My Windhager BioWin 100/150 Install Thread

[velvetfoot]

Hey, I just saw Dana B's install thread. Looks like his was installed one day and running the next! Hah! It'll take months for me. I still thought I'd start memorializing my project now. Maybe it'll prompt me to take progress photos. I hope I'm not jinxing it though.

I put a down payment on this demo unit:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...t-boiler-52-000-btu-hr-showroom-model.117934/
Nice that it has the vacuum unit, and saved a few bucks.

While probably not initially doing bulk pellet storage, I'm pretty sure I will. Nice project, labor savings. Bulk deliverers are starting to serve this area.

Initially thinking gasifier, I had 11 sections of 8" Duratech chimney pipe installed in the existing exterior chase. Now, when he comes back to finish the job installing the chase cover, the chimney guy will be installing an insulated Simpson Duraflex Pro liner. This'll turn out to be the world's most expensive pellet vent! Probably not, but still. I can definitely recommend the installer though, Actual Chimney Specialists; they installed that 8" insulated chimney without removing any siding-did the work from inside the chase!

That's about it for now. Still at least a foot of snow on the ground down to the basement door. Next post in a month.

 

[maple1]

Is that your FINAL decision?

 

[velvetfoot]

I put a down payment on this demo unit:

I sure as heck hope so!

 

[NE WOOD BURNER]

I was trying to dent his show model this past weekend, but he had eagle eyes on that one! She folds a mean star from construction paper.

 

[PassionForFire&Water]

I was trying to dent his show model this past weekend, but he had eagle eyes on that one! She folds a mean star from construction paper.

Yes, watch out for those Ninja Stars .... .
show turned out to be great after a slow start on Friday!

 

[DBNH22]

Hey, I just saw Dana B's install thread. Looks like his was installed one day and running the next! Hah! It'll take months for me. I still thought I'd start memorializing my project now. Maybe it'll prompt me to take progress photos. I hope I'm not jinxing it though.

Are you doing your install yourself?

My install only took two days and it was up and running but the legwork/homework prior to that actually took quite a bit of time. i had to have a SS liner dropped down one of the flues in my chimney. Finding the right guy to do that and have it done took a few weeks. Then I had to find a decent plumber who was going to do a quality job without screwing me on the price. I had to call at least 15 - 20 different plumber sin my area and there were quite a few jokers out there. The plumber I settled on and had do the job turned out to be a great plumber and I got the job done at a very reasonable price. Marc met the plumber during the install/commissioning and commented on how knowledgeable he was and that I had picked the right guy to do the job. My install was the first Biowin he did but I'm pretty sure he's done a few more since mine. It's too bad you don't live in NH because I'd give you his name.

Anyhow it's looking like the heating season might be wrapping up in the next 2-3 weeks (finally.) I'm at slightly under 5 tons burned in a 2400 square foot home so I'll probably end up burning about 5.5 tons give or take a few bags. I have a spreadsheet I created of my oil use for the past five years and I will probably save somewhere between 35 - 50% over oil this year, most likely somewhere in the middle of that range but I'll know for sure when I'm done heating.

 

[velvetfoot]

I'm doing it myself. I'm retiring in May and I'm telling my wife this is my hobby. As long as there aren't any extended outages....

This winter has been pretty darn cold so 5.5 tons might be a worst case scenario for you. Whatever, you still would have to normalize your previous years' consumption for the severity. May I ask if that's all you use to heat your house?

 

[DBNH22]

I'm doing it myself. I'm retiring in May and I'm telling my wife this is my hobby. As long as there aren't any extended outages....

This winter has been pretty darn cold so 5.5 tons might be a worst case scenario for you. Whatever, you still would have to normalize your previous years' consumption for the severity. May I ask if that's all you use to heat your house?

Yeah, I'm thinking that having six tons on my basement floor come October 1st in the coming years should serve me well as I don't expect to see another winter quite as long and cold as this one was in quite some time. I have an oil boiler that's only 12 years old (age of the home) that I left in pace. I left it in place both as a redundant heating appliance in the event that something happens with the pellet boiler and also for the fact that if I ever sell the home I don't want potential buyers to be scared away by only having the option of a manual feed (I bag feed mine) pellet boiler for heating.

Are you pretty handy when it comes to plumbing? When I purchased my boiler Marc asked me if I was going to do the install myself but I never even considered it for a minute. I am a network engineer and plumbing/installing boilers just isn't the world I live in so I knew better. i really did luck out with the guy I had do it though.

 

[velvetfoot]

You turn off your propane boiler when you don't need it or does the propane boiler come on automatically when the pellets run out?

I'm fairly handy when it comes to plumbing. Maybe not so much with design, but my mechanical engineering degree would indicate that I at least have an interest in things mechanical.

How do you find manually feeding the hopper? I understand it can hold 8 bags. Do you have to use a step stool to make it easier?

 

[velvetfoot]

Well, the chimney guy just now completed the job. I took pictures of the nice stainless chase cover, but wouldn't you know, I didn't have a memory card in the camera. Anyway below is a picture of the final product. It was my concept to have the heights graduated because of smoky oder from downdraft in the flues and prevailing winds. The tall one is the 8" chimney with a 6" insulated liner for the pellet boiler. The middle one is for the wood fireplace insert and what is seen is a single wall stainless extension of the 6" liner (was going to be a lot more to possibly match the air cooled-hoping creosote won't be an issue), and then the oil stack. As I said, world's most expensive pellet vent.

 

[chken]

I like the staggered heights.

 

[velvetfoot]

I like the staggered heights.

Thanks. Like I said, the tallest one is pointing into the prevailing winds, so I'm hoping no smoke impingement.

You can see the edge of the stainless chase cover in that picture.

 

[velvetfoot]

The storage bag, fill kit, 15' of conductive hose, and clamps came in. People put them on concrete blocks and plywood, but they say it's okay to put it directly on concrete, so I'm thinking I'll glue three 2" xps foam boards together and trim it to a 6' diameter circle, (or keep it square), as a base that might discourage condensation. I can't put any pellets in until the vacuum pickups arrive, and I'm not sure when is a good time to buy bulk pellets anyway-I'm thinking fall, but I really have no idea
I did see some 4" conduit hangers at HD yesterday, so I may pick up several of those nd see how they fit. They might also fit on whatever pipe I use for the radon removal.

 

[chken]

The foam sounds like a good idea.

 

[sinnian]

Anything some with the kit to prevent static?

 

[velvetfoot]

Anything some with the kit to prevent static?

The hose is conductive. I didn't take a good look at it, but the Windhager install manual says that for its vacuum transfer system, to expose some of the wire and bend it inside pipe and then hook up to equipment. The kit I got had no directions like that. I assume it has a wire, but it may not. It's hard to find out a lot of info on that. Maybe I'll call them.

 

[velvetfoot]

I installed a couple of EcoCirc Vario circulators today.
Now I have to dial them in.

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/ordered-a-couple-varios.127093/

I have the first floor set on 2 and the second on 3, which seems to work.

 

[velvetfoot]

Removed piping from oil tank yesterday. Went quick-teflon tape had been used. Still, was the first time I ever had to crank hard on a three foot long pipe wrench!

 

[Don2222]

The hose is conductive. I didn't take a good look at it, but the Windhager install manual says that for its vacuum transfer system, to expose some of the wire and bend it inside pipe and then hook up to equipment. The kit I got had no directions like that. I assume it has a wire, but it may not. It's hard to find out a lot of info on that. Maybe I'll call them.

Does the vacuum transfer hose have a wire along the inside? I believe that is for the ground. You do not want any sparks to ignite the pellets while they are being blown in!

 

[velvetfoot]

Don, thanks for reminding me. I should follow up on my own posts. I went downstairs and took a look. I could see no wire. The hose seems to be very heavy rubber with a smooth inside and a reinforcing coil of a plastic of some sort. NOTHING is conductive, according to my multimeter. I got the kit from Maine Energy Systems, so they should know what they're doing. I'll give them a call.

 

[Don2222]

Don, thanks for reminding me. I should follow up on my own posts. I went downstairs and took a look. I could see no wire. The hose seems to be very heavy rubber with a smooth inside and a reinforcing coil of a plastic of some sort. NOTHING is conductive, according to my multimeter. I got the kit from Maine Energy Systems, so they should know what they're doing. I'll give them a call.

Good idea to check that all out and let us know. Thanks for the info!

 

[velvetfoot]

There were markings on the pipe: TigerFlex UF-1 400.
Here is a reference: http://www.plastixs.com/tiger_ureflex1.html

Key statement:
"Black HMW PVC convoluted cover formulated with static-dissipative compound"

So, it's taken care of. That pipe is very hard to cut, as I discovered when I cut off some small pieces to look at. I'm hoping bdub has a tip on how best to do it.

 

[kopeck]

A little late to the game here but I can't believe you pulled the trigger!

It will be fun watching it come together.

K

 

[velvetfoot]

It will be fun watching it come together

It will be a very long watch, since I don't do things too fast. But, maybe there will be some value in a project progress type of format.

 

[DBNH22]

When will you take delivery on the Biowin and start the install?

Also did you check out what rebates you might be eligible for in NY?