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[woods23]

Hello,

I live in New England and my Woodmaster 4400 is very close to the house, it is about 3 feet from my house.

If I have the pump running would if freeze? 

Any recommendation of other options I can do?

thanks all for any ideas.

[dwneast77]

Risky time of the year for a 3 week vacation.  I would think the pump would prevent it from freezing.  Is there anyone that can monitor it while you are away?  Maybe light a small fire every few days??  Or be on the ready to open the drain if needed??  I hope someone else has more experience and better ideas than me.  I've never been in this situation.  I'm usually only gone for 2 to 3 days at a time and have a neighbor willing to take care of it for me. 

[MattyNH]

Running water doesn't freeze.. So ya, you keep the pump running..Other options is one have someone keep it running for you..Prob. wont burn that much wood since there is no demand.. Or if your that worried about it..Drain it..

[johnybcold]

I would use the indoor boiler to warm the outside unit just above freezing, running the pump will cause it to loose heat, I would think you are better off leaving the pump off??

[baldwin racing]

Hello,

I live in New England and my Woodmaster 4400 is very close to the house, it is about 3 feet from my house.

If I have the pump running would if freeze? 

Any recommendation of other options I can do?

thanks all for any ideas.

are you running a heat exchanger in forced hot air boiler? if you are just run pump  and the furnace will keep your exchanger warm enough to keep your boiler warm enough so it does not freeze, plus it wont with moving water....you could drain it and add rv anitfreeze to thats what i did when my out door boiler junk out on me....and had to wait about a week or 2 in 14f  weather until i hooked up my new one....so lines would not  freeze and crack above ground.... plus i wrapped them with insulation to help.....
kelly

[willieG]

a water to air exchanger in your plenum  should keep your OWB about the same temp as your house as long as it cycles enough times.

i dont know where anyone gets the notion that moving water does not freeze?. if temps dip low enough it sure can, Niagra Falls has completely frozen over before!
moving water can and does freeze. people who leave thier taps running to prevent freezing  must  leave the running amount so that it carries with it, more heat than is being  extracted by the tempature of the pipes...if the water is not moving fast enough to deliver  more heat than is being drawn out of it...it freezes

i guess i should correct myself..moving water will not freeze (correct) but moving water can be cooled enough to stop moving and freeze

[Jack72]

Hello,

I live in New England and my Woodmaster 4400 is very close to the house, it is about 3 feet from my house.

If I have the pump running would if freeze? 

Any recommendation of other options I can do?

thanks all for any ideas.

Woods

That's going to be nice three weeks   Hopefully your going to Florida or somewhere warm.   


Anyway if it was me I  would plan  on throwing a electric space heater in mine with a thermostat if i ever have to go that long somewhere.                As long as that is kept warm inside where you normally put the wood kept at 40 to 50 degrees   Its going to keep that water above freezing  I would think.        Hope this helps

[woods23]

Hi All,

Thanks for all of the ideas, this forum is great.   I might go with Jack's idea of a space heater.  I will have my Mom come by the house every fews days just to check on the water temp and also make sure the heater is working inside. 

Some one also mentioned just put a 100 watt bulb inside and should be good.  I have 16ft of chimney on my stack so i can't put the cap on so some heat will be lost...so maybe the space heater set at low "750w" will be more heat than the 100 watt bulb.

thanks again.

[baldwin racing]

Hey that sounds like a really good idea Jack, never thought of it but with just a little electric heater and leaving the pump run would work on my system. This site has got a lot of different systems and the ideas don't always work across the board but if you look there are a lot of smart people and great suggestions. The simplest news like this always surprise me and I like it when I realize I have been over thinking the obvious. Good one Jack!

or even a electric water tub heater for horses and cows would probly work to if you have access to drop one in the boiler tank....
just thinking last night after i went to bed....lol

kelly

[Scott7m]

Leave the pump on, the coil being inside in the warmth will pick up enough hest to send back to the boiler

[BoilerHouse]

Ditto what Willie and Scott suggest.  Leave the pump on and heat from your F.A. system will backfeed and keep your OWB well above the freezing point.  I have done this several times and the water temp seems to drop to 70 F and remain at that temp. (Central Ontario where -30 is common).  This is assuming you have a forced air system with the heat exchanger in the plenum. 

[woodywoodchucker]

I like Jacks idea. Put an elecrtic heater inside and run the pump.to protect the linesl

[dwneast77]

I really like the heater idea, I'll keep that in mind for myself.  However, one thing I might mention, if you have one is to use a line voltage thermostat.  Even if the heater has  a built-in t-stat, I don't trust them.  I've had 2 different model heaters with T-stats stick on.   Just leave the heater set to high and set the line voltage t-stat to whatever you are comfortable with. 

[woods23]

Hi all,
thanks for the ideas, I will either go wtih two options: Heater inside of unit with the pump on to keep the water ciculating.
or just empty all of the water out to be on the safe side with no worries just alittle more work before i go away and when i get back.

Wonder if i go with option one, to use one of those timers so I can have it turn on every 4 hours or so, hate to leave a heater inside running 24/7.

[baldwin racing]

Hi all,
thanks for the ideas, I will either go wtih two options: Heater inside of unit with the pump on to keep the water ciculating.
or just empty all of the water out to be on the safe side with no worries just alittle more work before i go away and when i get back.

Wonder if i go with option one, to use one of those timers so I can have it turn on every 4 hours or so, hate to leave a heater inside running 24/7.

could drop a water deicer element from tractor supply to keep 100+ gallon water buckets from freezeing horses,cows.....down in your boiler water tank? it will just keep it above freezing temp....even if you had to make a hanger to hold it when you set it down in there while your gone....and keep pump going... have a safe trip and let us know how you make out....
kelly

i was thinking sku # 2170013 Allied precision 2002 dp 1500 watt if it would fit just make a hanger to set it in so just element was under water....?