Old Leaf Vac for draft inducer?

[deerefanatic]

Hi all, I was going through junk left by the previous owners of our place the other day and found an all-steel leaf vacuum that went to their ariens lawn tractor... I got looking at it and thought it'd be just the ticket as a draft inducer for my yet-to-be-constructed downdraft boiler.... I have attached some pictures to this message to show it....

What do yall think?

 

[free75degrees]

I have no idea but the other day they used a leaf blower to start up a jet car on Junkyard Wars. OK, so it's not relevant but I thought it was kind of a coincidence.

 

[deerefanatic]

Well, it's pretty heavy steel, so I don't think it will rust too fast... As for the motor, it's belt drive so I can locate the motor (which I have laying around) away from the heat somewhat.

Think it's worth a try?

 

[deerefanatic]

good idea..... Could probably do chain also, though not sure if chain will take the speed needed on one of these......

 

[heaterman]

Hi all, I was going through junk left by the previous owners of our place the other day and found an all-steel leaf vacuum that went to their ariens lawn tractor... I got looking at it and thought it'd be just the ticket as a draft inducer for my yet-to-be-constructed downdraft boiler.... I have attached some pictures to this message to show it....

What do yall think?

Just what size boiler are you constructing exactly? those things will move a TON of air and are designed to move it a very high velocity. You could probably drive something in the 4-5MMbtu range with that even if you geared it down.

 

[deerefanatic]

Well, the firebox on this downdraft will be 5 long, 3.5 wide, and 4 tall (in feet) so it will be farely good sized..... I can gear it down till it won't move air at all if I need to!

Guess we'll see what happens..... In any case, I won't have problems getting air to my slabwood will I?