Author Topic: Getting ready for the Bio-Mizer (Read 22725 times)

Jeff · « **on:** January 18, 2008, 01:30:14 pm »

I'm in the process of determining everything I need to get, and everything I need to know in preparation for the delivery of the Bio-Mizer. My installation is pretty straight forward. The heat exchanger will be mounted over the down draft duct on my furnace, using the furnace fan to distribute the heat.

My problem is, I don't know how to activate the furnace fan aside from running the furnace. I'm pretty sure it should be a matter of connecting another thermostat to it as I think the furnace is new enough that it is set up to be used in a central air system as well.

I have a couple photos of the wiring on the furnace, and I think the one photo shows where the wires from the thermostat hook now. I only have two wires coming from the thermostat. I'm thinking that there is a place to hook up an additional thermostat on those empty connections. If thats the case, wouldn't the fan also kick on simply by jumping the correct two connections? I'm scared if I just try to jump something, I might fry something.

Can anyone make heads or tails of the pictures? The link is to a large photo of the wiring schematic printed on the access door.

http://www.forestryforum.com/biomizer/furnace_wiring.jpg

Bro. Noble · « **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2008, 01:43:57 pm »

Jeff, we have a dual heating system that is probably similar to what you are doing. We have electric heat and an outside wood furnace. The same thermostat works everything including the AC. There is a sensor on the hot water line from the boiler that is connected to a microswitch that shuts off the electric unit when the water gets above somewhere around 110 degrees. If the fire goes out, the electric heat comes on.

ronwood · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2008, 02:10:40 pm »

Jeff,

Would you be willing to use a second thermostat. If so I wil try and find my diagram from Central Boiler to shows you how to wire the thermostats so that you don't have to get into your wiring.

Ron

ronwood · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2008, 02:16:28 pm »

Jeff,

Diagram that I put together for my brother's electric furnace when he added a outside furnace. Note that this diagram is for 230 Volts. You probably will only have 110 Volts if it is a gas furnace. I think this would be the preferred method over the one that I mention in the previous post.

Ron

Jeff · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2008, 02:43:10 pm »

Actually, I do want to, and prefer to use a second thermostat.

I'm wondering if someone can tell by my diagram and photos where to hook the wires on mine...

ronwood · « **Reply #5 on:** January 18, 2008, 02:52:15 pm »

Jeff,

If you use the diagram from my second post I would attached the NO lead of contractor to the RD (red) wire going to the motor which will run the fan motor at low speed. Fan motor is the one that is referenced by not 1 in your attached drawing.

Ron

beenthere · « **Reply #6 on:** January 18, 2008, 03:17:39 pm »

Jeff
To me, the red and white wires look to be coming from the thermostat. When that thermostat calls for heat, it simply closes a switch (same as adding a jumper between the two posts).

If you want a second thermostat to do the same as the existing one (when that connection is closed), then simply add it's wires to the red and white shown.

If my assumptions are true. It is low voltage (that you can check with a meter) going out to the thermostat.

Jeff · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2008, 03:24:18 pm »

Kent, that wont work, as that will kick the whole furnace on. I only want the fan to come on. I'm thinking that there is an AC side to this, where the fan kicks on when a thermostat rises to a certain temperature, the fan kicks on as well. Seems like I could use that system, by reversing the thermostat.

beenthere · « **Reply #8 on:** January 18, 2008, 03:31:05 pm »

You are right Jeff. I missed that "Just the fan...."

You can get a thermostat that switches on 110 power...that could be wired to the fan. Just make sure the 110 supply is the same side (leg in the service box) as the furnace uses to power the fan.

thecfarm · « **Reply #9 on:** January 18, 2008, 03:49:04 pm »

Wish I could help you.I have mine outdoor furnace hooked up just the way you are trying to do,thermostat and all.I don't remember about the AC side being mentioned.I can still use my oil furnace if I wanted too.The blower from the oil furnace forces air through the heat exchanger.You can come see how mine is wired up if you want.

If I did not have a bunch of wood I would of looked at the Bio-Mizer alot closer.I saw them at the 25th Ann show.I know of one sawmill I can get a pick up load of sawdust for $7.Probaly with a little bit of seaching I could find 2-3 more selling sawdust.

ronwood · « **Reply #10 on:** January 18, 2008, 03:56:24 pm »

Jeff,

In the diagram that I attached to my previous post the contractor show is not in the your system. Your new thermostat will only use the heat cycle.

Ron

ronwood · « **Reply #11 on:** January 18, 2008, 04:19:26 pm »

jeff,

Uploaded another diagram. It is attached to my 1st post.

Ron

Jeff · « **Reply #12 on:** January 18, 2008, 04:36:10 pm »

Hey Ron, that looks like exactly what I need to do. Looks like the g terminal on th furnace will get one wire and the R terminal will get a second wire if I am looking at this right

Furby · « **Reply #13 on:** January 18, 2008, 07:47:30 pm »

G and R should do it, you can place a jumper as Beenthere suggested as it's only 24v.
Screw the jumper into G and hold it to R to see what happens.
Any kind of switch can be placed in line, don't even need to be a thermostat, I used a wire nut for a few months before.

Jeff · « **Reply #14 on:** January 18, 2008, 08:00:50 pm »

I'll go give it a try...

Jeff · « **Reply #15 on:** January 18, 2008, 08:03:58 pm »

That was it fellers! THANKS!

Reddog · « **Reply #16 on:** January 18, 2008, 08:21:41 pm »

Messing with your furnace just before the coldest days this year?

I can just hear Tammy if you short out the board.

Jeff · « **Reply #17 on:** January 18, 2008, 09:13:09 pm »

Honestly, we dont hardly use the furnace. We heat the house with the Gas Fireplace. Its just as efficient and a lot more relaxing. It keeps the living room cozy, theoffice and kitchen comfortable, with the bedrooms on the cool side. Just the way I like them for sleeping.

Jeff · « **Reply #18 on:** January 19, 2008, 04:23:33 pm »

The Bio-Mizer thermostat is installed and functioning.

I went down to the do-it center this morning looking for a cheap thermostat. They had about 10 different ones with the only one being less then 20 bucks looked like it might break taking it out of the package. So, I gave up and started to leave. Walked arounf the end cap of an Isle, and there was a digital programmable thermostat normally marked at $41.49 for $19.99. SOLD! I then walked around to where the thermostat wire was. Not knowing how much I would need exactly, I realed off about 3 wing spans. About 16 to 18 feet I guessed at .22¢ a foot. I took the wire up to Bill at the counter and said, bill how much wire have I got here. He didnt even look at it, he looked me back in the eye and said 8 FEET. I started to say something and he said louder "8 FEET" I said, O.K. Bill

Any how, been a long time since something went that well.

Even installing. As you can see in the photo, that is the furnace closet door. The furnace is just on the other side of the wall from the new thermostat.

farmerdoug · « **Reply #19 on:** January 19, 2008, 05:40:53 pm »

Jeff,

Now that you have your fan problem solved and thermostat installed, how are you coming on the heat exchanger?

Bio-Tam asked me if I had everything ready for the Biomizer. I told her that I have only to hook up the lines and power to the CB so I am ready.

News:

Author Topic: Getting ready for the Bio-Mizer (Read 22725 times)