Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => Electronics => Topic started by: Bull on January 08, 2011, 08:59:33 AM

Title: What Temp.
Post by: Bull on January 08, 2011, 08:59:33 AM
This may have already been addressed but I installed the Ranco ETC-111000 Electronic Temperature Controller on my H2, at what temp do most people set theirs at and what differential setting?
Title: Re: What Temp.
Post by: jackel440 on January 21, 2011, 02:03:59 PM
Mine has like a 5* differential,but it is not a ranco.I also have it set at 185* :thumbup:
Title: Re: What Temp.
Post by: willieG on January 21, 2011, 04:08:49 PM
most times it comes from the dealer at 180 off and as low as 160 on. some folks change them deoending on the time of year. myself i run 160 off 150 on as i don't use mixing valves and i am comfortable thinking than any one (including children) that put their hand under the tap will have time to realize it is hot and move thier hand before any burns take place.
some folks say when they lower the set temps that theyy burn less wood. i don't have any info on that to agree or disagree if it makes a difference nor have i tried it
Title: Re: What Temp.
Post by: yoderheating on January 21, 2011, 09:43:04 PM
 When I install a furnace I normally set it at 170 with a 10 degree differential. On my own furnace I normally run it at 170 when its cold and as low as 150 when its warmer. Every furnace is different, try yours at a number of different settings and see where it works the best.
Title: Re: What Temp.
Post by: Neal on February 26, 2011, 07:54:11 PM
running mine at 160 on/170 off.  Definitly takes a lot less wood but not sure of the amount
Title: Re: What Temp.
Post by: lawrencep on February 28, 2011, 07:57:38 AM
i run mine 150 off 140 on
Title: Re: What Temp.
Post by: Bull on February 28, 2011, 08:06:26 AM
I set it at 160 on and 170 off, works great
Title: Re: What Temp.
Post by: mikenc on February 28, 2011, 03:14:39 PM
Have mine set 140 on 155 off. Usually lower it in summer when only heating DHW. Have tried different settings in past. Lower water temps do seem to burn less wood for me.
Title: Re: What Temp.
Post by: tulenutn2o on February 28, 2011, 05:27:48 PM
175f on, 180f off.
Title: Re: What Temp.
Post by: rosewood on February 28, 2011, 07:15:49 PM
165 on 185 off with a hydro hot air system , any lower air coming out of vents just don't feel hot.
Title: Re: What Temp.
Post by: martyinmi on March 02, 2011, 02:03:41 PM

I've owned two owb's now and I seem to burn less wood and form much less tar and creosote by keeping both temps up on the high side. My primary combustion chamber stays cleaner as well as the secondary burn chamber and heat transfer tubes. Mine comes on at 177 and shuts off at 185. The refractory brick seems to maintain enough heat so that when the system calls for heat the smoke lights off within 30 seconds or less. Less smoke equals happier neighbors as well as very little smoke seeping through the cracks of my old two story house. I've played with many different combos over the years and higher is what I've found works best for a gasifier, with a small differential. My current furnace is a puny little Pro Series 100. It's amazing what that little fart can do on such a miserly little amount of wood.    Marty 
Title: Re: What Temp.
Post by: Bret4jsarena on June 29, 2011, 03:46:08 AM
I am running at 160 on/170 off, and it's working good, in this can't find any problem  :thumbup:
Title: Re: What Temp.
Post by: Scott7m on August 15, 2011, 12:54:24 PM
I am running at 160 on/170 off, and it's working good, in this can't find any problem  :thumbup:

150 on/158 off on mine.
Title: Re: What Temp.
Post by: Ridgekid on August 15, 2011, 01:00:48 PM
CB installers put thermo bypass valves on the system that redirects the water back to the boiler if it's too cold. (Around 150F) Keep that in mind when setting the controller.

Our controller is set to 185F/175F.
Title: Re: What Temp.
Post by: RSI on August 15, 2011, 10:18:50 PM
CB installers put thermo bypass valves on the system that redirects the water back to the boiler if it's too cold. (Around 150F) Keep that in mind when setting the controller.

Our controller is set to 185F/175F.
That is just so there is not a huge difference in the return temperature at the boiler so it doesn't shock it. Nothing to do with the operating temperature setting.

Every stove is going to be a little different. If you are going to play around with the setting it is best to start out with it around 180 and then work your way down. If you start getting more creosote buildup or aren't getting enough heat at the house then you want to go back up a little. Dryer wood could run cooler without as much creosote problem.
Title: Re: What Temp.
Post by: RSI on August 15, 2011, 10:22:19 PM
I might have read your post wrong.
The valve sends bypasses the house until the water gets up to 150? I thought they put hot into the return line to keep it from being too cold.

A lot of people run closer to 140 but with the natural draft maybe Central boilers can't burn off the creosote if running that cool.
Title: Re: What Temp.
Post by: Ridgekid on August 15, 2011, 10:36:06 PM
RSI-

During start-up my thermo valve gets hot but does not open until 150F+. In other words I can go in the basement and feel the pipe to and from the OWB are getting hot but the rest of the piping is ice cold.
Title: Re: What Temp.
Post by: RSI on August 15, 2011, 10:39:38 PM
ok that is what I figured after I re-read your post. I should read more carefully.  ;D
Title: Re: What Temp.
Post by: Ridgekid on August 16, 2011, 04:53:28 AM
No problem!   ;)

Thats propbably why they want the 185F setpoint, that and the fact higher temps prevent creosote.

Downstream of the thermostat is the aquastat. It "tells" my heating system to either turn on the furnace fan or the heatpump. Setpoint is 165F.
Title: Re: What Temp.
Post by: Scott7m on August 18, 2011, 08:09:46 PM
No problem!   ;)

Thats propbably why they want the 185F setpoint, that and the fact higher temps prevent creosote.

Downstream of the thermostat is the aquastat. It "tells" my heating system to either turn on the furnace fan or the heatpump. Setpoint is 165F.

that may be why they tell you to run it at 185, I'm not sure.  I know that with a forced draft the fire is more intense when it's burning and it burns off the creosote pretty good.  Every couple weeks I'll pull my fan adjustment wide open and let it roar a couple minutes to burn the creosote at the top of my spark arrestor.  I have never had my stove above 160 though except testing wood usage.