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Portage & Main / Portage & Main Optimizer 350
« on: March 19, 2014, 08:31:15 AM »
We are back. After burning the 350 for less than two seasons the 2 1/2" air tubes (the Lowest tubes) in the fire box have split and started to open on both sides. Still have issues with fresh air plenum accumulating tons of creosote.
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Portage & Main / Re: Optimizer 450
« on: June 08, 2013, 06:50:59 AM »
The dealer only commented that P & M had mention repairing, but nothing official.
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Portage & Main / Re: PM rusted out heat exchanger
« on: June 07, 2013, 03:33:30 PM »
Sorry about your nightmare. Brian needs to step up and take care of the customers that believed in his marketing "The Best Warranty in the Industry". Good Luck.
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Portage & Main / Re: Optimizer 450
« on: June 07, 2013, 03:27:03 PM »
I have contacted my dealer. I have to believe that there is some friction between P & M and the customer. We have heard rumors that they will fix the issue from our dealer but nothing official.
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Portage & Main / Re: Optimizer 450
« on: June 06, 2013, 08:31:12 AM »
Let me know how u can help on this site maybe it would help some of the other members.
Thanks
Thanks
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Portage & Main / Re: Optimizer 450
« on: April 09, 2013, 01:11:06 PM »
Our new and improved Optimizer 350 has developed a leak around one of the two inch tubes. Seems like one season is all we can get out of Portage & Mains gasification units.
[attachment deleted by admin for space issues]
[attachment deleted by admin for space issues]
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Portage & Main / Re: Optimizer 450
« on: March 24, 2013, 08:56:23 AM »
Temps in the mid to upper 30's make air movement control more difficult. The boiler still wants to approach cut off temp which brings us back to the original problem of not having continous air flow thru the boiler. We have some other changes we will be making this summer to improve warm outdoor temperature control. When temps are cold outside the VFD has shown to be an inprovement with little additional wood usage. Stay warm.
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Portage & Main / Re: Optimizer 450
« on: January 27, 2013, 08:45:21 AM »
We have installed the VFD and three phase motorin our 350. So far it appears to been running as planned. The issues to date are keeping the temp close to the set point on warm days. We will be doing a shut down in the next few days to see how the boilers insides look running at slower speeds. Will post later. The 450 has been picked up and returned to Portage & Main.
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Portage & Main / Re: Optimizer 350
« on: January 12, 2013, 07:05:48 PM »
Maintenance nightmare. It still has the air box issue during the off cycle.
Yes we have the Stainless option. Its only screwed to the galvanized sheet metal and is not sealed adding to the problem of the fresh air ducts creosote issue.
We are in process of adding a Variable Frequency Drive to modulate the fan speed according to the water temp. This should keep the fan running constantly at varying speeds. Both units the 350 and the 450 produce allot of heat its about the time to keep it cleaned up so it continues to work without self destructing. The wood we have been using has a 20% or less moisture content as measured by a quality moisture meter.
Yes we have the Stainless option. Its only screwed to the galvanized sheet metal and is not sealed adding to the problem of the fresh air ducts creosote issue.
We are in process of adding a Variable Frequency Drive to modulate the fan speed according to the water temp. This should keep the fan running constantly at varying speeds. Both units the 350 and the 450 produce allot of heat its about the time to keep it cleaned up so it continues to work without self destructing. The wood we have been using has a 20% or less moisture content as measured by a quality moisture meter.
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Portage & Main / Re: Optimizer 450
« on: December 31, 2012, 08:31:40 PM »
Have our 450 off the pad and a new 350 in its place. Have a new job after retiring from the electrical trade I now am a full time maintenance man keeping everything cleaned up.
We are in the process of installing a VFD to run the combustion fan and keep a constant burn based on water temp. Theory is to keep a positive pressure thru the air box and keep the gases going in the right direction. There are a lot of different factors that effect the combustion/ gasification. Kind of excited about getting this conversion installed. Hope it helps. Be in touch with our progress.
We are in the process of installing a VFD to run the combustion fan and keep a constant burn based on water temp. Theory is to keep a positive pressure thru the air box and keep the gases going in the right direction. There are a lot of different factors that effect the combustion/ gasification. Kind of excited about getting this conversion installed. Hope it helps. Be in touch with our progress.
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Portage & Main / Re: Optimizer 450
« on: November 01, 2012, 06:14:41 PM »
Some photographs to ponder optimizer 450.
[attachment deleted by admin for space issues]
[attachment deleted by admin for space issues]
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Portage & Main / Re: Optimizer 450
« on: October 31, 2012, 04:48:53 PM »
I do know that the 250 has a similar air system and it has a pipe in the top of the firepot. A fellow we know has had his 250 plug and quit gasification until he found the problem and remedy it. My understanding is the top pipe has no way to rod it out only a tool to clean the holes in the pipe.
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Portage & Main / Re: Optimizer 450
« on: October 31, 2012, 03:24:11 PM »
The holes aren't from rust. What happens with this model during the season is it shuts down when the preset water temperature is reach this is norma,l however the trapped gases and smoke are looking for a way out and the only direction they can go is out the supply air pipes back to the fresh air plenum and the damper. These trapped combustion gases eat away the metal. The air plenum where the damper is mounted is made of stainless steel, but the ducting to the firepot is made of regular sheet metal and black pipe. The pipe looks to be schedule 40 and will takes some time for it to corrode thru. The sheet metal is thin and corroded thru in one burning season. They are now offering a stainless steel option for a additional price.
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Portage & Main / Optimizer 450
« on: October 31, 2012, 08:33:45 AM »
We purchased a 450 for our new home in 2011. Used it last winter and found that it had corroded holes all thru the intake air ducts. Last winter had difficult time keeping this stove working found exhaust fan had self destructed. Our dealer has been excellent in trying to get help from the factory. The factory has offered us a replacement but the boiler they offered is $3200.00 less expensive than the 450. Oh, no refund of difference. They also want us to pay for the shipping of the new boiler, and then they offered to add stainless if we would pay another $1500.00. We understand problems happen, but we shouldn't have to pay for their R & D. We have spent in excess of $20,000.00 dollars for the 450 and it is shot after one season of use. Please be careful things aren't what they appear. We traveled to Iowa to see one in operation but it was his first year also. Service is terrible. Don't get burned.
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Testing / portage & main 450
« on: October 30, 2012, 04:47:24 PM »
We purchased a 450 for our new home in 2011. Used it last winter and found that it had corroded holes all thru the intake air ducts. Last winter had difficult time keeping this stove working found exhaust fan had self destructed. Our dealer has been excellent in trying to get help from the factory. The factory has offered us a replacement but the boiler they offered is $3200.00 less expensive than the 450. Oh, no refund of difference. They also want us to pay for the shipping of the new boiler, and then they offered to add stainless if we would pay another $1500.00. We understand problems happen, but we shouldn't have to pay for their R & D. We have spent in excess of $20,000.00 dollars for the 450 and it is shot after one season of use. Please be careful things aren't what they appear. We travelled to Iowa to see one in operation but it was his first year also. Service is terrible. Don't get burned.
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