I have madawaska indoor wood boiler and I want to know what it is worth.

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kappstr

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Aug 12, 2012
1
I have a Madawaska wood boiler and would like to know what it's worth. Anyone familiar with this brand of boiler?
 
As a wise man once said " It's worth as much as you can get for it." However much that might be.
 
Boat anchor? lol
 
Where is it located, when was it last used, and what sort of access does it have to the outdoors?

I have seen many listed for free over the years in Uncle Henry's. They were sold mostly in Northern New England with a lot sold in Maine. The weak point was the hot water storage systems they were attached to. To save money, many dealers used two 275 gallon home heating oil tanks vented to atmosphere. The tanks eventually rusted out after several years and flooded the basements and by then most homeowners werent using them. Eventually the owners paid to have them removed or put them in Uncle Henry's for free or cheap. Nothing wrong with the stove although they do reportedly need refractory repairs on occasion. Tom in Maine on this site has some experience with them.

They are heavy so if there isnt an easy way to remove them out of the house, the value goes way down.

If it was new in the box on a pallet and you found the right person, a guess would be $500. Installed in place in unknown condition free to $200.

Technically they are hard to beat and they are as efficient as most modern gasifiers.
 
I think Peakbagger hit the value on the head. They are excellent boilers, somewhat unrefined, compared to the Dumont and Jet Stream
and later designs, but they are efficient and very serviceable. And heavy!
 
Is this unit for sale in BC one of yours, Hobbyheater?
 
Is this unit for sale in BC one of yours, Hobbyheater?


That one is in Nova Scotia. Just posted the link to give an idea of a comparative price for the Madawaska. Looks complete. The unit is sitting off the floor on blocking and the bottom of the sheet metal box surrounding the base has not fallen apart. The third unit I had went to "Control Guy" in Prince George BC. My wife has also pointed out that I have the new one taking up room in the basement so I guess two is my limit!
 
Oops. NS and BC are a little different!
 
Well, I need to read some more on the jet stream, but a boiler is in the plan. And this one is at 400 miles from my place. So if you guys are saying it is as efficient as most of todays boiler. I figured that with the expenses and thefuel of the drive the boiler would come to max 800$ . What do you guys think, should I go get it?
 
Well, I need to read some more on the jet stream, but a boiler is in the plan. And this one is at 400 miles from my place. So if you guys are saying it is as efficient as most of todays boiler. I figured that with the expenses and thefuel of the drive the boiler would come to max 800$ . What do you guys think, should I go get it?

Get the owner to take some pictures of the inside of the boiler from the cleanout door at the back. The condition of the refractory is going to be key. If you can get some pictures, I would be happy to give you an opinion.
It is a boiler that has to have storage to work successfully. No storage leads to early refractory failure. The other down side is that it goes through a load of soft wood every hour and it takes on average of 6 hours to raise a 1,000 gallon storage tank 50 F.


https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/giving-a-jetstream-base-new-life.76371/ This is a repair that I did in Sept 2011.
 
Get the owner to take some pictures of the inside of the boiler from the cleanout door at the back. The condition of the refractory is going to be key. If you can get some pictures, I would be happy to give you an opinion.
It is a boiler that has to have storage to work successfully. No storage leads to early refractory failure. The other down side is that it goes through a load of soft wood every hour and it takes on average of 6 hours to raise a 1,000 gallon storage tank 50 F.


https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/giving-a-jetstream-base-new-life.76371/ This is a repair that I did in Sept 2011.
 
I try again, HH you mentioned in your earlier posts that you had purchased a refractory base, some time ago. Do you know if they can still make them?

and I am only 250 miles away, so I could beat Fi Q to it. LOL!!
 
I try again, HH you mentioned in your earlier posts that you had purchased a refractory base, some time ago. Do you know if they can still make them?

and I am only 250 miles away, so I could beat Fi Q to it. LOL!!

I do not believe the refractory base is being made anymore. But try Kerr Controls 902 455 7248. or 1 800 565 5377
Tom in Maine is also very knowledgeable when it comes to Jetstream. He has talked of people making their own base using fire brick.
Questions on the Jetstream are always welcome.
 
Hoobyheater,

You scared me with : '' The other down side is that it goes through a load of soft wood every hour and it takes on average of 6 hours to raise a 1,000 gallon storage tank 50 F.'' I will burn soft wood only. So what's the issue with the jetstream ? Too small firebox ? 6 loads to raise the temp of the 1000 gallon tank !! I have never operated a wood boiler, but that looks like a lot. What ever setup i will get, I am hoping for 1 to 2 fire a day maximum. So, hooestly, good deal or not, If I need to send the wife 5 to 8 time a day to tend a boiler in the barn / shop.......I will most likely end up divorce living in my shop :) . And the guy in the had haven't got back to me yet....... But I will keep looking the adds.....
 
Hoobyheater,

You scared me with : ' So what's the issue with the jetstream ? Too small firebox ? What ever setup i will get, I am hoping for 1 to 2 fire a day maximum. So, hooestly, good deal or not, send the wife 5 to 8 time a day to tend a boiler in the barn / shop.......I will most likely end up divorce living in my shop :) .

The vertical loading tube and burn chamber total 42 " in length and 12" in diam , small . Sending your wife out in the winter 5 to 8 times a day = divorce.
With adequate storage 1,000 gallons minimum it is efficient 75% to 85% range.
The cost of a rebuild could be expensive, so for not a lot of money more you could have a entry level boiler such as an Eco or Bio Mass .http://www.newhorizonstore.com/Category/54-gasification-boilers.aspx
 

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Hobbyheater: Thanks a lot for the info, I will pass on this jetstream.

Novascotian: It'S all yours if you can get in touch with the sellers. Good luck and let us know if you ever get it.
 
He did reply that it is still available, and only said the exchanger did not leak when removed from service. He did not know condition of refractory.
 
He did reply that it is still available, and only said the exchanger did not leak when removed from service. He did not know condition of refractory.

Too bad he could not take a digital picture through the cleanout door and email it to you.
The Jetstream is a pressurized firebox and draft at 99 cfm at 85 inches water lift so it will force a fine pumice type dust through joints in the fire tube cover and smoke pipe and although not noticeable to the naked eye, it raises hell with the blower motor and blower.
I have attached a picture of the blower. The bearing can be obtained at any automotive shop, but the fan blades are obsolete. The new blades are metric and just slightly smaller and do not produce the needed pressure or volume. The only way to determine if the blower is serviceable would be to dissasemble and inspect the 3 blades. If the belt driven blower is not serviceable there is a vacuum motor cleaner option, but my feelings on this is that it represents a very large learning curve for somebody who does not know the boiler. The electric motor is also expensive at $200 plus.
The other possible problem is the heat exchanger corrosion.
My feelings on this Jetstream would be to pass as it has been up for sale for over a year. It would be of some use for somebody who would want it for parts! As I suggested to Fi-Q looking at a new Eco or Bio Mass, it might be money better spent . http://www.newhorizonstore.com/Category/54-gasification-boilers.aspx
 

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