To the basement, or to the scrapyard? My attempt to resurrect a Tarm Excel 2200 Wood Gasification boiler

[aczlan]

I've always wanted an HS Tarm and never bought one, they are the Cadillac of gasification units.

I have heard of them as well, I knew exactly what I was looking at when I went over there.
Dad bought the Alternative Heating Systems Woodgun (same concept, different execution) many years ago and my brother is working on putting it to use now.

If I were you, one, I'd go to HF and buy one of their needle scalers, I have one, works very well

That is what I have:

Made a little progress the next night, adapted my needle scaler to get the back wall (while keeping my face out of the firebox and thus breathing clean air):

and two, I'd MIG weld it, not stick weld it. Much easier, will give a much cleaner weld too.

Good point, may take it up to work and have one on the guys mig weld it.
My MIG is 120v only and I wouldn't trust it for this.

I'm on the Firewood Hoarders Club. Everyone on there burns wood including me. If you decide to scrap it shoot me a PM and I'll come and get it and pay you for it.

Will do.

Aaron Z

 

[aczlan]

I might add, the bottom corners of the firebox are small radius. That is built up had creosote from pizz poor care.

I found that with careful application of the air hammer/chisel and the needle scaler.
Pretty sure the entire area under the firebox was full of ash, the area under the heat tubes was full to the bottom of the tubes.

Aaron Z

 

[mrmikey]

That poor thing was rode hard and put away wet for sure. Very interesting unit and looks very well built. I can't imagine the noise using a needle scaler inside the burner, you're head must be still ringing even with muffs.
As for repairs, I agree with what was said, get it good and clean and use a mig, looks good and solid under the buildup

 

[Rockbadchild]

well that's a dirty job

 

[aczlan]

That poor thing was rode hard and put away wet for sure. Very interesting unit and looks very well built. I can't imagine the noise using a needle scaler inside the burner, you're head must be still ringing even with muffs.

My ears are fine, that is why I put the stick on the needle scaler. My head was outside the firebox and the noise level wasn't bad.
Had to reach in with the air hammer, but that was just 2-3 second bursts to knock the creosote chunks off.

As for repairs, I agree with what was said, get it good and clean and use a mig, looks good and solid under the buildup

It is much better than I was expecting it to be.

Aaron Z

 

[5030]

People amaze me, not only with tractors but with everything expensive. The Tarm isn't aa cheap date, just like a tractor but people don't take care of either / or. Our biomass units get cleaned every week and what I call a 'deep clean' monthly. I'd never let any unit degrade to that point. Scratching my head over that.

 

[aczlan]

People amaze me, not only with tractors but with everything expensive. The Tarm isn't aa cheap date, just like a tractor but people don't take care of either / or. Our biomass units get cleaned every week and what I call a 'deep clean' monthly. I'd never let any unit degrade to that point. Scratching my head over that.

He called Tarm about a replacement and a replacement system (with hot water storage which this doesn't have, but without oil backup) is pushing $40,000 these days.

Aaron Z

 

[5030]

HW storage is a simple as plumbing it to your existing HWH or employing a static capture vessel.

Like I said in the previous post, I scratch my head in wonderment about people who buy expensive tractors and let them go to pot or buy cheap filters and bargain oil. I never do that. My Kubota's both get genuine Kubota filters and top tier fluids, always.

Penny wise, pound foolish will get you in the end, every time.

The firebox on your Tarm is disgusting btw.

 

[aczlan]

HW storage is a simple as plumbing it to your existing HWH or employing a static capture vessel.

Yep, they recommend at least 800 gallons for this boiler, I think I will end up getting some industrial surplus air tanks, or "hotdog" type propane tanks for storage, then foaming them once they are in place

https://woodboilers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/ExcelManual.pdf

Like I said in the previous post, I scratch my head in wonderment about people who buy expensive tractors and let them go to pot or buy cheap filters and bargain oil. I never do that. My Kubota's both get genuine Kubota filters and top tier fluids, always.Penny wise, pound foolish will get you in the end, every time.

Yep

The firebox on your Tarm is disgusting btw.

Yes it is, now that the pallet jack is working and we have some warmer days coming up I think I will take a hose to the lower chamber to wash out all of the sludge, should be faster than trying to scrape it out.


Aaron Z

 

[5030]

I will take a hose to the lower chamber to wash out all of the sludge, should be faster than trying to scrape it out.

Good idea but I'd use a pressure washer with a narrow tip and do it when it's warm outside so it dries out quickly.

Started a thread on Firewood Hoarders under 'Gasifcation Boilers'. Lots of member have them on that site. Good folks too.