Here is an interesting Auction for all you coal burners or soon to be coal users

[elkimmeg]

http://cgi.ebay.com/COAL-STOVE-VERM...028859873QQcategoryZ20598QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

COAL STOVE VERMONT CASTINGS,NEW NEVER USED,SIX INCH CHIMNEY OUTLET.MADE FROM CAST IRON WITH ALL INSTRUCTIONS AND TOOLS THAT CAME WITH THE STOVE,THE STOVE WILL HEAT UP TO 2000 SQUARE FEET,IT WILL BURN FOR UP TO 18 HOURS,IT WEIGHS 425 LBS.AND PRODUCES 50,000 BTU'S PER HOUR.IT HOLDS 45 POUNDS OF COAL.IT HAS AN AUTOMATIC THERMOSTAT TO REGULATE A NICE EVEN TEMPARTURE

Item location:Rosemont, PA

 

[elkimmeg]

If I were paying for my wood. I still feel coal is the best cost per BTU when paying for the sourse
I tell you what with all the problems posted here with Harman Pellet and coal stoves, This Vermont
casting, never been used, becomes real appealing. I think this is manufactured back in the late
1980's or early 90's This was the time in VC history where the original foundry workers had many
years experience and before the Time CFM or Majestic bought them out. This is important as I believe
the quaity craftmanship of that time was the best in VC production history.

Scheeh Maybe I should pull the post, it is still early, not many have seen it. Either that I just excalated
a bidding war.
You know I am getting older and coal is avaliable not to far from my home. Everbody knows this is the
best VC offered. I have a daughter in Philly that could use a visit, Damn seems mighty tempting. It will also
burn wood

Dylan What do you think Pull the post Btw good morning this crappy Saturday Let me know your oppinion
as I am serious I will pull the post

 

[Corie]

Yep, this is a second time listing. I caught it the first time and bid multiple times, but unfortunately his reserve is set above $800 dollars, or at least it was for the first auction, and it never made it there.

 

[elkimmeg]

Boy is that tempting. I got it in my watch now. I just map it and it is real close to where my daughter's apt is

If Corie is right even, at the reserve price I feel it would be a good.
purchase.
Especially considering paying 3K for a Harman that is now sucking wind

I thought I had a 1998 VC Defiant Encore all lined up Used lightly for 2 years.
Practically not a chip on the Hunter green Enamal finish. $350
And it will fit my chimney connector location. My draft is strong so running a cat is a plus, 18%
more heating capacity which I could use. I'm pushing my VC Resolute Acclaim and when it get
in the single digits the oil burner will kick on. Most appealing is less processing or re processing my
existing logs down to 16" ( it takes 20" logs) Rated longer burn times and with the Cat, cleaner longer,
more constant heat.

She now wants $500. Another plus only 4 miles away and has to get back to me. At this point
I have to re-think giving my Resolute Accclaim away. She is playing me and someone else to
escalate the price. Bummer! But it still may be worth doing. I have examined the stove Its in decent shape.
I probably would not have to rebuild it right away. I have already lined up the optional 6" hunter green.
flue collar. Should I be able to swing the deal.

 

[lime4x4]

Thanks Elk i just might have to bid on that stove for my backup for when the power goes out..And i only live about an hour an a half away..

 

[Corie]

Elk, if you pick that stove up, I'll meet you there and help you load it up

My significant other goes to school in Rosemont and as you know, it's just a stones throw from Villanova, where I go!


I agree though, that even if you got the stove for just a shade over the reserve, it's still a steal. I really like the vigilant myself, I wouldn't hesitate to pick it up, if I had the money.

 

[elkimmeg]

Thanks for the offer but could you do me another favor?
Email the guy and ask if you can inspect the stove, That way at least
some else has confirmed what he is selling and its condition and age.
He only posted a picture copy from the product manual
Confirm all the parts and shaker grates are present

I mean this was the top of VC's line there was no second seat to Harman at that time

When one thinks about it , new, much cheaper, quality, and Harman now sucking wind,
Makes me interested

 

[DavidV]

Hey Elk. How old is that stove...and since I am not familiar with coal stoves, is it EPA cert? what method does it use?

 

[Corie]

Vermont Castings still makes the Vigilant. That stove is brand new.

It is coal only and as such, exempt from EPA regulations. It has a very unique shaker grate system, rather than rocker grates, it uses alternating grate pieces that rock up and down. If one does crack or break, it is a significantly easier and cheaper fix than buying an entire rocket grate.

It also has a bypass gate system that routes the coal gases down the sides of the stove and then up the back, before up the stack, and also has top loading, which is a rare but welcome addition to any coal stove.

In case you didn't notice, I'm a vigilant fan

And elk, I'll email the seller and see if I can't stop by tomorrow or monday

 

[elkimmeg]

Corie damn you let the cat out of the bag. Very few know this stove from yester year.

Speaking words of wisdow Let be, Let Bee Let Be---ee

 

[Corie]

Sorry elk, I've been dying to get one of these myself. Perhaps I'll just build one.......

 

[[email protected]]

Cant you buy these new for about 1300. From a known local dealer with a waranty?

 

[elkimmeg]

They don't make 57 Chevy's, 57 t birds, L 88 Vets, z28 Camaros, no bos 303's never mind one new never driven
that's what is the interest in this stove. It was the best VC offered at the time when craftsmanship peaked. They are not
in production anymore There are no Viligents wood or coal. If they were selling this stove at $1300 today Harman would not sell a single coal stove

 

[elkimmeg]

good point Forgot to ask about the ash pan. Wow been on the forum that long? Me I think 2000
I was hoping Corie would check it out and report back as he lives just about next door

 

[Corie]

I sent an email to the guy and have yet to get a response. I'm going to send one more today. Hopefully I get an answer this time.

 

[wg_bent]

They don't make 57 Chevy's, 57 t birds, L 88 Vets, z28 Camaros, no bos 303's never mind one new never driven
that's what is the interest in this stove. It was the best VC offered at the time when craftsmanship peaked. They are not
in production anymore There are no Viligents wood or coal. If they were selling this stove at $1300 today Harman would not sell a single coal stove

My local dealer DOES sell the Vigilant II (coal) for about 1300.

It's a beast of a stove.

 

[elkimmeg]

Please excuse my ingorance. I guess I had not scrolled far enough down CFM's stove list recently.
I also figured the Defiant went for 2,100 +- Never went looking for the Coal stove.
I also made a bad assumption that they were no longer made so therefore this must be the older vintage
I confirmed they are current inventory and do sell around $1300. With this info, the stove on Ebay is still
apealing but at a price. Exceed that price it makes no sense not to purchase new. I admit my experience
with this coal stove was back in the late 80's or early 90's. What I remember is the vollume of heat they
produces and the long burns. My wood supply is free, so coal has not been in my thought process for quite
some time. I just read the manual These stoves are factory set to burn Bitumious coal and if burning Anthrcite
then need to be adjusted for that harder coal burn characteristics. I supose If I dig deeper enough I would find
out what is involved with the setup changes.

Warren thanks for setting the record straight

 

[wg_bent]

Please excuse my ingorance. I guess I had not scrolled far enough down CFM's stove list recently.
I also figured the Defiant went for 2,100 +- Never went looking for the Coal stove.
I also made a bad assumption that they were no longer made so therefore this must be the older vintage
I confirmed they are current inventory and do sell around $1300. With this info, the stove on Ebay is still
apealing but at a price. Exceed that price it makes no sense not to purchase new. I admit my experience
with this coal stove was back in the late 80's or early 90's. What I remember is the vollume of heat they
produces and the long burns. My wood supply is free, so coal has not been in my thought process for quite
some time. I just read the manual These stoves are factory set to burn Bitumious coal and if burning Anthrcite
then need to be adjusted for that harder coal burn characteristics. I supose If I dig deeper enough I would find
out what is involved with the setup changes.

Warren thanks for setting the record straight

I remember reading sometime ago when I was researching any and all stoves, that it was something on the order of rejetting the stove...Essentially the air inlet size is increased for Anthricite. It's a dealer changeout.

I was seriously considering one of these since the price and the stove are so attractive. What ended up killing it for me was the height of the flue outlet. No way to get that thing to go up into the liner in the old fireplace. Also of consideration was the amount of heat produced. I guess that would have been solved, since I've now completely rebuilt my hearth specifically because the old one didn't meet the clearance requirements of even the Osburn.

The Vigilant would put out a LOT more heat especially directed up at the hearth compared to the insert I have.

Looking back, I think the idea of building an all ceramic hearth out of steel, wonderboard, mineral wool (I still can't find anyone who sells that stuff!) and Wood look ceramic tile might have been a nice option....with a Vigilant II out front.

I guess with all that work I might have just removed the darn Majestic and built a proper alcove.

so many options...so little time....

 

[elkimmeg]

Corie did this guy ever get back to you if so what did he say Auction ends in about 2 hours and a little over $700 has not met his reserve

 

[Corie]

hey gave me a phone number, I called, no answer. Emailed him back, and still no answer?



Maybe he's been busy. I'll keep trying.

 

[Corie]

Here's another vigilant that I bet will go for a low price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/VERMONT-CASTING...031390228QQcategoryZ41987QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Shane]

Wow an enamel one that's cool. I like the color too it's simialar to the seafoam green from Hearthstone. The Vigilant is one heck of a stove. I have a customer that used his vigilant for years, He wanted to replace it looked at the new Vigilant and I didn't see him again. He came in this year and bought another Vigilant. Turns out he bought a Harman last year. All he said when he came in was that he hated the Haman and especially despised the dealer he bought it from and that he wanted a Vigilant.

 

[elkimmeg]

I have to agree with Shane boy does that stove look good Notice nobody here is dissing the Viligent In fact as Shane
pointed out many prefere this stove to the Harmans

 

[BS-N]

Sorry, I have to chime in. That stove is a lot smaller than what most coal stove burners want. The only harman to compare to would probably be what...the Mark I ?

When I bought my TLC2000 I looked at this too. Side-by-side, it looked flimsy. In my situation, it wouldn't be enough.

Who complained about a hand-fired Harman stove?

 

[Shane]

A customer in our store this year. He said he didn't buy another Vigilant last year because he did not like the ashpan size. He said he bought a Harman instead (he didn't know what model & I didn't ever see it) and that it did not heat his home it was always chilly he came back to us and got the Vigilant and has been quite pleased with it. I know it's not the biggest coal stove out there but for it's size it is one of the best.