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Topics - lindnova

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1
Heatmor / Warped Grates
« on: May 21, 2014, 11:35:53 AM »
I just cleaned out the Heatmor 200 yesterday and the grates are really getting warped.  They have been slowly getting worse.  Now they are about 1 to 2 inches lower in the middle and cracking. 

At what point should they be replaced?  Anyone else dealing with this?

2
How much do you think the burner fan cools the outdoor boilers if they run out of wood? 

I have a Heatmor 200 with the forced air fan.  When it runs out of wood the fan continues to run and the propane furnace will kick in and allow heat into the pipes to circulate and prevent the outdoor unit from freezing.  I rarely happens, but in this cold weather if I don't have enough wood in and end up working late sometimes it is out for a little while.  Usually not enough for the propane to even kick in - water temp 120-130 for example. 

If I were to leave for a weekend I have wondered if it would be better to heat the house warmer, shut down the outdoor furnace, turn down the house thermostat and let the propane go on when needed,,, or just load full with good wood and take the chance that it might run out and the fan might be cooling for a while with the propane on.

I would think in these cold temps we have now near zero if I warmed the house to 75, turned the temp down to 57 and left, a full load of wood would last over 24 hours no problem. 

Anyone have experience or thoughts?

3
Plumbing / Double wall flat plate?
« on: February 13, 2014, 06:57:39 AM »
I am considering replacing my sidearm tube heat exchanger with a flat plate.  The tube never thermosiphoned and I have it in series  before the heater tank now, but I think it is only heating about half of my hot water.  It is about a foot taller than my short power vented heater and that is why it wouldn't thermosiphon.

Anyway, the reason I didn't go with a flat plate in the first place was it was a new house build and the inspector wouldn't allow an exchanger that could allow boiler water to mix with domestic.  I wonder how much of a concern that would be for me as the domestic water is at 50-70 PSI and the boiler water is much less.  Probably less than 15 ft of head pressure from top of furnace, so maybe 20 psi?  If it did leak I would have an overflowing furnace before treated water would get in my shower. 

I found double wall exchangers on pex supply for about 10x20 10 plate $600.00 or 5x13 20 plate $721.00.  I can find good standard 20 plate exchangers online for under $200.

Should I have any concern about installing a regular one inline before the heater tank?  I have been wanting to do this for a while.  With propane prices and my tank at 30% I am looking at not having to buy propane until the middle of the summer when prices hopefully will come down. 

4
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Hammering noise when firing
« on: March 06, 2013, 11:56:01 AM »
I have a 7 year old Heatmor 200 that has operated with no problems.  It started making a hammering noise this year when firing hot with a full load of wood.  I turned down the thermostat to 178 thinking it was getting too hot.  I checked the anode rod - it is mostly gone, but not rattling around.  The heat shield (I am about ready to just remove it) is not moving.   The noise seems to be coming from inside the front of the water jacket where the exhaust starts up the flue.  It is getting bad enough for concern and actually causes the thermostat to move out of its slot (it is a cheap plug - not a screw in one).

I use soft water and did drain and flush it 3 years ago without too much sediment.  I flushed it mainly because I was switching to a different type of treatment chemical.  I think the anode rod contributes most of the sediment.  I replaced it once, but not sure whether to replace it now or not.  The nitrites and ph are normal with Central Boiler chemical.  I do have a Y strainer and don't get much in it.

Any ideas?  I am concerned that if there is cavitation it could ruin the stainless steel jacket.  Could this be a scale problem?

5
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Y Strainer
« on: December 05, 2011, 04:12:26 PM »
Anyone use a y strainer in their water line? 

I just installed one thinking it would be a good idea.  I have a bypass with valves to clean during service or if it starts restricting flow too much.  After 4 years, there was a lot of black sludge coating the pipe.   Hopefully this will avoid having a clogged heat exchanger.

6
Heatmor / Average life of a Heatmor
« on: September 06, 2011, 06:29:50 AM »
Any info on how long one can expect a heatmor to last if properly maintained?   I will be on my 5th year this year with my 200 and it is doing fine.  I should get a new anode rod as there is not much left of it.

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