Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => Pools & Hot Tubs => Topic started by: terpjr on August 11, 2014, 01:46:36 PM

Title: Somewhat passively, and inefficiently heating a pool
Post by: terpjr on August 11, 2014, 01:46:36 PM
Just bought a used 15' above ground pool as a temporary solution to the sheer expense of an inground...
living in upstate NY, wouldn't mind a little boost to my water temp every now and then, keep the wife happy...want to keep my expense to a bare minimum.
Woodmaster 4400 plumbed with 1" pex to a heat exchanger in the basement.
Here is my thought:
Put a T and a shut off valve in each line at the back of the furnace.  After the valve put a 1" or 1 1/2" hose fitting after the valve.
When spring and fall hit and my house is not needing my furnace going full blast all day, hook up enough hose to run from the exit at the backof the furnace, into the pool, run a few rings inside the pool and send it back to the return line...So...bypass my heat exchanger and radiators for a few hours each day
figure 180 degree water circulating in a hose inside the pool will jump it a few degrees and it will only cost me a few pieces of firewood each day.  Boiler would be running anyway...
When I am done, roll the hose up until the next fall/spring.

What is the major flaw with my plan?  Thoughts?  Concerns with materials? 
Title: Re: Somewhat passively, and inefficiently heating a pool
Post by: CountryBoyJohn on August 11, 2014, 02:16:32 PM
First thought, make sure you have temperature gauges.  Without having a firm control on your heat loss, you'd want to monitor it so your return temps don't drop too low and "shock" your stove. 
Title: Re: Somewhat passively, and inefficiently heating a pool
Post by: terpjr on August 11, 2014, 02:50:01 PM
Thank you CountryBoy...
That is a agood point...
what type of return temps could shock system?
Title: Re: Somewhat passively, and inefficiently heating a pool
Post by: CountryBoyJohn on August 11, 2014, 03:27:56 PM
The conventional wisdom around here is 145 degrees minimum.  At this temperature, condensation can form inside the firebox at the back where the water returns.  Most guys run 170-180 with a 20 degree delta T for their return temps for a minimum of 150. 
Title: Re: Somewhat passively, and inefficiently heating a pool
Post by: slimjim on August 11, 2014, 06:01:49 PM
Real temp gauges will tell you a lot, 20 degree differential is about all you want between supply and return to your OWB, good call countryboy