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1
Portage & Main / Re: Calling all BL owners - May have stumbled onto increased burn times with f-brick
« on: November 28, 2015, 06:58:46 AM »
Update.... I received my bricks about a week ago. Brian was true to his word. Many thanks Brian. I haven't put them in yet as the stove has been in use for a couple of weeks. I'll probably finish out this season with my home modified brick and put them in come spring.
Slim, I don't see this as an upgrade situation. I would consider it more of a design flaw issue. I've used the example many times, but I would consider this similar to a factory recall/technical service bulletin on a car. Ford let's everyone know they goofed it on something and you take your vehicle in to be fixed at no cost.
Slim, I don't see this as an upgrade situation. I would consider it more of a design flaw issue. I've used the example many times, but I would consider this similar to a factory recall/technical service bulletin on a car. Ford let's everyone know they goofed it on something and you take your vehicle in to be fixed at no cost.
2
Portage & Main / Smoking at Idle - Door Gasket?
« on: November 09, 2015, 05:14:45 AM »
This is my second year heating with my BL2840. Last week I noticed a small plume of smoke coming out of my stack when the stove is idle. I don't recall seeing this last year, but don't think it should be normal. Is it possible one of the door gaskets are leaking? I have checked all 3 and they do not appear to be damaged or overly compressed.
Any thoughts or help would be appreciated.
Any thoughts or help would be appreciated.
3
Portage & Main / Re: Calling all BL owners - May have stumbled onto increased burn times with f-brick
« on: November 02, 2015, 06:43:12 PM »
Slim, Brian called me early this morning before I even saw your post. I guess he figured out who I was as I'm sure there haven't been that many stoves sold this far south. lol We had a good conversation for a little over 30 minutes. Long story short, Rory is no longer with Heat Smart (wasn't aware of that) and didn't make any notes in my files about our conversation. Despite this, Brian is going to honor the agreement Rory made and ship replacement bricks at no charge.
As I told Brian, I am very happy with my stove. I took a picture of it last winter with snow on it, no smoke coming out of the stack, and it was at a full burn. You could see the heat signature coming out of the stack if you looked at the pic closely. I posted this to Facebook bragging about my new stove. It is amazing. My only disappointment was the customer service I received over this issue. I have to say that Brian is being a man of integrity and standing behind a commitment made by a former employee. He didn't have to. This is the kind of customer service I heard about from P&M when I was shopping for stoves and expected after buying. This is the kind of customer service that wins customer loyalty. It has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.
Thank you Brian for being a man of honor.
As I told Brian, I am very happy with my stove. I took a picture of it last winter with snow on it, no smoke coming out of the stack, and it was at a full burn. You could see the heat signature coming out of the stack if you looked at the pic closely. I posted this to Facebook bragging about my new stove. It is amazing. My only disappointment was the customer service I received over this issue. I have to say that Brian is being a man of integrity and standing behind a commitment made by a former employee. He didn't have to. This is the kind of customer service I heard about from P&M when I was shopping for stoves and expected after buying. This is the kind of customer service that wins customer loyalty. It has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.
Thank you Brian for being a man of honor.
4
Portage & Main / Re: Calling all BL owners - May have stumbled onto increased burn times with f-brick
« on: November 01, 2015, 09:02:02 AM »
Thanks Slim, though at this point I am not sure what good it would do. Have to say, this has left a bad taste in my mouth with P&M. When I was looking to buy the stove, Robert called me fairly often. After my purchase and during my install (did it all myself), he was still in good contact and very helpful. He even sent me pics of his personal install. He also followed up a few times after startup to see how things were going. Robert was great. When I called about the bricks, I got the feeling that he was very apologetic and it was out of his control. I don't have anything bad to say about Robert at all. Rory, however was pretty much an ass about the whole deal. I had to keep pushing the point and calling back to get any response at all.
Oaky, I agree. This is definitely a flaw in the design and should be rectified by the manufacturer at no cost to the consumer (especially not at that brick per brick + shipping from Canada). I'm not an engineer or experienced in wood stove design, but in my mind this should have been a pretty basic part of the initial design. The stove is marketed as more efficient with more complete combustion due in part to the introduction of pre-heated air under the fire. This was apparently as major point of the design so wouldn't keeping the bricks stationary and evenly spaced be crucial to this concept? To quote their brochure, "this is Wood Burning Technology 101".
Sorry.....still venting......
Oaky, I agree. This is definitely a flaw in the design and should be rectified by the manufacturer at no cost to the consumer (especially not at that brick per brick + shipping from Canada). I'm not an engineer or experienced in wood stove design, but in my mind this should have been a pretty basic part of the initial design. The stove is marketed as more efficient with more complete combustion due in part to the introduction of pre-heated air under the fire. This was apparently as major point of the design so wouldn't keeping the bricks stationary and evenly spaced be crucial to this concept? To quote their brochure, "this is Wood Burning Technology 101".
Sorry.....still venting......
5
Portage & Main / Re: Calling all BL owners - May have stumbled onto increased burn times with f-brick
« on: November 01, 2015, 07:03:48 AM »
Hate to revive an old thread but needed to vent on this again.
After my post above on this topic. I emailed P&M about this issue and my request for a resolution. After multiple emails and phone calls with Robert, Brian, and Rory over 2 months and an internal consultation with their engineer at the factory (Robert?), I was finally told that they would stand behind their product and ship the new design fire bricks as a replacement. The catch was they wanted to wait until a stove was coming this direction so they could piggyback on the truck and save on freight. Understandable, given that the bricks were shipping from Canada to NW Arkansas.
Well, after months of waiting with no word from P&M and no bricks, it's now about time to fire up the stove for the season. I finally gave up last weekend and decided I was on my own. Since I don't have a welder to make the spacer, I decided to take a different route and modify the existing bricks along the lines of the new design. I broke out my trusty circular saw and a concrete blade and went to work. I notched the edge of the bricks 1/2". It wasn't fun (didn't realize there are metal fibers in fire brick lol), but it got the job done. I also cut down some fire brick I had laying around from our old indoor wood furnace to 3" to fill the gap left after pushing all the brick tight. I should have taken some pictures before firing the stove up so everyone could see the finished result, but hindsight right? So far it is working well. I'm finally getting good, even airflow into the firebox without having to worry about the spacing every time I rake the ash. We'll see how it does through the season as the stove get more use.
I'm pretty disappointed with P&M on this. I don't feel like they have lived up to the reputation of customer service that helped sway me to this brand of furnace or that they kept their word as Rory agreed to with me. As I maintained in my previous post, I see this as a design flaw that has a major impact on the proper function of the stove and was addressed through a design modification in the factory. P&M should do the right thing and have some integrity with owners of the earlier design. Just my 2 cents.
After my post above on this topic. I emailed P&M about this issue and my request for a resolution. After multiple emails and phone calls with Robert, Brian, and Rory over 2 months and an internal consultation with their engineer at the factory (Robert?), I was finally told that they would stand behind their product and ship the new design fire bricks as a replacement. The catch was they wanted to wait until a stove was coming this direction so they could piggyback on the truck and save on freight. Understandable, given that the bricks were shipping from Canada to NW Arkansas.
Well, after months of waiting with no word from P&M and no bricks, it's now about time to fire up the stove for the season. I finally gave up last weekend and decided I was on my own. Since I don't have a welder to make the spacer, I decided to take a different route and modify the existing bricks along the lines of the new design. I broke out my trusty circular saw and a concrete blade and went to work. I notched the edge of the bricks 1/2". It wasn't fun (didn't realize there are metal fibers in fire brick lol), but it got the job done. I also cut down some fire brick I had laying around from our old indoor wood furnace to 3" to fill the gap left after pushing all the brick tight. I should have taken some pictures before firing the stove up so everyone could see the finished result, but hindsight right? So far it is working well. I'm finally getting good, even airflow into the firebox without having to worry about the spacing every time I rake the ash. We'll see how it does through the season as the stove get more use.
I'm pretty disappointed with P&M on this. I don't feel like they have lived up to the reputation of customer service that helped sway me to this brand of furnace or that they kept their word as Rory agreed to with me. As I maintained in my previous post, I see this as a design flaw that has a major impact on the proper function of the stove and was addressed through a design modification in the factory. P&M should do the right thing and have some integrity with owners of the earlier design. Just my 2 cents.
6
Electronics / Re: Add on kit to shut fan off when fire goes out.
« on: November 01, 2015, 06:23:39 AM »
RSI,
I'm interested when you get some more put together. Let me know please. Thanks.
I'm interested when you get some more put together. Let me know please. Thanks.
7
Portage & Main / Re: Calling all BL owners - May have stumbled onto increased burn times with f-brick
« on: January 02, 2015, 09:22:43 AM »
Bud man - I agree. This should be a warranty/workmanship issue.
I started another thread a few days ago about adding a shaker grate to my stove. Really this is the issue. With the bricks continually moving, it makes it a b***h to rake out the ash effectively and maintain even burns. Don't get me wrong, I love my stove and wouldn't trade it for any other brand. I bought it because of the efficiency, build quality and everything I read on here about how P&M stands behind their product (and because of slim!).
For what I paid for the stove, I would expect P&M to honor their warranty against workmanship and resolve this flaw. By acknowledging it with a bulletin and design modification, they have effectively admitted there is an issue. This is no different than a service bulletin/recall for a vehicle.
I could easily make the spacer modification mentioned in this thread and was considering doing so until I slept on it last night. In my opinion, I shouldn't have to rig something that P&M has acknowledged as a flaw. At this point, it's a matter of principal and customer service.
Slim, can you get us any help on this or should I just contact Robert or Brian? Even at half price for the bricks as oaky mentioned was offered to him, that is not a resolution for what should have been in the design from the beginning.
I started another thread a few days ago about adding a shaker grate to my stove. Really this is the issue. With the bricks continually moving, it makes it a b***h to rake out the ash effectively and maintain even burns. Don't get me wrong, I love my stove and wouldn't trade it for any other brand. I bought it because of the efficiency, build quality and everything I read on here about how P&M stands behind their product (and because of slim!).
For what I paid for the stove, I would expect P&M to honor their warranty against workmanship and resolve this flaw. By acknowledging it with a bulletin and design modification, they have effectively admitted there is an issue. This is no different than a service bulletin/recall for a vehicle.
I could easily make the spacer modification mentioned in this thread and was considering doing so until I slept on it last night. In my opinion, I shouldn't have to rig something that P&M has acknowledged as a flaw. At this point, it's a matter of principal and customer service.
Slim, can you get us any help on this or should I just contact Robert or Brian? Even at half price for the bricks as oaky mentioned was offered to him, that is not a resolution for what should have been in the design from the beginning.
8
Portage & Main / Re: Shaker grate
« on: January 01, 2015, 06:00:21 PM »I'm not really sure if it can guys, but I think so, it may require some on site welding! I'll ask!
Hey slim. I was waiting for you to chime in. lol Please do ask. I'm not afraid to tear into it if I have to. Have a small welder so no big deal there either. My main concern is if the grate will fit in where the bricks are located now. Figured I would have to drill through for the control arm/handle part too.
9
Portage & Main / Shaker grate
« on: December 30, 2014, 08:46:46 AM »
So, in hindsight, I'm regretting not getting the shaker grate for my BL2840. Seems like it would make getting the ash out of the firebox a lot easier than pushing it back and forth over the firebrick. Can the shaker grate be added in? I'm betting I already know the answer to this but thought I'd ask anyway.
10
Portage & Main / Re: Burn Time
« on: November 19, 2014, 07:41:00 PM »
Here you go everyone. Schematic for the strap-on aquastat courtesy of slimjim. Haven't done it yet myself but plan to in the very near future. Thanks slimjim for all your help.
11
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Portage and Main owners
« on: November 12, 2014, 10:11:27 AM »
I bought my BL 2840 back in the spring. This will be my first winter heating with it and so far it has exceeded my expectations.
I had been looking at changing out our antique indoor wood furnace for about a year and had pretty well settled on a Hawken until I looked at the P&M. I never saw one fire when I bought it. I went solely off of what I saw on the P&M website and what people were saying on here.
I can’t say I bought it because of slimjim, but he sure helped influence my decision before and after.
Slim, you sir have been a valuable resource. Cheers.
I had been looking at changing out our antique indoor wood furnace for about a year and had pretty well settled on a Hawken until I looked at the P&M. I never saw one fire when I bought it. I went solely off of what I saw on the P&M website and what people were saying on here.
I can’t say I bought it because of slimjim, but he sure helped influence my decision before and after.
Slim, you sir have been a valuable resource. Cheers.
12
Portage & Main / Re: Can you have too much coals?
« on: November 12, 2014, 09:26:37 AM »
... or actuate the shaker grate.
Yeah......Kicking myself for not getting that option now. lol.
Thanks slimjim. Didn't figure it was a problem but wanted to make sure. I stir it well every time I load and it seems to be getting good airflow. Was wondering if it would help with recovery time and heat retention. Thought I had read somewhere that it was ideal to maintain a coal bed in the stove.
13
Portage & Main / Can you have too much coals?
« on: November 11, 2014, 07:27:25 PM »
So this is my first winter with the new BL 2840. I've had it fired up for about 3 weeks now with a very low load. Temps have been in the 50-60's during the day and 40's at night. Looks like winter is finally setting in this week though, highs in the 40's and lows in the 30's.
I've been getting good burns with very coal or ash until the past few days. Now I have a pretty good size bed of coals (about 8" deep or so). Is it better to have a good bed of coals or not? Can you have too much?
Also, I still have the factory settings on the aquastat. Considering turning it up to 190-ish with a 10 deg diff based on what I've read on here. Would that make a difference?
Thanks guys.
I've been getting good burns with very coal or ash until the past few days. Now I have a pretty good size bed of coals (about 8" deep or so). Is it better to have a good bed of coals or not? Can you have too much?
Also, I still have the factory settings on the aquastat. Considering turning it up to 190-ish with a 10 deg diff based on what I've read on here. Would that make a difference?
Thanks guys.
14
Portage & Main / Re: Got my BL today!
« on: March 23, 2014, 06:53:33 PM »
Really? Looked like the knock out was pretty well centered in the bottom? Now worries. I made the pad 6" wider to each side so I can adjust if needed. 
15
Portage & Main / Re: Got my BL today!
« on: March 23, 2014, 05:48:55 PM »
Pipe is in and concrete poured. Now to get the backhoe back over to finish filling in the ditch and set the stove. Going to start the inside part tomorrow night.