Print

[Up-hawk]

Good day all,  I installed an HE-1100 June 2015. She's been up and running 2.5 months now and I must say I'm throughly pleased. 

So to my fellow owners what are your thoughts of the OWB and maybe some good and bads that you have had to deal with??

[woodman]

This is my 9th season with my he1000. I have had very good luck with it. I like the simplicity of it. I send in a water sample once a year. I throw wood in it twice a day. I wish it had a low temp shut down that would turn off the fan when the water temp gets too low. Other than that, I can't complain.

[mlappin]

RSI was working on a fit all kit for just that purpose, maybe send him a PM and see how he’s coming on it.

[Radio Tech 1964]

I have the same OWB and it does just fine in warm to moderately cold weather but when the temps dip in the teens and single digits I can't keep thing above 140° to save me. Dry wood is a premium here in my part of VA since it rains every other day it seems but what I'm using is dry locust,may have a little dry snow on it but I can knock most of that off before loading in the stove.

I've tried everything I can think of except soaking the wood in fuel oil

I'm open for any ideas It heats my house perfectly when I can keep fire in the thing! Seem like I close the door and it smothers but there is plenty of smoke out the stack so I don't think there is a restriction..and it also runs year round to heat my water.

Thanks!
Wayne

[woodman]

Make sure the fan air restricter slide is open.

[Roscoe]

I have the same OWB and it does just fine in warm to moderately cold weather but when the temps dip in the teens and single digits I can't keep thing above 140° to save me. Dry wood is a premium here in my part of VA since it rains every other day it seems but what I'm using is dry locust,may have a little dry snow on it but I can knock most of that off before loading in the stove.

I've tried everything I can think of except soaking the wood in fuel oil

I'm open for any ideas It heats my house perfectly when I can keep fire in the thing! Seem like I close the door and it smothers but there is plenty of smoke out the stack so I don't think there is a restriction..and it also runs year round to heat my water.



Thanks!
Wayne

Where you located? Sounds like your losing heat in your supply / return lines or your stove is undersized. I have a 2100 and get damn near 24 hour burn times heating 4000 sq ft burning seasoned mixed soft wood...pine, cotton wood, and whatever else the tree company doesn't want. Keep your temps up or you will rot your stove from the firebox out! Trust me I know, I did it to a perfectly fine wood doctor.

[Radio Tech1964]

Still thrashing along with this thing.. I cleaned all the ashes again today and had a couple of level wheel barrows full. Not too bad for 4+ months of running. I think the biggest problem is the wood being damp. I've looked and called all around my part of VA and nobody can guarantee the wood is dry. It seems it rains damn near every day!

I really went crazy and soaked the wood I loaded it with this time with some old #2 fuel oil and left it a while before trying to fire it.
It would light off just fine and things would be going good and I'd close the door and it would go out..did that twice! I finally had to nurse it along with the door cracked and finally got it hot.. kinda acts like too much combustion air almost!

One thing for certain as you stated it's gotta be above 140° or it's a quick death!   Once the firebox is hot it will seem to burn fine so I'm leaning toward sorry wood at the moment unless someone has an idea that we've overlooked 
 
Thanks very much for all the ideas and replies!

[Roscoe]

Seems your going to have to load your stove more often to keep it from going out until you figure out your problem. You should have no problem burning some wet wood as long as you have something going in the firebox.

[Radio Tech1964]

Think you hit the nail on the head! Just for grins I went to the local supermarket and bought a few of those packaged kiln dried firewood and the stove has done fine with that,although it hasn't been as cold I do believe it will do great will some good wood. If the weather would dry up enough I have a location to cut a couple of dead standing trees that would take care of me for awhile..just can't get in there by vehicle to do anything!

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions !   Very relieved to get things back like they should be!

[Smokeless]

You can usually find some pallets around that r free. Cut them up and mix them in with your wood. Keep the stove hot to prevent the pyrolytic gasses from forming in the stack. Protection from sustained clue gas condinsation is critical for longjevity of any furnace. You should run the backup if the water temp is below 140 degF. For a short term fix.  Or have a thermostatic mixing valve (boiler protection) installed.
Also,Get yourself a moisture meter. 20% or less is great. 
  Best regards. Stay warm.

[outdoorboilercare]

Still thrashing along with this thing.. I cleaned all the ashes again today and had a couple of level wheel barrows full. Not too bad for 4+ months of running. I think the biggest problem is the wood being damp. I've looked and called all around my part of VA and nobody can guarantee the wood is dry. It seems it rains damn near every day!

I really went crazy and soaked the wood I loaded it with this time with some old #2 fuel oil and left it a while before trying to fire it.
It would light off just fine and things would be going good and I'd close the door and it would go out..did that twice! I finally had to nurse it along with the door cracked and finally got it hot.. kinda acts like too much combustion air almost!

One thing for certain as you stated it's gotta be above 140° or it's a quick death!   Once the firebox is hot it will seem to burn fine so I'm leaning toward sorry wood at the moment unless someone has an idea that we've overlooked 
 
Thanks very much for all the ideas and replies!

Hi RadioTech1964

For more info:

http://us11.campaign-archive2.com/?u=69c66882e2d5050c2f0fd0420&id=468da9ce28&e=459eef2cc1

[aarmga]

You can usually find some pallets around that r free. Cut them up and mix them in with your wood. Keep the stove hot to prevent the pyrolytic gasses from forming in the stack. Protection from sustained clue gas condinsation is critical for longjevity of any furnace. You should run the backup if the water temp is below 140 degF. For a short term fix.  Or have a thermostatic mixing valve (boiler protection) installed.
Also,Get yourself a moisture meter. 20% or less is great. 
  Best regards. Stay warm.

I know this post is kind of old but 20% is almost too dry for me. Burns like a matchstick, plus on the other hand it takes way too long to dry or wood that dry around here. 30% is what I shoot for!  Had some oak sitting for 20 months in the wood shed, tested at 26%