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1

Plumbing / Ball valve gone bad?

« on: January 12, 2015, 01:30:19 PM »

I believe the ball value that is plummed in the supply line from the dhwt to fill my owb  has gone bad.  Normally, I have to turn on two ball valves, the one on the front of my owb (a) and the one that is located on the supply line leading from the dhwt (b).  When I turned valve a on and water started flowing I initially, thought I forgot to turn off b the last time I topped the water off.  When I went to look a ball valve b I noticed it was in the off position.  So my conclusion is that I have a bad ball valve namely b.  Though it is not an immediate problem I would some day like to replace the faulty ball valve.  My question is how to replace it without getting water all over the place or should I just plan to wear swim trunks when I attempt this job.

2

Shaver Furnace / Re: 1ST POST

« on: March 25, 2014, 09:56:31 AM »

I have been burning my Shaver 250 for six seasons and I would also recommend  doing all the modifications to the stove that you see posted on this forum.   I heat a total of about 3400 sq ft. from October to May with no more than 8 cords of seasoned red and white oak.  This winter has been exceptionally cold and windy in W. MD. and I have burnt approx. 6.5 cords.  Even with negative temps I can consistantly have burn times of 14 to 16 hours.  But with my schedule I fill it about every twelve hours.  Enjoy you new stove, it will pay for itself quickly.

3

Shaver Furnace / Re: Newbie Question

« on: February 04, 2014, 07:10:17 AM »

The updates made my Shaver work much better.  Hotter fires and less wood useage.   This forum is a great place for good ideas.

4

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / water temps. down on boiler

« on: January 22, 2014, 08:16:47 AM »

Water temps were down on my boiler this morning.  Temp. should read 188 but actual reading this morning was 148.  Thought the wood may have bridged thru the night but I don't think that was the case as my wife informed me that the temp was 141.  I had this problem years ago and it was do to clogged flue.  When I get home tonight I will clean the flue and check the blower.  The blower seemed to be running fine this morning but the fins may have collected too much dirt to blow enough air into the firebox .  How would I know if the Ranco Tstat is bad?  Any other things that I should check for?     

5

Shaver Furnace / Re: Sagging Shaver Door

« on: December 05, 2013, 07:07:06 AM »

My Shaver door is not sagging  however, the latch is getting very hard to open and shut.  I'm afraid that the door latch will break at any time.  Creosote is not a problem.  It seems that the metal latch is binding somewhere. Any suggestions?

6

Hardy / Re: How much do you load?

« on: November 25, 2013, 12:19:35 PM »

Anywhere from nine to twelve pieces of split dry red oak will get me at least 15hrs. My practice is to feed the stove twice daily usually 6 am and 9 pm.  I always have a couple hours to spare should my schedule get messed up.

7

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: This what I woke up to this morning

« on: November 12, 2013, 06:58:47 AM »

Ground is covered here in W. Md. with a light dusting of the white stuff.  Good thing I started the furnace Sunday and my house is toasty warm.  Last night I welcomed the snow with my summertime favorite..... STEAMED BLUE CRABS AND BEER.

8

Shaver Furnace / Re: Shaver Mod

« on: November 05, 2013, 08:19:38 AM »

Starting my 6th season with my 250.  So far no major issues but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  I have to say it is a much better stove with the modifications done to it thanks to this forum.  I heat approx. a 3000 sq. ft. home and garage at 70 degrees and use about 7-8 cords of dry red oak from 11/1 to 5/1 and can swing 18 hr burns in 25 degree weather.  As long as this stove does what it is supposed to do, I will have no complaints.

9

Electronics / Re: Zone Valve not working

« on: October 25, 2013, 08:36:52 AM »

Any ways to close it?.  Or am I looking at replacement?

10

Electronics / Zone Valve not working

« on: October 25, 2013, 07:06:35 AM »

Will be starting up my owb Nov. 1, but right now I am having an issue with my first floor zone.  The past couple of days my first floor has been heating really warm.  Last night I turned off the tstat. and even removed its batteries thinking this morning the first floor would be cold.  However, this morning I could tell that the first floor was still receiving heat .  Could it be that the zone valve has gone bad?  I appreicate any thoughts on this issue before I call the heating man.

11

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Door rope gasket

« on: October 18, 2013, 01:56:17 PM »

Coated my rope gasket with high heat silicone last year and it's still in really good shape.

12

Plumbing / Re: Pex - good treat for a mouse

« on: April 01, 2013, 05:28:07 PM »

You name it I have it out.

13

Plumbing / Re: Pex - good treat for a mouse

« on: April 01, 2013, 04:21:48 PM »

Mice like my stuff.  Years ago I had to have my car rewired at a tune of $700.00

14

Plumbing / Pex - good treat for a mouse

« on: April 01, 2013, 02:24:34 PM »

I know pex is a good product for home heating systems since it is easy to work with and will not burst if it has a chance to freeze.  What is not cool about pex is that it must be cheese flavored.  I'm thinkin Colby Jack.  Appearantly, a hard to catch mouse has chewed enough to create a hole in my pex b/w the first and second floors.  I must have caught this early and only have minor damage to my drywall in my dining room and damage to my finished basement ceiling.  The bad news it that this is the second time this has happened over a five year period.  The first time I did not catch soon enough resulting in a compelet remodel of my dining room and moderate damage to finished basement.    The not so funny thing is, is that I replaced the same pex section the second time around.  This time I repaired it with a copper "shark bite" fitting instead of another section of pex.  Hopefully the mouse cannot chew through copper.  Could it be time for a CAT?

15

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: OWB or stick with oil?

« on: February 27, 2013, 07:31:14 AM »

Heating with oil was starting to get really expensive.  I was going to put and inside wood stove in but didn't want the mess. I even thought of installing a pellet stove but that too was expensive.  The OWF was my best option.   The initial expense (i.e. stove and install) was recouped in two years.  So now I heat my 3000 sq ft home and 500 sq ft garage  for $75.00/year which includes all permits to cut and the gas and oil for my saw.  I have an additional $3k+ in my pocket.  For me the switch was an easy decision to make.