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16
HeatMaster / Re: Temperature settings
« on: November 29, 2018, 09:33:25 AM »
I have a P&M 250 and I run it 190/180. I don't think it really uses any more wood and my theory is that higher temps will reduce the amount of oxygen in my water and anything to keep the chambers drier is a good thing.
The only drawback I have noticed is increased evaporation. I need to top it up a few more times a winter.
The only drawback I have noticed is increased evaporation. I need to top it up a few more times a winter.
17
Portage & Main / Re: Refractory fix?
« on: November 13, 2018, 07:54:14 AM »
The base refractory is beginning to crack around the nozzle. I have cracks beginning to form from the nozzle edge running perpendicular towards the side of the unit large enough to stick a putty knife into. The nozzle inserts are beginning to sink down so it's sitting 3/8" below the refractory. Anyone else experiencing this?
18
General Discussion / Re: Motorcycle problem
« on: May 07, 2018, 07:35:04 AM »
My buddy has the exact same bike and had the same problem last year. We took the starter push button apart on the handlebar and cleaned it. It was a dirty push button that wouldn't contact properly. No problems since.
19
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Extended Burn Times With Super Dry Wood
« on: February 09, 2018, 12:06:27 PM »
This is a picture of the candy thermometer I installed. Drilled a hole in the stack and inserted the probe end.
20
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Does anyone put a roof over their OWB?
« on: February 05, 2018, 06:09:53 PM »
I know the solutions are out there, just need to stop being lazy and find the time to do it.
21
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Does anyone put a roof over their OWB?
« on: February 05, 2018, 11:49:30 AM »
We get so many howling winds from all directions here that a shed without a roof and 4 walls is pointless. It would pack full of snow everytime it would snow. Fine for keeping rain off your wood stack in the summer, but extremely frustrating in the winter. We get too much wind here on the prairies. I put my boiler in my profile pic shed because of the brutal cold and winds. Best. Investment. Ever. Except I'm still working on a good solution for the loading smoke...
22
Fire Wood / Re: Wood identification??
« on: February 01, 2018, 07:12:02 AM »
Could be some sort of elm. Elm creates a lot of ash as you said this does. The elm I have burned creates hard chunks of ash around the nozzle of my stove so I need to be careful to clean them up every load or it plugs it up. It's been a strange burning wood in my gasser.
23
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Wood usage comparisons
« on: January 31, 2018, 01:51:07 PM »
Wow, 800 lbs. in 24 hours! That's 5,200,000 raw BTU's. Good thing you're getting your wood delivered and not cutting it yourself.
24
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Wood usage comparisons
« on: January 31, 2018, 10:38:57 AM »
Thanks BoilerHouse. That's a great document that I've read before.
I've measured my BTU recovery efficiency in more ways than I can count. I have used the 6000-6500 BTU per pound of wood (20% moisture, 100% heat recovery efficiency) calculation before. I've discovered that a very conservative calculation is 4500+ BTU per pound of actual heat to my house. I'm always hitting at least this efficiency or better. That would put my stove at around 75% efficiency, just like the EPA sticker on the unit says.
I've measured my BTU recovery efficiency in more ways than I can count. I have used the 6000-6500 BTU per pound of wood (20% moisture, 100% heat recovery efficiency) calculation before. I've discovered that a very conservative calculation is 4500+ BTU per pound of actual heat to my house. I'm always hitting at least this efficiency or better. That would put my stove at around 75% efficiency, just like the EPA sticker on the unit says.
25
Portage & Main / Re: Optimizer 250 / Gassing / Tenting Over Nozzle
« on: January 23, 2018, 11:54:54 AM »
Also a reminder to keep ALL of the primary air holes in the firebox clean and clear.
My 250 had been gassing great for the last few weeks, but I was having difficulty sustaining gasification burn in the past few days. I let it burn out and took a look at the primary air supply holes and found a number of them were plugged. I think they plugged up because of idling during the mild temps we had last week. Opened them up and voila! Great gasification again. You wouldn't think it would make that much of a difference because the air volume is about the same, but it does.
My 250 had been gassing great for the last few weeks, but I was having difficulty sustaining gasification burn in the past few days. I let it burn out and took a look at the primary air supply holes and found a number of them were plugged. I think they plugged up because of idling during the mild temps we had last week. Opened them up and voila! Great gasification again. You wouldn't think it would make that much of a difference because the air volume is about the same, but it does.
26
Advanced Electronics / Re: what type of wire
« on: January 18, 2018, 07:49:45 AM »
Just make sure it's outdoor burial rated. Indoor Cat5e or Cat6 doesn't like weather.
27
Portage & Main / Re: Optimizer 250 / Gassing / Tenting Over Nozzle
« on: January 18, 2018, 07:45:12 AM »
Sounds like you have an excellent handle on the situation.
28
Portage & Main / Re: Optimizer 250 / Gassing / Tenting Over Nozzle
« on: January 16, 2018, 10:15:29 AM »
Nice pics! That's a big bed of coals! You shouldn't have any trouble burning cleanly with that bed. I would even try to reduce the coal bed somewhat to make sure the nozzle doesn't get too restricted.
I would consider splitting those bigger logs once to get better internal drying and good surface contact with the coal bed. Nice shed and rack system!
I would consider splitting those bigger logs once to get better internal drying and good surface contact with the coal bed. Nice shed and rack system!
29
Portage & Main / Re: Optimizer 250 / Gassing / Tenting Over Nozzle
« on: January 16, 2018, 10:05:37 AM »
That's great news! Don't be afraid to turn the air down in the primary to keep the wood cooking down to coals instead of burning up in flames in the firebox. Keep us posted with how it performs over the next few days.
I have found that ideally anything over 6-7" diameter should be split once. Anything bigger than that is questionable to fully dry in a year or two. If it isn't dry enough it won't form the nice coal bed you want in a gasser.
The 250 is quite forgiving and very efficient if your wood is dry enough. I have found that you actually can run really small stuff in a 250 due to it's wide range of adjustments. I can burn full loads of small structured lumber cutoffs which was historically considered a no-no in a gasser by turning the primary air WAY down to just a trickle. For bigger stuff you can turn the air up a bit. Now that I understand it, I love the tuneability of the 250.
I have found that ideally anything over 6-7" diameter should be split once. Anything bigger than that is questionable to fully dry in a year or two. If it isn't dry enough it won't form the nice coal bed you want in a gasser.
The 250 is quite forgiving and very efficient if your wood is dry enough. I have found that you actually can run really small stuff in a 250 due to it's wide range of adjustments. I can burn full loads of small structured lumber cutoffs which was historically considered a no-no in a gasser by turning the primary air WAY down to just a trickle. For bigger stuff you can turn the air up a bit. Now that I understand it, I love the tuneability of the 250.
30
General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Wood usage comparisons
« on: January 15, 2018, 01:53:13 PM »
I am right now. Just spruce and spruce structured cutoffs from a pallet factory in town. I have some ash for when I need >10 hour burns if needed.