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46
Electronics / Re: Pumps not running
« on: October 14, 2009, 07:17:09 PM »
I tried the pump again, and it has run great for 24 hours, with no issues. I'm going to go ahead and buy a spare "just in case".
I'm sure if I am going to have problems, it won't be on a warm day, it will be at 2:15 am, in a hard rainstorm, just about the same time I find a wasp nest in my insulation. That's how my luck usually goes,,,,LOL.
Thanks everyone,,,
I'm sure if I am going to have problems, it won't be on a warm day, it will be at 2:15 am, in a hard rainstorm, just about the same time I find a wasp nest in my insulation. That's how my luck usually goes,,,,LOL.
Thanks everyone,,,
47
Electronics / Re: Pumps not running
« on: October 13, 2009, 07:40:32 PM »
I decided to work on the stove today. I wanted to make a few changes over the summer, but as usual, it got put off til the last minute. Today, I welded in a few new fittings for a sight glass, and installed a long pipe into the water jacket as a supply for the water to my house. I am hoping to use the hotter water on top of the tank instead of pulling off the lower back of the stove as I did last year. I built the fire at 4:30pm, and by 8:30pm, the water temp was up to 160 degrees. I am very happy with the OWB. I will never be without one.
Now the problem,,,,,,,, I turned on the pumps and everything seemed fine. Both pumps were sounding great. After about an hour, one of the pumps started making a "clicking" sound inside the electrical box on the side, and only "hummed", but didn't seem to be pumping. It also started to "smoke" a little bit. I shut it down, and a couple hours later I tried it again, and it seems to be fine. I thougth maybe it had a small particle stuck in it momentarily.
Any ideas??
Now the problem,,,,,,,, I turned on the pumps and everything seemed fine. Both pumps were sounding great. After about an hour, one of the pumps started making a "clicking" sound inside the electrical box on the side, and only "hummed", but didn't seem to be pumping. It also started to "smoke" a little bit. I shut it down, and a couple hours later I tried it again, and it seems to be fine. I thougth maybe it had a small particle stuck in it momentarily.
Any ideas??
48
Shaver Furnace / Re: My new Shaver 250 for 2009
« on: October 13, 2009, 07:24:02 PM »
I built my own OWB, and built the door out of 1/4" plate, and made it hollow. Problem was it made an awful mess by dripping all the time. I ended up cutting an access hole in the inside of the door and filling the door with fiberglass insulation and drilling and tapping the door to bolt a plate over the hole. No mroe sweating, and I can lay my hand on the outside of the door even at full temperature. No problems yet with warping.
49
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Warmer heat? or all in my head?
« on: October 04, 2009, 07:18:59 PM »
It might be that your "68 degrees" is in more rooms of your house now, and not just near the thermostat. With the hot water in the heat exchanger, the heat will naturally drift throughout the house, instead of being totally shut off as the heat from the furnace would do.
50
Fire Wood / Re: Is your woodshed filled??
« on: September 27, 2009, 06:23:00 PM »
I picked it up last week, but haven't found the time to even get started with it. I got a 22 ton Huskee with a 6.5 hp engine, and a 26" stroke. I've been covered up with work right now, and now I'm under the weather a bit, so the wood has taken the back burner for now. (back burner - no pun intended) I hope to get on it this week. Suppose to have temps in the 40s at night this week. Will be firing this thing up soon. Nothing like an OWB!!
51
Fire Wood / Re: Is your woodshed filled??
« on: September 17, 2009, 04:36:13 PM »
I will be picking up a new wood splitter tomorrow evening. Should have it all split and in the shed in a week or so.
I've seen the meters for sale that measure moisture content in wood. Does anyone know if these really work?? Hopefully, once I get the wood in the shed, it will dry out some. I have the shed floored in pallets, so air can pass through and under the wood. I just assumed since the trees had been dead for a couple years, that it would be drier than it is. Bummer,,,,,,
I guess it still has to be better than the wood last year with the green leaves still hanging on. Our summer has been quite cool, so I can only assume what the winter might be like. Gotta be prepared for the worst.
I've seen the meters for sale that measure moisture content in wood. Does anyone know if these really work?? Hopefully, once I get the wood in the shed, it will dry out some. I have the shed floored in pallets, so air can pass through and under the wood. I just assumed since the trees had been dead for a couple years, that it would be drier than it is. Bummer,,,,,,
I guess it still has to be better than the wood last year with the green leaves still hanging on. Our summer has been quite cool, so I can only assume what the winter might be like. Gotta be prepared for the worst.
52
Fire Wood / Is your woodshed filled??
« on: September 15, 2009, 07:36:09 PM »
Just wondering where everyone is on having their wood ready for the heating season. I've worked the past couple weeks, along with my wife and a guy that works for me in my construction business, at getting mine on the ground and cut up. I want to have 8 cord in the shed before I fire up the stove. I should have at least 6 cord on the ground and cut up now. I ordered a new log splitter last week, and will get to splitting as soon as it comes in. I used 7 cord last year with the unusually cold temps. so I figure 8 this year should be safe.
This year, I have been able to drop mostly dead trees. Mostly oak, that lightning struck, or bugs killed. Some quite large in diameter,,, 32" or more. A bear to handle, but each slice makes quite a few pieces. I'm anxious to see if dried wood will make much difference than the mostly green wood I used last year.
How is everyone else doing so far???
Mark
This year, I have been able to drop mostly dead trees. Mostly oak, that lightning struck, or bugs killed. Some quite large in diameter,,, 32" or more. A bear to handle, but each slice makes quite a few pieces. I'm anxious to see if dried wood will make much difference than the mostly green wood I used last year.
How is everyone else doing so far???
Mark
53
Hawken Energy, support only / Re: Hawken Energy Owner
« on: September 15, 2009, 07:11:59 PM »
I built my stove last year, and for the first month or so, it leaked black liquid from the bottom of the door/seal. It also stained the concrete pad my stove sits on. I built my door hollow, but decided later, to cut a hole in it, and packed the door with fiberglass insulation. I made a steel plate to bolt over the hole, and have had NO LEAKAGE since. With the stove at full temperature, the door is only slightly warm now, with no leaks.
54
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: age of owb
« on: August 01, 2009, 07:51:32 AM »
I have a friend in Portland, Ohio that has a Taylor that is 21 years old. He bought it used but in new condition, and has had no issues with it. He uses it all year round to heat his home, shop, and domestic water, He has replaced the usual,,,,,,, blower,, temp controller, etc, but has had no major issues.
His advantage is, he is a metallurgist by trade, and is meticulous on water sample testing, and really keeps a good eye on inspections. He is able to do detailed water analysis at the industrial plant that we both worked at. (He is still there currently) He says that is the life of the stove. He says if his ever finally goes, he will build an identical stove to replace it.
Mine is homemade,,, all 1/4" mild steel, and 245 gallons I'm very happy with it, and for the price I have in building it, if it lasts only 10 years, I will be extremely happy. I plan on a few modifications this year, but nothing major.
I think some stoves go early from users filling them with water, filling them with wood, and thinking the stove will take care of itself. Bad idea. This is a learning experience for all OWB owners.
Mark
His advantage is, he is a metallurgist by trade, and is meticulous on water sample testing, and really keeps a good eye on inspections. He is able to do detailed water analysis at the industrial plant that we both worked at. (He is still there currently) He says that is the life of the stove. He says if his ever finally goes, he will build an identical stove to replace it.
Mine is homemade,,, all 1/4" mild steel, and 245 gallons I'm very happy with it, and for the price I have in building it, if it lasts only 10 years, I will be extremely happy. I plan on a few modifications this year, but nothing major.
I think some stoves go early from users filling them with water, filling them with wood, and thinking the stove will take care of itself. Bad idea. This is a learning experience for all OWB owners.
Mark
55
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: wood usage
« on: June 12, 2009, 12:11:12 PM »
I agree with ya Willie. BUT,,,,,,,, wait and see,,,,, if those guys on the couch with all the $$ lose their jobs, and can't PAY for the gas to hear their homes, it will be YOU and I that they will expect to bail them out and pay it for them. At least that is what they think.
I think the day is here that we need to take care of ourselves. We raise a big garden and can our food. We take deer and turkey off the farm. We harvest from our orchard. YEP,, it's all alot of work, but when the snow flies,, my house will be warm, and my belly will be full, because I got off the couch and took care of myself.
Last year, I cut, split, and stacked over 7 cord by myself in one week. My son is raised and gone now, but I take pleasure and PRIDE in working hard. YEP,,, kinda' wore me out, but I sure felt good standing there looking at that shed when it was done.
Well,,, enough for now. I need to start filling that shed again.
I think the day is here that we need to take care of ourselves. We raise a big garden and can our food. We take deer and turkey off the farm. We harvest from our orchard. YEP,, it's all alot of work, but when the snow flies,, my house will be warm, and my belly will be full, because I got off the couch and took care of myself.
Last year, I cut, split, and stacked over 7 cord by myself in one week. My son is raised and gone now, but I take pleasure and PRIDE in working hard. YEP,,, kinda' wore me out, but I sure felt good standing there looking at that shed when it was done.
Well,,, enough for now. I need to start filling that shed again.
56
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Shutdown
« on: April 29, 2009, 12:55:46 PM »
I shut mine down on Saturday. Turned off the pumps. We had a heatwave this week, and I had to get the HX cooled down so I could turn on the AC.
Fired it up on Oct. 23, 2008 - - Shutdown April 25, 2009. Started with 7.3 cords of wood,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I now have about 4 wheelbarrow loads left. Just enough to get me started in camping season. There is nothing like a waterstove!!
How much wood did everyone else use???
Fired it up on Oct. 23, 2008 - - Shutdown April 25, 2009. Started with 7.3 cords of wood,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I now have about 4 wheelbarrow loads left. Just enough to get me started in camping season. There is nothing like a waterstove!!
How much wood did everyone else use???
57
Plumbing / Re: what did you use for the feeder line
« on: April 12, 2009, 06:20:12 AM »
7" Sch. 80 pipe has a wall thickness of .500 inches, and will take a tememdous amount of weight. The glue joint, on the other hand, is another story. It will be the weakest link in the chain, you might say. I would be sure to make the ditch as narrow as possible where vehicles are going to cross over. With the pex insde a corrigated pipe before it goes inside the 7", it should be OK, but a little extra insurance would be comforting.
You say it is a gravel drive? You might think about digging down and forming a 6" concrete "slab" below grade level, and spanning 18" - 24" on each side of the ditch, to support any excessive weight that is passing over. Be sure it is wider than the widest vehicle to pass over. Not a big expense for the piece of mind it will bring. None of us want to do these twice.
You say it is a gravel drive? You might think about digging down and forming a 6" concrete "slab" below grade level, and spanning 18" - 24" on each side of the ditch, to support any excessive weight that is passing over. Be sure it is wider than the widest vehicle to pass over. Not a big expense for the piece of mind it will bring. None of us want to do these twice.
58
Wood Doctor / Re: Wood Doctor Warranty!
« on: April 01, 2009, 02:52:25 PM »
Hey Leaky,,,,,,,,,,, have ya thought about contacting the Attorney General in your state?? Might be worth a try. Our Attorney General in WV loves taking on companies like this. Worth a shot,,,,,,,,,
Mark
Mark
59
Shaver Furnace / Re: Just about had it with this damn stove!!!!!
« on: March 29, 2009, 08:42:24 AM »
How old is the stove? Do you know the thickness of the metal it is made of?? Mild steel or boiler plate? What type of insulation? Fiberglass or spray foam?
60
Shaver Furnace / Re: Just about had it with this damn stove!!!!!
« on: March 27, 2009, 02:37:23 PM »
How much fire was left in the stove when you found it dry? I'd also be concered with the excessive heat in a dry stove, changing the temper of the metal. Might cause problems down the road. You can probably count on replacing the pumps as well. I'd be hotter than the stove.