-45 this morning, going to -55 tonight

Steve Eayrs_2

Good seeing you at the Buderus thing. I thought they did a good job.
The ULS oil has been on the market for over 2-1/2 years at the fuel pumps, but you will find that Petro is the only one delivering it for heating fuel, and they only started that last Oct./Nov..... At least down here.
I am sure its this fuel thats the problem, and they know it at Petro down here too. THey are topping the tanks off w/ jetA, and things are back to normal. I believe its a differenece between 15ppm and 500ppm thats the problem.
We have had zero problems with the fuel the other supplier is delivering and its not ULS! Even thought un-officially they know its their oil, you won't get that answer from the Petro headquarters yet. They have some of our filter/nozzle samples at their lab right now. Hope to hear more soon.
Its bad enough in these temps without the oil being the problem.!!

Steve

Rocky_3

If you think Weezbo is hard to follow now......

wait till he starts posting after about 60 straight hours of no sleep and -50 temps. WOW! As he would say, "Get on your fully triangulated, pinner boiler type, whosawhatsits thinking caps me lads." Eh Weez?

Ice fog now so thick visibility is down to about 100 feet. Wait....what's that smell?...oh.....smells like....money!
Warm regards from (very) chilly Fairbanks,
Rocky

bovide_4

are those temps

ever something you can get used to?

jackchips_2

If you

think that is cold, Rocky, you should try walking around Boston since the Super Bowl. Even without Tommyoils illuminating comments it's like the world is coming to an end.

I'm not sure how you great folks from Alaska stay warm but here's to some improvement in the days ahead.

:-)

Jack

Al Corelli_2

Could You Do Me a Favor?

Send some of that frigid, cold air to NY?

It is February, and I was out today wearing a t shirt and jeans.

This is not the weather that is conducive to boiler sales.

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Paul Fredricks_5

Ditto that!

I just turned on the A/C in the office.

Rocky_3

Short sleeve weather

We don't get to pull out our short sleeves until its warmed up to at least -5. BBQ-ing starts at around 0.

We just bundle up like the the little brother on the great Christmas movie "A Christmas Story". You know, the little kid who looked like the Michelin Man and when he fell down he had so many clothes on he couldn't get back up. Just wish some of this weather would hit Anchorage so Dan H. could experience it as well.

Rocky

JohnNY

I'm dying.

Freakin' 64 degrees over here.

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Paul Rohrs_4

\"You'll shoot your eye out\"

Sooooo, do you wait until it's a balmy 10° to get the jet-boat out?

Good to hear from you Rocky, I will be working a Home & Garden show this weekend so I won't be able to take part in the Talkshoe discussion.

Regards,

PR

Rocky_3

weather report says possible -60

for this weekend. If that is the case, I don't know if I'll be doing the Talkshoe thing with Taco either. May be a little busy I'm thinking.

Rocky

PeterGriffin

Man, I thought I had it bad here.


Do you guys have many trailers/houses with no basements? What kind of heat tracing do you guys use to keep it from freezing in that weather? With the -45ish stuff here we've had a few callbacks, mostly related to some spots underneath being colder than others and so on. I've been told that there's nothing you can do at this temperature but surely the folks up there don't go without services for weeks at a time.

What do you do to prevent drains from freezing? Is there a heat trace safe for ABS?

I'd love to pick your brains if either you or Weezbo have some free time after this cold snap settles down.

Thanks,

Rankin

Ernie_5

Insulation

Rocky what type of insulation do you use in Alaska? The reason I ask, because I was ripping out old cellulose,nasty,dirty lung,and nose clogging dust behind knee walls. Only short young people should do this type of work. My knees are killing me. Replaced with fiberglass!!!
Temperature was 69*.

NRTDave

New Type of Blinding Snow Storm

While driving to my kid's hockey game during the heaviest snowfall of 44 years, I thought a transformer above the road blew up. As white as white could be a twice as bright at night... lightning of all things, lighting up all of the heavy snowfall and striking very close! Bizarre stuff.

Pat Clark

balmy here

Only supposed to get down to -15 here in Anchorage. Thats why we had those big mountains built between us and you, to keep the cold out.

Pat

Bruce M

Alaska time!!!!!!!


Pat!!

I think I deleted something from you the other day and I did not mean to. (Long story.)

Send it again.

Pat Clark

Hey Mark

I updated my Yahoo mail thingy and your name popped up as a contact or something and it said if I wanted to get messages from you to push the button, I did, but don't have a clue what that means.

Pat

Darrell_3

Hi Rocky...we're getting -35 overnight here in Sterling, Alaska, and they're threatening 15-20 mph winds for the next several days. Most of my customers understand that I am taking emergencies only until this passes. Lots of weird oil stuff going on. I've never seen so many plugged nozzles or failed pumps. And the oil is burning funky too...keep having to add air...

The real rush will come when it warms up and all the marginal systems that have been working hard through the cold spell stop for a bit and won't restart.

I don't do trailer's...fortunately my insurance won't allow it.

PS. 8 billable in 8 road hours...including lunch with my son.

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Rocky_3

Just stopped into my shop to get thawer and temp heaters

and saw my computer was still on. Heading off to North Pole to work on a freeze up. North Pole is usually about 8 degrees colder than Fairbanks. Just passed the airport where there is a time and temp sign. Minus 46 as of 9:00 pm, and coldest part of the night is usually around 4:00 am. Still time to get to -60! Already did three freeze-ups today. Rest of my crew working on a froze up duplex as we speak. Lots of issues with fuel oil right now. Getting too thick to suck from tanks and causing burners to go off on lock-out. Cold creeps down along foundation wall where fuel lines pass through to come up through slab by boiler. This is a real issue as the fuel gels underground! Gives us partial blockages..just enough to run every now and then. Have to blow the lines, pour some anti-gel into lines and blow it back to tank with C02 cartridges. Have had to actually sit a 15 gallon can by boiler and run temp lines on some systems that just won't suck when fuel is this cold. Remember, cold fuel actually INCREASES the amount of fuel passing through a nozzle so combustion air has to increase as well. Also, cold fuel does not like to atomize as well which leads to poor combustion. When we get combustion issues with cold temps, we usually downsize the nozzle one size and bump the fuel pressure. This seems to help alot. Oh well, better quit procrastinating and get to work. Stay warm down there. At least we don't have your wind. And trust me, the clock hasn't stopped ticking yet today.
Warm regards,
Rocky

Tony_23

Gelled fuel

What about a "day tank" in the basement between the tank and boiler ? Seems 30-40 gallons would do it ?

Rocky_3

you mean have a separate transfer pump

to pump into the "day tank"? then have the burner pump pull from the day tank? I guess we could, but we are getting about 10 fuel related calls per day and it would get pretty expensive to install such set-ups all day long. We try to treat the fuel or address the issues of why the fuel is gelling (fuel lines run next to sill plate with air leakage, no snow cover over areas that fuel lines are buried shallow, etc). Always something.
We are only two degrees off the all-time low for this day. Remember...Alaskans for global warming!
Rocky

John Barba

We'll miss you...

But I'm sure you won't be sleeping in. Stay warm and gimme a buzz when you can.

JMB

Bruce M

67 Below

I heard on the radio that is was 67 degrees below in some part of Alaska today. Am I correct in thinking you use #1 Fuel oil? Is that a particular brand or brands of boilers that are best suited to your area because of high reliability and strong construction? Stay safe.

Rocky_3

Don't tell Ken, but System 2000's

Oooowwwww, he would hit the wall if he knew those no-good, shyster folks at Energy Kinetics actually produce a good product. A product that works just fine at -50 and colder. In fact, I only install two kinds of oil boilers here. Buderus and Energy Kinetics. Most folks run #2 fuel. Fuel tanks are buried with fuel lines running underground, through the foundation wall, and then pop up through the slab by the boiler. Usually not a problem unless installer didn't get the fuel lines deep enough, or, if there is not good compaction around foundation that lets air seep down to where the fuel lines penetrate. This is pretty common because that short 1 foot space directly under the eves gets no snow so frost goes deep there anyway. Yes, several parts of Alaska to the East and North of us are getting temps in the -60's right now. We still haven't gotten any colder than -50, and that was this morning around 5:00 am when I started work. Huge high pressure ridge sitting off the coast of Siberia keeping us cold for several more days the weatherman says. That's OK, just found out I won a trip to Hawaii for me and my wife from my local Ferguson distributor. Leave for 11 days the end of February. Let it get cold, I can hold on for 22 more days!
Rocky

Steve Eayrs_2

oil doing strange stuff???

Darrel,

We have been havig problems too, and found out the problems are stemming from the ULS oil that is being delivered to home heat tanks. Same stuff as in the gas pumps. Only being done on the pennisula i believe. Guess they thought we looked like a good test spot.
The fuel is breaking down anything in the tank, even those with only a little sludge and sending it thru the filters, into the pumps and nozzles. Been a bad month...
Ask the fuel supply company, (name withheld here), to come pump that junk out, (or add some good stuff) and give you some jet A and your fuel problems will be over.
For the record were just a few miles south of ya in Homer.

Steve

Steve Eayrs_2

oil doing strange stuff???

Darrel,

We have been havig problems too, and found out the problems are stemming from the ULS oil that is being delivered to home heat tanks. Same stuff as in the gas pumps. Only being done on the pennisula i believe. Guess they thought we looked like a good test spot.
The fuel is breaking down anything in the tank, even those with only a little sludge and sending it thru the filters, into the pumps and nozzles. Been a bad month...
Ask the fuel supply company, (name withheld here), to come pump that junk out, (or add some good stuff) and give you some jet A and your fuel problems will be over.
For the record were just a few miles south of ya in Homer.

Steve

Steve Eayrs_2

Buderus and EK's

Rocky,

Thats our main two boilers also. Along with a few others, since the late 1980's we've installed 350+ of Buderus w/ Tekmar, etc... and a few hundred EK's also. Love them both. If installed right they work great.

Sounds like I'll see ya in Maui.

Steve

TommyOil_3

How did I....

get dragged into this ??? Are you saying my commentary did not have a warming effect??? Is illuminating another word for accurate??

Rocky_3

Suntec fuel pumps and cold oil

We have been having issues with Suntec pumps and cold oil. On some of the jobs we go to there are above ground fuel tanks. The new equipment is coming with Suntec pumps that have a red colored seal around the pump shaft. Apparently this new seal has only been tested for -20. Unfortunately, we often see way colder than that and what we are finding is that when the oil hitting the pump is colder than -20, the seal shrinks and oil starts spraying inside the housing. This is especially prevalent on two pipe systems with an above ground tank. When the oil warms up, the seal quits leaking and problem goes away. But it creates quite a problem for as long as the oil is cold. We have been converting all two pipe systems into one pipe systems with a Tigerloop. The old suntec pumps with the black seals didn't do this. We want them back! Hey Suntec, quit shipping red-sealed pumps to Alaska!
Just an FYI
Rocky

Glen

brrrrrr

just completed a commissioning project in Inuvik: day tank, oil recirc lines, RLS 130. Nice warm boiler room. But then looked at a couple of roof top units later in the week - it was -52! not only was I cold - but my instruments would freeze up too.

Stay warm.

Rocky_3

Arctic Madness Syndrome

At those temps you tend to get Arctic Madness Syndrome, also known as the "Frigid Jig". Most men who work outside in those temps get it sooner or later. It strikes when you have to relieve yourself while wearing 10" of clothing layers. Often times the layers exceed the..uh...how shall I say this..."reach"... of most men. You ever see a guy shuck three pairs insulated coveralls, pac boots, and three layers of long johns in 2.4 seconds flat? Then, when -50 air hits "you-know-who", talk about having to deal with shrinkage. Looks like a grub worm with a turtle neck sweater on! Oh, this clime is not for sissies!

Warm regards,
Rocky

Glen

I think -

I've done that dance! In Canada we call that a "one thumb day". Think about it!
warmer now thanks.

Darrell

Oh, I know where you are...I buy stuff from you when I happen to trespass on your turf!!! I am mostly seeing fouled nozzle sintered filters...apparently they are 40 micron. The screens in the A2VA's and the filter's, either garber of general, are spotless and the garber is 10 micron. So....the crap fouling the 40 micron nozzle is appearing on the scene after a 10 micron filter. I'm thinking unstable fuel that separates under the latent heat of the refractory firebox heating the nozzle drawer. But...the low sulphur stuff has been in use for 2-1/2 years...and all of a sudden I'm fouling nozzles...son something else has changed...denials all around from both suppliers. The oil is also acgting different at extreme low temps...and I've been taking care of these boilers for 25 years...this is a change. I have seen sludge fouled filters and screens...and that is from the characteristics of the low sulphur stuff acting like a solvent...that is different. I have also seen a marked increase in pump failures...take them apart and nothing in 'em...the shaft is stuck in the block...no bushings or bearings...it is s'posed to be oil lubricated under pressure.

Dunno...something has changed this heating season in the oil that my customers are using, and it isn't my ability to take care of the equipment.

This is Darrell Kincaid, by the way...Darrell's Heating Crisis Intervention Co. in Sterling.

See ya Steve.

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The Boiler Dr.

CCCcccccold

Been there.. done that Although not quite as low as you.
Last Friday in Northern Manitoba -43 @ 6AM - no wind - @ 9:30 35MPH wind now -54 wind chill. My expensive Fluke meter would not stay on for 5 mins. Today -41 wind 5MPH .. possitively balmy NOT!!
BTW do you guys up north have any experience with ADAMS high efficiency oil furnaces?? They have a bunch here with SERIOUS freezing issues. Any input would be greatly appreciated

Glen

which part freezes?

had the same issue with two NG roof top units in Inuvik - ultimately we had to move the freeze stats and output temp sensors inside - where the ambient remained much warmer, allowing the units to fire as designed while maintaining safety interlocks. BTW my greenlee DMM also was good for about 5-10 minutes @ -52, screen would disappear - LCD's do not like cold feet!

Bruce M

Adams Burner

Are you using outside combustion air? What is the length and type of run you are using? Do you have a bird screen on the combustion air pipe?

The Boiler Dr.

Adams Furnaces

Problems are with both intake and exhaust which are vertically oriented on the roof.
Intake at this point is 100% outside as per installation instructions
Most installations are 8 - 15 ft vertical with 2 - 45's using S636 PVC
No bird screens
I have been told by the manufacturer there are quite anumber of these units in the Yukon that are operating "with no problems". If that is the case I would like to contact those installers to see how their installations differ from these.
BTW - I was not the installer of this equipment but have become the service person after the fact.
All cooments gratiously appreciated!

Bruce M

Adams Intake Air

Is the combustion air pipe insulated where it passes through unheated space? Does it extend 12" above the roof line? It should not run outside the building. Installation manual calls for 1/2" galvanized bird screen over combustion air and exhaust.

The Boiler Dr.

Adams Furnace

Yes it is insulated. Yes It extends actually 16" due to snow load. All runs are inside. No bird screens.
Bruce are you intimately familiar with these units?

Bruce M

Adams

The only thing I am intimately familiar with is this woman I know but that is another story. I lived in a suburb of Chicago for a while. Adams is not an east coast unit. More midwest and Canada. How far above the roof line is the exhaust and how far away from the intake? Are you using number 1 fuel oil in that environment? Where are the thermostats mounted? What is the diameter of the combustion air pipe? Sometimes the smallest thing can cause the biggest problem. Long ago I found out why the Blueray boilers had problems. It was two different small things but by then they had a bad reputation which they really did not deserve.

Rocky_3

boilerguy

Sorry, no experience with Adams high efficiency furnaces. Can't help you there.
Rocky