Excessive Fire Increased Consumption Thoughts??

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stovepipemike
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Post by stovepipemike » Sun. Jan. 04, 2009 4:54 pm

Just got off the phone w.my brother.He has a Petite Godin and it has done well for him over the years except today.He has a normal burn time of 8 hours before attention,today he can't even make 6 hours.He complained about excessive coal consumption.He said there is a flame 6 to 8 inches off the top of the fuelbed.No dancing blue ladies anywhere,says it is like a blast furnace.He said dull red on the vent pipe.The air inlet damper is shut tight and the barometric damper[5 inch] is almost wide open.I told him to put ash over the top of the coals, shut down completely and have a hard look at the stove before relighting. He doesn't have a draft gauge but my thought is that something low on the stove opened up. Today here it is about 34 degrees with only a very slight breeze.There is no cause for the stove to behave like this under these weather conditions. Anyone that can give an additional idea would certainly be helpful.Thanks to all. Regards, Mike

 
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Post by CapeCoaler » Sun. Jan. 04, 2009 5:11 pm

Air is getting in somewhere to feed the fire.

 
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WNY
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Post by WNY » Sun. Jan. 04, 2009 5:29 pm

sounds like too much combustion air, something is leaking,door gasket, damper, etc..., has he cleaned the stove out good lately?


 
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rockwood
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Post by rockwood » Sun. Jan. 04, 2009 5:32 pm

Same coal as before?
If he leaves the loading door open (above the fire) this will stop air feeding the fire up through the coal bed and cool the stove very quickly.
Just don't leave the room with it like this.

 
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stovepipemike
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Post by stovepipemike » Mon. Jan. 05, 2009 7:46 am

The design of this stove is so basic that it contributes to the strangeness of the problem.The Petite Godin stoves are designed basically like a cylinder,you can basically look thru it like a gun barrel.There is no adjustment for air over the fire.They have a round plate on the very top that opens for loading access.They vent at the top rear and the flue gasses travel down an external collector duct.The vent pipe to the chimney is low on the back of the stove. The simplicity of the stove contributes to the strangeness of its runaway behavior.Brother is going to call me and tell if he found anything. Short of that I will have to pack up,fuel up and head down there to see for myself. Thanks for the help so far,keep em' coming. Mike

 
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coalkirk
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Post by coalkirk » Mon. Jan. 05, 2009 7:52 am

If it can happen, it will. ;)


 
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Post by Paulie » Mon. Jan. 05, 2009 8:01 am

Air leak somewhere, and based on design, down low.

 
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stovepipemike
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Post by stovepipemike » Mon. Jan. 05, 2009 8:20 am

Terry ~ In this case :If it can ,It did !!! I am glad that you like that little quip and happy to see that at least two of us are keeping it in circulation! Regards, Mike

 
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coalkirk
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Post by coalkirk » Mon. Jan. 05, 2009 9:18 am

I love it. It's like a little voice in my brain that makes me think twice now where I would have said things like, "It will probably be ok." Good luck with your brothers stove.

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