Hi all,
This is my first post for me here, but I've read as much as possible trying to learn the tricks of successfully running an O 250. Mine is a bit unique. I bought it secondhand from an ex-dealer who had it sitting around for a few years. Said he had used it for half a season and decided he needed something larger. It didn't seem to have a lot of signs of use and the price was right.
Searching the postings, I believe JTS717 and I bought the stoves from the same guy. This is his post (
http://outdoorwoodfurnaceinfo.com/forum/index.php?topic=6847.msg55901#msg55901) The airbox design on his is different than mine, but other than that, the two are very similar.
The main differences between mine and the newer models seems to be:
-Firebrick. Newer models have a LOT more than mine.
-Vertical tubes. Mine has only two large tubes coming up from the reaction chamber (about 3" diameter).
-Air delivery in the firebox. Mine is delivered through dime sized holes in 2 air channels that run back-to-front, about 6" off the bottom of the firebox floor.
-Nozzle. Mine is steel (or cast iron) and has 3 large openings in it, about the size of an index finger, which run side-to-side.
I'm good about cleaning it and maintaining a 2 or 3" of ash/coals, and I generally burn good dry hardwood.
I run the air box settings about 4 or 5 turns out.
I upgraded the blower in the off season, which provides more CFM than the original.
I also just installed the siliconized door gasket because the original was leaking quite a bit.
I'm stumped though because it's still not gasifying very well. With the firebox temp at 185+, I can open the main firebox door for a minute and the fire will start burning strong, close it and watch the blow torch in the reaction chamber. This will fire strong for about a minute or two and then snuff out. When I open the main firebox door, the fire has died down and has been mostly replaced with smoke. Burn times at 10 degrees outdoors will be 2 - 3 hours for it to gain a 5 degree differential. It seems to me that it must still be starved for air.
I've thought about closing off one or two of the nozzle openings to see if that helps and possibly adding more firebrick in the next off season. I was also considering drilling a 1/4" or larger hole in the airbox and using a magnet to close a portion of it to see if, when the blower is on, the fire would actually suck additional air in through it, or if the blower would just push air out of it.
I appreciate any advice!