Sulfur Smell and Moisture in Hopper

Jumpmanmj · Post by **Jumpmanmj** » Tue. Nov. 15, 2016 8:22 pm

Hello, I have been trying to get my channing 3 ready for the upcoming months. I have been using bag coal from tractor supply. I am get a pretty strong smell of sulfur and I do have moisture in the hopper. Is this an issue of wet coal or something more? Thanks

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Tue. Nov. 15, 2016 8:24 pm

It is something More. first get a Carbon Monoxide Detector then Get a manometer to see how your draft is.

You may have poor draft.
Moisture in coal shouldn't make both a sulfur smell and the condensation seen on underside of hopper lid with the proper draft .

Jumpmanmj · Post by **Jumpmanmj** » Tue. Nov. 15, 2016 8:33 pm

Ok, I do have about 3 detectors and I have 2 more coming that are actually monitored through my alarm company.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Tue. Nov. 15, 2016 8:38 pm

There is another case for sulfur smell and moisture on lid. It is having excessive combustion fan pressure that the draft cannot remove quick enough. If you knew what was happening you might find you only need to dial back the fan a bit. But again, the manometer is your window to see just what is or needs to be happening.

Jumpmanmj · Post by **Jumpmanmj** » Tue. Nov. 15, 2016 9:00 pm

Thanks for the help. I didn't know you can adjust the combustion fan speed. I do not have a manometer. Sometimes the smell seems worse with different bags. When I purchased this stove (used) the lady told me she was having issues when the hopper lid was on. She said she called alaska and the gentleman told her it was vapor locked and to run it with the lid off.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Tue. Nov. 15, 2016 9:03 pm

It may not be that you can adjust the fan speed, you may only be able to manually slide a cover gate at the combustion fan inlet grill.

Here is a Dwyer Series Mark II 25 Molded Plastic Manometer:

.JPG | 233.7KB | Coal, Manometer 001.jpg

Pacowy · Post by **Pacowy** » Wed. Nov. 16, 2016 12:30 am

McGiever wrote:It may not be that you can adjust the fan speed, you may only be able to manually slide a cover gate at the combustion fan inlet grill.

I don't recall ever seeing a cover gate on a Channing III combustion fan. I would be concerned about the draft situation in any installation that experienced the problems described with such a small fan. If this is a top vent unit, you might want to check for ash buildup in the internal passages for combustion gases between the lower part of the combustion chamber and the smoke pipe flange. I don't believe Channing III's have anything like the chains used in Harman Mags to keep those passages clear.

Mike

Jumpmanmj · Post by **Jumpmanmj** » Wed. Nov. 16, 2016 7:00 am

Mcgiever, thanks for the picture. This is a bottom vent unit and new install with all new pipe. Now, last night I cranked it to 3 and removed the hopper lid. Some of the smell seems to be gone.

WNY · Post by **WNY** » Wed. Nov. 16, 2016 6:12 pm

usually a draft problem or grate gasket problem if you get sulphur smell or moisture in the hopper.

always keep an eye on your draft with a draft gauge (as above)

When you shutdown, check the grate gaskets, especially the rear one, it can burn back on the grate and it can up thru the hopper.

it should always be burning about 1/2 way or so on the grate and not too far back towards the hopper.