Garn 1500 Damper Failure and Boiler Placement Suggestion

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eauzonedan

Member
Jan 21, 2011
105
Bayfield Co. Wi
I've been running the 1500 (Hor discharge, with a damper, tee, and 15' vertical flue) since Sept without incident. I had a situation today that I wanted to share. I have a dedicated boiler building with two separately insulated rooms connected by an inside door - one 10x20 for the boiler and one 10x20 for wood storage. I just topped up the wood storage area and I raised the humidity level in the entire building due to some snow and frost on the wood. When it drops below zero I tend to get a layer of frost on the Garn intake pipe, but not as much as last night due to the increased moisture in the building. I only have to do a single fire down to about zero, but last night it was about -15 so I ended up with an extra burn this morning. When firing the beast tonight the fan wouldn't kick and I had a damper failure error on the screen. The damper is located near the outside wall and was frozen up tight. With just a single burn I may have had time to melt things back there, but I've got a double layer or Roxol on everything so the building only stays about 55 when it's below zero and not much more.............. The good news is that I left 3 feet behind the boiler to allow access back there. The second good news is that Heaterman gave me the suggestion to drop a couple electric baseboards in the boiler room in case I went away and wanted some freeze protection out there. Here is the heads up..... If you're planning a layout and use a damper if going with a vertical discharge...........leave room back there to get at stuff ........that, plus the baseboard heater back there made an ugly thing a piece of cake. Thanks Steve!!
Dan
 
I second your advise on room behind the unit for service. I left 24" behind my WHS200 and wish I had left double that.
 
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Thanks for the Heads up Dan,
I've only installed the one with the damper, and hadn't thought about that. glad to know and plan for next time.
I am impressed that you're able to go one burn per day with both buildings.
Karl
 
Follow up
I just discovered the newest Garn manuals on line and dated Jan 2015 address this problem. A rigid foam box is now recommended around the damper. I must not be the first guy to freeze one up. If you have not viewed the manual in a while as its a pretty general update and nicely done
 
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