What is "SFN 15" Used for With Coal-Trol?

gambler · Post by **gambler** » Sat. Nov. 15, 2008 5:49 pm

Paul, when you go past that bias menu to the next menu it displays "SFN 15" what is that?
I have the older version v020.

Post by **pvolcko** » Sat. Nov. 15, 2008 11:50 pm

SFN = Suppplemental Fan Threshold, it is the same as SFT in the new version. Sets the FR at which the aux fan contacts on some CM1 control modules will turn on to engage the attached furance fan.

gambler · Post by **gambler** » Sun. Nov. 16, 2008 12:06 am

O.k. Thanks!

tw230 · Post by **tw230** » Sun. Nov. 16, 2008 4:22 pm

I recently adjusted my number down to 0 to keep the fans on at all times but that did not work. The fan still goes off. I really can't see a difference at all. Any ideas. With the colder weather and still plenty of heat in the stove I would like to keep washing the heat off especially since I added a bunch of heat sinks. Thanks Tim

Post by **pvolcko** » Tue. Nov. 18, 2008 12:08 am

It's possible your fan needs a higher CFM (Convection Fan Minimum) setting in order to turn reliably at slow speed. Go into the advanced menu (press and hold menu button for 15 seconds, until it says "R ##F") and then tap menu until it says "CFM ##". While on this setting and after the startup "burst" the fan will run at the speed used as the minimum. If the fan stops turning increase the number until it slowly, but steadily turns and you can feel a subtle airflow from the stove.

The default CFM setting is 30, if you need to go higher than 40 then there is probably something wrong with the fan. Either it needs a cleaning and lube, or there is something binding the motor or squirrel cage, or a manufacturing defect of some sort.

heatwithcoal · Post by **heatwithcoal** » Wed. Nov. 19, 2008 9:38 pm

My LL Econo fan wasn't coming on at all. After speaking with Neil @ Coal-Trol, he had me turn my max setting down to 30 from 40 and then fan came on. I am new to this system but,(experts, correct me if I am wrong) the fan is based on the FR and by decreasing your MAX, your FR goes up, when your feedrate goes up, the fan goes on. After doing the math, the feed time is pretty close to what it was before changing to 30 max, the fan just comes on now. I actually have turned my max down to 20 tonight and the fan is blowing harder because the FR has increased....confused? I am just now beginning to understand it, until I have to explain to my buddy after a few beers then the rational of the whole thing goes out the window.His eyes kinda glazed over.

Max @ 40 the FR was about 29, no fan
Max @ 30 the FR was about 49, yes fan
Max @ 20 the FR was about 63, better fan RPM.
With all this change, My stoker time on averaged 14-16 sec per 100 sec.
CFT is set to 2

Hope this helps. Experts please correct me if I required.

Just my experience

Mark

morrisfamily3098 · Post by **morrisfamily3098** » Thu. Nov. 20, 2008 9:39 am

The lower the FR the less heat that is being made. FR is a percentage of min and max. So lowering your max will increase your FR #. The fans run like this as not to wash off too much heat. When I first got my coal trol I was confused then I printed out this thread Coal-Trol V3 Firmware Features and this one Coal-Trol Min and Max Setting I read them 20 times until I understood exactly how it works. now I have a chart jotted down that estimates my coal usage for some FR settings on my stove. my wife thinks I put too much effort into it. there is a wealth of knowledge here on this site soon you will be an expert. I have a three ring binder and when I read something very helpfull I print it out and put it in there.

heatwithcoal · Post by **heatwithcoal** » Thu. Nov. 20, 2008 9:49 am

Yup. I think we agree.
The post "about6500.html" helped me a great deal along with my phone call with Neil @ CoalTrol.
This is a hobby that keeps me out of trouble

. MY wife and kids call it "MY stove". My response is "Are we all warm? then its OUR stove"

Mark

heatwithcoal · Post by **heatwithcoal** » Thu. Nov. 20, 2008 10:14 am

The lower the FR the less heat that is being made. FR is a percentage of min and max. So lowering your max will increase your FR #.

By lowering your MAX the FR# goes up but the time "on" stays close to the same as before lowering your MAX. This creates the same amount of heat as before, right? It is just that the fan responds to the FR #.

Mark

morrisfamily3098 · Post by **morrisfamily3098** » Fri. Nov. 21, 2008 12:31 pm

The second post I listed gives you a formula to determine your on time you have all of the info you need right on the coal trol. jerry is a big help if you give him some of your #'s he can give you a close estimate on lbs per hr cosumption, and you can get some good numbers from there.