CO Detector Going Off!!!

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Jaeger
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Post by Jaeger » Tue. Jan. 29, 2013 6:11 pm

CO Detector going off.

Need some assistance. Wife came home at 2pm (outdoor temps got to high 50's) and the CO detector was going off in the basement. She opened the basement outside door, and saw the stove water temp was down to 80.

I got home saw the baro damper was bringing air back into the house and checked the boiler (negative draft). Still was at about 100*. I opened basement door and upstairs windows and turned 2 big fans on to vent the basement. I then tossed some kindling in the boiler got the flue hot and drawing real good.

My Water temp is back up draft going well, but the detector just went off again.

I've got the doors open and fans going but am thinking I'm going to shut this boiler down. It's supposed to be 60* tomorrow.

Any Advice would be great!!

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Tue. Jan. 29, 2013 6:14 pm

How can the boiler have negative draft if the baro was admitting air into the basement? That indicates the chimney has lost all draft and reversed. Make sure the flue pipes and chimney are clean...it should be a nice warm day tomorrow to take everything apart.

If everything checks out...I suggest you adjust the "idle" setting on the inlet damper to maintain a hotter fire, and better draft.

 
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Jaeger
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Post by Jaeger » Tue. Jan. 29, 2013 6:35 pm

When she came home the baro damper was in the reverse position bringing air down the chimney.

I've got 2 upstairs screen doors open and nice amount of air going into the basement now.

I reset the CO detector and it has not gone off again. I "think" the warm temp and low demand for heat today caused my problem.

Might need to get some sort of cold air intake into my basement (no windows).


 
Rigar
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Post by Rigar » Tue. Jan. 29, 2013 6:59 pm

Jaeger wrote:When she came home the baro damper was in the reverse position bringing air down the chimney.

I've got 2 upstairs screen doors open and nice amount of air going into the basement now.

I reset the CO detector and it has not gone off again. I "think" the warm temp and low demand for heat today caused my problem.

Might need to get some sort of cold air intake into my basement (no windows).
...

..."reverse position" ???
..do you mean closed??

 
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Jaeger
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Post by Jaeger » Tue. Jan. 29, 2013 7:13 pm

Closed, and angled slightly in the opposite position. (flap bottom facing inward) Air coming down the chimney.

Got good draft now, and seems to be OK

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Tue. Jan. 29, 2013 9:27 pm

I open vents on both sides of my basement in warmer weather. This keeps the air pressure balanced between the basement and the outside to deter a draft reversal in the chimney. This is especially important if your house gets too warm and you decide to open windows in levels above the basement. You should have a manometer permanently installed so you can watch for low draft conditions :D ... Also, keep a more than normal amount of over the fire air (secondary air) coming into the combustion chamber during warmer temps outside.... This shouldn't attribute to much combustion, but instead the extra air will get heated and go up the chimney to also aid in maintaining draft in the chimney.. 8-)


 
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Jaeger
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Post by Jaeger » Tue. Jan. 29, 2013 9:55 pm

Thanks guys for the info.

Lightning, I'll open a little more air over the top and see how we do this evening. It's high 40's now, but expected 60's tomorrow.

I'll check in tomorrow!

Jaeger

 
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Jaeger
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Post by Jaeger » Wed. Jan. 30, 2013 8:17 pm

Everything is good to go. Thanks for the help!

Got more air over the top and kept burning good all day even with 60* temps.

Getting ready for the next cold front.

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Thu. Jan. 31, 2013 4:56 am

Jaeger wrote:Everything is good to go. Thanks for the help!

Got more air over the top and kept burning good all day even with 60* temps.

Getting ready for the next cold front.
Very good partner :D ....... Enjoy the heat 8-)

 
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Jaeger
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Post by Jaeger » Sat. Feb. 02, 2013 8:24 pm

Thanks!

We're back in the 20's and running great!!!

MK

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