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[ms1780]

I know several people on here have had this issue and used a paper clip to create a small space between the trap door and the tube the air comes out of.  I was curious if after doing this you noticed and increase in wood consumption or if it let enough air in when the fan was not blowing to allow water temps to continue to rise.

Also, has anyone wired in an alarm of any kind when water temps get too low?  I thought about wiring in a PID with a high and low alarm and set the low at 140 and the high at 190 and put an audible alarm on it and maybe a flashing light to warn me if something is wrong.  I'm just not real sure how to wire it in.   I suppose a thermocouple in a sump off my second line and pull 110v off the power coming in.

Thanks,

Mike

[atvalaska]

i'm look here , http://www.controlproductsonline.com/temperature-products-c-1-l-en.html

[kc]

I have been burning a Mountain Man 505 for the last 2 winters and have had some issue with the fire going out at night.   We have grown accustomed to having the temp drop at night using a programmable thermostat which when you do that no heat gets pulled from the stove for hours and the fire can go out.   I don't have any fast and easy answers but a few observations.   First is the quality of your wood is everything.   After struggling my first winter with wet, unseasoned wood I built a wood shed next to the stove and my goal now is to have it full by summer's end so that the wood is seasoned and dry by winter.   My wood shed holds approximately 6 cords which is close to what I would burn for a winter.  So far this season after burning for a month the fire has only gone out once and it was my fault for not loading it properly.   Next is you have to build up and keep a good bed of coals.   That can be hard to do when the weather is not so cold and the stove doesn't burn as much.   In those times I have used the paper clip trick and it does help keep the fire going when not much heat is being pulled from the stove.   Lastly, after suffering through many cold showers in the morning what I did on my thermostat was set it to heat up the house about 30 minutes from the time we get up.    Before I had it set a couple of hours prior (trying to shorten the time calling for heat) and if the fire is out it would pull most of the heat out of the stove (hence cold shower).   At 30 minutes there is still decent heat in the stove so I can shut the furnace off and use the remaining heat for the shower while the stove heats back up.   

On the blower door sticking I have had that happen a few times and what is going on is a thing layer of creosote will build up on the door and can "glue" the edges shut.   I now have the habit of checking and when I see it building up I knock it off with the poker.  Haven't had the blower door glued shut for quite a while now.

You just have to live and learn and always keep adjusting until it works well most always...

kc

[Roscoe]

You will be fine with paper clip(s) as long as you don't exceed 1/16 inch gap.

[Drivebymashing]

I have a earth 305 big bear
I had to relight mine alomost everyday. THen I added a paper clip works great doesnt burn anymore wood than before no more matches or lighters. Paper clip trick works great!!!

[Farmer85]

I have tried both a clip and no clip. No noticeable difference either way. I burn really dead wood in warm weather and get a good bed of coals going. Usually have trouble keeping fire going for the first 3 days of warm weather when first lighting stove. After that I never really need a paper clip. My door seal is leaking slightly but not bad enough to change yet. I also flip my trap door every day to knock off any buildup and keep it free. Works good for me

[ms1780]

I am sick of this sticking door.  I am going to change the set up to use a solenoid and door on the outside this summer. Has anyone retrofit an Earth door to do this.  You would think with so many people having issues they could fix this.

[Drivebymashing]

I prefer the blower paper clip is where its at.

[mlappin]

try spraying the door and its mating surface with some Fluid Film. That stuff is great, like WD40, PBlaster, Never Seize and cosmoline all in one can.

[WoodMOJoe]

I have an Earth 20x20 door on my homebuilt furnace and have been  using a paper clip, works well.

Also have a switch where I can control the blower so every time I load I will smack the blower door shut a few times with the blower on, that keeps any creosote buildup under control.