ok I have been running my woodmaster 4400 since September, never had a problem keeping it at 170 degree water temp. When it drops to 160 the vent fan kicks on and brings it back up.
However... all this last week I will get up to feed it and the blower has given up due to low water temp around 110/112. I re-start it and it does not recover, max temp I can get to is around 140's. I just fixed a couple things I found to be wrong (flapper that opens when fan kicks on was not connected and blower motor was hanging on by 1 bolt, replaced blower with new and repaired flapper connection). I thought this thing would be screaming by now, but no go. Never had a problem burning any kind of wood, still working my way through my pile of seasoned / somewhat seasoned wood so nothing there has changed.
Now - a few questions and comments that may lead to some helpful information. I had been also burning pallet lumber which seems to make awesome fast heat but also makes a lot of creosote. It's been about 2 weeks since I stopped burning it simply because it burns up so fast. Also, is the flu damper rod that you pull out before you open the door supposed to do something? I always pull it out first (it's been stuck with tar a few times) then open the door and still get a mountain of smoke in my face. After leaving the door open for 6-7 minutes I can watch the water temp rise from 140-150 that fast, closing the door and coming back 20 min later and it's back down around 143 ish. What gives? Also, while the door is open and the fire is roaring I get no difference in amount of smoke / flames licking out what that damper pulled out or pushed in.
Is something clogged or plugged? What should I do? I'm able, just have no clue what happened. Smoke is always coming out of the stack so I just assumed it is venting properly. Any help is much appreciated.
However... all this last week I will get up to feed it and the blower has given up due to low water temp around 110/112. I re-start it and it does not recover, max temp I can get to is around 140's. I just fixed a couple things I found to be wrong (flapper that opens when fan kicks on was not connected and blower motor was hanging on by 1 bolt, replaced blower with new and repaired flapper connection). I thought this thing would be screaming by now, but no go. Never had a problem burning any kind of wood, still working my way through my pile of seasoned / somewhat seasoned wood so nothing there has changed.
Now - a few questions and comments that may lead to some helpful information. I had been also burning pallet lumber which seems to make awesome fast heat but also makes a lot of creosote. It's been about 2 weeks since I stopped burning it simply because it burns up so fast. Also, is the flu damper rod that you pull out before you open the door supposed to do something? I always pull it out first (it's been stuck with tar a few times) then open the door and still get a mountain of smoke in my face. After leaving the door open for 6-7 minutes I can watch the water temp rise from 140-150 that fast, closing the door and coming back 20 min later and it's back down around 143 ish. What gives? Also, while the door is open and the fire is roaring I get no difference in amount of smoke / flames licking out what that damper pulled out or pushed in.
Is something clogged or plugged? What should I do? I'm able, just have no clue what happened. Smoke is always coming out of the stack so I just assumed it is venting properly. Any help is much appreciated.