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31

Central Boiler / Selling my CB 4030

« on: February 19, 2014, 03:29:03 PM »

So I'm selling my 4030 due to it being undersized for my main level and basement. Purchased it brand new in late October. Does anyone have any idea as to what I could expect to get out of the unit?  I'm going to advertise on Craigslist and in the local trading journal.

Thanks in advance

32

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Burning a little coal

« on: January 27, 2014, 04:08:23 PM »

Some of you know that my burn times have been terrible lately so...

Could someone tell me why I couldn't add a small amount (shovel full) on top of my ash bed/wood coals and en add some wood to help my burn time in subzero weather. Btw, I have a cb 4030.

33

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Need help (long)

« on: January 22, 2014, 10:55:49 AM »

Sorry guys for not replying sooner. I appreciate all of the comments and I will try to answer the questions.

I didn't think the numbers were correct but I figured the temp difference was what was needed. What should be the difference between the out and in at the owb?  We just had a cold front come through. I've been burning seasoned locust and it has improved my burn times some, but I'm still not getting more than 10 hours when the temperature is below 35 degrees.

I am going to try to follow Hondas recommendation and try to get a more accurate reading.  It would be difficult to take the hx out so I would rather not try that.

How would I go about checking for the air bubble? 

Regarding the filters...I change those about every month.

I have their thermopex buried about 20" deep. The dirt has settled so water lays in the ditch at times (new construction so no grass seed planted there yet).

Linda...The 2000 ft does not include the basement but I would like to add that in the future only turning the unit on when I'm down there.

If I sell, what do used (1 year old) units usually sell for?  Brand new before taxes is $5000.

34

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Need help (long)

« on: January 20, 2014, 12:03:18 PM »

Hondaracer

You are correct about how often the fan runs on the air handler. I bought a cheap infrared to check the temp and this is what I found.

Thermostat reads 180
Ir temp of pump 180
Ir temp of pex (out) at the owb 153 (I know this isn't right)
Ir temp of pex (in) at the owb 133 (while not accurate, there is a 20 degree difference?)
Ir temp of pex (in) at the hx 147
Ir temp of pex (out) at the hx 143

Sprinter

I've read a little that has been discussed on here about mass storage but don't want to out a ton of money into it. Would an old 80 gallon water heater work?  Would it even be worth it? 

I'm still considering selling after winter and going a size bigger, but would like the current 4030 to work if possible.

35

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Need help (long)

« on: January 19, 2014, 07:35:49 AM »

First, I would like to say how useful this forum has been to me over the past few weeks. I read the forum everyday and learn so much. However, I am at a breaking point with my NEW (10/13) CB 4030.  I apologize for the lengthy post. I just want to provide as much info as I can.  The specs are as follows:

-2000 ft new construction
-Full basement that is not currently hooked to the owb (would like to if possible)
-Water to air heat exchanger on a 3.5 ton hvac system

-My stove is 45' from my house. The line comes into my basement, over about 20', up to my attic, and over another 30ft.  All of the 1" pex is insulated with pipe insulation.  There are ten 90s total on the entire run with the required thermostatic valve. I think the heat exchanger is the cb 125k btu.

The current pump is this one: http://www.amazon.com/Taco-009-F5-Single-Phase-Circulating/dp/B000LDFNAS

My wood situation is mostly seasoned oak, hickory, and maple. However the majority of it is wet due to laying in the weather before I have a chance to buck it. Once it's cut, I store it under black plastic.

I live in southern wv so the winters are average. Last night it was 20 degrees and that is average for this time of year.

Here's the problem:

 I am only averaging 8 hours of burn time when it drops below 40 degrees. I have probably already burnt 12 cords of firewood since the end of October. I know the it is hard on the owb when the water temp drops below 150 but that is occurring everyday on mine (happens over night). Usually  I put 3 logs in it at 4:00, put a few more in at 7:00, and then have to stay up and fill it up at 11:00 in hopes to heat my home overnight. I spend probably 60-80 minutes per day out there.  After reading this board, I have came up with the following possibilities to help mitigate this problem:

-dry seasoned wood will make a huge difference
-look at changing the pumps out
-water storage tank in my basement
- add a few chunks of coal
-sell my 4030 (anyone know what they are going for used?) and purchase either the 5036 or another brand that is rated for homes larger than mine
- any other suggestions you all might have?
 

36

Plumbing / Re: Importance of pump size

« on: January 10, 2014, 12:36:56 PM »

Here is the current pump that is on the stove

http://www.amazon.com/Taco-009-F5-Single-Phase-Circulating/dp/B000LDFNAS

37

Plumbing / Re: Importance of pump size

« on: January 10, 2014, 05:17:42 AM »

Probably about 15 feet above it.

38

Plumbing / Re: Importance of pump size

« on: January 09, 2014, 06:38:45 PM »

I'm gonna check on the current pump size in the morning. I'm sure it is the standard that comes on the 4030. I've been considering purchasing a wireless meat thermometer to gauge toms and alert me before the stove drops too low.

My supply and return are 1"pex that is feeding one heat exchanger. I'm hoping to add another heat exchanger for the basement and set the stat down to 65.

Thanks

39

Plumbing / Importance of pump size

« on: January 09, 2014, 01:59:37 PM »

I'm currently struggling to get a sufficient burn from my owb (cb 4040). Currently the wood is a mixture of seasoned and green, so I'm hoping that this problem will take care of itself next year when I can burn seasoned wood. However, in reading another thread it got me thinking about the size of my circulating pump on my owb.

My stove is 45' from my house. The line comes into my basement, over about 20', up to my attic, and over another 30ft.

 I am unsure what size the pump is on the current model (I'm assuming just a standard pump for the 4030). Any help will be greatly appreciated.

40

Central Boiler / Re: Adding another plenum

« on: December 29, 2013, 07:40:51 PM »

That's what I am trying to decide on. Is there a way that I could add that and put a cut off so I could only use it when I was down there?  I don't think my 4030 can handle both units without significantly decreasing my burn times.

41

Central Boiler / Adding another plenum

« on: December 19, 2013, 07:33:58 PM »

Here is my current set up:

Cb 4030
Newly constructed 2000 sq ft home (vault ceiling in living room)
In the process of finishing the basement (basement has separate hvac system)

Currently I am using my cb to heat the main level only.  What advice do you have for possibly using the cb to heat the basement (adding another plenum to basement hvac, adding a forced air wall heater, etc). 

I am kicking myself for not buying the 5036, but I couldn't swing the added cost at the time of purchase. 

Thanks for any advice.

42

Central Boiler / Re: Water temperature

« on: December 10, 2013, 07:01:27 AM »

I haven't contacted the dealer yet.  They do not open until around 10:00.  The water level was low, so I filled it up last night at midnight.  My question is this: If the water level is too low in the tank, would that affect the therostat reading?

43

Central Boiler / Water temperature

« on: December 09, 2013, 10:27:24 PM »

I accidentally left the door to my burner open earlier today and some water boiled out. Now the the thermostat on the burner is only reading between 144-155. However, the temp in my home is 72 so I know the water is hotter than what it is reading. The problem is the damper has remained open causing me to burn more wood. Could the issue be that the water level is too low?