Clayton CF700M

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Had a couple of changes that I thought warranted a further update.

Ash pan knobs might look ok but are poor in function, almost having sharp edges on their sides where you grab, which is not great being that you aren't using these knobs to pull as they were probably designed for, but rather as big thread on nuts to hold ash pan in. Not as pretty, but I found some large knobs at hardware store that are made for a more industrial purpose and are actually designed to be used in a thread-on thread-off fashion. Small detail especially since I'm not sure at this point that the ash pan set up is any easier than just removing ash directly out of fire box with ash shovel....

More importantly, I ran into a bigger issue. The incoming air damper is very crude, using coarse chimney screws as hinges. Using in conjunction with my new bi-metallic thermostat, the door stuck in the open position allowing the furnace to really get hotter than I wanted at the time. My upstairs temp reached 73 degrees, whereas my thermostat shut of my blowers. Not the end of the world, but since the furnace was putting out substantial heat and no blowers were running the air in the two eight inch plentum duct runs was basically collecting stagnant and temps got to over 200 degrees. This cause the duct tape on the two eight inch pipes to start to wrinkle/melt and of course filled the house with more fumes. The installer had used the high heat tin tape I had provided on the first few pipe connections in preparation of possible heat.

So here is my fix thus far. I removed all duct tape on the new duct connectors and replaced it with the high heat tin type. I then removed the stove pipe screws used as hinges and damper door and ever so slightly enlarged the hinge holes in the door. I then replaced the coarse screws with fine thread machine screws so my intermittent sticking problem, I believe, is solved. Then I rewired my blower motors so that both come on with 110 degree snap switch but only one cycles off when I reach my cut off temp at the upstairs thermostat. This keeps a lesser volumn air flow always flowing through the system to keep duct temps happy when the furnace snap switch is reading 110 plus. Once the temp upstairs drops enough the second fan kicks back on to create higher flow. Keep in mind that I'm still am not hooked up to the return trunk of the duct system so I'm just pulling air directly out of the downstairs room and that with only two 500 cfm blowers, that are not really big enough for the sq.ft. I'm using them in, higher flow is not really that high.

This set up is working well so far in low to mid 20 degree outside temps. Since the 2750 sqft. rated furnace is in a 3400 sqft home I'm sure I have less issue then some may have dealing with excessive heat. I am happy to say that I'm able to keep the house a comfortable 69-73 degrees without running the furnace to it's full potential so far.

I believe my next project will be to install a barometric chimney damper since my chimney draft differences are so extreme. Considering keeping the manual chimney damper in the set up as an emergency back up.
 
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Then I rewired my blower motors so that both come on with 110 degree snap switch but only one cycles off when I reach my cut off temp at the upstairs thermostat. This keeps a lesser volumn air flow always flowing through the system to keep duct temps happy when the furnace snap switch is reading 110 plus. Once the temp upstairs drops enough the second fan kicks back on to create higher flow.
Or you could just use a standard Honeywell furnace fan control/limit switch...allows normal tstat control, unless things get too hot, at that point it closes the damper (if wired that way, and its not stuck) and kicks the fan(s) on...and they can be on high, if multi-speed. These are easily adjustable switches too...
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Or you could just use a standard Honeywell furnace fan control/limit switch...allows normal tstat control, unless things get too hot, at that point it closes the damper (if wired that way, and its not stuck) and kicks the fan(s) on...and they can be on high, if multi-speed. These are easily adjustable switches too...
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Thanks but won't work with my set up since my damper is bi-metallic and not electric.
 
Thanks but won't work with my set up since my damper is bi-metallic and not electric.
Ok, but it would still allow normal tstat operation of the blowers...unless things get too hot, then it kicks the blowers on no matter the state of the tstat.
 
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If its real thin, (1/16"- 1/8" plus) search for "ceramic fiber paper" online...its commonly available on Amazon and ebay...also at supply houses for ceramic kilns, steel mills, glass manufacturing, etc, they generally have this stuff in stock, often reasonably priced too. Same for the thicker "ceramic fiber blanket", and also "ceramic fiber board", if there is one used for a baffle...(which would be superior in insulative performance to steel plate/firebricks)
FYI, I removed the ceramic fiber paper behind the bricks on one of my units in the past, in an attempt to get more heat to the house...I put it right back then because it didn't work, and having it out really screwed with the secondary burn too...
I had sent two different messages to the seller and not getting a response finally click on return product with an explanation about the missing blanket. Not a couple hours later received an email appologizing for the delay and stating they had ordered the blanket and it was being shipped to me. Now I just need to find out how it's held in place. Do they just set in place or are they installed with some type of super high temp adhesive?
 
I had sent two different messages to the seller and not getting a response finally click on return product with an explanation about the missing blanket. Not a couple hours later received an email appologizing for the delay and stating they had ordered the blanket and it was being shipped to me. Now I just need to find out how it's held in place. Do they just set in place or are they installed with some type of super high temp adhesive?
On my Drolet Tundra it was just one big sheet cut to fit each side/back...would kinda stand there on its own, but basically just sandwiched in by the firebricks then...no idea on your model though.
 
What is the I.D. of your chimney liner? This may be much of your draft issue. Potentially it's oversize leading to poor draft performance. A insulated stainless flex liner matching the stove outlet should help your draft/smoke roll out issue. Something to consider as you pursue hot-rodding your setup ;)
Finally got around check liner. Best I can tell from the clean out it measuring about 6"x6.5". Did some internet searching and they are quite proud of the flex liners. Looks like the ticket is insulated/smooth at close to 1k.
 
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Finally got around check liner. Best I can tell from the clean out it measuring about 6"x6.5". Did some internet searching and they are quite proud of the flex liners. Looks like the ticket is insulated/smooth at close to 1k.
Hmmmmm.... Time for @bholler to render a opinion if available.
 
Finally got around check liner. Best I can tell from the clean out it measuring about 6"x6.5". Did some internet searching and they are quite proud of the flex liners. Looks like the ticket is insulated/smooth at close to 1k.
I need a bit more info
 
I need a bit more info
Exterior block chimney with 6x6.5 ceramic liner roughly 2.5 stories with 8" connection inside house. Furnace has 6" single wall currently with manual damper. 2800 feet against base of Rockies with crazy sweeps in barometric pressure along with down drafts from mountains. Have manometer and barometric damper ordered.
 
Exterior block chimney with 6x6.5 ceramic liner roughly 2.5 stories with 8" connection inside house. Furnace has 6" single wall currently with manual damper. 2800 feet against base of Rockies with crazy sweeps in barometric pressure along with down drafts from mountains. Have manometer and barometric damper ordered.
An insulated liner will definitely help but it won't work miracles. With those atmospheric conditions you may be fighting it no matter what you do.
 
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So today my bimetallic thermostat showed up! I took the time to install it and I've only had a few hours run time, but it's working like a charm! I just removed the manual adjusting handle which is basically a fancy threaded bolt and replaced it with the regular flare head bolt . Drilled two holes to mount the thermostat itself to the face of the furnace and fabricated small bracket too attached pull chain to. We will see how well it will work when temperatures start to dip again outside. Right now I'm only between 25 degrees and 35 degrees at night.
View attachment 265861

One concern I do have is one of the manuel's I got off the internet showing a breakdown diagram of parts, shows the insulation blanket behind the bricks going the full height of the firebox and in the ceiling as well. I removed my brick for easier moving of the unit and found the blanket only goes up about 2 or 3 in on the sides. Couldn't remove the back or ceiling bricks easily so not sure what's there. Concerned I may need the insulation on the rest of the box as well. Being that this was a refurbished unit there's uncertainty.
Mtstove,
May I ask for your assistance, I bought the same stove for our 2700sq ft home and am having some of the same issues you have had, I’m new to the wood furnace world and love what I see. Where can I find the dial unit on the front of your stove to control the draft vent, I’ve googled it but only find the whole stove. I apologize for being a noob.
Thanks for your time.

Steve
 
Mtstove,
May I ask for your assistance, I bought the same stove for our 2700sq ft home and am having some of the same issues you have had, I’m new to the wood furnace world and love what I see. Where can I find the dial unit on the front of your stove to control the draft vent, I’ve googled it but only find the whole stove. I apologize for being a noob.
Thanks for your time.

Steve
That looks like a DS bimetallic heat regulator, you can get them from Cherry Valley Stoves in PA 440-293-4622 (among other places) I had checked on one for a project a few years back...IIRC it was only $75 back then...(I never bought one then)
 
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That looks like a DS bimetallic heat regulator, you can get them from Cherry Valley Stoves in PA 440-293-4622 (among other places) I had checked on one for a project a few years back...IIRC it was only $75 back then...(I never bought one then)
Thank you for the assistance I’ve got one on the way. If I may ask another noob question, do I need a barometric flue damper or would a manual type work?
 
Thank you for the assistance I’ve got one on the way. If I may ask another noob question, do I need a barometric flue damper or would a manual type work?
Baro would be best for an "automated" furnace...the draft on the firebox changes as the intake opens/closes, so with a manual type pipe damper the draft on the firebox can drop too low in the right (wrong) scenario...
 
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