Barometric Damper? Do I Need One?

When I purchased my Hitzer 354 last year, my dealer said because my stove has a thermostat, a barometric damper was not needed.

Do other Hitzer owners use baro's with success?

Attached is a photo of my set up. Will I be able to install a baro, like the insert photo, in the 12" vertical section of my pipe?

Looking forward to firing it up and opening the windows!
Thanks for any input

Larry

Yes, if you want to have any control of the coal when burning. With out one, it is impossible to regulate the temperature of the stove and you will become very frustrated getting coal to fire right. With a barometric draft regulator, the chimney draft is automatically controlled and will keep a constant draft to the setting it is weighted at. Using your coal stove will become very pleasant and easy to regulate the firing rate.

Yes if you want more heat in your home and less up the chimney.

Yes, for all the reasons stated above. Place it as far away from the stove top as you can - maybe on the horizontal section of pipe as it goes in the wall; simply replace that piece with a T joint. With any luck the new T joint will fit nicely into the thimble and you won't have to trim black pipe. When I added my barro the new T joint came up 3 inches short of reaching the thimble so I had to cut and piece black pipe; needless to say that was a pain for only 3 inches. Lisa

Yes, you need the baro. The thermostat can not compensate for fluctuating drafts caused by temperature changes and wind gusts, nor is it intended to. Just because your dealer will sell you a stove, doesn't mean he knows how to use one!

Will it work with a baro? Yes. I retro-fitted a Hitzer thermostat to my Harman stove (which does not come with a thermostat), and it burns very nicely with the baro. You should be able to install it in the vertical pipe if you want to. You may be able to simply replace the 12-inch vertical piece with a tee and the baro should fit right into the side opening of the tee.

Edit: I see Lisa and I are saying the opposite -- she says put it as far from the stove as you can, I say don't worry about putting it in the vertical section. The Field Controls web site has diagrams for placement on gas vs. oil vs. solid-fuel appliances. With your short overall stovepipe length, I think you can put it wherever it fits best, either location will be fine.

Thanks for the replies.

Lisa, I only have about 5" between the elbow and thimble, so I think my only option is in the 12" vertical section that Bob recommended.

It looks like from the Field Controls web site that the baro is purchased separately and then mounted in a "T" section - is this correct?

Does anyone have a good source online for a manometer and a baro to fit my 8" pipe?

Thanks again
Larry

rovatune wrote:the Field Controls web site that the baro is purchased separately and then mounted in a "T" section - is this correct?

yes. Field Control RC http://www.patriot-supply.com/products/showitem.cfm/1945

Manometer http://www.grainger.com/product/2T650

rovatune wrote:Thanks for the replies.

Lisa, I only have about 5" between the elbow and thimble, so I think my only option is in the 12" vertical section that Bob recommended.

It looks like from the Field Controls web site that the baro is purchased separately and then mounted in a "T" section - is this correct?

Does anyone have a good source online for a manometer and a baro to fit my 8" pipe?

Thanks again
Larry

Hey, you have to work with what you have. The vertical mount will work and it will look cool as it opens and closes. I have seen the barro and the T section sold as a unit but then you have to pay for shipping on a bigger box so why do it? I got my barro from http://www.patriot-supply.com/products/showitem.cfm/1940. It was the least expensive I could find. Then I went to Lowes and got the T. I’m still looking for a manometer. Good luck, Lisa

I was able to get the baro at a local plumbing & heating supply place, and I too got a tee from Lowes and the baro fit (very snugly) into the tee.

For appearance you probably want to get the black version of the Field Controls baro, which might not be available locally.

I called Patriot Supply today and they recommend that I try to use the collar that comes with the baro. This will save some money and eliminate the problem Lisa had fitting the tee into the available space. Does this sound like a good idea to try?

I have an account with our local Graingers, so I'll get a Dwyer Model 25 Manometer there for $39.20 (no shipping).

My chimney is not easy to check so I like the idea of a manometer (along with multiple CO meters) to keep an eye on my draft.

Larry

rovatune wrote:Does this sound like a good idea to try?

Yes you can use the collar that comes with the baro and it will work just fine. BUT it's NOT going to look to good, it's just a collar that has a strap that goes around the pipe and bolts together. It will look allot better if you buy a black T and paint the Baro black also.

rberq wrote: I retro-fitted a Hitzer thermostat to my Harman stove (which does not come with a thermostat), and it burns very nicely with the baro.

Hi Rberq, can you tell me more about the retro-fitted Hitzer thermostate on you put on your Harman? I have a Mark II so that may be something I'd like to do. Lisa

lowfog01 wrote:can you tell me more about the retro-fitted Hitzer thermostat on you put on your Harman?

Here's the link to the thread.
Retrofit Hitzer Thermostat to Harman

Thanks, Lisa

I purchased a Keystoker 90 TV which was supplied with Field Control RC/BT. I substituted it with a Field Contol type M which fit into a 22 guage T from Elmers pipe in Auburn Maine. It did require a little adjustment with common tools to assure smooth motion throught out the full range of motion of the damper. It looks much better than the factory supplied unit. You know pretty is what impresses the bride. Of course both pipe and damper will be painted to match the Keystoker, Mohave Red.