Pacific Energy Super Insert LE

[marc_H]

We recently installed a PE Super Insert LE.
I also added a magnetic thermostat right above the door to monitor firebox temperature.
Stove works great and we love the heat output. One of my concerns is overfire.
We fire up the stove usually in late afternoon and when we turn in for the night I load it up with 2-3 pieces and let it burn itself out (on low setting) which provides us with heat in our home throughout the next day (1,450 sf).
Sometimes the box temperature with only a few pieces of wood goes up to 800F which is close to overfire.
In the manual it states not to overfire and get the flue too hot. Of course we can't see the flue since it's an insert.
Am I worried for nothing? If I load up the stove with 4-5 pieces to get more heat for the next day I am afraid it may become too hot.
Nothing goes into the stove that is more than 20% moisture (usually around 15%). All seasoned wood!
I try and keep the box temperature at around 500F which shows (on the stat) that this is optimal burn without having to worry about creosote buildup in the chimney and/or cap.
Any suggestions are much appreciated.
Attached is a pic of the insert with the thermostat.

 

[begreen]

Try burning the coal bed down a bit more before the hot reload and practice closing down the air sooner. That will reduce the rapid outgassing of the wood and temp spike. In the picture, there is a lot of air between the splits. Fitting the splits tighter in a hot reload will slow down the rapid ignition and will provide a longer burn.

 

[marc_H]

Try burning the coal bed down a bit more before the hot reload and practice closing down the air sooner. That will reduce the rapid outgassing of the wood and temp spike. In the picture, there is a lot of air between the splits. Fitting the splits tighter in a hot reload will slow down the rapid ignition and will provide a longer burn.

Super, thanks very much for the suggestion. Most certainly will give this a try and see how it works.

 

[Dix]

Welcome to the Forums

Move your thermo to the right side as close to the door hinge as you can get it, it will give you a more accurate reading.



800F is a comfort zone for this stove.

 

[marc_H]

Welcome to the Forums

Move your thermo to the right side as close to the door hinge as you can get it, it will give you a more accurate reading.

View attachment 285231

800F is a comfort zone for this stove.

Ok, will try that. Thanks very much.

 

[ABMax24]

I'd call into question the accuracy of that thermometer a little bit. 800f is definitely hot for 3 splits turned down on low.

Is your chimney exceptionally tall providing a lot of draft?

 

[marc_H]

I'd call into question the accuracy of that thermometer a little bit. 800f is definitely hot for 3 splits turned down on low.

Is your chimney exceptionally tall providing a lot of draft?

No. Chimney is 14.5ft from bottom of box to cap. In fact slightly under from recommended length. It's 5" 304SS Duravent flex liner pipe.

 

[ABMax24]

No. Chimney is 14.5ft from bottom of box to cap. In fact slightly under from recommended length. It's 5" 304SS Duravent flex liner pipe.

I'd try to verify those temps readings with another thermometer or an IR gun. I'm definitely skeptical that insert can hit 800F with 3 splits on only 14.5ft of chimney with the damper closed down.

 

[marc_H]

I'd try to verify those temps readings with another thermometer or an IR gun. I'm definitely skeptical that insert can hit 800F with 3 splits on only 14.5ft of chimney with the damper closed down.

I've got an IR gun and will check this out. As DIX pointed out above, will also move the stat near the hinge (right) side since apparently this will provide a more accurate reading.
Thanks again for the suggestions, much appreciated.

 

[john26]

PE used to have a built in gauge on super 27 to the lower right of the door anyone know it those are available?

 

[begreen]

PE used to have a built in gauge on super 27 to the lower right of the door anyone know it those are available?

When was that? I've never seen this. Lower right, under the ashlip, is where the fan speed control is.

 

[john26]

It is between the door and the ashlip it has an efficiency rating marked on it but no temperature. I have one on my insert but the paint is wore and the spring seems weak. I will take a pic when I get home In this pic you can kind of see it under the name on the door.

 

[begreen]

I had to find it on etsy to get a closer view. It's an early 90s Super. This looks like an add-on by someone long ago. I have not seen it on other Supers of this vintage. The location is a bit odd and it looks like the indicator is broken? FWIW, the firebox will be hotter at the top.



With fresh paint and polish the old stove cleaned up nicely. They put new, conventional firebrick in it instead of pumice brick, but it makes it look good. However, the baffle is sagging badly. The earliest model had a regular steel baffle instead of stainless but it will accept a modern stainless one.

 

[Dix]

I've got an IR gun and will check this out. As DIX pointed out above, will also move the stat near the hinge (right) side since apparently this will provide a more accurate reading.
Thanks again for the suggestions, much appreciated.

You won't hit 800F with 3 splits and the air cut down. You will hit 800F with 5-6+ splits going on a good coal bed, and the air cut down. I'll add that my chimney is 18'. When I pack it, 800F is very normal.

 

[john26]

Mine has one there is a screw that goes all the way through I have only seen these on PE's maybe dealer add on?

 

[john26]

My insert is a 98 model I found it in the owners manual
Efficiency Indicator part# WODC.151

 

[COMatt]

Welcome to the Forums

Move your thermo to the right side as close to the door hinge as you can get it, it will give you a more accurate reading.

View attachment 285231

800F is a comfort zone for this stove.

I know this post is a couple years old, but we recently moved to a house that's primary heat source is a PE Super Insert LE (formally in IL w a furnace), so very new to this.
I moved our magnetic thermometer to the right side just above the hinges as stated here. But, question about the 800*F comfort zone part. Is that 800 an internal temp w/ an IR gun? Have an IR in the Amazon cart waiting JIC. Thanks!

 

[begreen]

The temp is easiest to measure on the face of the stove above the door. 800ºF is the maximum. Normal operation should be below 700º at that location.

 

[COMatt]

Ok, thanks. Yea, our magnetic thermostat goes red for overfire after 600*, so have been trying to keep it in the 300-600 (green) range. So, seems like if it creeps up into that red a bit, we'll be fine.
Thanks!

 

[begreen]

This is why I like a basic dial thermometer without ranges.

 

[Dix]

I know this post is a couple years old, but we recently moved to a house that's primary heat source is a PE Super Insert LE (formally in IL w a furnace), so very new to this.
I moved our magnetic thermometer to the right side just above the hinges as stated here. But, question about the 800*F comfort zone part. Is that 800 an internal temp w/ an IR gun? Have an IR in the Amazon cart waiting JIC. Thanks!

For the magnetic thermometer, I add 200F degrees, gives me a pretty accurate reading with no IR gun.