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Topics - Cabo

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1
Plumbing / Johnson A419 controller
« on: February 04, 2019, 04:00:01 AM »
I'm running a 8 degree differential (195-187) but have noticed a lag on the fan kicking on.  Yesterday after cleaning, I turned the switch back on and the fan didn't come on.  I checked and it read 185  fan didn't kick on until 184.  Been running fine but wondering if the probe could go bad or the controller?  Should say it's 5 years old so it doesn't owe me anything.

2
Plumbing / Large copper manifolds
« on: September 10, 2017, 10:48:11 AM »
Does anyone know of a source for a 1 1/2" X 1 1/4" 5 port copper manifold?  I need one for our reverse osmosis machine.  I got one made 9 years ago and can't find the info on the supplier.  Our local supply house doesn't have a source and I can't find one on the internet.  Worst case I'll build one but would rather spend that time setting up other things.  Thanks

3
Equipment / PTO driven processors
« on: December 31, 2016, 04:52:31 PM »
Was wondering if anyone has had any experience with PTO processors.  Just starting to do some research about them.  I like the idea of using the tractor instead of having another motor to maintain but if there  are any draw back, i'd like to hear them.  I wouldn't need a large volume of production but don't want to look at something too small.  Over the years, figuring out the size that best suits your needs and going 1 step above has usually worked out well.  Thanks for any input.

4
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Gasser wood usage
« on: December 08, 2015, 04:43:08 PM »
This is my second year with an OWB and trying to compare wood consumption compared to last year.  In 2014 I started on Oct. 18 and had used 2 cords as of Dec 19.  This year I started on Oct 17 and it looks like i'll end up at about 2 cords used by Dec 19.  It seems as if it has been much milder this year but similar wood consumption.  The wood I'm using has been cut for 2 years and last years wood had only been cut for a year so there may be some additional usage there.  I guess the only true way is to find how may heating degree days for the 2 years and compare.  Anyone else have a similar experience?

5
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Exterior Boiler Cleaning
« on: April 21, 2015, 05:24:16 PM »
Just wondering what to use on the outside of the boiler to remove smoke stain from loading the stove?  It's mainly over the door and since the panel is light colored it really jumps out.  Probably my OCD kicking in but might as well keep it looking good.

6
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Just a reminder
« on: April 19, 2015, 04:51:35 PM »
I ran into this myself so I figured I'd pass it on.  First year with the boiler and when I shut it down after 2nd day I noticed a small drip at the PEX-Copper compression.  I was able to get maybe 1/8 turn.  Returned from vacation 10 days later and had same situation on opposite end.  I'm sure the o-ring contracts with the cool down.  Also, don't forget to a cap over your chimney.

7
Portage & Main / Cleaning a 250
« on: November 02, 2014, 05:38:56 PM »
I've been burning now for 15 days and figured I'd clean the tubes today.  I opened the back up this AM and my stack temp was reading 275-280 so I figured I'd wait.  Two days ago I saw 300(maybe read it wrong at a quick glance).  Is it possible to have a stack temp drop slightly?  Dependent upon wood type/moisture content?

8
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Temperature Differential
« on: October 20, 2014, 05:35:32 PM »
Currently I have my stove set at a 5 degree differential(only been running 36 hrs.)  Tonight I opened the door and the blower was going and virtually no coals other then a baseball size area.  I put in 2 pieces and figured there was no way things would ignite.  Checked it a 1/2 hr later and it was roaring away.  Am I thinking correctly that with less load on the stove now I should leave it as to create more frequent burns and as more demand is put on it increase the differential to about 10 degrees?

9
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Start up observations
« on: October 19, 2014, 05:31:23 PM »
Well I fired the boiler up this AM for the season/first time ever(other then when Slimjim was here).  It went pretty well but thought that my experience/foolish over sites my help others when they fire up
          -remove chimney cover if one is in place (I did remember)
          -Remember to turn switch on at FRONT of unit.  I scratched my head for over 1/2 an hour on why I couldn't get the blower     to come on with the timer.  Of course I couldn't find the owners manual right of so I went to the P&M website and printed off the wiring diagram and saw the switch.  Just foolish on my part.
          -Listen to see if blower is going.  If not be aware that a flash back could occur if gasses are built up.
          -Always stand to the hinge side of the door when opening and only open to the safety catch at first.
          -Install a plastic contractor bag with tape under the access door in rear of unit to help catch condensation during warm up.  Good suggestion Slimjim.  I would say I got a quart to 1/2 gal of black condensation out and no mess to clean up.
          -I took about 1 1/2 hrs. before it started to gasify.  I'm thinking that it was due to only having 3-4 pieces of wood in it.  With in 10 mins. of adding 4-6 more pieces it was going good.
          -It took about 3-3 1/2 hrs. to get up to 195.
          -I am running a 5 degree differential right now.  I wanted to make sure it would through out the day since there is very little load on the unit right now and I could check on it while doing other things.  I will go back to a 10-12 degree differential shortly.
          -Supply and return differential approx. 18 degrees so pump speed seems good.
          -Stack temp right at 260.
The main issue I had was my garage radiant seemed to be air locked but after some bleeding it seems to be working now.  I turned it up to 70 just to put some demand on the boiler but will turn it down in a day or so.

All in all it went quite well.  Thanks to Slim for some pointers when he was here for the install.  Hopefully some of these items I mentioned will help other people that are new to OWB.

10
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / SlimJim Update
« on: October 11, 2014, 09:57:39 PM »
Just wanted to let everyone know that SlimJim is at the Sandwich, NH Fair.  The area is a dead spot for cell and internet so that is why he hasn't been posting or able to return calls since Thurs AM.  The fair goes through Mon. so I would figure by sometime on Tues. he would be back on the forum and returning calls.

11
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / P&M Install Finished
« on: August 07, 2014, 05:18:06 PM »
I just finished up my 250 install with the help of Slimjim and Danny and couldn't be happier.  The journey started about a year and a half ago by contacting the factory and meeting Slim at the Cornish, NH fair.  He took the time to answer all the questions I had then and continued to answer them thru phone and e-mail.  I put a deposit down this spring and got the boiler in mid May.  Through his encouragement I did the manifold work which was enjoyable and came out pretty good but I didn't attempt the final hook-up as I knew it would be more involved then what I could do.
He and Danny arrived early evening on Monday and started work Tuesday AM.  The boiler was fired Wednesday about noon.  It came up to temp later in the afternoon, did some adjustments and turned up the thermostats to put a load on it and did a few more adjustments.
The whole experience was great from factory to finish but the knowledge and personal touch that Slim added was more then expected.  I always say that selling a product is the easy part; servicing and standing behind it is the tough part.
At dinner last night with Slim I commented that I felt most heat installers would probably do 75% of the install in a similar fashion but that last 25%(the part that brings the install from good to excellent) would be missed.  There are many small items that he does because he knows the questions/problems people run into that someone not installing OWB on a regular basis would do.
I would highly recommend Slim to anyone considering installing an OWB; whether starting with the pipe in the ground or just doing the final tie in.  Being in the trades myself, I know we are constantly fighting a battle to prove ourselves due to so many poor quality contractors who talk a good line but can't deliver a quality finished product.  I'm here to tell you this guy is the REAL DEAL.

12
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Stack height on gasser
« on: July 05, 2014, 10:25:21 AM »
I just finished roofing my OWB/woodshed and was wondering if requirements for the distance above the roof/ridge were similar to a fireplace (2' above ridge within 10') or something else.  I put a metalbestos T off the boiler and installed the factory supplied 3' section of pipe.  This puts me 26" above the shed roof but I'm only 5'6" away from my garage roof.  The reason for the T was to install a barometric damper since I was adding more then the 3' pipe.  And for Slim's peace of mind, I will be installing a couple of pieces of Metal roofing above the boiler.  HaHa.  In all seriousness that is a good idea always.

13
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Barometric Damper
« on: May 26, 2014, 04:32:30 PM »
I remember reading a while ago that Slimjim stated that no one made a stainless steel damper and someone could do quite well if they did.  I got thinking that for my install I will need one coming up and was wondering if one could be made from a T out of metalbestos?  Figured I throw the idea out.

14
Plumbing / Pressurized vs. Non Pressurized
« on: March 17, 2014, 03:27:10 PM »
I was on the jobsite today discussing OWB set ups and a guy with a Central Boiler told me this past fall he had removed the plate exchanger from his set up and the thing has been running better then ever.  I questioned him about tying the 2 systems together since the house boiler is pressurized and he said that the OWB is at about the same elevation as the house boiler thus they balance out.  I continued questioning him and he said that occasionally his 2nd floor baseboards would not circulate if OWB water level wasn't kept topped off.  This whole set up seems very strange to me from what I have read on here.  Maybe I'm not understanding the situation but it seems to be working for him.

15
Plumbing / Pump change
« on: March 09, 2014, 05:37:27 PM »
Upon Slimjim's suggestion, during OWB install I will change out my existing Grundfos 15-58 to an Alpha.  I looked at the 15-55 and it has very similar head range and a slightly higher max flow.  Is this the model # I should be getting or something else?  Thanks, Cabo

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