BIS Tradition/Lennox Montecito Low Airflow!??!?!??!?

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mtnxtreme

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Jan 22, 2007
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I installed a BIS Tradition this summer and we are running it, seeems OK, BUT the warm air coming out seems to be litlle compared to the noise of the double blowers, was wondering if I should have removed the caps for ductwork and it would flow more, does'nt say in the manual wether they should be removed or not when using just the forced air and not ductwork, but of course they need to be removed for the ductwork, also the blower does'nt come on for at least 45 minutes aftre starting a fire due to the thermal switch, does this seem too long, has any one disconnected their' switch and run it manual, and or experienced lengthy turn on time for blower timer ad/or blowers not seeming to blow enough air.?? Heeeelp!
 
1) Do NOT remove the knockouts! This will spill hot air into the combustible chase, which could eventually cause a fire.

2) The air plenum on the BIS Tradition is quite large, which can lead to the perception that the airflow rate is low (try blowing a candle out through a length of garden hose, then through a same-length soda straw: same lungpower, different perception at the far end). If your motors are running, I'm betting you're getting the airflow as advertised.
 
I have a bis-ultima. Don't know how much smaller it is. At any rate if i start a good and hot fire my blowers will come cut-in in 10-15 minutes.

I use very dry wood and burn it hot when I start it up.
 
I have a Montecito, and everything you posted seems normal to me. Except don't remove the knock outs on top. Those are meant only for the vent kit, which is high heat capable, but a fire hazard if improperly used.
 
[quote author="murphyslaw1978" date="1295429067"]I have a Montecito, and everything you posted seems normal to me. Except don't remove the knock outs on top. Those are meant only for the vent kit, which is high heat capable, but a fire hazard if improperly used.[/quote
OK I just was'nt sure if I installed correctly, maybe as posted by the chimney sweep, since the plenum is so large, it's deceiving. How does your's do as far as heating, is it your sole source when running hot and/or 24/7, so basically your's acts the same! And, you're blowers draw from the bottom, and blow out the top grates, like mine? Thats how mine are and I'm assuming thats the logical way, but if wired incorrectly they would blow the opposite way??
 
mtnxtreme said:
murphyslaw1978 said:
I have a Montecito, and everything you posted seems normal to me. Except don't remove the knock outs on top. Those are meant only for the vent kit, which is high heat capable, but a fire hazard if improperly used.[/quote
OK I just was'nt sure if I installed correctly, maybe as posted by the chimney sweep, since the plenum is so large, it's deceiving. How does your's do as far as heating, is it your sole source when running hot and/or 24/7, so basically your's acts the same! And, you're blowers draw from the bottom, and blow out the top grates, like mine? Thats how mine are and I'm assuming thats the logical way, but if wired incorrectly they would blow the opposite way??

Mine heats my living room well enough, and definitely lowers the gas-forced heat cycle times, but it does a poor job of roasting us out of the entire house. Maybe if I run it on full throttle and turn all blowers on High will it heat the whole house, but mine's only a 2.0 cu. ft. box, and it's not designed for heating the whole house. If my gas-forced heater failed, however, I'd be fine.

Yes, my blowers draw from the bottom, and my variable-speed control ranges from barely existent airflow (lowest setting) to noticeable airflow (highest setting), but I'm OK with that. More airflow than what it can do might actually be just as effective only noisier. Natural convection works well anyway. I do not run 24x7, only 2-3 nights a week.
 
I have the Tradition CE and I notice the same problem with mine. If I take the face plate off and run the blowers I can feel that its doing something, but I feel that it's not moving the air well enough that I'm losing heat straight up the chase.

There was one issue with mine originally though that helped it. I found that the insulated that is adhered to the back of the unit was detached at one corner and when the blower came on it would block much of the air. I had to reattach it to the unit and it was better.

Still, I'm trying to think of ways to blow more of the heat off the top of the unit into the room. Did you ever figure anything out with your stove?
 
Montecito here, 35 minutes between ignition and the blower starting. With the dimmer set to full blast the blower is audible and has fairly good volume coming out. Now if I could just quantify "fairly good" for you...
 
Lennox Ladera (aka BIS NOVA). The thermal switch usually kicks on within 15 or 20 mins. Build it hot from the start. Like Mastoo said, with the dimmer set to full you can really hear it ... it's only 130cfm so can't expect much from it. What CFM are the dual blowers in the tradition - I'm guessing dual 130s perhaps? Like the old adage goes ... quality not quantity I suppose. Standard disclaimers apply i.e. you using good wood ??

Like Tom said, do not remove the knockouts under any circumstances other than what they're designed to be used for.
 
I installed the BIS Tradition also this summer. I plan on doing a posting with pictures of the install along with my wood supply and all that good stuff, but haven't found the time. I replaced a useless pre fab fireplace with the BIS Tradition to supplement the house with heat, not 24/7. After talking to some dealers and hearing all good things I made the purchase. So far I'm happy with it, but not head over heels crazy about it. It puts off decent heat, but i was expecting more. The burn times are not the 8 hrs it claims. The best so far is about 6hrs and at that point its not putting off any heat, Just enough coals to get some small splits going again. I have a 2 story 2000sq ft house. With 30 degrees outside, the room the unit in gets to 76 the rest of the first floor gets to 70 and the 2nd floor gets to 68. The wood I'm using is a mixture of oaks and maple that have been split and stacked for 3 yrs. The blower seems to work good, although you don't feel it blowing out that strong. Anyone with this unit getting better results?
 
Had my BIS tradition installed for about a month now. Have to say I am impressed with some issues.

House is 3500 sqft, open plan, and vaulted ceiling in most rooms. From cold it will take maybe 5 hours to warm up the house to around 70 so I've learned to keep it running all the time. With half dozen logs and both dampers fully closed I can maintain 70 degs in all rooms (hotter in the room with the BIS) for 6-8hrs. I can get over 75 around the house with the damper opened. It's real easy to over-fire, just running the left damper half open generates an uncomfortable level of heat. The whole marble surround gets way to hot to touch... Blowers hit or miss, comes on when hot but turns off when even hotter. In contrast the fan will still be going the next morning when it's cooled down?? The fan is too loud at max speed and doesn't provide a detectable difference in airflow from the top grills. Having said that I run it half speed to in an attempt to keep the surround from getting too hot. still fairly new to me but we certainly aren't cold anymore :)

pm me if you like for specifics
 

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