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1

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Wanted - Informed Feedback on Purchase of New OWB

« on: November 19, 2016, 08:28:55 PM »

 Very good posts so far. As a portage and Main owner I don't believe I am biased.   However,  I cannot say one bad thing about my BL 2840,  which heats a 2800 square-foot home and my 1700 square-foot shop.   This will be my third season. I actually called portage and Main today and was told that Brian would call me back. I got a return call in less than five minutes as Brian was on the phone with someone else. My question to Brian was answered. Portage and Main is very involved with their customers and I feel  that they answer all questions for all customers.  There are a few people close to me that own an outdoor wood boiler. Most of which wanted to see what a portage and Main look like.  Every person that has looked at my boiler all comment on the quality workmanship of P&M. I would agree with Slim as he stated you need to make your own decision as it is a rather large investment.   I'm sure the other manufactures of the outdoor wood bowlers are great pieces of equipment. Keep reading to educate yourself as there are knowledgeable professionals on this site willing to assist.   Stay warm ...

2

Portage & Main / Re: need a new fan

« on: October 27, 2016, 04:42:31 PM »

 This will be my third year operating the BL 2840. Last year I went to the local HVAC supplier and they ordered the exact same blower for me. I now have a spare which I wired a receptacle to be hot when blower was called on.  Now if my blower goes out during the winter I can just unplug one and plug the other in its place.

3

Portage & Main / Re: BL 2840

« on: February 16, 2016, 02:43:29 PM »

I used this site to do a lot of research prior to and after my purchase. Took some of the veteran advice and now have extra fan & pumps "on the shelf". The way I have it figured is that as long as I have them in stock, they will never fail. My fan is wired with a plug on the cord to shorten my replacement time.  Stay warm...

4

Portage & Main / Re: HUGE shout out to Portage and Main!

« on: January 10, 2016, 11:42:10 AM »

Ditto to Watts comments below. Brian and the P&M staff are top notch. I have the "little brother" to your 3444 but it also heats my house and shop with no problem. Wood consumption is low. Heat is high. Very satisfied customer.    Stay warm...

5

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: YTD usage 15/16

« on: January 02, 2016, 09:24:45 PM »

Since November 13 (Friday the 13th) I have burnt 3 rick or 1 1/2 chord of seasoned white oak.  Mostly 4 to 10 inch rounds.  House stays @ 75 (wife's request) and shop @ ~ 50.  Around 70 when I'm working.  Stay warm...

6

Portage & Main / Re: Upper door on ML30 rusted out

« on: January 02, 2016, 09:19:34 PM »

This year I elevated my ash pan with a piece of 1.5" aluminum angle.  This keeps the pan and ash area where there is a good location for air movement to keep any condensation dried out.  I then added a 6" x 10" x 1 1/4" fire brick (on edge) in front of ash pan.  This addition along with covering my 2840 ash pan protrusion with 1" foil back cellotex has eliminated all condensation.   Again, ALL CONDENSATION.  I literally have not had one sign of moisture this year and as we all know, it has been a mild winter so far.  May start condensation tomorrow, but it has worked well so far.   Stay warm....

7

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: spray foam

« on: December 30, 2015, 04:53:02 PM »

It was simply explained to me by a long time contributor to this industry :   "Logstor will be the cheapest investment for your install". 

Thought long and hard about that statement.   I did end up purchasing 175' of $13 per foot pipe.   I now see why.   Leaves the boiler @ 180, gets to my house @ 178.   Great product.

8

RidgeWood Stoves, defunct, support only / Re: Anybody started up yet?

« on: November 23, 2015, 03:26:11 PM »

Fired her up Friday the 13th. Thought if something was going to go wrong, that would be the day. No issues so far. House and shop are great. Installed me a 120V LED on the front and wired to my blower. Now I can look down towards the boiler and know when the fan is running. Although warm, no more long waits in the shop for the fan to come on (less smoke).  Now I make coffee and wait till the light is green. Stay warm...

9

Heatmor / Re: Wood stacking in the Heatmor

« on: November 22, 2015, 07:31:59 AM »

Agree D5. I like to use 2 logs longways, about 8" diameter. Then use split wood stacked front to back.   I read an article once which mentioned that smaller rounds provide more BTU due to the wood grain being tighter than the larger pieces that we have to split. Not sure if this is true but it makes sense to me. 
Stay warm...

10

Plumbing / Re: Temporary installation of insulated pipe

« on: November 17, 2015, 09:32:25 PM »

As I was told and it sold me on the Logstor, "It will be the cheapest pipe you will ever buy !"  Stay warm...

11

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Question on P&M BL condensation

« on: November 12, 2015, 06:28:56 PM »

I like mine as well. Came with the new style spacers. However, I removed mine a week ago and added a 3/8" piece of angle on the front brick. All bricks are now spaced at a 1/2" and they are all snug. I saw on another thread that someone placed a brick in front of ash pan and it worked well. I've also insulated the protruding lower portion which helped last year.  Helped reduce if not eliminated condensation.

12

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: long sidearm heat exchangers

« on: November 08, 2015, 06:40:32 PM »

Last year I got enough 2" & 1 1/2" copper to make a sidearm but have been told that a 20 plate would heat all the water I need. Mount directly on top of DWH and the temp would reach 130 in my water heater. Does anyone have a similar setup and how do you like it ? 

13

RidgeWood Stoves, defunct, support only / Re: Anybody started up yet?

« on: November 01, 2015, 08:30:04 PM »

Delay in plans.  Got too busy on Saturday.  Actually looked at the forecast and found out in the mid 70's here next week.  Cold next weekend.  Shooting for Friday again.  Stay warm...

14

Electronics / Re: Add on kit to shut fan off when fire goes out.

« on: November 01, 2015, 08:26:44 PM »

Interested.  PM me and I'll pay you to send me one.   Stay warm....

15

Portage & Main / Re: Calling all BL owners - May have stumbled onto increased burn times with f-brick

« on: November 01, 2015, 08:10:15 PM »

Jackh113  -  Glad you revived the thread.  I remember thinking last year, "I am going to check mine in the spring cause I don't remember what mine looks like."
Sceptre74  -  Mine is exactly like yours.  Thank for the pic.  My 2840 was manufactured June 2014 and has 8 bricks.  The 7 gaps, when the brick are tight measure 1/2".  However, mine needs to be completely taken out and pushed tight.  A couple of my gaps are 3/4" right now.  Once I adjust mine, I'll make me a spacer to fill the remaining.  By what I just viewed, it doesn't look like it will be more than an inch.  Craftsmanship flaw ?  My opinion is no.  Quality Control improvements needed ?  My opinion is yes.  I have had nothing but excellent customer service from anyone I've spoken with @ P&M.  I believe he will and I hope Brian will read this thread.  I, as well as you Jackh113, do not take the lack of customer support from any company lightly and I only hope that a resolution to an admitted flaw is in the works.  On a side note.  I almost fired mine Friday night but got too busy.  Going to be in the mid 70's next week.  Guess I'll try and fire this coming Friday.  High 50, low 30's this time next week.  Stay warm...