New idea for a stove feature.... Or does a brand have this?

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davidmsem

davidmsem

Minister of Fire
Oct 30, 2014
632
New haven, Connecticut
I have a new Regency I3100 and love it.

After using it for several weeks I want the following feature added: a button on the opposite side of the fan switch area that when pressed, turns off the fan for approximately ten minutes.

This would prevent me from forgetting to turn the fan back on after reloading!

Now I'll have to find a commercially available 120 volt delay switch if that exists and rig one myself.

Does another brand have that? Do you think this would be a useful feature?
 
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Why turn the fan off? Mine stays on whenever the stove has any heat to throw.
 
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Fsappo said:
You would still need to remember to push that button
Click to expand...
Could be stupid me, but I'm remembering to turn it off (hitting that button) to avoid drafting smoke into the room, so that part brain remembers.
 
Trktrd said:
Why turn the fan off? Mine stays on whenever the stove has any heat to throw.
Click to expand...
During loading, the owners manual says to turn off the fan to avoid drawing smoke into the room while filling....
 
Turning off the fan stops creating a negative pressure zone over the door that could draw smoke and ash into the room.
 
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begreen said:
Turning off the fan stops creating a negative pressure zone over the door that could draw smoke and ash into the room.
Click to expand...
Yes.....and it does! So wouldn't that delay button be great!
 
Perhaps a momentary contact switch that turned off the fan when the door was open?
 
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bsruther said:
I wish mine had a timer that would open the air up all the way at around 4AM.
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They need to sell an optional controller with these features......I would like the open damper, but based on temperature......
 
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davidmsem said:
They need to sell an optional controller with these features......I would like the open damper, but based on temperature......
Click to expand...

Based on firebox temperature, my BK opens and closes the intake air. Not very common at all. In fact, I don't know of any other current stove with a thermostatic air control. Some old VCs had it.
 
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VC Montpelier insert I believe has a thermostat air control. It's essentially a spring-type thermometer that is tied to air inlets. My brother has one, but don't quote me on that feature.
 
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ClintonH said:
VC Montpelier insert I believe has a thermostat air control. It's essentially a spring-type thermometer that is tied to air inlets. My brother has one, but don't quote me on that feature.
Click to expand...

BUT that's not relevant to the OP about fan control...my bad.
 
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I had an Xtrordinair fireplace in a previous home and it would do that... when the doors were opened, the fan would stop.
 
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If you don't find a "proper" one, it would be easy to make. A wind up bathroom fan timer (I just bought a new one on fleabay for $15) a NC relay with 120v coil, and a 4x4 electrical box. Wire the relay inline to the blower so that when the timer is turned to XX minutes, that activates the NC relay to be "open" thereby turning the fan off until the timer runs out. Timer and relay mounted in the 4x4 box of course...
 
brenndatomu said:
If you don't find a "proper" one, it would be easy to make. A wind up bathroom fan timer (I just bought a new one on fleabay for $15) a NC relay with 120v coil, and a 4x4 electrical box. Wire the relay inline to the blower so that when the timer is turned to XX minutes, that activates the NC relay to be "open" thereby turning the fan off until the timer runs out. Timer and relay mounted in the 4x4 box of course...
Click to expand...
I appreciate your note and I do electric work around the house. What is an NC relay? I will Google that and see if I can piece together what you are telling me......this sounds like what I need..thank you!
 
The reason features like this and other timed delay dampers, primary air, etc. are not oft standard is cost. There have been members here that are way more electronics savvy than I that have created some really impressive "auto pilot" stove features but if I recall they were pricy.

If you are really techi you could create something that has wifi capabilities and could be controlled with your phone - or at least provide some temp info as to what is going on while you are away.
 
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Prolly wouldn't be that hard to make one as brenndatomu says.

We have an I3100 and frankly I hardly ever turn the fan off - it's on low setting 24X7 and no smoke issues on reloads.

If you're getting smoke on reloads you may be doing one of:
1) reloading too early - let the coals get good and burnt
2) using less than seasoned wood - it tends to smoke a little more on start up
3) leaving the door open too long? I know it's great to look at the masterpiece of a load you just made in there, but get the wood in and close the door. Admire your handiwork through the glass ;)

I wouldn't bother with any switch - just leave it running.
 
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Z33 said:
Normally closed. which would complete the circuit and allow the fan to run.
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Yup, NC is "normally closed". NO is "normally open" meaning the state of the contacts when the component is "off", or as some put it, the state it would be in when it is in the box sitting on the shelf. It is really common for relays to have a set of both NC and NO contacts, so you can just use the one(s) you need
 
KB007 said:
Prolly wouldn't be that hard to make one as brenndatomu says.

We have an I3100 and frankly I hardly ever turn the fan off - it's on low setting 24X7 and no smoke issues on reloads.

If you're getting smoke on reloads you may be doing one of:
1) reloading too early - let the coals get good and burnt
2) using less than seasoned wood - it tends to smoke a little more on start up
3) leaving the door open too long? I know it's great to look at the masterpiece of a load you just made in there, but get the wood in and close the door. Admire your handiwork through the glass ;)

I wouldn't bother with any switch - just leave it running.
Click to expand...
Probably reloading too early.......thanks
 
begreen said:
Turning off the fan stops creating a negative pressure zone over the door that could draw smoke and ash into the room.
Click to expand...

In theory maybe.....or, perhaps in some instances? I set my fan switch to 'auto' and never, ever touch it. I let the stove dictate when it feels it's warm enough to throw heat or not. I have no issue at all with blower running upon reload with door open or cracked.

Now, with the blower fan on high, maybe there would be an issue. However, my fan is always on the lowest setting.
 
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