
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