16.5 hours, 700 miles, and 7 tons of steel + parts

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
EForest

EForest

Member
Hearth Supporter
Dec 8, 2007
173
North Central CT. (on the border)
Smangold and I made the trip to Dundee yesterday to pick up our boilers and some additional propane storage for my system.
Scott might agree with me that the best way to describe a Switzer Hybrid Boiler is WOW WOW WOW. If Gary wasn't so dedicated to his religious beliefs I would swear his primary faith was in his boilers. He lives and breaths to help people heat with wood in the most efficient manner possible. I look forward to sharing my install and burn pics soon but it may be a few weeks before she's up and running. Mine will be installed in my basement after I remove my existing boiler and water heater. This must be strategically planned to maintain the WAF. I won't bore you with the details because I've not changed anything since previous post. Scott has another plan I suspect he'll share.
 
Just checking in before bed tonite. I 'm still to tired for much of a post.I have some work ahead, but am totally convinced I made the right decision. If a person saw his minature (1/10 scale)? fuctional boiler firing, the decision would be easy for them also.
 
Looking forward to install pics...
 
How did you haul 7 tons.Please share your experience if possible with pics.In near future I will have to haul my boiler so it will be helpful.

Thanks and good luck.
 
Two guys, two boilers, two trucks, two trailers, and a lot of fuel.
Gary will deliver and install for a reasonable price.
 
When you get a chance how about some pics. Since he dosent have a website I would like to see what this unit looks like compared to the garn.
 
I'm slammed with work this week but will try and get some daytime photos the next day or so.
It's very impressive!
 
I sent gary my deposit for my 1250 model for my basement install yesterday,good thing because steel is going up again will keep in touch
 
I spoke with Gary today about the rising cost of steel. Lucky for all of us here that sent in a deposit we won't have to pay the increase. He Just raised the price of a 1050 $700 due to the latest steel increase. His normal supply for the year was allocated for boilers sold this past month due to this forum. this was totally unexpected for Gary. His supplier suggested that the price or steel will double in the next year! I hope this economy takes a turn soon to help the average guy and stop feeding the oil man. Sorry about the delay in posting pics, I've been working round the clock lately. Awesome pics will soon follow.
 
Looking foward to pics! You may have posted this already but what does this unit cost?
 
I had pretty much decided to go with the 1050 Switzer, but what clinched it was talking with Gary. He is amazing!! I have the names of three people to visit in NY & VT that have his units. One was put in service in 1984 and is still going strong! My wife and I go to Geneva (near Dundee) a few times a year and I am looking forward to visiting his place.

I am anxiously awaiting pictures of your and Smangold's units, before, during and after the installs.

Good luck,
Gary
 
I had to fire the switzer today for the 4th time. It's been 9 days since my last burn.
I was able to raise 3000 gal from 110* to 190* in three hours! Mostly construction debris was burned today.
You can keep your hand on the flue pipe during most of the burn. The highest flue temp was 330*.
I'm guessing 80% + efficiency. TCaldwell was here for the last burn with a combustion analyzer set to wood mode and confirmed this. I expect with time I'll get better efficiency. DHW for a family of 4 with a couple of wheel barrel loads of scrap lumber every week or so is heaven. last year I burned a gallon or more of oil every day for hot water. Maybe by winter I'll be as keen to the ways of my boiler like Gary himself. :coolsmile:
 
That is amazing performance!!! It takes me about 8 hours to raise 700 gallons to 190* Do you have any pics yet??
 
That is impressive pictures would be nice but I want to see and hear that baby roar.
 
I made a video of parts of the burn yesterday. I'll try and download it to YouTube this morning.
I haven't watched it yet so don't expect quality camera work. Next week I'll get my bro to hold the camera.
 
How many wheel-barrels of wood do you think you used?
 
one barrel of splits, two of scrap plywood and lumber, and an armful of unmentionables :red:
the unmentionables caused some dark smoke for a minute or so and then back to a clean burn.
I'm not going to burn any more junk. I worry about the toxins my kids and the neighbors will breath in.
I read here that milk jugs and food packaging is clean burning so I dipped into the recycling bin.
Next week I'm plan to burn dry splits only and post the results.
 
I think the big difference is your unit and a Garn style unit burn and dump the BTU much quicker. Not necessarily burn less wood but get the job done much faster. Please post data on #'s used and dryness of wood.

Thanks!!
 
Come on SWITZERS lets have some pictures or video.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

EForest
  • Locked
Switzer's custom woodburning system
Replies
20
Views
7K
The Boiler Room - Wood Boilers and Furnaces
Happy
H
Top Bottom