Heatmaster C-150, Operation And Maintenance Manual

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Coal
When initially firing add a small amount of paper and
wood kindling to start the fire and create a coal bed.
Once a sufficient coal bed has been developed, add
coal gradually until a suitable fire is achieved then
add coal as needed to bring up the fire.
Load the furnace twice a day
ATTENTION: On the initial start up the water jacket
will reach what is called the dew point. This creates a
sweating inside the fire box and water to collect in the
ash drawer and on the door jamb which may last a
couple of days and is normal.
Hint:
Although everyone has different methods of
firing, it is worth mentioning that adding and filling
your furnace to capacity reduces the efficiency of the
furnace. It is better to load twice a day with less fuel
than once a day filling to capacity. Smaller fuel loads
burn hotter, cleaner and more thoroughly. By burning
off more of the gases (smoke), you enhance the over
all efficiency of your system and increasing heat
transfer to the water.
Coal varies widely depending on the type of coal and
properties of the seam that it was mined from (ash
content, clinkering, BTU output, etc.). Some adjustment
in firing methods such as banking the coal differently,
adjusting the timer settings, varying the amount of
coal loaded, etc is normal because of this. If you
experience difficulty after trying different methods, it
may be helpful to try coal from a different source.
CAUTION: Be very cautious when opening the firebox
door to refuel. Coal generates very explosive gases
and opening the firebox door introduces oxygen that
can cause the gases to flash. Always turn off the draft
fan (Furnace On/Off Switch on Control Panel) and
open the door to the second latch point to allow it to
vent the gases for at least 15 seconds. Only open the
door up when you are sure it is safe to do so, keeping
your face and body well away from, below and
behind the door.
Only open the door long enough to refuel. A door
left open too long can cause the fire to flame up,
endangering yourself and damaging the furnace.
Loading
1. Once a hot coal bed is established, load a deep
pile of coal towards the back of the firebox no
higher than the bottom edge of the door jamb.
2. Be sure to leave a small air hole at the front of
the pile (near the secondary air vent) to maintain
enough airflow up through the grate.
3. Load only what you need for the next 12-24 hours
as overloading the furnace is much less efficient.
4. DO NOT pile coal above the bottom edge of the
door jamb. It will choke out the draft and sporadic
flashing may occur.
Cleaning and Removing Ash and Clinkers
Occasional breaking up of the crust that forms on top
of the fuel load may be needed. When the pile burns
down, stir the pile and shake the grates just enough to
let the fine ash fall through.
Do not try to force all the clinkers through the grate
as it may cause it to jam. It is better to allow some to
accumulate, let the fire to burn down, and lift them out
the door with a shovel. Too many clinkers can cause
the fire to slow down and choke. If clinkers accumulate
too quickly you may have poor quality coal.
Allowing a small amount of ash to accumulate on
either side of the grate will keep the fire lit better on
mild days, but be sure to keep the center of the grate
open so the burn rate is correct.
Always empty the ashes after shaking them down. If
any hot coals are shaken down they can ignite when
the draft comes back on and create a super-heated
environment in the ash pan. This can cause the ash
pan and grates to warp and is not covered under
warranty. Always lift the ash pan slightly as you slide
it in so the front edge scrapes the ash box clean. This
will keep the pan level and prevent air leakage. Be
sure ash pan is closed tightly before you leave.
Some coal smolders better during off cycles than
others. Shortening the differential on the Ranco
temperature control to make it cycle more often can
help but is a less efficient burn.
Cleaning any ash in the bypass baffles is important.
Ash or creosote buildup can slow the burn rate and
reduce heat transfer to the water. The curved baffle
inside the firebox can be swept forward into the