Why Doesn't My Hitzer 503 Heat My Small House

 
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dcrane
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Post by dcrane » Sat. Jan. 25, 2014 6:33 am

McGiever wrote:Is this chimney on a outside wall or inside house?
Being only a 3 mo. old install I'd say liner is messed up real bad.
How was liner fastened onto the stove collar?...might be messed up.

If it was mine, I'd shorten up liner to about 4'-5' and seal around fp damper as others have said.
I read this whole thread and agree... draft is the issue, my money is on the fact your chimney is drafting for 2 flu's (one is obviously your stove, the second is your fireplace/house through the unsealed damper opening)... the tighter you make the seal at your damper opening the better draft you will make for your stove (you currently have NOTHING blocking the damper area that you ripped out to get that 6" pipe through it!!! :shock: ) most installers use a sheet metal block plate with a 6" hole cut for stove pipe to go through, I used 1/2" rock board and I mortared the sucker in place around the entire perimeter, while still others would simply stuff that open area around the stove pipe with fireproof insulation... the bottom line is you need to block that area with something!!! once that is done....you can then further evaluate (getting mano readings now is a waste of time... you cannot know what your chimney does until you remedy this problem first), your going to need to pull that shyt out and get back in their to do this... once you have that done then focus on the mano install.

I personally never liked the idea of inserts into a fireplace opening and then trying to block the fireplace opening (the fireplace opening by virtue of holding the fire for years generally allows draft failure because of loose brick, shrunken mortar, ash clean outs, etc. AND at the same time 30-40-50% of the heat your stove is producing is behind a freeeking wall and not in your living room! :cry: )... having said that... I know thats just my personal belief and many many folks love their inserts! I only wish we caught you prior to the install and it may have saved you some labor but here is a thread showing a sample of how easy this is done (refer to the last photo on the first page in particular)... Removing a Built in Damper From Fireplace


 
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Keepaeyeonit
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Post by Keepaeyeonit » Sat. Jan. 25, 2014 7:49 am

Doug, I agree with the low draft but I think his chimney is to short (17') I ran my insert last year with a 25' liner directly connected to the stove(I had a big air leak in the clay liners and couldn't keep a draft)I did put insulation around 20' of the liner just for heat retention but it wasn't sealed from the outside and just a bent up top plate to hold up the liner and never had a draft problem actually it was to high for my liking. He has to insulate to see if it will help but I think he has a bigger problem then the lack of insulation around the liner ,I just hope it fixes the problem so he can stay warm :) .
I would agree with Oilman,try to get the flue higher,also if you do that try to insulate the pipe or what ever you use for the test because if its gets too cold you could have another problem, see if it helps and don't worry about how it looks because its only temporary.I ran mine last winter looking like this :shock:
Duct tape,plywood ,and a clay liner :D .Keepaeyeonit

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dcrane
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Post by dcrane » Sat. Jan. 25, 2014 10:15 am

Keepaeyeonit wrote:Doug, I agree with the low draft but I think his chimney is to short (17') I ran my insert last year with a 25' liner directly connected to the stove(I had a big air leak in the clay liners and couldn't keep a draft)I did put insulation around 20' of the liner just for heat retention but it wasn't sealed from the outside and just a bent up top plate to hold up the liner and never had a draft problem actually it was to high for my liking. He has to insulate to see if it will help but I think he has a bigger problem then the lack of insulation around the liner ,I just hope it fixes the problem so he can stay warm :) .
I would agree with Oilman,try to get the flue higher,also if you do that try to insulate the pipe or what ever you use for the test because if its gets too cold you could have another problem, see if it helps and don't worry about how it looks because its only temporary.I ran mine last winter looking like this :shock:
Duct tape,plywood ,and a clay liner :D .Keepaeyeonit
all very good points... and we can broach them when the time is right... he cant do ANYTHING productive until he does what I said first... once that basic & proper install is done with a blocker plate or something to seal around the damper opening we can then work from their...

 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Sat. Jan. 25, 2014 10:20 am

Oh yeah, you came up with that original idea dc. :roll2: :clap: toothy

 
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Hambden Bob
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Post by Hambden Bob » Sat. Jan. 25, 2014 10:36 am

Well,he checked in @0837 this a.m. Hopefully he's working his Fanny Off to start employing some of your good advice,Gang! Saturday's a great dat to warm your Fanny Up! :yes:

 
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Post by coalder » Sat. Jan. 25, 2014 11:41 am

Had similar problem earlier this year and suspected draft, or cold chimney. Threw a couple pieces of SEASONED hardwood on top of coal, opened the ash door and MPD let her rip. I watched for about 30 min as it burned like the hammers of hell. When I shut it down I knew that by the way the flames sucked up the chimney any possible ash buildup was gone. Haven't had a problem since. Also, If you try this with SEASONED hardwood you will know in short order if there is some obstruction as the wood smoke should exhaust rapidly. If an obstruction does exist, it will be where the liner is bent around the smoke shelf as the round pipe always gets kinked on the bottom there.

 
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Emerald7
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Post by Emerald7 » Sat. Jan. 25, 2014 12:47 pm

I'm not out there working my fanny off. I'm at work today. I have tomorrow off but our high is to be 8/ 35 mph gusts. I was going to start shutting her down Thursday, and then I talked with hitzer and they suggested burning some bags of pea coal instead of nut and shake the crap out of it and see what happens. This other hitzer guy I spoke with does not think its draft and/or a insulation issue. I think that is so strange, but the coal does seem starved for air. I tried their advice and it does burn better, but then the weathers been warmer. I can't wrap my mind around this job. I will keep you all posted and thanks.


 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Sat. Jan. 25, 2014 1:06 pm

E, as long as you're happy, I'm happy. :) PS--and YES, you did clearly state Sun if you were going to do anything ;)

 
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Post by CapeCoaler » Sun. Jan. 26, 2014 9:38 pm

Looking at the pics...
Coal to the top of the bricks...
I see 3-4 inches of exposed brick...
If low draft is the issue...
pull the damper out to 100%...
Our 503 heats 2300 sq ft...
not to -25 but at 10* it is not past 75%...
Ya got good flame...
open the draft and fill the firebox by hand if you need to...
Go to the top of the brick...
I use a poker to spread out the hopper load...
Try a load of Santa coal...
ya might have a poor batch of kimmels...
We have a 27' insulated 6" liner and it draws like a bastard...
Outside north chimney that could never hold a wood fire...
the insert and blanket insulation cured the poor draft...
Add some pipe 17' is short but should work if no other part of the house is higher...
a pic of the outside would help...

 
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Emerald7
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Post by Emerald7 » Mon. Feb. 17, 2014 7:51 am

CapeCoaler, I have been wanting to reply to your post since I read it but been busy skiing. I have time now since I tweaked my knee. Your ideas about filling the firebox up to the bricks and open her up have worked excellently. Thank you soo much, have been sleeping a lot better having learned this. In the spring I will take care of the insulation around the fireplace damper and between flue and chimney. Hats off to you, you know your 503!

 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Mon. Feb. 17, 2014 7:56 am

AND, here it only took 5 pages :clap: toothy NICE E, it's always good to hear things are improved when it comes to stayin warm ;)

 
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Emerald7
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Post by Emerald7 » Mon. Feb. 17, 2014 8:10 am

Thank you freetown fred. It's -20 and the house is 70, yippy. Stay warm.

 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Mon. Feb. 17, 2014 8:11 am

Indeed my friend:)

 
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Hambden Bob
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Post by Hambden Bob » Mon. Feb. 17, 2014 5:57 pm

Franz Klammer would be Proud of you! Whether working or skiing your Fanny Off,you stayed with it,followed some Good Guys Advice,and are now a Victim Of Warmth! :lol: Good Show! Stay with it,and this will all have been a Bad Dream come next year's Heating Season ! Enjoy! :up:

 
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Emerald7
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Post by Emerald7 » Mon. Feb. 17, 2014 6:07 pm

Well, thank you very much I take that as a compliment and I want to thank all of you knowledgeable coal burners for the time you took to give me great advice. Keep up the good work.


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