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31

Central Boiler / Classic Edge 550 HD

« on: May 24, 2018, 02:48:00 AM »

Yesterday I took possession of a new CB Classic Edge 550 HD with Wi-Fi.  It's the titanium stainless steel unit.  My E-Classic 1400 was working great when I pulled it off the pad.  My nephew wants it so I'm getting it ready to get it to him, he should get a few more years out it.  It's just the maintenance will be much easier with the Edge 550 than it is with the 1400.  My lower back and neck problems do not allow me the luxury of keeping it.  Roger       

32

General Discussion / First motorcyle ride of the year

« on: May 13, 2018, 11:51:40 AM »

I finally had a chance to go for a motorcycle ride today now that it's running, went maybe 50 miles.  Man, did that ever feel good and the operators of the cars, trucks, etc... were all very respectful of me riding today, giving me space.  Roger

33

General Discussion / Motorcycle problem

« on: May 02, 2018, 04:05:50 AM »

Hi all - I have a 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan VN900 Classic LT.  It's run great every year I've operated it.  She has ~25,000 miles on her.  I've maintained her per manual instruction (yes, I read the manual )  Anyway, early last week I took her out of storage, brought the battery from the basement in the house and tested the battery with a load tester.  It "said" the battery was weak with the load applied.  So, I pull out the battery charger and give it an hour of charge time.  I again applied a load to the battery and it "said" it was good to go.  So, I stuff it in my motorcycle, turn the key and she fires right up.  Phew!  When the weather breaks I can start riding again.  Well, yesterday evening I decided to check to see if she would start.  With the the weather to be in the low 80's and sunny I had plans on taking it to work.  I put the key in her, turn it; the dash lights light come up as they should, the head light comes on nice and bright, the turn signals work as does the horn but the fuel pump only ran for about 1/2 the time it normally would before trying to start it.  I pushed the start button and nothing, not even a clicking sound from the solenoid.  Tonight I'm going to apply my load tester to see what it has to offer.  If the battery checks out okay (it should, it's only 2 years old) where else would you suggest I look?  Roger       

34

Central Boiler / Shutdown for the summer season

« on: April 29, 2018, 11:55:04 AM »

Well, I shutdown the E-Classic 1400 for the season yesterday.  With temps finally climbing into the 50's, 60's and some 70's it was time to give myself a break from tending the fire twice a day.  When I shut her down she was running just as strong as when I purchased her.  It never gave me any problems that weren't self imposed.  There are a couple of other reasons for it too.  The only problem I have is the air channel needs attention so I moved the OWB to my shop so I can tackle it over the summer.  I have an idea what I want to do and I'll see how it goes.  Another reason I needed to move it is my nephew will be buying it from me later this year, that'll give me time to give the air channel some attention.  The main reason is that I have purchased a new CB unit, it's the Classic Edge 550 HD.   It's being delivered in late May (my choice of delivery date).  With all of the advances in design and the ease of cleaning I think I have made the right choice for me.  Plus, I'll be able to monitor what it's doing anywhere there is a WIFI connection.  Roger 

35

General Discussion / Don't tell anyone

« on: April 23, 2018, 03:09:24 AM »

Keep this under your hat; I think spring has sprung here in New England.  It was in the mid 50's and sunny yesterday albeit a bit breezy.  Today may hit the 60's and sunny with most of the week seeing temps in the 50's and 60's.  Historically I've had the OWB shut down for the season before now so I believe it's safe to do so this week sometime. 

36

General Discussion / Rude awakening

« on: April 16, 2018, 03:16:55 AM »

So, Saturday evening one of my younger brothers and I decided to go roller skating for the first time in many years; it'll be fun, what could go wrong?  The first hour was fun after I got my feet under me again.  That second hour, well...  I quickly realized that at 56 years old (and quickly approaching 57) recovering from a fall takes a lot longer than it did when I was a teenager or in my 20's.  Both of my feet came out from under me and landed, HARD, on my back!  I sprained my right wrist, my back from the my neck down to my tailbone is as sore as I have ever experienced and my left hip is quite sore from from the fall.  It must have been comical watching me trying to get out of bed yesterday morning.  Thankfully I have this week off from work and the weather has been miserable so it's forcing me to stay indoors and take it easy for a couple of days.  I had planned to rake my lawns but if I want to do that now I'd have to clear the snow and ice first.  It can wait.  Roger 

37

General Discussion / Harley Down

« on: March 27, 2018, 02:12:56 PM »

While riding my Harley, I swerved to avoid hitting a deer, lost control and landed in a ditch, severely banging my head. Dazed and confused I crawled out of the ditch to the edge of the road when a shiny new convertible pulled up with a very beautiful woman who asked, "Are you okay?"

As I looked up, I noticed she was wearing a low cut blouse with cleavage to die for... "I'm okay I think," I replied as I pulled myself up to the side of the car to get a closer look.

She said, “Get in and I’ll take you home so I can clean and bandage that nasty scrape on your head.”

"That's nice of you," I answered, "but I don't think my wife will like me doing that!"

"Oh, come now, I’m a nurse," she insisted. "I need to see if you have any more scrapes and then treat them properly."

Well, she was really pretty and very persuasive. Being sort of shaken and weak, I agreed, but repeated, "I'm sure my wife won't like this."

We arrived at her place which was just a few miles away and, after a couple of cold beers and the bandaging, I thanked her and said, "I feel a lot better, but I know my wife is going to be really upset so I'd better go now."

"Don't be silly!" she said with a smile, while unbuttoning her blouse exposing the most beautiful set of boobs I’ve ever seen. "Stay for a while. She won't know anything. By the way, where is she?"

"Still in the ditch with my Harley, I guess."

38

Plumbing / Flow problem when really cold

« on: March 05, 2018, 10:41:09 AM »

Hi all, the attached picture shows the present setup (red line) and proposed change (black line) I was told would help me with my dilemma.  With my current setup (red line), for the most part, when the temps are above zero, the house stays warm and comfy but when it gets below zero, especially at 20 below with a strong wind, my current setup cannot keep up with the demand in the house.  The temp in the house will not get above 65 although the stats are set at 70.  The water coming into the house from the OWB is through 1 inch Thermopex is ~195ish, the return ranging anywhere between 160/170, depending on load.  I have Grundfos 26-99 at the OWB on the number 3 setting.  The feed and return manifolds are 1 1/4 inch copper 3/4 inch zone valves for each zone.  I was told the proposed (black line) will solve my problem.  I cannot wrap my head around how the proposed change (black line) will do this.  Can any of you pros offer some insite?  Roger       

39

The Wall Of Shame / So that's what that does...

« on: March 03, 2018, 05:01:58 PM »

So, around 4:00pm getting ready to go have dinner with one of my brothers.  I took a glance at the temp in my living room and it read 68 degrees, the stat is set for 70.  I go into the den to have a look at the water temp from the E-Classic 1400 and it's only 156 degrees F.  Dang it (well not really but I'm trying to keep it clean) so I change back into my grubby clothes to see what happened to the OWB.  I kind of figured the display would be flashing F. O., meaning fire out.  Nope!  Nothing!  The digital display is blank.  No power to the 1400 whatsoever!  It must be the fuse, I pull it and test it, it's okay; it must be the circuit breaker tripped, nope, not tripped.  What the HE double toothpicks is going on!  Then my stomach did a flip; I bet the controller died.  Before I cry in my beer, I decided to check the controller in the basement to see if it's something in there that's interrupted the flow of electrons.  Everything is dead!  Now, I know the circuit breaker hasn't tripped, and then I saw it.  My brother and I were re-routing a few electrical cables and in our haste to finish the job we must have accidently bumped the disconnect that kills all power to the entire heating system, including the OWB.  I flipped it and walla!, we have power!  Now, back out to the OWB to get the fire rekindled.  That was easy.  I used my flame thrower I use to get the brush fires started and in no time I had a nice roaring fire again.  Phew!  I feel better now.  Now I can enjoy dinner and not have to cry in my beer.    Roger     

40

The Wall Of Shame / Oops

« on: February 07, 2018, 05:00:33 PM »

12" of snow on the ground and still falling; start tractor with snow blower to clear yard; going great; dumb bell forgot to check fuel tank; clearing neighbors yard; tractor runs out of fuel; no fuel in fuel can; call another neighbor; he has about a gallon; just enough to get home.  Live and learn I guess.  Roger 

41

General Discussion / Dutch oven

« on: January 27, 2018, 04:53:13 PM »

Hi all, My home was built in 1840's.  The kitchen is separate room consisting of a brick dutch oven.  The oven was built first and then the house was constructed around it.  I have never seen it in operation.  Does it take a mason who has special training in dutch oven construction?  In a few years when I retire I'll be selling this huge house (money pit) and I want to make it a focal point of the sale but I need to be sure it's safe, thus the need for a mason who knows what he/she is doing.  Any thoughts?  Thanks.  Roger

42

Central Boiler / Am I blind?

« on: January 11, 2018, 05:38:19 AM »

Where did it go?  A couple days ago someone posted the CB warranty for everyone to see, I guess to prove something.  A discussion, somewhat lively at times, took place.  I usually sit back, try to stay neutral, take in all the info and then decide for myself what I should make of the situation.  I made what I thought was a simple comment, that if you read all manufacturer's warranty's the wording would be similar in nature.  Then I asked if anyone had done a side by side comparison of the warranty's of all manufacturers listed on this site and post it for all to see.  I stopped by yesterday morning looking to see if anyone had anything constructive to add only to see that, it appears, the original post has been removed.  Is it something I said, or perhaps they way someone may have interpreted my tone?  It makes me think that opposing opinions aren't welcome on this site, or when someone's opinion is challenged, it's not welcome.  Thanks.  Roger     

43

Central Boiler / D.O. on E-Classic 1400 this morning

« on: January 03, 2018, 04:17:59 AM »

I went outside to put some wood in the E-classic 1400 this morning and the digital display showed d.o., meaning Door Open.  I smacked the door and that took care of the problem.  The water temp was down to 158 with a reaction chamber temp of 128.  Once I smacked I smacked the door, the blower came on, fire started to roar and she quickly returning to operating temp.  My question for your CB or non-CB folks, what the heck could have caused that?  I changed out the door gasket this spring, made sure I had a good groove showing where the door pressed against against it.  With temps expected to reach -25 to -30 this weekend, I need that thing operating flawlessly.  I know there is a micro switch against which the door presses to indicate to the controller that the door is closed, perhaps it's going south (and, not a bad idea) on me.  Once again, thanks for your help.  Roger 

44

General Discussion / Older bro was lucky this AM

« on: January 02, 2018, 07:43:54 AM »

Early this morning around 5:00am one of my older brother's was heading to work.  The temps were around -15 to -20, depending on which area you were in, so it was dang cold.  He's driving minding his own business when a telephone pole he's driving by, snaps.  He saw it in time to swerve out of the way only to be hit by the large transformer on the drivers side of the cab.  The entire side of his truck from the head light area to the cab suffered severe damage.  The "A" post on the drivers side was driven down into the drivers compartment, shattering the windshield; he walked away without a scratch!  To see the damage to the cab and know he walked away without a scratch is a miracle in itself.  It wasn't his day to go.  Roger     

45

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Emergency Generator

« on: January 02, 2018, 03:23:00 AM »

This morning we've had 2 brief power outages and it was that moment that I forgot to get a new battery for the generator.  This generator is a whole house, auto start unit, 15K.  Thankfully the power came back on after a minute or 2.  And, thankfully, the weather is supposed to moderate a bit for the next 2 or 3 days where it "should" be above zero (tropical).  I think I'm okay if I stop by the parts place to pick it up on my way home from work.  Gosh, if it's not one thing, it's another.  I think this is going to be one of those years.  Roger