Enviro Mini A Install Help

[Brian L]

Hi All,

I am new to this forum and to pellet stoves and I need some advice.

I purchased a new Enviro mini A and need to install it on an inside wall. Once I go through the inside wall the vent will pass under a stairwell which will be a 4 foot run not including passing through the outside wall. So I should have about a 5 ft total horizontal run to a cleanout T (probably a double cleanout so I can clean that run easily). Then I will have a vertical rise outside the house as recommended. and finish it with a 90 and the termination cap.

So my questions:
-Should the vertical height be greater than my horizontal run?
-If I assume a 5ft vertical my EVL would be 17.5 which looks like I would need to go 4" vent, correct?
-What is the best place to switch from 3" to 4"? Should it be as clos to tthe stove as possible or would it be sufficient to use a 3" to 4" cleanout T outside?
-I read that on a horizontal run you should have a 1/4" per foot rise in the pipe. How does that work? In my case would I just drill my outside hole 1" higher than my inside and lift the pipe to that hole? Any concerns with the fit though the thimble with the pipe at an angle?
-Lastly the outside wall had a baseboard heat section that runs but since it is under the stairs does not do much. My pellet vent would come very close this this and the thimble would fit without cutting. Is it OK to cut the thimble to fit? Other options are to cut the baseboard cover but leave water pipe there (not terribly hard and cosmetics not a concern) or have a plumber remove the secion of baseboard (least favorable/costly).

I thought about having an installer do the work but i am very handy and really enjoy doing these things in order to gain more knowledge about how things work. But I also understand the inherent risks of playing with fire and want to make sure everything is safe. No matter which way i go i will be pulling a permit and having the appropriate inspections.

I appreciate any and all advice.

Thanks!

 

[MountainSean]

To answer your questions one by one:

-Doesn't matter if your vertical is higher or not
-By EVL calculations you would want to go with 4"
-Right at the stove connection is where you want to go to 4" at
-Just a straight run without a rise should be sufficient since it is a short length. (in my opinion others may vary)
-Do not cut the thimble. If possible the best solution is to remove the baseboard but as long as you retain clearances to combustibles (1 or 3 inches for most pellet venting) then you would be ok.

Nothing wrong with doing the work yourself as long as you research and do it right which it looks like you are doing.

 

[Easternshore Bob]

Thats my Enviro mini install almost to the T. Through inside wall, under staircase and out the outside wall of the house.

I exit the stove go through a clean out T and up 2 feet then 90 and horizontal 5 foot piece across the basement staircase and out the side of the house and end there.

My install is with 3" pipe and should probably change over to 4". I do have to clean the pipe once a month and the 4" would help with that. I hookup a vac to the T inside and run a cleaning brush (lint buster) through with the cordless drill.

With the long horizontal run you will need a way to clean it well, I get a lot of ash laying in it.

I had some pics last year, you may be able to search for them.

Bob

 

[imacman]

The double cleanout T is a good idea, as you'll be spending time cleaning that horizontal run. It will build-up with ash faster than you think.

Oh, and if I were you, I'd add some rise to it...at least 1/4"/per horizontal foot.

 

[Brian L]

Thanks for all the help so far. I will go 4" right from the stove. I'd like to put the 1/4" rise but I'm trying to grasp how this is accomplished. Is there enough room in the thimble to just lift the pipe or does the pipe need to be bent somehow?

As for the baseboard clearance I just measured and if I just clip the top cap on the baseboard I will have about 1 1/2" clearance between the fins and the bottom of the thimble. I feel like that would be ok as you won't see it under the stairs.

Bob, I'd love to see pics if you find them. I'm happy to hear you've had success with a very similar install.

 

[Easternshore Bob]

No bending the pipe.

Lay out the horizontal pipe on the floor with the wall thimble at each end however far apart you need them, then block up one end to your rise and see how it handles it. I think you will be fine but may need to grind alittle off the top or bottom of the pass through hole.

I used one thimble on my install, inside plate inside wall and out side on exterior of house with no plates with in the stair case. I dont remember putting any rise on mine.

If you use 2 complete thimbles you may have a problem getting the rise or have to do some grinding.

I used a solid 5 foot section on my horizontal run so the rain cap stands away from the house to far to run a vert section up the outside of the house. A pro would probably say its all wrong but works for me. Access to clean the horizontal section is essential.

Will take some pics and post up this ev.

Bob

 

[Brian L]

So I picked up a 5' pelletvent pro pipe and 2 thimbles. Raising the pipe 1" or so on one end seems to be fine as there is some room where the pipe passes through the thimble.

What is used used to fill in the gap between pipe and thimble? Is it just a hi temp RTV sealant that is black?

 

[Brian L]

We'll I'm through the first wall. Of course the studs are in the way on both walls. I love the look of this stove though.

 

[bollyRZ500]

Brian L, that's a neat ;lookin install sofar But I wonder how that corner will direct the heat???

I got a Mini-A installed last year and hated every minute payin for it and the install but man I love that stove! LOL

 

[Brian L]

So the install is complete and I'm trying to run the stove for the first time. I put a bunch of pellets in the hopper and I small handful in the burn pot. Turned the unit on and I hear the auger running on and off. The fire starts but no pellets ever dropped.

I re read the manual and it doesn't lookalike I'm missing any steps. I guess I will empty the hopper and see if the auger is actually spinning.

Any ideas?

 

[MountainSean]

Just what you already suggested. See if the auger shaft is actually turning. Sometimes the set screw on the auger motor to the shaft gets loose.

 

[Brian L]

Looking pretty good now. The auger was spinning fine. Just needed a little patience. Starting spitting pellets out slow. It's doing better now but fire was almost burning out. I adjusted the feed rate and all is good now.

Time to have someone come put a meter on this thing to get it dialed in.

Thanks for all the help so far.

 

[bollyRZ500]

Brian L, mine works real good with 1" of damper rod showing.... flame is slightly bowtorchish and the burnt pellets kinda vibrate around in the bottom of the burn pot... hows your heat??

 

[Easternshore Bob]

Takes awhile to fill the auger to fill.

 

[Brian L]

I have about 1" showing as we'll not including the knob. Like you said the pellets are dancing a little in the tray. On high heat setting the fire is nice and throwing a lot of heat.

On medium the flame is pretty low sometimes and others it looks good. This is my first pellet stove so I'm thinking that is normal.