Newbie with a wood boilet

[Jmax]

I've burned wood with a wood stove Now I've been given a home made wood boiler. It is stripped down to just the fire box. I need to set it up. HELP
xI understand the basics. I need help with damper control how to do water heater hook up and maybe hot tub control
PS may need help with spelling

 

[svk]

Do you have pictures of what you are starting with so perhaps we can give you an idea of where to start?

 

[Ryan'smilling]

Had to open this one. I figured the OP either had a wood boiler or a wood toilet. I was really hoping for toilet...

 

[NSMaple1]

Stripped down to just the fire box? Say what? That sounds like something you shouldn't waste time and money on - or maybe turn into a toilet, then all would be right with the title.

Yes pictures are needed.

 

[Timbercreek]

cant stop laughing. post title jokes...
im not sure on the name, but im going to say it looks like a long tank with legs? takes 3 ft wood?
woodmaster i think?
anywho, my buddy in maine has one, and the reason its stripped down....is because it had a boilover and wrecked its insulation. these units where made for indoor or outdoor installation, and the indoor ones just had a plain insulation wrap.
also, not that efficient, front air in, front exhaust out. plate was added as a afterthought to try and make the heat do a second pass, but theres no heat recovery gained as theres no water surrounding it. only the outside of the tank is water. also not alot of water...60 gal i think?
very primative controls, no safety backups. had a POWERED damper controller. if it stuck open, boil over.
needless to say, same buddy is trying to buy a heatmor 200 so he doesnt have to fix that old one!

 

[Deleted member 117362]

cant stop laughing. post title jokes...
im not sure on the name, but im going to say it looks like a long tank with legs? takes 3 ft wood?
woodmaster i think?
anywho, my buddy in maine has one, and the reason its stripped down....is because it had a boilover and wrecked its insulation. these units where made for indoor or outdoor installation, and the indoor ones just had a plain insulation wrap.
also, not that efficient, front air in, front exhaust out. plate was added as a afterthought to try and make the heat do a second pass, but theres no heat recovery gained as theres no water surrounding it. only the outside of the tank is water. also not alot of water...60 gal i think?
very primative controls, no safety backups. had a POWERED damper controller. if it stuck open, boil over.
needless to say, same buddy is trying to buy a heatmor 200 so he doesnt have to fix that old one!

Local welder has seen more than a couple Heatmors with cracked fireboxes and a 3 year old Central Boiler with cracks in more than one heat exchanger. Went to see a Central boiler in operation and dealer said they put out hardy any smoke when burning, stayed to watch it fire off, I saw a lot of smoke. I have had 2 Woodmasters 434 and 3300 and both have worked well and easy to repair if needed. Yes, I have replaced pumps and draft parts.

 

[Timbercreek]

Considering i have 2 heatmors (10+y.o.)in active service and im about to install the 3rd for my buddy, id say any cracked fireboxs where from people burning garbage and/or air leaks. Like any mechanical thing, stuff wears and breaks down with age. Biggest thing ive seen with heatmors is people not servicing it. Anti flashback damper out of adjustment, door out of adjustment, door gasket burnt to a crisp. If your boiler blows a fireball at you when you open the door, you probably need to service it.
Guy i bought my 200 from gave me a full fireproof suit from his racing days and said i should wear it. Door was leaking air so bad it was always a roaring fire.
Adjusted the hinges and a new door gasket, no more backdraft!!
The door being out of wack had fully cooked the old gasket to a crisp.

Smoke. Owb are famous for this.
I can personally say after having a central boiler and then a heatmor at the same location, the heatmor smokes waaaay less. That being said, the heatmor puffs like a steam train until the water temp hits 120. It cannot gasify with cold water around the upper flue. Once fired off, and kept in operation, the heatmor will not smoke on me unless i miss a fill and the temp drops, OR, i put junk in it. Garbage, pt, pine, green wood etc. I find manufactured wood is the biggest culprit...plywood and OSB is like puff puff give.

You love the woodmaster? Great. I just stated what i know about it. Im sure it will heat a house. But i bet it eats a few more cord. Alot of wasted heat going up the chimney thats not being recovered.

 

[Deleted member 117362]

I can only tell you what I have experienced. Unit heats to 175 and shuts down, have opened door, put in cardboard boxes and come back in around 20 minutes, boxes are still sitting there. Not even close on water amount, 3300 is 112 gallons and 434 is 150 gallons. Agree totally with your maintenance items. Watch door gaskets and fan dampers, a lot of damage is done by run away boilers.