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16
Fire Wood / Re: Grapple load
« on: February 10, 2013, 02:59:50 PM »
Come on Roger !! We need pictures 
17
For Sale / Hot Water Solar Panels
« on: January 17, 2013, 09:21:44 PM »
I have 6 hot water solar panels for sale, these are commercially built panels with all aluminum insulated boxes, all copper pipe, 1" headers and 1/2" riser tubes, with solar glass. The tag on them says Built by Energy Design Corp. HP-150 Solar Energy Collector. They measure 36" wide and 96" high. I have some mounting brackets that go with them. These would be great to heat domestic hot water, swimming pool ect. $150 each. Panels are located in S.E. Michigan ( washtenaw county) pm me if you have any questions or you can call (734) 368-7 zero 7 one.
[attachment deleted by admin for space issues]
[attachment deleted by admin for space issues]
18
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Actual Electric Savings...
« on: January 17, 2013, 05:24:38 PM »
You guys really need to check out the Grundfos Alpha pumps. 7 different settings with a max electric usage of 45 Watts. My original 3 speed pumps where sucking 235 watts on low, 255 watts on medium, and 285 watts on high. Went to the Alpha pump 1 1/2 years ago working great !!
19
Portage & Main / Re: Sidearm - what am I missing?
« on: December 30, 2012, 07:40:08 PM »
I am not sure if it makes any difference which way the boiler water (from owb) flows thru the sidearm. I was told to hook it up the opposite way you have yours, I don't know if it makes a difference or not. I do know that it is critical that you have the horizontal pipe that runs from the sidearm to the hot water tank where you removed the pressure relief valve has to be right on top of the tank as close as you can possibly get it or it will not thermosiphon. I have had a few issues getting mine to work right, the key to the whole thing working right is that horizontal pipe. Hope this helps, send me a pm if you have any questions.
20
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Shop building HX & Fan
« on: December 01, 2012, 09:07:05 PM »
I can tell you from experience it really doesn't matter what size heat exchanger you put in you will never heat it right till you insulate the ceiling !! Insulation is one of the best investments you will ever make, for both the winter and summer. Put the insulation on the bottom of the trusses, I put 12" rolled fiberglass batts between the trusses now I heat it with a candle ! Not really, but you won't believe what a difference it makes. Chances are if you insulate the ceiling good the exchanger you have might do the job . Good Luck
21
Shaver Furnace / Re: Shavers pro 250 vs. NC 250
« on: September 14, 2012, 07:33:48 PM »
Seriously!! have you actually looked at both of the stoves you mentioned !! Just look at the fit and finish and the craftsmanship of the two stoves and there is no comparison. The shaver looks like it was built by a middle school shop class. And if that isn't enough for you do like Scott suggested and google shaver problems and get ready for lots of reading !! Good Luck with your decision.
22
Natures Comfort / Re: Are nc good wood boilers?
« on: June 30, 2012, 06:27:43 AM »
I have the GT-220 gassifier, two years on it and running good so far 
23
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Anyone using a natures comfort gasification boiler?
« on: March 24, 2012, 07:50:59 PM »
I also have the gt-220, just finished the second winter on it and it is working great. I have never had any trouble maintaining temp, heating about 4500 sq ft in 2 buildings plus DHW. You do need to burn dry seasoned wood for the gassifiers to work right. It is amazing how much heat you can get out of a small amount of wood. I have had a couple minor issues with my stove and natures comfort has taken care of everything, I am happy with my stove so far.
24
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Shut down OWF for the Season
« on: March 13, 2012, 07:35:58 AM »
I also put a timer on my pumps so they run about 30min a day just to keep things mixed up and keep the pumps from sitting all summer. I don't know if it is really necessary but for the little bit of electric it takes to run the pumps, it seems like a good idea to keep things mixed up and ready to go.
25
Home Made / Re: to build a gasser or not?
« on: February 17, 2012, 07:12:24 PM »
Welcome crjr
You are right on about this being one of the best sites on the net!!. I am heating about the same square footage as you are, and thought about building one myself. I looked at lots of different stoves, both conventional and gassifiers, and I ended up with a Natures Comfort GT-220 gassifer. Basically what it boils down to is you have to have well seasoned wood (around 20% or less moisture) and you will burn far less wood than a conventional stove. As far as cleaning, I give mine a good cleaning about every 14-16 days. It takes me 30-40 minutes to do this. There is no way that I could cut enough wood in 30-40 minutes every 16 days to make up the difference I am saving in wood. And as a added bonus there is very little smoke= happy neighbors. The P&M optomizer is also a good design, check out Jackels homemade build on this site, he did a nice job of combining features from the natures comfort and portage & main gassifiers. Whatever you decide to build, keep us posted and remember, without pictures it never happened !!
You are right on about this being one of the best sites on the net!!. I am heating about the same square footage as you are, and thought about building one myself. I looked at lots of different stoves, both conventional and gassifiers, and I ended up with a Natures Comfort GT-220 gassifer. Basically what it boils down to is you have to have well seasoned wood (around 20% or less moisture) and you will burn far less wood than a conventional stove. As far as cleaning, I give mine a good cleaning about every 14-16 days. It takes me 30-40 minutes to do this. There is no way that I could cut enough wood in 30-40 minutes every 16 days to make up the difference I am saving in wood. And as a added bonus there is very little smoke= happy neighbors. The P&M optomizer is also a good design, check out Jackels homemade build on this site, he did a nice job of combining features from the natures comfort and portage & main gassifiers. Whatever you decide to build, keep us posted and remember, without pictures it never happened !!
26
Natures Comfort / Re: GT-220
« on: January 23, 2012, 08:49:44 AM »
I have a GT-220 also into its second season, heating a little over 4500 sq ft in 2 buildings plus DHW. I easily getting 12-16 hour burn times and I never fill the firebox full. I think the gt-220 may be a little small for your heat load, and I would check the moisture content of your wood. Just because its over a year old doesn't mean its dry, especially oak!!. I have found that if the wood is not stacked where it gets direct sunlight, it will take 2-3 times longer to dry down. I am burning wood that has been stacked for over 2 yrs and is running 15-18% moisure, and it was dead when I cut it down. Dry wood makes a huge difference in a gassifier!!
27
Portage & Main / Re: Optimizer 250
« on: December 23, 2011, 07:46:53 PM »
Hi Guys
I don't have a P&M gassifier, but I do have a Natures Comfort Gassifier and I have found that the stove runs much better set at 190 with a 5deg diff. (thats on at 185 off at 190). It actually burns less wood and far less creosote issues. Give it a try, it may help your stove run better.
I don't have a P&M gassifier, but I do have a Natures Comfort Gassifier and I have found that the stove runs much better set at 190 with a 5deg diff. (thats on at 185 off at 190). It actually burns less wood and far less creosote issues. Give it a try, it may help your stove run better.
28
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Solar Panel for Hot Water
« on: November 18, 2011, 04:57:25 PM »
You should check out this website, lots of good info on solar water heating. www.homepower.com
29
Equipment / Re: New Saw for my birthday.
« on: November 11, 2011, 08:22:05 PM »
Gary
I think you made a great choice, and thank you for your service
I think you made a great choice, and thank you for your service
30
Home Made / Re: starting a build i have lots of questions
« on: November 03, 2011, 07:15:26 PM »
Welcome Shane
There is so much info on this website it is almost mind boggling!! I will ad my two cents . If I where you I would not start a build without a firm plan or design. You really need to look at the design of different manufacturers and take the things that make sense and incoporate them into your design. Changes you make along the way can have a way of getting expensive. You can check out some of the features on manufactureres wesites but there is nothing like seeing a stove in operation, and talking to the owner.
If you check out Jackels built on this site, he combined a Natures Comfort gassifier with some features from portage and main and some of his own ideas to build a one of a kind gassifier. I have never seen Jackels stove personally, but I have seen P&M's Optimizer 250 gassifier and I own a Natures Comfort GT-220 and both are very impessive stoves. Good luck with whatever you decide to build and always remember if there are no pictures posted here it never happened!!!!
There is so much info on this website it is almost mind boggling!! I will ad my two cents . If I where you I would not start a build without a firm plan or design. You really need to look at the design of different manufacturers and take the things that make sense and incoporate them into your design. Changes you make along the way can have a way of getting expensive. You can check out some of the features on manufactureres wesites but there is nothing like seeing a stove in operation, and talking to the owner.
If you check out Jackels built on this site, he combined a Natures Comfort gassifier with some features from portage and main and some of his own ideas to build a one of a kind gassifier. I have never seen Jackels stove personally, but I have seen P&M's Optimizer 250 gassifier and I own a Natures Comfort GT-220 and both are very impessive stoves. Good luck with whatever you decide to build and always remember if there are no pictures posted here it never happened!!!!