OAK condensation any help?

[woodknack]

Ok I just installed a newer pellet stove (P43). My old stove had a separate OAK, so I hooked my new one to that one too. The problem I am seeing it the pipe gets super cold and starts to condensate and drip. Any ideas from people that have this same problem? We really haven't even really hit very cold temps yet, so i'm sure it will get worse. I'm thinking I should wrap the pipe with something??

 

[Wilbur Feral]

Just posted this in another thread...

The key is to prevent warm, moist air from contacting the cold surface, which causes surface condensation (same thing that happens when you have a glass of ice water get wet on a warm summer day). Wrapping the OAK tube with noncombustible insulation that has some vapor retarding properties does it. A thin (maybe 1 inch or even less) piece of fiberglass with foil-type backing should do it, with foil on the outside.

 

[woodknack]

Just posted this in another thread...

The key is to prevent warm, moist air from contacting the cold surface, which causes surface condensation (same thing that happens when you have a glass of ice water get wet on a warm summer day). Wrapping the OAK tube with noncombustible insulation that has some vapor retarding properties does it. A thin (maybe 1 inch or even less) piece of fiberglass with foil-type backing should do it, with foil on the outside.

Thanks. Any ideas of what type or where to get the insulation?

 

[Bioburner]

One can check the plumbing dept for insulated pipe wrap. Its common at farm stores to wrap outside hydrants. Having gotten rid of the horse this fall I don't have a sample to take a picture of. Or one can go ghetto and wrap with some bubble wrap from a shipping package and wrap with electrical tape.

 

[mik_kane]

I took 2 pieces of foam pipe insulation (I dont know the size right now) and wrapped it around the pipe used electrical tape to keep it together

 

[Wilbur Feral]

As noted by Bioburner, plumbing section sometimes has this. Advise not using flammable material such as bubble wrap, in case you ever get a backburn.

 

[Cory S]

Turn the heat down . My OAK ducting will get cold, but never condensates. 65-68* around the 3' section of it near the floor. Stove is also only drawing minimal air, because the stove will almost heat the entire 1900sq ft house on the lowest setting. 1/1/fan on low.

 

[bogieb]

Turn the heat down . My OAK ducting will get cold, but never condensates. 65-68* around the 3' section of it near the floor. Stove is also only drawing minimal air, because the stove will almost heat the entire 1900sq ft house on the lowest setting. 1/1/fan on low.

Wait till the actual cold weather hits

I used 3", foil-backed insulation that I probably found at a BBS. It is a PITA to work with, but does work for keeping cold air from transferring into the room from the pipe. I'd guess it also helps with condensation but haven't unwrapped it to look.