Hotblast 1557M

[smokinj]

I also have the 6" barometric reg. which is installed immediately where the flue comes out of the furnace. My flue damper is located approx. 8" before the wall collar; however the flue (6") continues approx. another 18" directly to the chimney (masonry). I get a good chimney draft. How far should I damper down the flue damper? I set the ash pan damper all the way closed then 2 spins out/open. I do this after I get a good fire going otherwise, if the fire is too low and with only 2 spins open, the fire dies down. Currently I don't have the back plug off but I'll take it out to see what happens. Is behind the plug (on the inside of the furnace) a sealed chamber or can flames/fumes get out? Also, I have the stock blowers which really doesn't put out a whole lot of air. If I keep on adding a log or 2 every 2-3 hours (that's annoying) to keep the fire going how long can these blowers last? I've had them going steady for 6-8 hours. Is that normal? My house temps usually run 65-68 in a 1200 sq. ft house. The factory told me that this furnace should handle up to 2500 sq. ft. What else am I doing wrong?

I close mine all the way at night unless its under 20 degrees I have 2600 sq ft. (how's your inslation?)somthing wrong thats enough heat out put to keep it in the 90's easy!(you seem to be running very well)

 

[davejerry]

hi everyone, thanks for all the input. i haven't been able to do to much as we're without power, as well as 200,000 other people. we just got back some heat; temp was only 45 in the house this morning. blower motors need electricity to operate. even right now we're still on a generator and probably will be for a few more days. i'll be back at another time. thanks again for those tips. i'll work on those just after i get the water running again. it's a slow process but steady as she goes. take care & keep warm.

 

[LARRY IRVING]

I also just installed a new 1557 Hot Blast in my basement. It is connected to my gas furnace plennum. The problem I am having is getting it hot and stay hot. I got a fire going last night and slowly added more coal till I got it almost up to the top of the fire brick.
It burns but does not create a lot of heat. It is only 65 in the house and it just maintains that temp. The blowers only come on for a short time and then off.
I have a damper on it and thought if I close it, it may keep the heat in.
Any suggestions how to operate this unit and get a good blast. It seems to heat better with wood than with coal.
Any suggestions would really be appreciated

 

[smokinj]

I also just installed a new 1557 Hot Blast in my basement. It is connected to my gas furnace plennum. The problem I am having is getting it hot and stay hot. I got a fire going last night and slowly added more coal till I got it almost up to the top of the fire brick.
It burns but does not create a lot of heat. It is only 65 in the house and it just maintains that temp. The blowers only come on for a short time and then off.
I have a damper on it and thought if I close it, it may keep the heat in.
Any suggestions how to operate this unit and get a good blast. It seems to heat better with wood than with coal.
Any suggestions would really be appreciated

coal need lots of air underneth of it. best if you have a draft inducer on it, if you dont have one open the ash damper all the way and mabe put a small fan by it to get more air! you want your flue damper wide open!

 

[laynes69]

If your trying to burn anthracite, then I would just stop. The units are not meant to burn anthracite. And the draft inducer will give you a dead fire. The firebox shape, and design just won't work with hard coal. Soft coal on the other hand would burn fine in the unit. I have modified the ashpan with a small induced draft under the grates, and tried just about everything. If you have a nice steady suppy of hard coal, I would consider selling the furnace and upgrading with a furnace that will burn hard coal. Sucks, but thats the reality of those units.