Still Tinkerin'

[Fred61]

You'd think that after 4 seasons I'd be done screwing around with the EKO, but NOOO!
Probably encouraged by frequent visits to this forum. (gotta blame somebody)

Three weeks ago I installed my firebrick overlay to extend nozzle life and it appears to be working and holding up very well.
Yesterday I made a decision to remove the manual turbulator actuating system and scrap it. I'll find another way to hang the turbs individually. This decision resulted from my first cleaning session of the heating season. Yes, I haven't brushed the tubes since I put her to bed last spring.

What I found was the tubes only had a light coating of fly ash deposited on the walls but you EKO owners know what I had to do to find that out. If I get rid of all that claptrap I'll be able to just pop the panel, unscrew two nuts and reach in and pull out the turbs.I belive that if you're burning correctly actuating those turbs isn't doing a bit of good. It's like using a shovel to wash your car.

Actually I will have cleaner tubes since I won't be putting off cleaning because it is such a PITA.

Tell me where I'm going wrong.

Fred

 

[taxidermist]

I dont bother cleaning them anymore. Like you said if you burn right they only have fly ash on them.

Rob

 

[mr.fixit]

You'd think that after 4 seasons I'd be done screwing around with the EKO, but NOOO!
Probably encouraged by frequent visits to this forum. (gotta blame somebody)

Three weeks ago I installed my firebrick overlay to extend nozzle life and it appears to be working and holding up very well.
Yesterday I made a decision to remove the manual turbulator actuating system and scrap it. I'll find another way to hang the turbs individually. This decision resulted from my first cleaning session of the heating season. Yes, I haven't brushed the tubes since I put her to bed last spring.

What I found was the tubes only had a light coating of fly ash deposited on the walls but you EKO owners know what I had to do to find that out. If I get rid of all that claptrap I'll be able to just pop the panel, unscrew two nuts and reach in and pull out the turbs.I belive that if you're burning correctly actuating those turbs isn't doing a bit of good. It's like using a shovel to wash your car.

Actually I will have cleaner tubes since I won't be putting off cleaning because it is such a PITA.

Tell me where I'm going wrong.

Fred

I agree with everything you said Fred.
I also believe that maintaining the nozzle opening(with overlays or repairs as some are now doing) at the correct size really helps in the operation of the boiler.

 

[Hydronics]

I couldn't agree more, taking them out is a major PITA, on the 60 there is 16 of them I think.

 

[woodsmaster]

I've found with the biomass I need to clean once or twice a year when the flue temps start getting a little higher. I don't think the lever on the biomass does a much either. It seems to only clean about 10% of the tubes where it rubs. Sounds like you will be better of to do as you plan.

 

[woodsmaster]

Now that I think about it I've only cleaned once after 8 cord. I'm about due again, so once a year for me. I do clean the fins in the bottom evey week or two though.

 

[pybyr]

Interesting to see/ follow this thread. Pulling the turbs from my Econoburn to do a "deep clean" (brushing the tubes) is one of the few things I really detest on my EBW-150- getting the linkages apart and the turbs out ends up becoming an extended festival of profanity and wounded knuckles.