My $25 Lopi Revere (new old stove with some questions)

[drdoct]

Wow!
I think I really scored. There was a 21" 'Revere' stove on Craigslist last night and so I emailed the guy about it. He emailed me back and verified that it was a Lopi Revere and it had a glass door but didnt know anything else about it because it was given to him. He also threw in that he just put $25 on the listing because he wanted to weed out people just calling because everytime he lists something for free he gets lots of inquiries, but that I could just have it. I went to pick it up and another guy was there who didn't know about the free price so I just ponied up the $25 for this awesome insert. It's been left out in the weather and was literally stuck to the mud beneath it. I know what these run for new so I figured I would get it and even if it's just scrap I should be able to get my $25 out of it. Now I've got it back and realize that it's hardly rusted. Yes, I'm going to have to sand it down and spray it with high temp paint before it goes in the house, but everything was there and in working condition. All the firebricks are good except one of the real skinny ones in the back and it's just broken in 2 parts. I blew out the leaves and was somewhat expecting a dead animal or 2, but nope, nothing else. This insert has the brass door and it looks quite nice. I can't get over how tiny it is compared to the silent flame I'm using now (Silent flame is big on the outside but cant handle 15" logs on the inside). I really think this stove will work out great. Pictures to follow when I get the camera to work.

I have a few questions for Revere owners and would appreciate any help:

1. My secondary tubes are a little rusty (like rusted in place) but the holes are there and when I blow air in the bottom it comes out the front 2. I can't find any holes on the back tube. Are there holes and it's just rusted over or turned wrong so I cant see them?

2. I'm going to reline my chimney now that I've got an efficient heater but can't get a 6" liner down. Do y'all think this will be ok with a 5.5" liner?

3. This didn't come with a room blower (the one at the bottom), or a surround. I'm toying with leaving the surround off because I think it will look better without it (I have an arched hearth). Do you think this will heat good enough for my 1200 sqft house or will I have to get some type of blower for it? Do people run these without the blowers?

4. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT I SCORED THIS INSERT FOR $25!! I'm still reeling, seriously.

 

[cd64133]

Sounds like a great score. The scrap metal alone would be more than $25.

 

[yukiginger]

You probably got the steal of the century. I think you should be fine downsizing the liner a little bit, just be sure to get an adapter. Since you don't have the blower why not try it without it and see how it does? A new blower will certainly increase your investment considerably (call a dealer and get a quote)!! You might get more heat off of it anyway since you plan to not use a surround. Just make sure you use a block off plate to seal up your insert from the rest of the chimney.

MarkG

 

[begreen]

Congratulations. Clean that baby up and it sounds like you will have a good heater.

As to the liner, how tall is the chimney and is it interior or exterior?

 

[drdoct]

It's an interior chimney +-15 feet.

blockoff plate will definately be added

 

[JMF1]

Great score drdoct! when you clean that stove up, make sure you get the air control area in the bottom good and clean, an air line works good for this. I have scored a couple Travis industries stoves (one for me and one for my brother) if you call them they will email the manual right to you for free! Thet are great about answering questions also so ask them about the liner downsize. Good luck and keep us posted on how it's working for you.

 

[Campfire]

I have a revere and love it. I would recommend the blower it helps out alot.

 

[madrone]

In the spirit of craigslist, you should build your own blower. Like from a heater blower from a fiesta.

 

[dlastt]

I just bought and installed a revere this year, would of loved to pay what you did. My wife didn't like the looks of the surround so I did not install. It heats great, I have a 3000 sqf home, and it's located in the the main part of the house which is 2000 sqf very open floor plan and it heats that fairly well with the blower. The blower is $250, but it has a great range of speeds, when the dial it close to low you can't even hear it.

 

[drdoct]

Well I went through the insert and sanded and painted and polished the brass door. I went ahead and ordered the 5.5" liner kit from rockford aka chimneylinerinc.com.
I'm hoping it will be good enough with 15 feet. I guess if I have to I can add a rigid extension for about 18" or so. I'm still not sure on using glossy paint because all the imperfections show up compared to the flat. (I did both). I'm sure I'll be looking for how to run it next.

 

[daveswoodhauler]

Holy crap....you got that for $25? (Makes me jealous...but congrats on your find)
Mikes me want to believe that I will someday fnd somethign worthwhile on craigs list.....awesome score.

 

[daveswoodhauler]

Just checked my invoice for the blower....have a Lopi Answer, and it was like $275...you might be ok without one based on your geographic area....Southern GA is pretty mild.
My thought is, since you got the stove for basically free.....try a $10 fan vs the $280 on a blower.

 

[pyro68]

that's a great deal, congrats, blower should run you approx $250 but since the revere is rated for up to 2k sq. ft you may be fine without it. It will enhance the performance of the insert. Very possible the back burn tube is turned the wrong way, there are push pins that hold the tube in place, not uncommon for them to fall out. Local dealer can get them for you. You can access a complete installation and opperating manual at www.lopifire.com.

 

[JMF1]

That'll be the best $25 you ever spent! The stove came out great, enjoy!

 

[madrone]

Manuals available online in PDF form. You'll be happy. I love my Lopi Endeavor.

 

[begreen]

Wow, that's looking great. You've got the deal of the season for sure.

 

[drdoct]

Well I ordered my chimney liner from Rockford or chimneylinersinc.com which you choose to call them by. Got a 5.5" 20' kit on Tuesday. This morning the green fedex van rolled to my business and he might as well been driving a sleigh for out of my eyes, what did I see? But a stainless liner for my chimney. Yay! With free shipping you never know what you are going to get. I really figured that I would get the liner sometime late next week. I'm so happy and pleased. Really! Now all I need is my kaowool that's coming from Tennessee which will be here probably tomorrow. This weekend will be awesome, first getting my old stove sold and out. Then dropping/pulling the liner down and modifying the damper, etc and making a blockoff plate. I probably won't get it all done until mid to late next week, but I'm getting excited! I also got my secondary tubes freed up (they were rusted completely) and figured out that the back one was turned facing up. I took them out and wire brushed them to make them somewhat prettier and check for problems. I've already cut the stove connector around the air damper bypass and it fits great! I've got to pick up a few right angle thingies to screw to the top of the stove to make sure the connector doesn't come out. Wow, it's coming together! I'm going to try to document my install. I'll probably have to get the wife to take the pictures because who wants to stop to snap a photo???? Me, I just wanna burn!

 

[pyro68]

sound like your in business. Congrats again. If you had the burn tubes out you may want to check to make sure the pins are in. each tube has the round ring that slides over one end (usually on the right side) there are holes in those rings that align with a hole (s) in the end of the burn tube, a roll pin should be inserted in that hole to lock the tube in position. Good luck and happy burning!!

 

[drdoct]

yep, got them in. I've got to go get something to hold the last one in because it's the only one missing. I've got to stop by ACE anyway for some Easy Off and to try and find a thermometer.

Thanks