My CB E-Classic had a violent explosion on New Years Eve.
Not the water jacket but within the forced air system. The night was cold, VERY windy and I have a large demand on my system. I first opened the firebox door and found the chamber to be about half full of burning wood. I left the door open for 4 or 5 minutes while filling wheelbarrow and then stove. By now fire is roaring from the wind. As I closed the door the unit blower shut off on temp (mine is set for a high of 185). Re-thinking the situation I decided that I could most likely get a few more sticks of wood into the stove and reopened the door to feed more in, having first opened the chimney bypass door. Being accustomed to some burning gas blow back I stood back and waited for the now partially smothered fire to re-kindle before I stuck my face any closer. After waiting about 45 seconds and watching the wind fan the coals and the chunks of wood I was startled by a loud and sudden explosion. The small panel that covers the sheet metal box housing the fan and intake ducts had blown off and sheared the clips that hold it in place. Both back doors had blown free and landed against the wood pile. The sheet metal had some distortion but I have been able to re-bend it.
CB did not wish to speak to me about the issue but referred me instead to my dealer. He tells me that in his conversation with them they have had some reports of this and that all conditions must have been just right.
My best guess is that the wind forced heated gas back into the blower box. (I had been using two paper clips to hold the primary air open about a 1/4 inch). Once the air fuel ratio was ideal an explosion resulted. This boom was loud and violent, more than you would get from two or three M-80 firecrackers.
Boiler is still functioning properly but I have a new respect for windy conditions.
Anyone else with such troubles?
Not the water jacket but within the forced air system. The night was cold, VERY windy and I have a large demand on my system. I first opened the firebox door and found the chamber to be about half full of burning wood. I left the door open for 4 or 5 minutes while filling wheelbarrow and then stove. By now fire is roaring from the wind. As I closed the door the unit blower shut off on temp (mine is set for a high of 185). Re-thinking the situation I decided that I could most likely get a few more sticks of wood into the stove and reopened the door to feed more in, having first opened the chimney bypass door. Being accustomed to some burning gas blow back I stood back and waited for the now partially smothered fire to re-kindle before I stuck my face any closer. After waiting about 45 seconds and watching the wind fan the coals and the chunks of wood I was startled by a loud and sudden explosion. The small panel that covers the sheet metal box housing the fan and intake ducts had blown off and sheared the clips that hold it in place. Both back doors had blown free and landed against the wood pile. The sheet metal had some distortion but I have been able to re-bend it.
CB did not wish to speak to me about the issue but referred me instead to my dealer. He tells me that in his conversation with them they have had some reports of this and that all conditions must have been just right.
My best guess is that the wind forced heated gas back into the blower box. (I had been using two paper clips to hold the primary air open about a 1/4 inch). Once the air fuel ratio was ideal an explosion resulted. This boom was loud and violent, more than you would get from two or three M-80 firecrackers.
Boiler is still functioning properly but I have a new respect for windy conditions.
Anyone else with such troubles?
!
