PE Alderlea T6 questions

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patrolman467

patrolman467

Member
Aug 6, 2010
67
Centerville, Tennessee
I once had a T5 and then I moved and got the T6. Something that I noticed is different is the air control lever. In the T5 it was attached to a rod that went to the rear underside of the stove and moved something back there to let air in or restrict the air. In the T6 the lever doesn't have the rod. It only covers a circular hole toward the front underside of the stove. The hole it about an inch or two in diameter. At the rear underside there is a metal box with a square hole with a flap that clicks when I open and close the main door on the stove. There is also a metal cover with six holes on the bottom lip inside the stove. Is this the only source of air intake for the stove? If so, what if ashes get high and cover the holes? Can anyone with experience tell me what is going on with the T6? Where does the air come into the stove? What is the box with the flap that clicks when I close the door? Sometimes I with there were more air to put into the stove to get the fire going better. Sometimes I have to leave the door cracked open to get the wood to catch fire. Part of that could be the wood that isn't as seasoned as it should be.

I was also wondering how common is it for the stove to let smoke out into the room when the door is opened. I've been noticing that it does it every time the door is opened. This is my second season to use the stove.

My stove pipe is probably about 15 to 20 feet tall and goes straight up, except for a notch to get it past a rafter in the roof. Thanks for your help.
 
What is the yr of mfg of the T6. See the plate on the rear of the stove. Apparently there have been some design modifications with the air and EBT in the last cpl yrs.

A cpl of pictures of the items in question could help with ID'ing the parts.

Link that may help with your questions: http://www.chimneysweeponline.com/hoebt.htm

A few answers, and it is the way I understand it, and no doubt will be corrected later today if I am in error: The metal cover with the six holes is the "manifold booster" it acts to distribute the "primary air" - controlled by the lever on the front of the stove. It is one of two air sources, the second air source is up the rear channel to the secondary baffle in the roof of the stove. Some of the air to secondary baffle probably comes from the EBT controlled source, the flap you hear clicking maybe the EBT flap (you are the first I recall hearing that with door opening and closing).

outside air temp maybe part of your draft issue, 15 ft maybe marginal in Tennessee depending on the outside air temp, and how tight your house is etc.

wood moisture would also play a roll, split smaller pieces and get the fire going prior to closing the primary air in stages. You may not be able to close the air all the way down with moist wood and marginal chimney.
 
I believe I have the newer EBT. I called PE and a lady said tha it was normal to hear a click when I open or close the door. She said it had something to do with the draft changing. She said that the boost air came in where those six holes on the bottom metal lip are located. The primary air, which is controled by the lever, comes in and goes to the top of the firebox and then down the front of the glass.

I might call my installer and ask about my draft issue.

Thanks.
 
The older T5 and the new T6 have very different air controls. The old T5 had a linked secondary air control that worked proportionally with the primary air control. The new T6 has the same primary air control it always has had, but the EBT has moved from the front boost manifold. It now performs as a barometric damper on the secondary air. This appears to be a nice change. Wish I could try one out for a season.
 
I have the newest T6 and have been burning in it now for a month or more. I have not noticed the click, but probably wouldn't be able to hear it over the squeal the door makes when opened. I keep meaning to apply a little hi-temp grease to the connecting arm to quiet it down. I will pay more attention when I open the door and see if I can hear the click. What is the connecting arm for?

Draft is usually the reason for smoke puffing out. I haven't seen it happen on this stove, but it happened on my last stove (different house and chimney configuration) during different parts of the season. Spring seemed to be worse.

I have cracked open my door a little on occasion when I need a little more air to kick it off. For me, it's usually the wood or I let the coals get down I'm trying to start a fire with my split and not kindling.
 
The flapper tinking is normal. You have the new EBT set up.
The front boost manifold is hard to clog, as the intake air usually pushes out any ash near it. I clear in front of it daily when I reload.
Sometimes if cool enough and with welding gloves on, I will lift the boost manifold plate and use it on an angle each side to push the ash away from the openings. I also use it to push the first several inches of ash away from the front of the stove at the floor of the stove.
Open the door very slowly a few inches at a time. That may solve your smoke issue.
 
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Is there a screen in the chimney cap? If so, check it for partial plugging.
 
I have confirmed the clicking. I opened and closed my door and I could hear it.
 
Here are a few pics. In the first is the inside lip that I raised up so you can see the six holes. I still wonder where the ash goes if it falls into them. The second pic is the 2 inch hole that the air lever covers under the stove. Is 2 inches the correct size that everyone else has? The third pic is the EBT in the rear underside that makes the clicking sound. The last pic is the end of the air lever showing a hole in the end of the lever. I presume that this is the hole used by the T5 for the metal rod that goes to the back to open the air. On the T6 this hole does nothing.

Does anyone else have any other air intake holes under the stove? I can't find any others. I am wondering where the air comes from that enters through those 6 holes in the inside front bottom lip. Any ideas?

Thanks
 

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The air that comes into the front through the boost manifold is regulated and enters through the hole the front lever operates. The EBT air now goes into the secondary burn system.

At the end of the season, when the stove is cold, take a vac or shop vac and just put it up to the holes behind the boost manifold. Make this part of your cleaning process when you sweep the chimney.
 
I thought the air wash system brought air down the front of the glass, which must mean that the air enters front the top somewhere? Are there supposed to be any other holes on the bottom of the stove for air to enter besides the 2 inch round hole and the EBT hole? I was told that the air that enters the round hole that is controlled by the lever at the front splits and goes up to the top and enters and is pulled down over the glass. If that is the case, then where is the hole for the air coming in through those 6 holes in the bottom inner lip? Also, is your round hole 2 inches like mine?
 
I found the hole where the air comes from that goes out those six holes in the bottom front inside. There is a small round hole just to the right of the 2 inch main air hole on the bottom of the stove. This hole is about the size of a small pencil and it is about 2 inches directly to the right (facing the stove) of the main hole.
 
So is that hole the only spot air is coming in from outside? Or is there a second spot up top where the air also enters from the bottom outside air control?
 
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