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1
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Do it yourself water testing
« on: September 21, 2017, 07:25:04 PM »
Hello all,
I have a couple of questions regarding boiler water testing.
1.). Does anyone conduct themselves or know of a testing kit to test all appropriate attributes of water in boiler?
2.). Once you add the manufacturer suggested amount of treatment to their boiler, how often does this last? Can you over treat th water? Etc etc!
Thanks guys....... gettin real close to "burnin" season down here in Ohio! Although as I have seen similar posts today from others, it hit 92 here today. I'm ready for some colder temps.
Cando
I have a couple of questions regarding boiler water testing.
1.). Does anyone conduct themselves or know of a testing kit to test all appropriate attributes of water in boiler?
2.). Once you add the manufacturer suggested amount of treatment to their boiler, how often does this last? Can you over treat th water? Etc etc!
Thanks guys....... gettin real close to "burnin" season down here in Ohio! Although as I have seen similar posts today from others, it hit 92 here today. I'm ready for some colder temps.
Cando
2
HeatMaster / Thinking of replacing Portage and Main BL 2840 with G200!!
« on: December 08, 2016, 08:34:11 PM »
Perhaps a question to slim, mlappin and others that have been around the boiler block, I am seriously considering replacing my 2840 with a g200 and wondering if I would really be satisfied with this decision. I do like my BL but also like the idea of less wood (burn about 12 cords now) and less smoke.
BL is about 3 years old and in good shape, wondering what would be a reasonable asking price and also what I could expect to pay for a new g200. I would do changeout myself.
Cando
BL is about 3 years old and in good shape, wondering what would be a reasonable asking price and also what I could expect to pay for a new g200. I would do changeout myself.
Cando
3
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / If you had to do it over again!
« on: January 29, 2015, 07:26:10 PM »
Spending time on the site with you folks has greatly increased my knowledge and awareness of other brands and collectively this group could easily list all the pros and cons of almost any make of boiler. The only problem is, if one were to ask who makes the best boiler....well, you can see where that discussion would go.
So here's the question: If you had to do it over again, (and you could not buy your current boiler) what boiler would you buy?
Please list current boiler and alternate boiler you would purchase (and why). And by the way, if you wouldn't buy your current boiler again and aren't afraid to admit it, in the interest of sharing with others, that would be great.
Me
Current boiler - Portage and Main BL 28-40
Alternate: Heat master (MF e series) I am curious about the long term advantages of stainless and I also like the double pass HX
In general, I am very happy with my BL. However, I would want to know more about the Heat master before I automatically purchased the BL again. I did not give heat master any consideration when I initially purchased.
Thanks, Cando
So here's the question: If you had to do it over again, (and you could not buy your current boiler) what boiler would you buy?
Please list current boiler and alternate boiler you would purchase (and why). And by the way, if you wouldn't buy your current boiler again and aren't afraid to admit it, in the interest of sharing with others, that would be great.
Me
Current boiler - Portage and Main BL 28-40
Alternate: Heat master (MF e series) I am curious about the long term advantages of stainless and I also like the double pass HX
In general, I am very happy with my BL. However, I would want to know more about the Heat master before I automatically purchased the BL again. I did not give heat master any consideration when I initially purchased.
Thanks, Cando
4
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / ......Just spent another $5K to support my wood-burning addiction
« on: January 27, 2015, 07:36:39 PM »
......yep, just spent another $5K on a 14K GVW flatbed to haul the tractor and a couple cords of wood on.
You see it all started a little over a year ago when I was looking at my $700. electric bill and thinking there's got to be a better way. That's when I decided to invest in an outdoor wood burner ~(10-11K all in). I did a quick return on investment and thought "heck, I'll have this baby paid for in as little as 4 years.
I purchased it in Feb of 2014 but did not install until fall of 2014. So after my purchase, I knew I would be cutting more wood so I thought I had better invest in a bigger, mo-betta saw (~$400) and of course a wood splitter (~$900). I got to cutting wood throughout the year, stock piling it away and the more I cut, the more I thought it would be safer (I live in a hilly area) and faster if I had a bigger tractor.....(make that $27K later). And finally, with a bigger tractor, my little 16' 7000GVW trailer wasn't able to cut it, so I invested in a 20'er with a 14K GVW.
So let's recap:
Boiler installed - $10,500
Chainsaw - $400
Splitter - $900
Tractor - $27,000
Trailer - $5,000
Grand Total - $43,800 and counting (next project is to build a 24x24 shelter to keep my wood dry)
It's a good thing the wife doesn't like math.................I just smile and tell her how much we're saving on electric.
Burning wood to me is a hobby and I really enjoy being out in the woods.
Hopefully I'm not the only one who has a similar story to tell
Cando
You see it all started a little over a year ago when I was looking at my $700. electric bill and thinking there's got to be a better way. That's when I decided to invest in an outdoor wood burner ~(10-11K all in). I did a quick return on investment and thought "heck, I'll have this baby paid for in as little as 4 years.
I purchased it in Feb of 2014 but did not install until fall of 2014. So after my purchase, I knew I would be cutting more wood so I thought I had better invest in a bigger, mo-betta saw (~$400) and of course a wood splitter (~$900). I got to cutting wood throughout the year, stock piling it away and the more I cut, the more I thought it would be safer (I live in a hilly area) and faster if I had a bigger tractor.....(make that $27K later). And finally, with a bigger tractor, my little 16' 7000GVW trailer wasn't able to cut it, so I invested in a 20'er with a 14K GVW.
So let's recap:
Boiler installed - $10,500
Chainsaw - $400
Splitter - $900
Tractor - $27,000
Trailer - $5,000
Grand Total - $43,800 and counting (next project is to build a 24x24 shelter to keep my wood dry)
It's a good thing the wife doesn't like math.................I just smile and tell her how much we're saving on electric.
Burning wood to me is a hobby and I really enjoy being out in the woods.
Hopefully I'm not the only one who has a similar story to tell
Cando
5
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / "A good day at the office"
« on: January 04, 2015, 07:30:18 PM »
I wish more of my days could turn out like this one. Nothing like a quiet day in the woods to ease the mind and recharge the batteries.
Cando
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/harrisbamr/photo_zps121dfa12.jpg
Cando
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j129/harrisbamr/photo_zps121dfa12.jpg
6
Site Suggestions / No upload memory
« on: December 22, 2014, 07:17:44 PM »
I've tried to upload a few photos the last couple of days and I keep getting an error message that the storage is full, contact administrator. I tried reducing the photo size several times (last was 109KB). What gives.
Cando
Cando
7
Portage & Main / Calling all BL owners - May have stumbled onto increased burn times with f-brick
« on: November 27, 2014, 05:43:57 AM »
First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to you guys.
The rest of the family is still in bed so I thought I would jump on line for a quick moment.....Anyhooo....I wanted to share something with you guys that seems to help me with increased burn times. I just put the stove in this year so not a lot of experience and was noticing that I always had a lot of larger, hot coals in my ash box. I'm an engineer by trade and a tightwad to boot so I was determined to keep these coals instead of throwing them out with the ashes so I went out and bought several standard 1" firebricks to install in the stove between the larger firebrick that came with the stove. I have them placed such that I have 1/8" to 1/4" gaps between the firebricks to allow ashes to fall and air from the blower to feed fire. This has worked great. I no longer have large coals in my ash box and I seem to be getting increased burn times.
As I'm trying to understand this, a few things come to mind. First of all, this does impede the airflow into the firebox, which will increase recovery times but I also believe that this keeps the fan from blasting all the hot air through the stove (allowing for more dwell time in the stove and thus more heat transfer). I also believe that these smaller ash slots reduces the natural updraft of the stove when the stove is not calling for heat (i.e. fan off). Additionally this has certainly helped me to keep an improved bed of coals. So that's my $.02 for the day. I am interested to see if others have tried this and if others have/do, if you see the same benefits.
Good day guys,
Cando
The rest of the family is still in bed so I thought I would jump on line for a quick moment.....Anyhooo....I wanted to share something with you guys that seems to help me with increased burn times. I just put the stove in this year so not a lot of experience and was noticing that I always had a lot of larger, hot coals in my ash box. I'm an engineer by trade and a tightwad to boot so I was determined to keep these coals instead of throwing them out with the ashes so I went out and bought several standard 1" firebricks to install in the stove between the larger firebrick that came with the stove. I have them placed such that I have 1/8" to 1/4" gaps between the firebricks to allow ashes to fall and air from the blower to feed fire. This has worked great. I no longer have large coals in my ash box and I seem to be getting increased burn times.
As I'm trying to understand this, a few things come to mind. First of all, this does impede the airflow into the firebox, which will increase recovery times but I also believe that this keeps the fan from blasting all the hot air through the stove (allowing for more dwell time in the stove and thus more heat transfer). I also believe that these smaller ash slots reduces the natural updraft of the stove when the stove is not calling for heat (i.e. fan off). Additionally this has certainly helped me to keep an improved bed of coals. So that's my $.02 for the day. I am interested to see if others have tried this and if others have/do, if you see the same benefits.
Good day guys,
Cando
8
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Gassers vs. conventional - Looking for input from those that have had both
« on: November 20, 2014, 07:26:49 PM »
Well, I set out to buy an efficient conventional boiler and I guess I've done that with the Portage and main BL 28-40 but I did consider a gasser (at the time was looking at a CB 1450) and can't help but to wonder if I should have or still should yet move to a gasser. Looking for thoughts of those that perhaps have moved from conventional to gasser. Are you happy with it? How much did your wood consumption decrease and perhaps most importantly, would you do it again??
Thanks, Cando
Thanks, Cando
9
Equipment / 3 point wood tote for tractor
« on: November 09, 2014, 07:39:46 PM »
I am looking for ideas to make a wood tote for the 3 point on the back of my tractor (case 35B). I'm thinking this would give me more wood hauling capability as well as balance out my loader full of wood. Anyone else looking at this or already gone down this path?
thanks guys
thanks guys
10
Portage & Main / BL 28-40 air adjustment slide on blower
« on: October 19, 2014, 08:14:40 PM »
Well, I finally got my new 28-40 hooked up and am really loving the way my home feels. I am wondering if perhaps Slim or some of you experienced gents can tell me where the best place for the blower adjustment to be. Does this in anyway affect the efficiency or burn less/more wood if not adjusted properly.
Thanks guys,
Cando
Thanks guys,
Cando
11
Plumbing / O2 Barrier PEX or NOT??
« on: September 30, 2014, 05:23:59 PM »
Well, I'm slowly but surely making progress on the install of my new Portage and main 28-40 and I am in the market for PEX at this point and wanted to throw a few questions to you guys who know a whole lot more than I do. A little about the install: approx. 75' run (Thermopex Brand) of pipe. In the house, I have a single heat exchanger coming off the air handler and I plan to install a DHW heat exchanger (still trying to decide if I want sidearm or plate-frame).
Questions:
1.) With corrosion inhibitor in the fluid, is there really a need to buy O2 pipe?
2.) Does the thermopex pipe that I purchased have an O2 barrier?
3.) The boiler itself is open to atmosphere and thus is exposed to O2 as well.
By the way, here's a picture of the angst I went through getting the boiler in place
Help!!
Questions:
1.) With corrosion inhibitor in the fluid, is there really a need to buy O2 pipe?
2.) Does the thermopex pipe that I purchased have an O2 barrier?
3.) The boiler itself is open to atmosphere and thus is exposed to O2 as well.
By the way, here's a picture of the angst I went through getting the boiler in place
Help!!
12
Plumbing / Pumps (single or multi speed pumps??)
« on: February 06, 2014, 06:28:22 PM »
Howdy ya'll, I'm new to the OWB scenery (just picked up a Portage and Main last week and am now doing research with respect to the install. Speaking of pumps specifically, I've been looking at 3 speed pumps vs. a single speed (in both Taco and Grundfos)...my understanding is that these are the two premier pump manufacturers out there. I figure I will need a pump in the 15' head range and that will still supply a decent flow rate at that head. it seems I can get a 3 speed or single speed for ~ the same price ($225 ish). Any reason not to go with the 3 speed? Looking at the Grundfos 26-99F or the Grundfos 26-99FC (3 speed), both are within $10 of each other.
Thanks for your help guys.
Thanks for your help guys.
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