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Messages - lindnova

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 7
1
Heatmor / Re: Heatmor question
« on: March 11, 2017, 09:22:21 AM »
If there is no tag and no evidence of the real year made you don't have much to go on.  It may be older than you think.

I am on my 11th year on mine, and there are a lot of older Heatmors out there.  The 10 ga steel seems thin when a log hits it so I would definitely check for corrosion and leaks before buying.  Careless damage or improper water treatment could easily kill one early.

If it is stainless and I would assume that it is you can tell by looking for rust on the firebox.  There should be very little to none around the door opening and exposed firebox areas.  It would be caked up with rust if mild steel.

2
Fire Wood / Re: Silver Maple
« on: November 30, 2016, 02:57:04 PM »
I like soft maple.  Smells nice, dries fast and burns clean enough.  I try to keep some just for bonfires.

3
Heatmor / Re: 400dcss wood consumption :)
« on: April 02, 2016, 05:21:09 PM »
Doesn't sound bad for 6600 sf.

With a warm December I only went through 9 cords this year.  I had a mix of mainly elm with some oak, cherry and boxelder - all pretty dry.

I heat a 1500 sq.ft. ranch (2 levels = 3000 sf) with vaulted ceilings at 68° and a 1200 sf attached garage usually at 55° plus DHW.

4
Heatmor / Re: Plumbing setup for Heatmor 200CSS
« on: March 07, 2016, 07:25:24 PM »
I would have concerns over corrosion and domestic water having another way to get contaminated.  I would have another heat exchanger or plumb the boiler water up to the furnace.

5
Plumbing / Re: Side arm not impressed any suggestions
« on: March 05, 2016, 06:31:49 PM »
Is your sidearm top higher than your water heater.  Mine was and wouldn't thermosiphon. 

I eventually put a 20 plate in and am on 100% wood heated water now.

6
Heatmor / Re: 400dcss throwing sparks
« on: January 25, 2016, 06:50:42 AM »
I have the basic cap with some expanded metal around.  Slows down the fast fliers, but doesn't block all the sparks.  I get some if I rake and reload during or just after the fan was on.  Also makes a big difference in wood types for me.  I had some aspen and possibly mulberry in last fall and boy did it spark a lot.  I was concerned about catching the field stubble on fire. 

Normally sparks are not an issue for me.

7
Heatmor / Re: Heatmor base question ( time worp ) hero
« on: December 14, 2015, 12:27:45 PM »
I ask this question because anyone that has a heatmor before 1999 its got a mild steel base . So what happens
base rusts and causes base  tank gasket failure and you will be leaking air and you get a crack in your tank .
and no its not the 409 stainless steels fault its base gasket leaking air making hot and cold spots and stainless will crack and slowly weep water out . So If you do have one and you think ooo its fine . just take tin off sides look behind insulation .
look at the seams between tank and base you see rust . Might want to replace that gasket . Mine looked ok only bit of rust and took tank off and ya scary ridge where gasket is all rusted out inside . Where the most rust was is where tank leaked .
look at picture :) front right corner all rust orange spot is where tank has pin hole . look how close gasket and rust ridge is yep thats where pin hole is . These are my findings . goal is to let others with old heatmors know hey if I replace that gasket . It will give alot longer life . and $7000 for a new one kinda cuts in to the piggy bank .:) aka project long life heatmor  . After 1999 they had a stainless steel base . This leaves 6 year window for the above problem . 1994 were the first year of stainless tanks . 1999 was first year of stainless bases .  :bag:

Heat550

Picture below is 1994 base installed in 1996:)

second picture is after I took sand out and cleaned off gasket surface .  :bag:

Looks like your grates are in good shape.  Mine are majorly warped and have been for a few years. 

8
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: What to do when on vacation??
« on: February 03, 2015, 08:35:54 AM »
I installed an extra aquastat on mine to turn the blower fan off when the water temp goes below 140°.  If I go away for a weekend I turn up the garage and basement floor heat the day before I leave.  I don't have any backup for the garage, but the propane furnace would heat the exchanger that is plumbed before the floor heat exchanger.

With the garage and basement overheated when I leave it might go 2 days on a load of wood on an average winter day before the propane goes on if I turn the thermostats down in the house.

The aquastat has also worked well when I run out of wood.  Instead of blowing all the cold air thru the unit it stops and holds coals when I reload.  I did install a switch to bypass the aquatsat when I need to get it going again.

9
I burn a lot of box elder and it tends to stink worse than elm or oak.  Especially when it has some mold under the bark.  I would rather not burn it as it doesn't coal very well, but I have so much of it we are always clearing out I hate to waste it all in open fires.

I don't have neighbor complaints, but my jacket really smells when it gets moldy box elder smoke on it.  Dry, clean box elder is ok.

10
Hello,

I will chime in.  I live in Northern MN and I fire the boiler up in Oct and sometimes don't shut it down until June.  I don't know exactly how many cord I burn but I can tell you it's a lot.  If I have to guess I would say between 12-15, maybe more.  It's obviously a HUGE commitment and one really has to enjoy handling wood and all that comes with that.  To keep warm it's just what you do. This year we don't have much snow so I'm out in my woods nearly every weekend. I don't know if I will ever get to a point where I am 2 years ahead but I'm really only focused on 1 season at a time.  I burn mostly "green" oak, ash and popple and I split it by hand and it works just fine.  When I do find a good deal on a truck load I buy it and that helps cut down on the trips to the woods so that saves me a little time too.
I agree with that except I like dry wood - less smoke.

I measured the shed and stacks for this winter and I had 12 cords.  I think I went thru all of that and maybe a little more last winter.  This is heating a 1500 sf well insulated ranch with basement and a 1200 sf garage and dhw.  I think the garage uses 3/4 of the load. 

I burn a good mix of dry wood.  Some oak, some box elder, a lot of elm and cherry depending on the year.  I have managed to get about 25 cord split and stacked in back right now and am still cutting with little snow this winter.  Probably will be 3 years ahead by May.  I cut 18-24" and split once over 12" or to make manageable. 

11
Equipment / Re: In the market for a saw
« on: January 23, 2015, 10:08:38 AM »
I would recommend a 60-70cc saw.  They are a little heavier, but will cut so much faster and save you time.  I got by with the 260, but regret not getting a larger saw sooner.  I have a stihl 362 that does quite well for me, but am about ready to get a 460 for bigger wood and a little milling.

12
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Chimney Fires
« on: January 17, 2015, 10:56:41 AM »
in 8 years I have yet to 'see' a chimney fire on mine, but every month or so I see the signs of one with ashes all over the snow.  Only worry I have is an ember lands on a wood pile and ignites.

13
My first year all I had was box elder and it had some mold under the bark (falling off).  That stunk so bad I had to fill before showering in the morning.  With better wood, I think I smell better and fill after showering now.  At least no one has told me I smell.....

People are too sensitive now as smoking is outlawed everywhere and we forget how much smoke stink that produced.  I don't smoke, but my dad did and his truck and jacket always smelled like smoke, but now when I am in someone's car that smokes it is hard to take.  I guess we were just more used to it back then.

14
Fire Wood / Re: Wild Grape Vine
« on: January 08, 2015, 02:32:30 PM »
I am screwed also.  I have started cutting and treating the vines, but it is a battle.  They have killed some oaks in my woods. 

They do climb trees.  Very invasive plant.  Didn't use to be so bad.

Anyone know how long they take to grow to 1" diameter vines?

15
Fire Wood / Re: freeze up
« on: December 31, 2014, 11:02:06 AM »
I went out to cut and haul some elm last sunday and ended up getting stuck with the atv and trailer up against a tree.  It had been below freezing and some snow on the ground, but still mud when the tires spin a little.  Should be better tomorrow after this last cold spell.

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