Trying to improve efficiency

Ed.A · By: **Ed.A** On: Tue Nov 27, 2012 7:35 pm

WNYRob wrote:I am not sure if this is even comparable to your set up, but with my naturally drafted koker I have yet to have the flue temp (measured inside the stack, above the barometric damper) get higher than 150 or so degrees. Usually my stove front runs about 300 or so, which results in a flue temp of about 120.

Yeh, your numbers pretty match my ChanningIII as well.

GrandpaWasaMiner · By: **GrandpaWasaMiner** On: Fri Dec 07, 2012 9:19 pm

First cold air return duct installed today. 6" pipe angled downward from a first floor Living Room floor to the basement with the Harman Mk II. Now I officially have an air loop. To enhance the the airflow, I installed a Suncoast 250cfm In-line duct booster fan in an effort to pressurize the basement. Here are some pics, sorry for the quality.

Ed.A · By: **Ed.A** On: Fri Dec 07, 2012 11:15 pm

Nice Install.

GrandpaWasaMiner · By: **GrandpaWasaMiner** On: Sat Dec 08, 2012 1:36 pm

Thanks Ed A, if you look back on this thread, you'll see I am a neophyte at coal but I'm loving the exercise of the mind so far. The next step is to remove to 90's from the return line pictured and see if that improves the return flow as much as I hope it will. After that, I'm planning to cut in a Wye pipe behind the fan and run it to a new return register in another room.

GrandpaWasaMiner · By: **GrandpaWasaMiner** On: Sat Dec 08, 2012 4:55 pm

Here is a pleasant update to the stove temp compared to the stack temp.

I finally broke down and forked over another $14 to buy a thermometer that matches the one on the stove. The one previously installed on the stack was from the wood burner that was ripped out to make room for the Harman. I can't believe the difference.

As it is today, the wind is light, outside temps in the low 40's, and the Harman is churning at 350 degrees since 700AM. I am proud to announce my ACCURATE stack temp is 140 degrees, not the 250 as previously thought. I even went as far as to swap the matching thermometers and the readings matched... 350 stove / 140 stack.

So, please disregard the information below and please comment if these readings are more inline with a proper install. Of course, I have not needed to crank up the stove temp so far today. I would imagine the stack temp may go up somewhat when the stove temp hits 475-550 on a real cold day.

GrandpaWasaMiner wrote:Still have yet to get the return ducts run due to the Thanksgiving holiday and other priorities. However, I have learned to control that beast and get some cooler and longer burns. Here is a question...

I installed another thermo on the stack in addition to the one on the side of the Harman. Keep in mind I never got a manometer to check draft.
I can idle the Harman Mk II at 3/4 turn of the damper and stove temp is 275-300, but the stack temp is 250.
If I run the damper at 1 turn the stove temp ranges 300-375, but the stack temp stays at 250.
At 1 1/4 turns stove temp ranges 375-450, and the stack temp climbs to 275.
At 1 1/2 turns stove temp 475-550 and the stack stays at 275.
If I went 1 3/4 to 2 turns the stove temp get to 600 and can creep over 600. The stack temp stays at 275, but I REALLY DON'T feel comfortable burning that hot.

Based upon stove temp to stack temp, does it seem like I may have a decent setup so far? I have not tested the stove for any period of time burning from cracked open to 1/2 turn on the draft.

Dennis · By: **Dennis** On: Sat Dec 08, 2012 5:22 pm

GrandpaWasaMiner wrote:As it is today, the wind is light, outside temps in the low 40's, and the Harman is churning at 350 degrees since 700AM. I am proud to announce my ACCURATE stack temp is 140 degrees, not the 250 as previously thought. I even went as far as to swap the matching thermometers and the readings matched... 350 stove / 140 stack.

The stack temp. is much better and inline where they should be.
Place both therometrers next to each other and compare them.
I've bumped and droped my only therometer and should buy another one,but with having the draft set with the manometer, "it is what it is" and theres nothing else to do about it.

EDIT: Be more conserned about setting your draft, the stack temp. will be what it is with the proper draft

Trying to improve efficiency

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