Manometer Readings

DavidL · Post by **DavidL** » Fri. Oct. 31, 2008 8:13 am

I received matthaus's loaner manometer yesterday. I wasn't sure how to hook it up with just the one hose with a metal nipple . I contacted matthaus and he said to attatch a ball inflation needle at the end of the hose and insert it in one of the screw holes in the stove pipe between the stove and baro; it worked out perfect. Thanks matthaus.

These are the readings I got.

Outside temp: 30
Wind: none
Baro set at .06

Idle reading:
magnetic thermometer on stove pipe: 100
Manometer W.C.: .025
Baro was 1/4 open

Open draft reading: (forced draft blower)
magnetic thermometer on stove pipe: 225
Manometer W.C.: .03
Baro was 1/2 open.

do these reading seem a little low? My furnace does seem to have trouble keeping up with the demand from the hot air blower.

Thanks,
Dave

WNY · Post by **WNY** » Fri. Oct. 31, 2008 8:20 am

You should get a good fire going so it is drafting good, and hold the baro closed to see what the actual draft is on the stove and adjust the weight it for .02 to .04 on the manometer or whatever your stove mfr. suggests. But looks like you are in the range you need to be. It will vary a bit depending on weather and how much the stove it burning.

That is the problem with larger blowers, it washes too much heat off the stove unless you really get it cranking, maybe you can change the tap on the motor to slow it down or something. Does it have a temp. switch? Maybe raise the temp a bit (10 degrees) to get the stove hotter?

LsFarm · Post by **LsFarm** » Fri. Oct. 31, 2008 10:36 am

Hi David, your 'energy King' is a big hand feed unit right?? If so, you probably need more like .05"wc or maybe a bit more.. most hand feeds need that much draft..
You might PM forum member ' coaledsweat ' , He has a large hand feed boiler and it is instrumented, so he may be able to assist you.

Greg L

Post by **coaledsweat** » Fri. Oct. 31, 2008 1:39 pm

DavidL wrote: Outside temp: 30
Wind: none
Baro set at .06

Idle reading:
magnetic thermometer on stove pipe: 100
Manometer W.C.: .025
Baro was 1/4 open

Open draft reading: (forced draft blower)
magnetic thermometer on stove pipe: 225
Manometer W.C.: .03
Baro was 1/2 open.

do these reading seem a little low? My furnace does seem to have trouble keeping up with the demand from the hot air blower.

Well Dave, from what you posted it looks like the baro isn't set properly. The plate should be closed completely until the manometer is at or close to .06". The two readings you indicate in your post show the true setting to be in the .02 range as it is allowing room air into the stack at just over .02". Do not rely on the numbers stamped on the adjustable weight bar as they can vary from the true draft considerably depending on a lot of factors like chimney height, location, etc. Try to move the weight up where the #s read higher, say in the .08-.10"" range (if it is currently @ .06"). Be sure that you are on the right side of the weight's mount as on side is for vertical and one for horizontal stovepipe (Field Controls RC baros- left side horizontal, right side vertical), this can effect it's performance too. You want it set so the baro plate doesn't start to open until your draft approaches .06".
Once you get the draft back up, I think you will see a big change in the recovery rate. Just for me, cover the baro with tinfoil and see what the draft reads with and without the combustion blower (if equipped), then proceed with setting the baro properly.

DavidL · Post by **DavidL** » Sat. Nov. 01, 2008 1:46 pm

Well it was definitely the baro that was causing all my problems. The weight on the baro was way too heavy and was keeping the damper open during idle and 1/2 open during full force. I replaced the weight with a few washers and now it's working great. Now as the draft approches .06 the baro damper start to flap a bit, all of my coals keep burning during idle and when there is a demand for heat the furnace keeps up with the hot air blower.

coaledsweat, with the baro covered with foil
without the combustion blower: .035
with the combustion blower .040 to start, then slowly increases. It topped out around .09 - .10

Thank you all for all of your help, couldn't have done it without you guys and the loaner program.