fire_man said:
Hey Terry: I was just about to PM you to see what in the heck was going on with your Progress install? Sounds like you are ready to fire it up, just waiting for cooler weather? I know some of us are really interested to hear how the BMF heats your big Texas style house. I have been thrilled so far with our Progress - heats much better and longer than the FV.
I thought your very hot stove temps had more to do with your ancient wood, and not the draft? Let us know when you fire up that puppy!
Thanks for asking. Actually, I got it all set up and checked it over about 9 times to make sure nothing was forgotten. Then I read the manual another time or two--found out that the manual says to engage the cat by turning the handle counter clockwise, when it's really clockwise AND that the fall-a-way handle does not fit the T on the cat handle. Then, after calling Ron to make sure I didn't mess up anything and to discuss the just mentioned items, I pulled the sheet metal out and removed the cat to have a look at it and take a photo or two. Then, after one more pre-flight, at 1323 (Sat.), I set first fire. Since it was somewhat cool, I brought it up really slowly and ran it for a few hours at around 300, burning the coals all down to ash, but not really a cold stove (I could put and leave my hand on the top as long as desired.) Then, since it was night and going to be pretty cool out, I re-started it with a half load, brought it up to about 400 (top thermometer reading), opened the cat, adjusted the air and hit the rack, getting up a couple of times to check on it. Great room temp went to 82 and stayed there until around 0430.
Next morning at 0745 the temp was still 76 so I turned on the central unit fan to spread some of the warm around. So, it did pretty well on half a load. Course it wasn't but low 30s out, so it wasn't much of a test.
Last night I restarted, brought it to 400, opened the cat, cut the air, got the slow blue flames trimmed in yellow about 5 inches above wood and went to shower. Came back to no flame, so adjusted air open a teeney bit a couple of times. Went across room to sit and observe when gasses ignited and scared the heck out of me. Lifted the top stone about an inch and made a loud noise, but got flame back. Adjusted again, went to bed. Temp was 80 at 0530 and only coals, with stove still just below cat range. Disengaged cat, opened air all the way and went to work.
That's pretty much it so far. Now that I've got the explosion out of the way on this one (had one on FV, too!), I guess we're good to go. We're scheduled for much colder weather tomorrow through Thursday, so the real test is yet to come. This coming system isn't very cold though--low's in the low 20s to low 30s at our place with highs in low 40s. So, nothing too demanding yet.
Have not used the damper yet. Had 60+ mph winds Sunday (with dirt), so probably should have. Our chimney draws like a shop vac. Plan to get ops down with no damper then move to damper testing for effect. Our "ancient" wood (you're correct on that count) and strong draft make for much hot, real quick, so have to be careful to not overload/overfire.
Yesterday it got so warm that Lynda put on skimpy summer clothes, so there IS a big upside to higher heat! (We normally live at 60-65.) So, it sure is looking like testing will involve higher temps until further notice--if you get my draft, er, uh drift!
Sometimes winter scenery is the best.
More to come . . . ! Have you posted any pics on yours?
