Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => General Outdoor Furnace Discussion => Topic started by: fireboss on August 13, 2014, 06:59:25 AM

Title: garage heater
Post by: fireboss on August 13, 2014, 06:59:25 AM
What is the best way to heat my garage?
Title: Re: garage heater
Post by: CountryBoyJohn on August 13, 2014, 09:06:12 AM
I'm venturing down this path myself Mr. Fireboss.  My plan is to remove the squirrel cage from an old furnace and set it behind an extra water to air heat exchanger.  Then, wire a thermostat up to the squirrel cage.  I'm going to be back on here later I'm sure to find out exactly how to wire it all up!  But, that's my plan at least! 

They do make them in a package deal.  http://www.supplyhouse.com/Modine-HC-18L-01-HC18L01-Hydronic-Unit-Heater-15900-BTU (http://www.supplyhouse.com/Modine-HC-18L-01-HC18L01-Hydronic-Unit-Heater-15900-BTU) 
Title: Re: garage heater
Post by: slimjim on August 13, 2014, 09:24:44 AM
 An old oil or gas burner housing and blower are what I use, if you need help let me know on the wiring.
Title: Re: garage heater
Post by: AirForcePOL on August 13, 2014, 09:41:37 AM
Here is a picture of my setup.  I took an old squirrel cage blower and bought the HX online.  I bought some duct metal at Menards and cut it to make the shape.  Just hooked it up to a line voltage thermostat ($15) and it works great. 
Title: Re: garage heater
Post by: fireboss on August 13, 2014, 10:06:23 AM
The hanging heaters are way to much money , I like the exchanger set up better, the simpler the better
Title: Re: garage heater
Post by: CountryBoyJohn on August 13, 2014, 11:12:39 AM
Yes!  That's my plan Mr. AirForcePOL!  I doubt I'll get so intricate with the fins at the font!!  Nice job!
Title: Re: garage heater
Post by: AirForcePOL on August 13, 2014, 11:30:41 AM
I didn't have them on there at first but the way the air was coming out, it was hitting the ceiling.  I can tell a big difference after putting those on there.  It really didn't take much time at all.  I used rivets on pretty much the entire thing.  Those fins will rotate how they are so I can adjust them. 
Title: Re: garage heater
Post by: Sloppy_Snood on August 13, 2014, 01:10:24 PM
I didn't have them on there at first but the way the air was coming out, it was hitting the ceiling.  I can tell a big difference after putting those on there.  It really didn't take much time at all.  I used rivets on pretty much the entire thing.  Those fins will rotate how they are so I can adjust them.

Any reason one could not mount a setup like this on a metal stand on the garage floor somewhere?  ???

I ask this question because obviously, heat rises and I spend all my time 5 feet 9 inches off the floor.  Thoughts guys??  :-\
Title: Re: garage heater
Post by: slimjim on August 13, 2014, 01:43:42 PM
Thanks again Slopster, I tell people to do the same thing all the time, most folks think I'm nuts
Title: Re: garage heater
Post by: fireboss on August 13, 2014, 07:44:26 PM
Some may not have the space to have it on the floor, but I do I have the perfect spot on the floor
Title: Re: garage heater
Post by: mlappin on August 13, 2014, 09:46:04 PM
I didn't have them on there at first but the way the air was coming out, it was hitting the ceiling.  I can tell a big difference after putting those on there.  It really didn't take much time at all.  I used rivets on pretty much the entire thing.  Those fins will rotate how they are so I can adjust them.

Any reason one could not mount a setup like this on a metal stand on the garage floor somewhere?  ???

I ask this question because obviously, heat rises and I spend all my time 5 feet 9 inches off the floor.  Thoughts guys??  :-\

I plan on placing at least two in the shop up in the rafters pointing straight down, reasoning being heat rises, the fan can pull the heat off the peak and blow it back thru the HX and to where I'm working.
Title: Re: garage heater
Post by: AirForcePOL on August 13, 2014, 10:36:12 PM
I could have put it on the floor but it's up and out of the way on the ceiling.  I have 3 ceiling fans in the garage that do a good job of keeping the air circulated.
Title: Re: garage heater
Post by: ijon on August 14, 2014, 03:04:59 AM
I made a heat exchanger out of slant fin. I enclosed it in sheet metal and put a squirrel cage fan behind it. I used a salamander thermostat for temp regulation. I think people hang them higher to get them out of the way.
Title: Re: garage heater
Post by: mlappin on August 14, 2014, 07:03:44 AM
I made a heat exchanger out of slant fin. I enclosed it in sheet metal and put a squirrel cage fan behind it. I used a salamander thermostat for temp regulation. I think people hang them higher to get them out of the way.

Exactly, space is at a premium in my shop, could stand to be twice as big. Only space I'm not using is up in the rafters so that's where the heaters are going.
Title: Re: garage heater
Post by: Sloppy_Snood on August 14, 2014, 08:19:47 AM
Exactly, space is at a premium in my shop, could stand to be twice as big. Only space I'm not using is up in the rafters so that's where the heaters are going.

So.... it is a space issue.  Got it. 

How about mounting it in the garage ceiling and blow the hot air down a channel in the wall (e.g. between the wall studs) and venting it back into the room at floor level?  :-\
Title: Re: garage heater
Post by: slimjim on August 14, 2014, 08:48:22 AM
Again a great idea from the Slopster!
Title: Re: garage heater
Post by: mlappin on August 14, 2014, 10:31:33 AM
Exactly, space is at a premium in my shop, could stand to be twice as big. Only space I'm not using is up in the rafters so that's where the heaters are going.

So.... it is a space issue.  Got it. 

How about mounting it in the garage ceiling and blow the hot air down aa channel in the wall (e.g. between the wall studs) and venting it back into the room at floor level?  :-\

Pole barn, no studs in the walls. Shelves and cabinets on every wall. Already have fans between the rafters to move air down anyways.
Title: Re: garage heater
Post by: johnybcold on August 20, 2014, 06:09:01 PM
craigs list and swap meets I got a nice box heater for $50 basically just a radiator with a fan
Title: Re: garage heater
Post by: dukethebeagle on August 20, 2014, 07:14:30 PM
 i know a guy who used a diesel truck rad plumbed into his boiler.
are truck rads as efficient as the real water  to air exchangers ???