strong winds safe for draft?

A bit late, but better late than never. I was a little concerned about using my coal stove with such strong winds forecast for the North East from hurricane Sandy. Would this be an issue? I have excellent draft and have both an mpd and baro installed on my flue. I believe the baro should automatically adjust the draft needed for the stove. Thanks!

Yes it should. Think of the baro as a draft limiting device.

Make sure you keep an eye that the baro doesn't stick open. I had that happen a few years ago when we had high winds. As long as the winds kept blowing all was well, but when they died off the baro was stuck completely open and killed the draft.

Good call Horace--bottom line----COMMON SENSE

High winds definitely play havoc with the baro damper and the fire. I had the problem of the baro staying stuck open, so I placed a 1 inch screw in the flue in the damper swing stopping the baro from getting stuck open but not affecting the draft. No more baro staying stuck open because of high winds with neglegable reduction of baro effiency.

dandy wrote:High winds definitely play havoc with the baro damper and the fire. I had the problem of the baro staying stuck open, so I placed a 1 inch screw in the flue in the damper swing stopping the baro from getting stuck open but not affecting the draft. No more baro staying stuck open because of high winds with neglegable reduction of baro effiency.

I just find it ironic that I am relighting an outfire due to my baro being stuck open! I'll have to try that, I am on my third one and they all have this problem. I'm going to have to try this.

I also put a sheet metal screw in the baro slightly below max opening position. The shaft does stick occasionally/frequently, so another place for little exercise once a week. It isn't a BMW designed device, but an excellent product for the money. Oh, for any of those who have not placed 3 screws in the baro frame to retain it to the 'T', don't forget that one, either. A puff back will 'send' the baro a few feet in the unlikely event of a big PUFF, like the AHS's sometimes do.

By the way, one of the smartest things you can do today if you own a smart car: DO NOT drive it anywhere! Drive a stake in the front lawn, and tether the damned thing for a few days!

whistlenut wrote:I also put a sheet metal screw in the baro slightly below max opening position.

I did the same thing two years ago...not a single problem since.

mine is manual .. never had an issue

Good call on the sheet metal screw to limit its opening I haven't yet had mine stick open on its own BUT if I push it open as far as it can, it does stick there! I will use this method also! Thanks...

I had to pull my baro out and cap the tee until the stove got up to temp. I was getting a sulfur odor bleeding out of it. I was nervous that if I could smell sulfur than CO could be leaking out as well. Alarms are all quiet, thank goodness! Baro back in and stove purring like a kitten. Stay safe!

I've closed my MPD a bit. Even with these winds I'm still skeptical that if I turn off the inducer I'll lose my draft so That's why it's still open. It'll take me a minute or two to get the inducer on the generator in the event I lose power.

Just checked on the boiler, the baro is wide open and I'm was pulling .11 draft! Yikes!!!!
Considering shutting down until the storm passes.

Any reports? I was .04 all day and through the night. 40 mph winds, with gusts. Trees down, power out for a time......another day in paradise......
Glad I don't live on the coast or any low area.

My type M was sticking open for a while ... and I just readjusted the pipe T and the little pin that the flap rides on. Was off-centered somehow causing it to stick. Once I got that set right, I haven't had a problem since.

Winds were sucking a .03- .06 on ours with no fire. The baro was handling that pretty good. Fired up a pile of cardboard just to take the chill off. The winds suck all the heat right out of this house.