It looks like this furnace was not designed with this intent. Is a return box listed as an option?
Building a cold air return box
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I don't have paperwork for that,but it came with a Manuel for a wood chuck furnace that's very simuliar,blowers on back just as mine has.
There were return boxes with the woodchuck as options.They are real close in years made also(there both from early 80's).
There were return boxes with the woodchuck as options.They are real close in years made also(there both from early 80's).
I don't think they are that similar other than being furnaces that burn wood. The current big WoodChucks have the combustion blower on the front, away from the return air blower. The small WoodChuck has no combustion blower.
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KodiakII
Minister of Fire
Nay to the combustion blower idea. If your furnace was meant to have one it would have come with it. You would be changing temperatures to levels that it was never designed for.
It will work much better with a return air, especially being in the garage. Without it you would in essence be trying to pressurize your house with the furnace. You might also want to include a filtration system into your box. Blower life and air quality will be better off.
It will work much better with a return air, especially being in the garage. Without it you would in essence be trying to pressurize your house with the furnace. You might also want to include a filtration system into your box. Blower life and air quality will be better off.
Yes the small combustion blower is on the front of older woodchucks but blowers are on back.
What if I left the little combustion blower outside of box?I would imagine as long as it's big enough and doesn't restrict air it should be fine.I want to just simply put a return through garage wall to my living room and connect it into return box I put on back of furnace.
What if I left the little combustion blower outside of box?I would imagine as long as it's big enough and doesn't restrict air it should be fine.I want to just simply put a return through garage wall to my living room and connect it into return box I put on back of furnace.
KindredSpiritzz
Minister of Fire
I THINK he's saying the return blower is a bad idea. Heres some pictures of my filter box, its not connected to anything, just draws air in from the basement. I have some vents under the 1st floor stairs that allows it to draw some return air from the main floor and help circulate it around.
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Was the garage installation approved by the inspecting authority in the community?
Yes This is what I want,but I want to run a duct off box to the house.Which is only about 3' from furnace.
Then the next step is to pull in a qualified HVAC person to assess the plan and guide you with sizing ,location, clearances, safety etc.. There are too many risks here for me to feel comfortable guiding you from the internet. Without a manual for guidance I would err on the side of caution.
KindredSpiritzz
Minister of Fire
so you want to pull air from the house ? should be pretty straight forward, just fab some duct work off the box when you build it and over the 3 ft and into the house. As to size and all i'd keep it the same size as the fliter box opening, which on mine is 16x20.
I get it that you want to do it yourself and save money, im the same way but your set up sounds a bit exotic or extreme so maybe having a professional at least look it over wouldnt be a bad idea like Begreen said.
KindredSpiritzz
Minister of Fire
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_1036724_1036724
heres a filter box you might be interested in
heres a filter box you might be interested in
That question alone shows that you are not understanding the fundamental risks involved. There will be negative pressure (suction) in the blower box. Do you really want to be sucking on the combustion port into the firebox??? What could possibly go wrong? Seriously, this is dangerous stuff you are contemplating.
Get an expert there and pay him to coach you on every phase of this project: piping clearances, sizing, venting, etc.
Get an expert there and pay him to coach you on every phase of this project: piping clearances, sizing, venting, etc.
No money for that begreen,that's why I'm here.I AM NOT going to put my family at risk.I am trying to gather ALL the correct info to safely do it myself.
I am not going to just slap it together.
I'm capable of learning and that's why I'm here.If you want me gone I'll leave.
I am not going to just slap it together.
I'm capable of learning and that's why I'm here.If you want me gone I'll leave.
laynes69
Minister of Fire
I just read this thread, and I'm 110% with Begreen. There's too much risk involved with an installation like this. The ducting would have to pass thru a combustible wall, there may be little combustion air for the furnace to burn correctly in a garage (which the forced draft fan could make it worse). Also the blowers look old, and more than likely don't have a lot of life left in them. Also your drawing suggests you want to duct the supply from the woodfurnace into the return of the central furnace which is a big no no.
I scrapped the drawing idea.I am going to run it independent.The furnace is old but it's been in a basement for years.It only had 2 fires in it.You can see proof of that in the firebox.
I admit I am lost in this project but I looking for answers and will not install till I am sure I have everything understood.I am going to search elsewhere I suppose for information on safely installing.
I admit I am lost in this project but I looking for answers and will not install till I am sure I have everything understood.I am going to search elsewhere I suppose for information on safely installing.
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