Considering coal trol

Hello, I have an alaska channing 3, (about 4 years old) bottom vent (barometric damper) with a variable speed powervent. Manual feed controller box and convection blower (variable speed). I have a ranch (1100 sq ft upstairs, 700 sq ft in basement), stove sits in basement. I put in a cold air return from farthest bedroom back to stove (7inch duct, no fan). I generally try to maintain 80 degrees in basement to keep upstairs living room at 68 to 70 degrees. Would a basic coal trol be appropiate in my case? would I want to put thermostat in basement or in living room?

It would problaby work either way, you would just have to set it to a higher temperature in the basement, the coaltrol only has a 25' cable length (CAT 5), but can be extended.

If you can keep a fairly constant temp as is, there is no need for the coal-trol. You need to even out the first floor and basement difference some more, though it would be hard to get them both perfect. On the other hand, having owned a coal-trol, i loved it, it kept the room with the stove about plus minus 1 degree.

Thanks for your opinions guys. Lee

It does maintain a good temperature control, and you don't have to mess with feed rates, blowers, etc...it controls/varies them automatically depending on temp requirements....

I have my thermostat in the living room, but the stove is in the basement, I like to play with it and sometimes override the settings, to give it a bit more blower or heat.

Thanks Dave, I may call and inquuire about purchasing one!

Talk to Neil or Paul at CoalTrol, they both are very knowledgeable.