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Topics - Radio Tech1964

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1
Plumbing / Cleaning Heat Exchanger
« on: September 12, 2022, 06:48:12 PM »
I'm wondering would it be safe to use a light coil cleaner similar to what I use for evaporator coils in AC servicing?  I have kept the filters clean since I reinstalled here where I'm located now. I had it located in the breech of the return duct and it was fairly dusty at out other location. The actual coil is not really seriously dirty but I've never cleaned it and I'm getting started servicing things for winter as I have time. Air handler today and boiler maybe next week if it's not monsoonal again!  I have used this Viper evaporator cleaner on a lot of occasions with no trouble and just wondering if anyone else had tried this approach. My wife considers me OCD but I just considering it doing the whole job,no short cuts LOL  Even on my own system LOL

Just to clarify this is for the outside of the exchanger,white vinegar makes a great back flush agent :)

Thanks Guys

WT

2
General Discussion / An Ealy start to heating season
« on: September 07, 2022, 12:33:42 AM »
I don't know how everyone else's climate has been behaving but it's been making signs winter wants to fire up earlier than usual this year
We've already been down into the mid 40's a few times
Just curious :D



Wt

3
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Water Treatment Revisited
« on: October 13, 2021, 06:29:45 PM »
I just got through draining and flushing my OWB getting ready for winter use. I have the rain cap soaking in Kroil but I don't hold much faith in getting that off for a more thorough cleaning. Anyway, I got some info via email from Rectorseal about an 8-way boiler treatment for hydronic and steam boilers. I haven't tried any of this but noticing the specs it contains caustic soda and since I'm not familiar with the composition of other treatments I was a little cautious. FWIW I attached the info I received on this treatment.  Just getting everyone's opinion :)


4
General Discussion / Creosote Cleaners Any Good?
« on: December 25, 2020, 09:53:15 PM »
I have been burning a little green wood mixed in with my regular charge each day so I'm sure I'm building more creosote than usual.
I've seen numerous additives that can be used but don't have any experience. Normally I just fill the firebox full of boxes, paper, and some old lumber scraps if I have any. Boxes are about all that's available for me this year so I was wondering if anybody else has tried that stuff.
The greener wood has kept my run times a little longer on these really cold nights.

Thanks and stay warm!

Wt

5
General Discussion / Coldest Weather Of The Season On The Way
« on: December 24, 2020, 11:01:27 AM »
According to the forecast us Mid Atlantic based wood burners are in for a flash freeze situation tonight and Christmas day. Even a Winter Storm Warning goes into effect at 4 PM today. I was really sweating it earlier since my wood supply was running painfully low. No way it would have covered the cold spell especially with all the wind on the agenda.  My Christmas miracle was when a dump truck pulled up in the driveway with a load of wood!  We weren't sure if he would come through but he did!  Thank You Powers Tree Farm!

So now the OWB has a full belly and so do I so now's the time to relax a little and enjoy the holiday!

I hope everyone else has a boiler full of wood and more to feed it later and plenty of food to eat yourself!

It's raining here now but they forecast a flash freeze so if that happens it'll be slicker than deer guts on a doorknob!

Merry Christmas everybody!!!

6
General Discussion / HE1100 Thermometer
« on: December 21, 2019, 01:00:43 AM »
Anybody know right off what the length of the thermometer is in these units?
Seems mine is getting inaccurate and the probe length is only close to an inch long and it looks like it has broken somehow.
Just wondered on the length before I order a replacement and it end up being a stubby little critter like I already have.

Wt

7
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Well water for boiler fill
« on: November 07, 2019, 06:51:51 PM »
How're things going for those that use plain well water for fills?   The reason I am asking is originally mine was filled from a municipal water source but here all I have available is well water or creek water if I use a long hose and a pump  ;D

I am not sure of the actual hardness of my well's water but unfortunately, I do know the iron content is a bit high because bathroom cleaning is almost non stop if I want to keep it spotless.  I use good quality treatment and normally over-treat according to the label. I do this because of my thoughts on my water.  I try to drain and flush every year but noticed I should have plumbed in previsions to backflush the system entirely but considering as that section was done after dark in 20° weather I was lucky it got what it has  ;D

Just want to keep this OWB running as long as possible because I would have to freeze otherwise because the electric heat is IMPOSSIBLE.
I would get a Christmas card from AEP though as they would likely consider me an industrial customer.

Wt

8
General Discussion / Colder weather on the way
« on: November 07, 2019, 04:43:06 PM »
Weather forecasts are calling for the coldest weather so far for my neck of the woods towards the weekend. Looks like the farther North the worse it will be. I put off firing up the furnace through so low 30° to mid 20° nights for just about as long as I could stand it. My old bones don't warm up nearly as quick as they did when I was a teenager. I still haven't gotten the bulk of my better winter wood ready yet as I was sick on and off several times with feet and leg problems and such which put my sawing behind schedule.

I read a post that E Yoder had a picture of a OWB installed in a shed and that made me glad mine is not but I am fairly close to the house.
Less than 25 feet to be exact but the way my area is graded it was either that or on top of a hill and 100 feet of digging to bury the pex. So needless to say I picked closer to the house.

With this first major cold snap in the works, I hope everyone's furnaces hum right along and continue to keep us warm!

Welcome to winter  8)

Wayne on Whitetop

9
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Stainless Steel Vs Copper Crimp Rings
« on: November 03, 2018, 01:05:32 AM »
What is everyone's choice on PEX crimp rings Stainless Steel or copper?  I have the tooling for the stainless rings but I haven't seen those used  hardly any on Pex Pipe. I will need to obtain the 1" crimp tool for the copper rings so I thought I would see how the consensus feels as to the better product.

Wt

10
Hawken Energy, support only / HE1100 Aquastat
« on: January 18, 2018, 10:46:21 PM »
Does the aquastat bulb use a well in this model or is it direct immersion? Mine seems a little flaky lately so in case I have to make a emergency swap I'll know what to expect.. "To drain or not to drain that is the question" :o

Thanks
wt

11
Hawken Energy, support only / Removing rain cap for cleaning
« on: June 30, 2017, 02:11:52 AM »
Has anyone got any good ideas as to how to remove the weather cap for cleaning?
I have tried all sorts of penetrating oils  warm and cold and I can't seem to remove it without destroying it.
I would like to give everything a thorough cleaning at that level since this is the 3rd year of operation.

Thought I would ask here before breaking out the jack hammer and dynamite  :thumbup:

12
General Discussion / Anyone burning a mix of coal and wood this year?
« on: February 26, 2017, 07:08:25 PM »
This is my first experience burning coal in an OWB but so far it's been positive.
I came across a small load of stoker coal that was reasonable and have been mixing it with the wood and getting much longer burn time than the wood alone. My wood this year has apparently accumulated more moisture than I'd like, at times I don't think it wants to burn at all >:(
I searched things and saw where several members here have burned coal in the past so I was wondering how the results stack up.
This is bituminous coal and not the A1 grade at that but it makes heat which has been more for hot water this year than actually heating!

Weird season so far here. 75 degrees Friday and 26 degrees Saturday night!

13
Can anyone recommend a water treatment that has the same protection and performance as the Liquid Armour that Hawken markets that is less expensive?   I want to make certain my system is protected but if I can do so more cost effectively it would be great!

14
Hawken Energy, support only / Adding a 16X20 outbuilding to a HE1100
« on: February 28, 2016, 11:53:08 PM »
I have a nice prefab building in the back yard that the wife uses for sewing and quilting and I also have my electronics shop in there as well.
We have been trying to heat this with a Monitor heater but the high cost of kerosene has broke me from that habit!

I know my 1100 has a place for an additional pump but would I need an additional pump?  There is less that 100' from the 1100 to the heat exchanger in the house( closer to 50' ) and the lift is near null as well. Could I "tee" into the supply and return lines in the rear of the furnace and use that method to supply the heating system I will fabricate in the building? It is almost down hill and a total of maybe 30 feet from the 1100 to the building.

I really don't see any reason this wouldn't work but sometimes I miss things in the initial survey so it's better to ask those who may have been there previously before getting all my needed supplies on hand.

Thanks for any suggestions on the specifics of this project.

15
Hawken Energy, support only / New Install
« on: October 18, 2014, 01:43:11 PM »
Hi fellow OWB people  :)
I have finally completed one more item on my bucket list...getting an OWB !  I have been working,saving and scratching for the funding to get this done for at least 5 years now and last winter finally broke me! Being disabled with arthritis, degenerative disc disease and a heart problem I just plain could not afford the fuel oil  any longer. Fortunately I have a few easily accessed locations for wood and some really good friends to help with the cutting..and fortunately a wife that doesn't mind to get dirty :) SO far we have been using very little heat due to the goofy late fall season but we sure have been taking advantage of the hot water! I am really hoping that adding the Hawken will lower my electricity bill to at least $100  instead of the $200 plus a month!

Anyway I have several friends that own Hawken Energy boilers and are more than happy with their stoves and I decided long ago after calling and talking with the people who designed the stoves in Shelby that I would go with the same company.

Anyhow I am a new recruit here but no stranger to the HVAC world and burning wood and I look forward to talking with the "seasoned" operators about their experiences!

Wayne

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