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Offline JR

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #500 on: January 13, 2019, 05:26:11 PM »
That is still pretty good either way. You do have the time of cutting and moving wood too, but as you said it is a trade off.

Sorta the way with solar here. Getting better but I spent 18k putting it in, got $6k back on taxes (not a write off) and with just using gas now (cooking. heating, hot water) my winter bill is $125, summer les than $60. Then with the true up (what you use over producing) I pay about another $100 a month. Now they have a new rate setup too where power will be the most expensive from 1600-2000. Just right for the high use AC people. Now I only have a 4k system that pretty much works from 0900 to 1900, but adding another 4K this year on the southwest side that will catch all the late afternoon and more winter sun.
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Offline kampfitt

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #501 on: January 14, 2019, 11:10:12 AM »
Do a write up on your solar system. Lots of us looking to cut our bills to the power company !!
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #502 on: January 14, 2019, 02:00:43 PM »
JR, didn't you do a summary somewhere about your system? I know Sam did a readers digest version of his far north system.
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Offline JR

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #503 on: January 14, 2019, 02:08:02 PM »
I may have. Was put on just about the time whole this foray was begun.

Probaly have a new system to do later this year in NV. Nice thing is I have a buddy in the industry now and I get cost :cool:
« Last Edit: January 14, 2019, 02:08:44 PM by JR »
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Offline TexasRedNeck

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #504 on: January 14, 2019, 07:04:44 PM »
I’d like to learn JR. Any info is appreciated.


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Offline Sammconn

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #505 on: January 15, 2019, 09:06:06 PM »
My only two cents on solar.

Don’t buy 12 volt stuff.
Way overpriced for the everyday 12 volt guy.

Buy big higher voltage panels and a good mppt controller.
I was in about $2 per watt including everything but batteries.
I just don't want to wind up missing a digit or limb.  I can sometimes get in a hurry to get results.
Sam

Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #506 on: January 15, 2019, 09:31:16 PM »
My only two cents on solar.

Don’t buy 12 volt stuff.
Way overpriced for the everyday 12 volt guy.

Buy big higher voltage panels and a good mppt controller.
I was in about $2 per watt including everything but batteries.

San,
So would you recommend 24V or 48, or???

I plan to put my well on a 24 volt setup, but when I power up the roof of the "Shed" with panels feeding batteries, I am wondering what I should shoot for???
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Offline Sammconn

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #507 on: January 15, 2019, 09:44:19 PM »
Hindsight 48 but solely for efficiency reasons. And the gains are small.
Depending on load higher is better.
I wouldn’t recommend less than 24 however, everything copper turns huge, and stresses on electronic stuff is Exponetially higher.

I’m running 3 kW of ac power. That is likely the smart limit for 24 VDC.
Larger I’d suggest 48. Once you’re into this stuff voltage doesn’t really change hard parts cost.
I just don't want to wind up missing a digit or limb.  I can sometimes get in a hurry to get results.
Sam

Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #508 on: January 15, 2019, 09:55:33 PM »
Hindsight 48 but solely for efficiency reasons. And the gains are small.
Depending on load higher is better.
I wouldn’t recommend less than 24 however, everything copper turns huge, and stresses on electronic stuff is Exponetially higher.

I’m running 3 kW of ac power. That is likely the smart limit for 24 VDC.
Larger I’d suggest 48. Once you’re into this stuff voltage doesn’t really change hard parts cost.
Another learning curve to climb up!
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Offline TexasRedNeck

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #509 on: January 15, 2019, 10:56:05 PM »
Sam if you have any reliable reading links for research and education it would be appreciated.


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Offline JR

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #510 on: January 15, 2019, 11:20:00 PM »
My new system is 48v and 4000watts. Using an SMA inverter that also has 1500 watt AC when the grid is down. Installed system is 4000w also, with a SolarEdge inverter. It only operates when the grid is up (as most do) so what I don't use, I get credit (very small). It will pay for itself in another 6 years.

I agree on the 48 volt panels and prices have really come down. Half my panels are new, half are used (1-2 years) but the price reflected that. Backup batteries are easy to series, but you need a lot of capacity to runs things of grid and not kill them. 

My new system will supplement my old system and I will post the setup and both inverters when I do it. In a new thread of course. That will not be the new property, but that will get a combo of it all and maybe wind, we will see.
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Offline stlaser

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #511 on: January 29, 2019, 10:52:55 PM »
Don, keep us posted on how the beast handles this cold snap
Living in the remote north hoping Ken doesn’t bring H up here any time soon…..

Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #512 on: January 30, 2019, 12:30:09 PM »
Don, keep us posted on how the beast handles this cold snap
Roger that!

So we "weathered the first night of this intense cold with flying colors. The outside began at 20F, ending in the morning hours around zero F. All the while we maintained 69F inside the house with the boiler as the only source of heat. The upstairs floor was actually uncomfortably hot, although I had the ceiling fan on to try to force circulation.

Now having said that, the boiler's appetite has grown to epic proportions. We are loading it every 6-8 hours with A LOT of wood. I'd say I throw in 10-12 large chunks of split Ash at each loading. But that wood is keeping the boiler at a low of 128 up to an observed high of 144F. Just a little while ago, I saw 132F while loading in -1F and a 25-30 mile per hour wind. The wind had the visibility down to 1/4 mile in blowing snow. That is a great testament to the insulation Tim packs on this boiler.

So right now, the reported wind chill is -30 with a static of -1F. The house interior is 70F. So that is a delta of +100 degrees. That darned thing is raising the interior temp of over 5,500 sq/ft by a hundred degrees over what the brick outside is feeling.

I think that is remarkable.

Oh and last month's electric bill was $202. Jan 2018 was $550 by comparison. And the wood I am burning is all from deadfall cuttings off my meager 2.5 acre lot this castle is sitting on.
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Offline KensAuto

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #513 on: January 30, 2019, 12:59:41 PM »
I was watching a logging channel and the guy had a similar boiler, I think in Indiana, and he throws 2-3 large unsplit chunks in twice a day. I would say 18"-22" diameter from what I could tell. have you tried not splitting the wood once she's going good?
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #514 on: January 30, 2019, 03:29:44 PM »
I was watching a logging channel and the guy had a similar boiler, I think in Indiana, and he throws 2-3 large unsplit chunks in twice a day. I would say 18"-22" diameter from what I could tell. have you tried not splitting the wood once she's going good?
Sure have. As long as the thing is up and running with a good bed of coals, it will digest anything that will fit through the door.
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Offline JR

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #515 on: January 30, 2019, 04:41:07 PM »
Maybe it is time to see just what it will eat?
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Offline Bigdave_185

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #516 on: January 31, 2019, 08:27:43 AM »
Are we suggesting libtards?


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Offline Sammconn

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #517 on: January 31, 2019, 08:15:37 PM »
The split wood will definitely speed the time to refill.
I like big unsplit chunks for night time if a good burn is needed.

I’d second moving to unsplit for at least some of your wood.
I just don't want to wind up missing a digit or limb.  I can sometimes get in a hurry to get results.
Sam

Offline Bear9350

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #518 on: January 31, 2019, 09:55:08 PM »
If it fits and you can lift/ slide it in it's not to big.

Offline Bob Smith

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #519 on: February 01, 2019, 12:22:09 AM »
If it fits and you can lift/ slide it in it's not to big.



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Offline rpar86

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #520 on: February 01, 2019, 12:27:21 AM »
If it fits and you can lift/ slide it in it's not to big.
So Kens girlfriend won’t fit?


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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #521 on: February 01, 2019, 08:24:12 AM »
If it fits and you can lift/ slide it in it's not to big.
I know that

I have thrown some odd pieces in like a stump, a Y-section that had to weigh 150 lbs. Ate all of that. Last night I lined it fron front to back. It tends to burn best center-back beneath the flue. So I spread wood all the way to the door. This morning only one partially burned log remained and the house was a toasty 71F this morning when we got up.

Learning how to run the thing is definitely a part of making it work better. All in all, I'd only comment that your suggestions of burning uncut logs is correct and if you have the one my size, i'd invest in a log splitter. You are going to go through a lot of wood. Now having said that, I got a few cords off Duane and other than that have been burning 4our Ash trees that i dropped on my castle property. I still have several 8'-12' 30"+ diameter logs remaining. I am saving those to saw up into timbers to make tables out of for us and the girls. So 4-5 trees + some is what it will take, depending on how cold it gets.
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Offline Bigdave_185

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #522 on: February 01, 2019, 09:06:19 AM »
If it fits and you can lift/ slide it in it's not to big.
So Kens girlfriend won’t fit?


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Oh the stench that would make across the neighborhood, all the burning hair!

Don have you had any of the HOA neighbors say anything about the new heating unit? Does it smell the neighborhood of fire/smoke?


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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #523 on: February 01, 2019, 11:16:28 AM »
If it fits and you can lift/ slide it in it's not to big.
So Kens girlfriend won’t fit?


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Oh the stench that would make across the neighborhood, all the burning hair!

Don have you had any of the HOA neighbors say anything about the new heating unit? Does it smell the neighborhood of fire/smoke?


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No, surprisingly quiet here
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Offline dave945

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #524 on: October 25, 2019, 09:10:36 AM »
Hey Don, have you fired up the boiler this year yet?  Or are you waiting for the cold snap to hit?  Just curious how it is going with that.  I’m doing planning for doing an install at my house and I’m trying to figure out location for the boiler and routing of the Pex lines and such.


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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #525 on: October 25, 2019, 12:02:23 PM »
Hey Don, have you fired up the boiler this year yet?  Or are you waiting for the cold snap to hit?  Just curious how it is going with that.  I’m doing planning for doing an install at my house and I’m trying to figure out location for the boiler and routing of the Pex lines and such.


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Dave the boiler rusted out this summer. I scrapped it for the steel value

Dave, I haven't fired it up just yet, but I can imagine I am not far from doing so

One of the above statements is true
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #526 on: November 04, 2019, 03:28:44 PM »
I guess Dave wasn't amused...

Anyway, I fired up the boiler for the winter

This time it ran great right out of the chock blocks.

I allowed the water temp to hit 165 before switching on the pumps.

The outside temp fell to 28 over the night whereas the inside of the house stayed at a warm 74F

The next morning the temp was still in the upper 160's and I didn't feed it any more wood. Many hours later around 1800 and after a very mild day in the 50's the water temp was at 124F. I threw in a bunch of logs and again it kept the house toasty warm.

I had both electric heaters on my heat pumps turned off at the breaker panel and the hot water heater breaker shut off as well.

This morning I took a very exaggerated hot shower and at no time did the water start to cool off. Now, obviously as the mean daily temp takes a nose dive, the unit will become more and more challenged, but I think I learned to feed it more wood, have drier wood, and rake the coals every morning.

So my electrical home budget are lights, stove, fans, electronics and a peripheral once in awhile like my saws or a welder.
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Offline Nate

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #527 on: November 22, 2019, 09:33:18 AM »
I think we need a review like this from you...lol

https://youtu.be/q2QTK66lJJA
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Wood Fired Boiler Install
« Reply #528 on: November 22, 2019, 08:39:16 PM »
I think we need a review like this from you...lol

https://youtu.be/q2QTK66lJJA
That was a good one to be sure

I will concur that to own and operate one of these means that you have bought into a lot of work. So far, I have spent around half a day or more cutting and loading my dump trailer, bringing it home, then stacking it in the garage. It has become my heavy workout day.

I can also confirm the large amount of wood the thing consumes. I'd say he is right on at 10-12 cords of wood per heating season, possibly as high as 15.

The maintenance is minimal

but the return is worth it.

I like to work hard in the cold, this thing mandates you to put in the effort

No arguing the electricity savings of around $500 a month for my home.

The best thing is how warm the air is coming out of the registers. It isn't hot, but is very warm and just feels great.
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