M55-FS: My installation summary w/ pics, including pellet restrictor plate, new convection blower a

[Benski]

So here are a few more details about my installation.

The stove is installed in my basement which I dug myself over the last 5 years on a part time basis. A picture shows the initial install in 2009 when I installed the stove initially to protect the construction zone from freezing, I had no insulation at all at this time

And I loved it. So we completed the works and kept the stove, final picture shows result.

I repost some pictures about the new convection blower installed this week (under warranty) and the restrictor plate also done this week, including pictures or related docs send with the plate package.

Last night, I completed the mag test after I managed to get a Mag gauge (mechanical type).

I have to add here that from the floor level in my basement, the ground level outside is about at 6ft. Then, when I measure the chimney outside, it measures 32ft from ground level to the tip of the chimney. It's a masonry (brick) type of chimney in which I installed a 4 in stainless steel liner. In all there are 4 elbows: 3 - 90deg and 1-45 deg.

Having said that, I did the mag test routine: clean stove, leave damper slider in original position (ie. wide open), lit stove, let burn at setting #5 for 1 hr and took readings. I was at 0,27-0,28 in H2O

So I played with the damper to finally end up with damper plate completely closed: I am now at 0,17 even with combustion air trim set at 1.

I think the long rise is probably creating a strong suction into the stove?

Anyhow, I can now see that I moved away from a brisk flame pattern to a quieter flame that fills the stove nicely. I think I will throw far less heat through the stack in the future. I am very happy with all the tuning done recently!

Thank you to the contributors of this forum who helped me a lot with diagnosing my problems and improving my installation.

 

[Wachusett]

Looking good Benski.

A couple of questions. I have the same stove with the older blower and no auger cover.
Do you notice a difference with the new blower and or the auger cover?
Did have any problems with the stove to require replacing these?

I just replaced the blower under warranty, they sent me the old style. wondering if there is a difference.
I have never had an issue with the auger feed, no over-fires and I have run it on 4 & 5 for stretches.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[DexterDay]

Wow..... What a change... Beautiful stove. Beautiful room.

Looking at getting the M-55 steel this Spring. What a Monster of a stove..

Congratulations on the "Extreme Makeover" ;-P

 

[jtakeman]

Nice job benski, All the hard work paid off!

Good to see you again.

 

[Eatonpcat]

Nice!

 

[Benski]

Do you notice a difference with the new blower and or the auger cover?

Auger cover: it is installed, but it is positionned just like the original cover. So no choking yet.

New blower: it definitely pushes more air than the original, even when it was brand new. Diffcult to say by how much, but I'd guess 30%.

Did have any problems with the stove to require replacing these?

Yes, the convection blower failed on 31 december. I managed to revive it by prying the motor straight with the turbine axis, this prevented the end-play movements of the blower turbine and allowed it to rotate. But it was not putting out enough flow to allow the stove to work continuously on 4 nor on 5. It was continuously noisy (grinding noise)... not good!

Now, I have the new blower combined with Super Premium pellets (100% hardwood) that are really burning well. These pellets are also shorter in length.

I thought those pellets would automatically create overheating of the stove and a code #4 flashing light. But because of the added air flow, it has not happened yet. But hey, there is a major increase in heat output.

So now, I'm waiting for colder wheather!

 

[flynfrfun]

Benski,
I doubt if you will ever need to lower the auger cover now that you have the new blower. I also felt that I was getting more heat out of the stove with the new blower. I realize smaller blower equals higher temps coming out of the stove at a reduced volume. Big blower equals lower temps at high volume. I suppose there must be a sweet spot as far as how much CFM is a good tradeoff. Going by the seat of my pants, it sure feels like the stove heats better with the new blower though...

 

[vinny11950]

Nice job, Benski, all around. I am really impressed by digging out the basement!!

Question on one of the pictures. The control board picture on the right side, shows a white tubular canister connected to the Outside Air intake duct. And it has wire connections to something. What is that?

I don't have it on mine.

Thanks.

Vinny

 

[Benski]

Nice job, Benski, all around. I am really impressed by digging out the basement!!

Question on one of the pictures. The control board picture on the right side, shows a white tubular canister connected to the Outside Air intake duct. And it has wire connections to something. What is that?

I don't have it on mine.

Thanks.

Vinny

Sounds like you were looking at the capacitor that comes with the new convection blower.

See picture attached.

Bye

 

[Benski]

Benski,
I doubt if you will ever need to lower the auger cover now that you have the new blower. I also felt that I was getting more heat out of the stove with the new blower. I realize smaller blower equals higher temps coming out of the stove at a reduced volume. Big blower equals lower temps at high volume. I suppose there must be a sweet spot as far as how much CFM is a good tradeoff. Going by the seat of my pants, it sure feels like the stove heats better with the new blower though...

I agree with all the above.

What I realize now is that I get the heat output I used to have at one setting lower, ie. I often run now at settings 2-3 when I used to be at 3-4 in similar wheater conditions.

This is mostly due, I think, to the smaller pellets which feed more lbs/hr than my previous brand of pellets.

But I also doubt that I will need to cover the auger with the new blower.

Bye

 

[Benski]

Benski,
I doubt if you will ever need to lower the auger cover now that you have the new blower. I also felt that I was getting more heat out of the stove with the new blower. I realize smaller blower equals higher temps coming out of the stove at a reduced volume. Big blower equals lower temps at high volume. I suppose there must be a sweet spot as far as how much CFM is a good tradeoff. Going by the seat of my pants, it sure feels like the stove heats better with the new blower though...

I lowered the auger cover today, now aligned with the 2nd hole in the cover plate). I think when I was set at #3 I was getting a pellet flow that should have been for a setting 4 or even 5. So I am lacking air ( I noticed today that some black soot shows on the refractory rear plate).

I think I am now back with the nominal pellet flow rate and I am very satisfied with the heat output.

Bye

 

[flynfrfun]

I figure that with the auger fully exposed, it will get hotter which only means less time before the stove goes back to level 1 when the stat is satisfied (I'm in hi/low). I usually adjust for varying pellet size by increasing or decreasing the feed rate. This way there is no playing around with the auger cover. Mine doesn't have the adjustable cover anyways. It's working for me. I like feeling nice HOT air coming out of the stove when it's on 3 or above.