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Author Topic: Opti 250 condensation  (Read 4537 times)

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Opti 250 condensation
« on: January 25, 2015, 09:58:35 AM »

This fall I change my firebox and bottom burn chamber door gaskets to the nice silicone ones. The last couple weeks I started seeing water when cleaning out the bottom burn chamber. I didn't see any sign of air leaks but tightened the doors up anyway. No luck, still there. The boiler is on its 3rd burning season. Any suggestions?
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Big Wood

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Re: Opti 250 condensation
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2015, 06:37:40 PM »

Need more information what are your running temps have you checked water level
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Big Wood

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Re: Opti 250 condensation
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2015, 06:40:22 PM »

Also have you opened the air box in the back and check to see if everything is clean and working properly
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Re: Opti 250 condensation
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2015, 07:46:34 PM »

Temp is 182 with 10 for a differential. The water level hasn't really moved at all. I opened up the air box, and it is dirty. There's no moisture back there like some guys are having. Everything is working correctly.
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slimjim

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Re: Opti 250 condensation
« Reply #4 on: January 26, 2015, 03:49:47 AM »

Have you changed wood quality? Is it gassing OK? How about a picture?
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jreimer

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Re: Opti 250 condensation
« Reply #5 on: January 26, 2015, 01:10:05 PM »

How much water are we talking about?  Is it just moist at the front by the door or more water than that?

What have your outdoor temperatures been?  Has it been warmer or cooler than normal?
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Re: Opti 250 condensation
« Reply #6 on: January 27, 2015, 09:48:43 AM »

It snowed last night and I can see there's an air leak. Not a lot of water but it's condensation. When I close the door I can here it in the gasket also. I'll check tonight if it's gassing or not. I can't seem to post pics, there to large from my phone.
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Re: Opti 250 condensation
« Reply #7 on: January 27, 2015, 04:48:42 PM »

It's gassing great. The water seems to be coming from aroumd the gasket, because it's wet all the way around. I moved the hinges in and tightened the latch. I'll check it in the morning. When I installed the new gaskets and it snowed there was none melted in front of the door! I've been keeping the seal very cleam when I remove the ashes. I figured I'd posted on here and see if anyone else has had this problem. Thanks everyone.
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Re: Opti 250 condensation
« Reply #8 on: January 27, 2015, 09:13:01 PM »

I checked it tonight and tightening didn't work. Do I order new gasket and start over? I cleaned the doors up really well, put silicone in then pressed in the gasket. Very frustrating!
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slimjim

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Re: Opti 250 condensation
« Reply #9 on: January 28, 2015, 01:34:21 AM »

Adjusting it did not help? did you adjust both sides of the door?  The hinge side is adjustable as well as the latch side.
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martyinmi

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Re: Opti 250 condensation
« Reply #10 on: January 28, 2015, 04:33:39 AM »

Make sure that when you put your new gasket in that you thoroughly stuffed it in the corners.
Mine leaked in two corners because I didn't do it right the first time.
I was able to fix mine with some high temp silicone and wax paper.
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Re: Opti 250 condensation
« Reply #11 on: January 28, 2015, 04:43:24 PM »

Yes I adjusted both sides. The impression it leaves on the gasket look great! I have no clue what's going on.
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Re: Opti 250 condensation
« Reply #12 on: January 29, 2015, 08:01:36 AM »

If I change the bottom door gasket again how long should I wait before firing it up again? Could I let the burner down to good coals,   change the gasket, install the door, wait 12 hrs, then re-fire?
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martyinmi

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Re: Opti 250 condensation
« Reply #13 on: January 29, 2015, 08:13:00 PM »

You shouldn't have to wait at all.

Let it burn down well, pull the door off, dig gasket out, clean groove, apply bead of high temp silicone in groove, stuff new gasket in, apply a couple drops of silicone where ends meet, and you're done. I used a small piece of wax paper on top of the area where the ends butted together so the silicone wouldn't stick to the frame. You shouldn't be down more than 10 or 15 minutes.

Throw a few splits on top of coals and you are up and gassin'!!!
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Re: Opti 250 condensation
« Reply #14 on: February 28, 2015, 05:18:20 PM »

Ok I changed my lower door gasket, left the switch off, closed the door, and waited an hour. When I opened the door up there was condensation on the bump out in front of the gasket. I put the insulation and heat shield back on and there's still condensation forming. It's no longer dripping from the door and not making a puddle inside, but still worries me. Any other 250 owners have this? Should I change my insulation on the door? Have any of you changed yours?
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