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91
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Incomplete burn
« on: February 01, 2009, 02:34:48 PM »
With this being my first year with my OWB, I'm still learning. One thing I'm finding is that the wood isn't burning completely. Anytime I try to take ashes out, I find that there are very few ashes, and lots of small chunks of charred wood, charcoal, etc. As I check the stove morning and night, I typically find about 8 inches of hot coals, and the charred wood under that. I usually just throw more wood in on top of it all and keep the cycle going. Eventually,, I have to take out coals, wood pieces, ashes, etc. to make room for more wood.
My brother has a CB 5036, and was telling me he had the same problem at first. He called the CB representative, and was told he was loading it too full, and too often. He wasn't allowing the chips and coals to burn up completely.
The past couple days, I've been trying to stir the ashes, and let the coals alone until they are down drastically. It's just with working, I can't always leave the stove without wood until it burns more.
Ideas and opinions anyone???
My brother has a CB 5036, and was telling me he had the same problem at first. He called the CB representative, and was told he was loading it too full, and too often. He wasn't allowing the chips and coals to burn up completely.
The past couple days, I've been trying to stir the ashes, and let the coals alone until they are down drastically. It's just with working, I can't always leave the stove without wood until it burns more.
Ideas and opinions anyone???
92
General Discussion / Re: e bay--Wireless Thermometer Wood Furnace Temperature monitor
« on: January 30, 2009, 04:14:02 PM »
Does anyone sell a remote unit that is accurate? I've searched the net, but can't find anything that is really made to monitor a tank of water. Maybe something from an industrial setting??
I had considered a digital temp gauge for a car. Maybe a unit like Summit Racing sells. It would need a 12volt power supply which wouldn't be a big issue. A sending unit would go in a fitting in the stove, or even in a fitting near the HX. I buried a low voltage wire from my stove to my house, for "just in case". The gauge could be hooked to the sending unit with this wire, and the gauge put in the house.
Any ideas?
I had considered a digital temp gauge for a car. Maybe a unit like Summit Racing sells. It would need a 12volt power supply which wouldn't be a big issue. A sending unit would go in a fitting in the stove, or even in a fitting near the HX. I buried a low voltage wire from my stove to my house, for "just in case". The gauge could be hooked to the sending unit with this wire, and the gauge put in the house.
Any ideas?
93
Plumbing / Re: Home-made Hot Water Tank Tube Heat Syphon
« on: January 30, 2009, 07:17:07 AM »
Hi Leaky,,,
If you had plumbed the top of the 3/4" into the pop off valve fitting, instead of the hot water line, would that have eliminated the chance of the cold water surging up and mixing with the hot water?? Maybe put a "T" where the popoff valve is, so you can still use it??
As for filling your stove from the bottom of the tank, that sure beats draggin' the hose out like I do.
Mark
If you had plumbed the top of the 3/4" into the pop off valve fitting, instead of the hot water line, would that have eliminated the chance of the cold water surging up and mixing with the hot water?? Maybe put a "T" where the popoff valve is, so you can still use it??
As for filling your stove from the bottom of the tank, that sure beats draggin' the hose out like I do.
Mark
94
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Aquastat sticking??
« on: January 29, 2009, 03:25:11 PM »
I appreciate everyone's help. I have a limit switch ordered, and will be changing the aquastat as well. This may save me some wood also,,,,,,, 
thanks,,,
Maqrk
thanks,,,
Maqrk
95
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Aquastat sticking??
« on: January 28, 2009, 06:39:03 PM »
Thanks Willie,,,,,,, and nope,,,,,, no high limit switch.
Is this switch a second aquastat like I have, but with the high temp set a bit higher, and the low set at or below my original low temp? I have an unused port on my stove close to the first aquastat I can use for this. I figured Honeywell would be dependable, but I guess any brand can go bad.
thanks again,,,
Is this switch a second aquastat like I have, but with the high temp set a bit higher, and the low set at or below my original low temp? I have an unused port on my stove close to the first aquastat I can use for this. I figured Honeywell would be dependable, but I guess any brand can go bad.
thanks again,,,
96
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Aquastat sticking??
« on: January 28, 2009, 03:20:56 PM »
I've had problems lately with my homemade OWB steaming really bad, and using alot of water (4 or 5 gallons a day) After posting the problem on here, and getting several replys, I made some changes to the vent pipe on Saturday per Ron's suggestion, and have been very pleased with the difference. I also dropped my max temp. from 185* to 175*. VERY LITTLE STEAM,,,,, until today.
Today I looked out and saw the stove steaming ALOT, and went out to take a look, and the draft fan was running, but the temp on the gauge was 195*. I'm not sure of the accuracy of the gauge, but the stove seemed to be overheating to the point of water spitting out the vent pipe that is over 20" tall. I turned the blower off and within minutes, the stove was back to normal.
Bad aquastat?? It is a Honeywell L4006A 1678 with a direct imersion well, and I have the differential set at 15*. I have the aquastat insde the back cover on the stove, and it is covered with insulation. Does it need exposed to the outside air temp to be accurate? Are there better aquastats out there? Does anyone use the White Rogers, or the Ranco digital temperature controller?? Can the Ranco be used in the same well as the Honeywell??
Suggestions??
Today I looked out and saw the stove steaming ALOT, and went out to take a look, and the draft fan was running, but the temp on the gauge was 195*. I'm not sure of the accuracy of the gauge, but the stove seemed to be overheating to the point of water spitting out the vent pipe that is over 20" tall. I turned the blower off and within minutes, the stove was back to normal.
Bad aquastat?? It is a Honeywell L4006A 1678 with a direct imersion well, and I have the differential set at 15*. I have the aquastat insde the back cover on the stove, and it is covered with insulation. Does it need exposed to the outside air temp to be accurate? Are there better aquastats out there? Does anyone use the White Rogers, or the Ranco digital temperature controller?? Can the Ranco be used in the same well as the Honeywell??
Suggestions??
97
General Discussion / Re: OWB/KEEPING IT RUNNING AFTER LOST ELECTRIC
« on: January 28, 2009, 06:01:24 AM »
We got some major ice last night, and lost our power at 11:00pm. I figured I'd wait a while to start the generator, to see how cold the house got. The electric came back on at 5:45am, and the house was still 65,,,, down from 72. I didn't have to use the generator, but will make a "practice run" today to make sure it will run all I need it to without rewiring the blower on the furnace to run separately. My generator is 4400 watts, but the amps on the 220 side is only around 15.
98
Equipment / Re: Wood Truck
« on: January 26, 2009, 05:48:26 AM »
I have a pretty decent old 1992 F-150 with a 300 - 6cyl and a long bed. I usually fill the truck, and then hook to a flat trailer with 32" tall side boards. It is 16 ft. long X 6' 8" wide. I cut my wood here on the farm, so I don't have to worry about taking it out on the road much. I try to really take care of my truck and trailer, but with both loaded, that is about all the little 6 cyl. will handle. Truck and trailer loaded is 2.25 cord. I also have a 1700 series international dumptruck, but it is just too tall to load, and too big to get around on the farm.
99
Central Boiler / Re: Happy or not?????
« on: January 25, 2009, 03:53:55 PM »
Hey Ron,,, I have looked at those pics a dozen times so far. VERY NICE!!!!! I saw the tubes inside it, and thougth that was what they were for. I wanted to make a stove from round pipe, but the price to have the metal rolled was unbelievable. I build my entire stove for the price of the outside tank center,,, not counting the end caps. I checked at several steel distributors in WV. WV Steel in Charleston, WV wanted over $2000 for a piece rolled 48" in diameter, and 60" long. I don't have $2000 in the entire unit as you see in the pictures without the shed. I used 1/4" plate,,, Grade A36. I bought the 4 X 8 sheets of 1/4" for $275 a sheet. 5 sheets, plus some flat bar, angle, and box tubing, and HEY,,,, I got a stove! I bought my new mig welder just for the stove. I have a Lincoln Pro Mig 180. It's plenty hot enough, but the duty cycle is only 30%. You can't weld continually with it. It kicks the thermal switch. Next welder will be much bigger.
I'd be interested in seeing more pics of your sons stove, and some measurements as well. I hope to build a second one this summer, and his is a very impressive stove. I didn't know much of what I was doing when I built mine, but had already figured I would build a second one. I am a decent welder, and love working with my hands. I'm usually rebuilding a car or truck. If it weren't for my OWB, I would be working in a COLD garage right now.
A for the draft fan on the door, no problems so far. The motor is on the opposite side from where we get the rain, but I'm sure it gets it's share of water. I plan on putting a shield over it very soon.
Mark
I'd be interested in seeing more pics of your sons stove, and some measurements as well. I hope to build a second one this summer, and his is a very impressive stove. I didn't know much of what I was doing when I built mine, but had already figured I would build a second one. I am a decent welder, and love working with my hands. I'm usually rebuilding a car or truck. If it weren't for my OWB, I would be working in a COLD garage right now.
A for the draft fan on the door, no problems so far. The motor is on the opposite side from where we get the rain, but I'm sure it gets it's share of water. I plan on putting a shield over it very soon.
Mark
100
Central Boiler / Re: Happy or not?????
« on: January 25, 2009, 01:41:38 PM »
THANKS!! I appreciate the words of encouragement. I have more pics of it going together, and plenty of measurements and suggestions if someone out there wants more details. I also see a few things I would DEFINATELY CHANGE.
1. I thought a 19" X 19" door would be plenty big, but you can only fill the firebox 19" high with wood, and a real finger-masher. Lots of unused firebox. I still get a 12 hour burn time as long as the temp doesn't dip below about 15 at night. That is heating my 1680 sq. ft. house @ 73 degrees, and about 1200 sq. ft. of my garage/shop @ 50+ degrees or so at night. When I am working in my garage or woodshop, I crank it on up. With temps up around 40 at night, I can get by with one load a day. I haven't used it yet for my DHW. That is coming soon.
2. I think I would pump from one end of the tank, and return to the other end next time. A little better circulation of the water.
3. I would have the aquastat a little further away from the water returning TO the tank. Probably a more accurate water temp.
Anyways,,,, I'm sure you all have more good ideas to share as well. When I was planning mine, I couldn't find anyone willing to share plans or ideas without spending some $$. I will be more than willing to help in any way I can. Maybe a good idea for a new category?
?? A place someone can go to find plans, ideas, pics, info, etc. on items they would like to build. Maybe a good resource for someone looking to build their own stove, HX, or equipment. I am planning on building a log splitter this summer. I don't know of any place to find pics, drawings, specs. I usually work things out on my own. Just a thougth,,,,,,,,,,,,
Thanks again!!
1. I thought a 19" X 19" door would be plenty big, but you can only fill the firebox 19" high with wood, and a real finger-masher. Lots of unused firebox. I still get a 12 hour burn time as long as the temp doesn't dip below about 15 at night. That is heating my 1680 sq. ft. house @ 73 degrees, and about 1200 sq. ft. of my garage/shop @ 50+ degrees or so at night. When I am working in my garage or woodshop, I crank it on up. With temps up around 40 at night, I can get by with one load a day. I haven't used it yet for my DHW. That is coming soon.
2. I think I would pump from one end of the tank, and return to the other end next time. A little better circulation of the water.
3. I would have the aquastat a little further away from the water returning TO the tank. Probably a more accurate water temp.
Anyways,,,, I'm sure you all have more good ideas to share as well. When I was planning mine, I couldn't find anyone willing to share plans or ideas without spending some $$. I will be more than willing to help in any way I can. Maybe a good idea for a new category?
?? A place someone can go to find plans, ideas, pics, info, etc. on items they would like to build. Maybe a good resource for someone looking to build their own stove, HX, or equipment. I am planning on building a log splitter this summer. I don't know of any place to find pics, drawings, specs. I usually work things out on my own. Just a thougth,,,,,,,,,,,,Thanks again!!
101
Central Boiler / Re: Happy or not?????
« on: January 25, 2009, 08:19:20 AM »
I'm not sure what the problem might be,,,,,,,,,,,, MAYBE ME??
I created an album.
I clicked on "Home"
I clicked on "My Gallery"
I clicked "Upload File"
and now I get the error again.
I will keep trying. In the meantime, I will try to attach a couple pics of my stove here. Once I am able to use the picture site, I will load more of it in the building stage.
I created an album.
I clicked on "Home"
I clicked on "My Gallery"
I clicked "Upload File"
and now I get the error again.
I will keep trying. In the meantime, I will try to attach a couple pics of my stove here. Once I am able to use the picture site, I will load more of it in the building stage.
102
General Discussion / Re: A thank you
« on: January 25, 2009, 08:11:19 AM »
I've spent the past year or so on the net, researching, and talking to people, etc. trying to learn a little about the OWBs before I got in over my head, but I've learned more in the past week on this site than in the past year elsewhere. Everyone seems very willing to help. Thanks to all, and a special thanks to PhinPhan for his work on the site!!
103
Central Boiler / Re: Happy or not?????
« on: January 25, 2009, 07:12:50 AM »
Hey Jason, I went to the picture site, and created an album that is listed under "My gallery" , but when I click the "upload" button, it gives me a error message. "Sorry there is no album where you are allowed to upload files". I tried to log out and back in, but nothing works so far. Not sure what I'm doing wrong.
104
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Water loss from STEAMING
« on: January 24, 2009, 07:19:06 PM »
Thanks for the info. WOW,,, 10%. I never expected that much expansion. I had even considered an overflow tank, like a car uses, so it could spill into it when hot, and suck back out as it cools. When I first filled the stove, I left the water down a few inches from the top, and was shocked to see it spill out a few gallons when it got hot. I thought, "this thing is MAKING water",,,lol
Today, I tried Rons suggestion. I extended my vent pipe up and belled it out to 1 1/4", and added a 1 1/2" PVC cap with a 1/4" piece of tubing through it. There is a big difference in the steam already. A couple times I saw a little "puff" out the small pipe, but no noticeable steam, and no more dripping on the ground. I will check in a week or so and see if I need to add water. Also,,, when I welded the vent pipe in the stove originally, it was too tall and I had to add a 90* to take it to the side of the stove, and use 2 45*s to get it low enough to come out under the roof. When I turned the vent pipe up, it created a "trap" in the line. As pressure was trying to exit the stove, I could hear it bubbling through the water. This trap should prevent any oxygen from going back into the water tank. Less chance of corrosion??
I'm a residential contractor by trade, and very mechanical (I grew up poor), but just haven't been around the water stoves before. This is a first time for me, and I'm very happy with it, but I'm anxious to learn more about them from those of you out there that have them, and have already gone through what I am going through right now. This site has been great for me. I have some pics to add if I can figure out how to add them. My files are too large to send.
I appreciate your help.
Today, I tried Rons suggestion. I extended my vent pipe up and belled it out to 1 1/4", and added a 1 1/2" PVC cap with a 1/4" piece of tubing through it. There is a big difference in the steam already. A couple times I saw a little "puff" out the small pipe, but no noticeable steam, and no more dripping on the ground. I will check in a week or so and see if I need to add water. Also,,, when I welded the vent pipe in the stove originally, it was too tall and I had to add a 90* to take it to the side of the stove, and use 2 45*s to get it low enough to come out under the roof. When I turned the vent pipe up, it created a "trap" in the line. As pressure was trying to exit the stove, I could hear it bubbling through the water. This trap should prevent any oxygen from going back into the water tank. Less chance of corrosion??
I'm a residential contractor by trade, and very mechanical (I grew up poor), but just haven't been around the water stoves before. This is a first time for me, and I'm very happy with it, but I'm anxious to learn more about them from those of you out there that have them, and have already gone through what I am going through right now. This site has been great for me. I have some pics to add if I can figure out how to add them. My files are too large to send.
I appreciate your help.
105
Central Boiler / Re: Happy or not?????
« on: January 24, 2009, 02:53:11 PM »
Hi Ron,,, here are a couple pics of the stove and shed. The shed is 10 1/2' X 32', but I only use half of it for my wood. It is wide enough that I can get my flat trailer in to stack the wood. I use pallets on the ground to let air pass under it. Hopefully, it helps it dry easier. I stack it 6 ft. to 7 ft. high. I've used just over 3 cord so far this winter, but the past 2-3 weeks have taken a big bite out of it. We've had temps below 0 at night, and teens during the day, which is a bit unusual for our area.
I built the stove in late summer. I had never been around them before, but looked at one on display at our county fair. Looked pretty simple, so with a little more reading, studying, scratching,, etc. I gave it a try. The firebox is 24" wide, 28" tall, and 36" deep. The water tank is 3 ft. wide X 4 ft. tall, X 5 ft. long. This should compute to around 345 gallons when filled to capacity. I see things now that I wish I had changed, and probably will this next summer. Besides,,,,,,, building it gave me a good reason to buy ONE MORE WELDER,,,,,,,, Lincoln Pro Mig 180.
I have my aquastat on the back of the stove, and it is covered in insulaton. Will there be a difference in accuracy with it covered in insulation vs. exposed to the weather as I see most have??
*****I tried to post pics, but it says the files are too large. Am I doing someting wrong?? I have them saved as a JPEG file @ 988KB each. Suggestions?
I built the stove in late summer. I had never been around them before, but looked at one on display at our county fair. Looked pretty simple, so with a little more reading, studying, scratching,, etc. I gave it a try. The firebox is 24" wide, 28" tall, and 36" deep. The water tank is 3 ft. wide X 4 ft. tall, X 5 ft. long. This should compute to around 345 gallons when filled to capacity. I see things now that I wish I had changed, and probably will this next summer. Besides,,,,,,, building it gave me a good reason to buy ONE MORE WELDER,,,,,,,, Lincoln Pro Mig 180.
I have my aquastat on the back of the stove, and it is covered in insulaton. Will there be a difference in accuracy with it covered in insulation vs. exposed to the weather as I see most have??
*****I tried to post pics, but it says the files are too large. Am I doing someting wrong?? I have them saved as a JPEG file @ 988KB each. Suggestions?