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[prinpoms]

I'm new to this whole outdoor furnace. We have a Classic Central Boiler.  It is usually at 170 but this morning it got down to 99 and the fire was almost out.  The water tube in front does show there is water and the fire inside is going well and has been all day.  However we can not get it to go above 125?  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[jerkash]

What are you using it for and how?
Heat exchanger, DHW etc

[prinpoms]

We use it to heat the house.  As I said I am new to all this.  My father had it installed a few years ago and we have inherited his house with it installed.  It is our main source of heat instead of having oil. Hot water is not run off of it.

[willieG]

be sure stove is full of water...you say the fire is going well? maybe not well enough? check your chimney to make sure it is not plugged?

if your stove is full of water and not losing any then unless you have a super heat draw somewhere the fire should be heating the water unless you have an air feed or exaust problem.

when my house is calling for heat and someone is showering it still never goes below 140...also you say you never had this problem before? have you added any equipment that would cause your heat draw to rise?

[jackel440]

Are you sure the solenoid is opening on the door to allow the draft to occur?Sounds like the fire must be going out or not getting enough air or a pluged stack.Are you burning seasoned or green wood?

[prinpoms]

Hate to sound stupid but what is the solenoid?  We have not added anything to it at all.  How do I find out if I have an air feed problem.  We are burning seasoned wood.  Thanks for your help and explanations.  I really appreciate it.

[willieG]

i dont know much about your air feed system as i dont have your type of stove but someone will be along that owns one i am sure and explain it better to you

if you have no blower then you will likely have an electric solenoid that pulls open a small door that allow outside air into your stove to feed the fire oxygen.

some stoves also have an electic blower to assist in feeding outside air in to the stove

your stove will have one or the other

you say you inherited this stove so perhaps it is old enough to have the solenoid worn out and not opening the draft properly?

[Ridgekid]

Sounds like the damper did not open.

Power it down and listen for damper closing, then power up and listen if you hear it opening. It not, it's probably the solenoid.

[prinpoms]

Will try this.  We generally hear it close when it hits 180 Thanks and any other information will be appreciated too!

[Ridgekid]

More info:

1. The Central Boiler "classic" does not have a fan.
2. The weather is colder, it may need more wood to maintain 180*

BTW- Welcome to the site!! Where do you call home?

[prinpoms]

Thanks Ridgekid!  Guess easy answer best to start with first. Then look at rest.  And NH is where is home for me!

[Ridgekid]

No Problem! That's what were are all here for!!

NH? Oh yes...more wood for sure!

[prinpoms]

added more wood it is up to 149, so was easy answer maybe! We did check to make sure the damper was opening and closing too and it is.  I am glad I found this forum.  As I said we inherited the house and furnace and we have the paperwork but it's really no help.

[willieG]

added more wood it is up to 149, so was easy answer maybe! We did check to make sure the damper was opening and closing too and it is.  I am glad I found this forum.  As I said we inherited the house and furnace and we have the paperwork but it's really no help.

well welcome to our little comunity prinpoms. I am sure you find answers to any question you may have on your "inheritence" of your OWB.

dont be afraid to ask any questins about your stove that you may have, or any type of problem you may come up against from being a "new owner"

if you have more questions you can post them here or in the forum set up for your particular brand of stove. many of us here peruse all the formums but sometimes you may get answers that pertain to your specific brand in the forum for that brand as many owners that have had the same problems as you may only read the forum of stove that they own

[Ridgekid]

Everyone has their own way to stock their boilers. I'll share mine.

In warmer weather (Daytime avg around 40*) I lay 3 down on the bottom, then two and one to top off. Like a pyramid. Now that's it's colder (Daytime avg 30*) I lay 4, 3, 2 and one on top. Again like a pyramid. This is all split wood. I adjust from there depending how much wood I have left over when I check it 12 hours later. Once you get into a routine it becomes second nature.