New OWB

[Josh Nehmelman]

Purchased a home with a OWB. Unit is a central boiler unit. I know nothing about these things and am getting ready to fire her up. Drained a few gallons off the outlet side so the water in boiler wouldnt freeze on a 22 degree night since i havent got it going. I know nothing about these things but got rust inhibitor otdered and on the way. Will need to add it and some water before i fire it up. Question....do i just add the water and inhibitor through the vent? Saw guys say add the inhibitor that way. Once it registers in the low part of sight tube call it good? The water i drained off looked great so not going to drain the whole system. Once i get that done i guess she is ready to start a fire and turn it on. Any tips appreciated Thanks

 

[H-Ranch]

Pictures may help. We like pictures.

Turn on circuit breaker or switch if equipped.
Check water level and turn on pump to check for operation/leaks. Can add through vent or any other convenient location.
Remove summer cover from smoke stack if present - get something to use at end of season if there isn't one.
Build fire.
Turn on OWB thermostat when water is up to temperature.
Enjoy.
Go cut more wood for next season.

Check water level after running. Some water may be purged as it gets up to temperature.
Obtain spares for pump, fan, solenoid, and any other critical components.
Clean Y-strainer or filter as required.
Watch for air leaks on door gasket and damper. High water temperature is indication of a leak.
Add only enough wood to get to next fill (takes experience and guesstimating.) Otherwise you may end up with a full load of coals.
Be careful opening door, especially if fan has just cycled off as the fire can flash when it's being starved for oxygen.
Empty ashes when there is too much in firebox. Do not use plastic containers or dump where fire could be bad.

 

[NSMaple1]

Not sure draining a few gallons will do anything much for freeze protection. The first things that would get damaged are pumps & piping & fittings etc. (like the fitting you drained it from) - and 22 degrees is getting pretty dangerous for that stuff just sitting in it. You will either need to get that thing burning really soon, or turn a circ on and let it run 24/7. One of the hazards of OWB ownership. I likely wouldn't wait for inhibitor if it gets near that cold again.

 

[panolo]

Run your pump 24/7. If it is run through the plenum of an existing furnace that is plenty warm enough to keep you from freezing until you fire it. Draining doesn't do you much good because most of those systems held a ton of water. 20 gallons out of 150-300 gallon system is not going to keep you from freezing. My fill point is from the lowest part of my system which is on my plenum in the basement. I have had zero air lock . The inhibitor you can add through the vent.

Honestly a week or so of running it without it isn't going to kill the system. I'd fill it and fire it up.

 

[Marshy]

Get some water in thst and start burning. The inhibitor can be added next week or two when it comes in. It will be much more of a PITA is the pipes freeze.

 

[Josh Nehmelman]

Ten four thanks. Not suppose to get any colder than 32 for lows for a week or 2 now. I definitely plan to fire it up this coming wk. I guess i can fill it and circulate it? I have our lp side on right now. I know the old owner said i had to flip a switch on the furnace to switch over. Didnt think i could circulate and run my current lp furnace?. It got to 24 last night and up to 40 today. Hope it didnt screw anything up. Guess ill find out when i fire it up. The reason i waited is because once i fire it up i want it to stay on for the winter. Thanks for the info

 

[Josh Nehmelman]

I think i will have to add water on either the return or incoming valve to fill the level if not through the vent.

 

[NSMaple1]

I would run the circ for a while before making a fire, and make sure everything is tight. Better if there isn't a fire going if it doesn't happen to be tight.