This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.

1

Portage & Main / Re: Spring temps

« on: March 14, 2015, 08:32:07 AM »

That's part of my problem the house is so warm, the heat doesn't kick in at all. I'll try putting in less wood once. I turned it off for the weekend with the warm temps. It's going to be a little cooler this week.

2

Portage & Main / Re: Spring temps

« on: March 14, 2015, 08:14:31 AM »

It's strange, when the temp is 20 out I get 12 hrs out of half a load. Above 30 and it some how uses more wood! My temp is 184 dif is 10. I lowered my dif to 7 and it didn't seem to help. I started turning it off during the day with good coals in and re lighting before bed. Curious what other 250 owners do?

3

Portage & Main / Re: Opti 250 condensation

« on: February 28, 2015, 05:18:20 PM »

Ok I changed my lower door gasket, left the switch off, closed the door, and waited an hour. When I opened the door up there was condensation on the bump out in front of the gasket. I put the insulation and heat shield back on and there's still condensation forming. It's no longer dripping from the door and not making a puddle inside, but still worries me. Any other 250 owners have this? Should I change my insulation on the door? Have any of you changed yours?

4

Portage & Main / Re: Opti 250 condensation

« on: January 29, 2015, 08:01:36 AM »

If I change the bottom door gasket again how long should I wait before firing it up again? Could I let the burner down to good coals,   change the gasket, install the door, wait 12 hrs, then re-fire?

5

Portage & Main / Re: Opti 250 condensation

« on: January 28, 2015, 04:43:24 PM »

Yes I adjusted both sides. The impression it leaves on the gasket look great! I have no clue what's going on.

6

Portage & Main / Re: Opti 250 condensation

« on: January 27, 2015, 09:13:01 PM »

I checked it tonight and tightening didn't work. Do I order new gasket and start over? I cleaned the doors up really well, put silicone in then pressed in the gasket. Very frustrating!

7

Portage & Main / Re: Opti 250 condensation

« on: January 27, 2015, 04:48:42 PM »

It's gassing great. The water seems to be coming from aroumd the gasket, because it's wet all the way around. I moved the hinges in and tightened the latch. I'll check it in the morning. When I installed the new gaskets and it snowed there was none melted in front of the door! I've been keeping the seal very cleam when I remove the ashes. I figured I'd posted on here and see if anyone else has had this problem. Thanks everyone.

8

Portage & Main / Re: Opti 250 condensation

« on: January 27, 2015, 09:48:43 AM »

It snowed last night and I can see there's an air leak. Not a lot of water but it's condensation. When I close the door I can here it in the gasket also. I'll check tonight if it's gassing or not. I can't seem to post pics, there to large from my phone.

9

Portage & Main / Re: Opti 250 condensation

« on: January 25, 2015, 07:46:34 PM »

Temp is 182 with 10 for a differential. The water level hasn't really moved at all. I opened up the air box, and it is dirty. There's no moisture back there like some guys are having. Everything is working correctly.

10

Portage & Main / Opti 250 condensation

« on: January 25, 2015, 09:58:35 AM »

This fall I change my firebox and bottom burn chamber door gaskets to the nice silicone ones. The last couple weeks I started seeing water when cleaning out the bottom burn chamber. I didn't see any sign of air leaks but tightened the doors up anyway. No luck, still there. The boiler is on its 3rd burning season. Any suggestions?

11

Portage & Main / Re: Brushes

« on: January 14, 2015, 08:04:21 AM »

I bought some from Mcmaster Carr. The 2" works great. The 1 1/2 is a little small but cleans them out fine. I should've bought the next size bigger just to try it, but did not. With burning good dry wood this year there is only very fine ash in the tubes. If you have anything other than fine ash, my guess is your wood is to wet!

12

Portage & Main / Re: Cleaning a 250

« on: November 11, 2014, 11:51:10 AM »

The 2" brush works great. The 1 1/2" brush is a touch small, but with the runout of my cleaning rod it works. I'm not sure the next size up would work. probably too big.

13

Portage & Main / Re: Cleaning a 250

« on: November 08, 2014, 12:06:41 PM »

I bought brushes from McMaster Carr, but haven't tried them out yet. I'll try them either tomorrow or Monday and let you know how they work.