Author Topic: Central Boiler E-Classic 1400 - opinions please (Read 8609 times)

Dean186 · « **on:** August 30, 2009, 06:25:39 pm »

Hi all,

I am considering the purchase of a new Central Boiler E-Classic 1400. It is Central Boiler’s new high efficiency, low emissions outdoor wood gasification furnace. I am looking for some feedback before I make my purchase. I know that it was just released for sale this year (2009) but I’m still hoping to find someone using this furnace. Are there any users of this furnace out there?

My understanding is that it features some improvements over the E-Classic 2300. Such as:

•   LED lighting that illuminates the inside of the firebox and the front and sides of the furnace
•   FireStar Electronic Controller (It is my understanding that the E-Classic 2300 non dual fuel models are now being shipped with this controller, which is similar or same as the E-Classic 2300 Dual Fuel model controller.)
•   Lower operating handle for the bypass door
•   Hinged door for easy ash removal
•   Fire Box has straight sides with two rods hanging down on each side to help feed wood
•   Thicker metal for the fusion combustion chamber (It’s my understanding that the E-2300 will be shipped with thicker metal in the fusion combustion chamber)

The E-1400 is smaller than the E-2300 with the firebox about 56% the size of the E-2300.

Anyway, I would appreciate any and all feedback.

Thank you in advance, Dean

KDEC19 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 31, 2009, 07:29:38 pm »

I hear they like nice dry split type wood....
We have a heatmor and it is just great has been burning for a year this month...burns wet wood ,slabs dry wood all round and four feet long and because of the fans it does chips real well also....

no smoke either.....

wi woodcutter · « **Reply #2 on:** September 03, 2009, 07:08:45 pm »

I would have to skip that E-Classic. Get a regular central boiler and save your money and head aches. Is it really that much better? It wouldn't be for me.

rowerwet · « **Reply #3 on:** September 06, 2009, 12:47:43 am »

some of us live in states where only gasifiers or pellets are legal.

beenthere · « **Reply #4 on:** September 06, 2009, 07:24:32 am »

Which state is that?

wi woodcutter · « **Reply #5 on:** September 06, 2009, 09:43:20 pm »

Quote from: rowerwet on September 06, 2009, 12:47:43 am

some of us live in states where only gasifiers or pellets are legal.

I guess that I have never heard of that before, which states? I am surprised that Wisconsin doesn't have that.

JJ · « **Reply #6 on:** September 12, 2009, 09:53:35 am »

Maine and Vermont have forced early compliance to EPA 2012 emissions for outdoor wood furnaces, which meens gasification wood stoves which can pass the EPA emission tests.
They did this in Jan 2008. I wanted central boiler as they are better in construction and have better warrantee, but couldn't get the classic and had to spend extra $2K on e-classic.

The other stove I was looking at was wood doctor, but wood doctor did not get EPA certification on their gasification stove, so I could not install in Maine.

I have been happy with my boiler, but it will not burn green wood. It doesn't have to be dry, but don't expect to burn trees cut any later than mid summer.

JJ

solidwoods · « **Reply #7 on:** September 20, 2009, 09:57:45 am »

California is puting enough forest fire smoke in the air to run boilers in all the other states. And typically twice per yr.
Boiler mfrs need to make an exhaust goes through a water filter for the units.
jim

Dean186 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 11, 2009, 12:14:39 pm »

Thanks to everyone for the feedback that was left in this post. It seems there is no direct experience here with the E-Classic 1400.

I made a trip to my local Central Boiler dealer this week to look at the newly arrived E-Classic 2300 and compared them to the E-Classic 1400.

•   I noticed a redesigned fusion chamber in the E-Classic 2300 as another thread has been discussing. This appears to be the same fusion chamber as in the E-Classic 1400.

•   A “Fire Star” controller has been added to the non gas E-Classic 2300 model. This appears to be the same controller as on the E-Classic 1400.

•   A hinged access door for the combustion chamber has replaced the removable door in the E-Classic 2300. The E-Classic 1400 has a hinged door as well, but a slightly different size and shape combustion area. Both have firebrick in the bottom of the combustion area.

•   There are now two air control solenoids instead of three on the E-Classic 2300. There are two air control solenoids on the E-Classic 1400. The fan appears to be larger on the 2300.

•   The E-Classic 2300 fire box now has two rods hanging down each side like on the E-Classic 1400. I assume this is for increased air flow and/or wood feed control.

•   The fire brick has been removed from the firebox and I believe the fire box shape has changed on the E-Classic 2300. The E-Classic 1400 does not have fire brick in the fire box.

The two features that I see on the E-Classic 1400 that are not incorporated into the E-Classic 2300 are:

•   The lever for opening the bypass door in the firebox is easier to use on the E-Classic 1400 and seems to make a better seal when closed. I didn’t find the E-Classic 2300 opening lever to be hard to use though.

•   The E-Classic 1400 has 3 LED outside lights instead of the incandescent light found on the E-Classic 2300. There is a LED light found on each side of the E-Classic 1400 and one built into the side of the door that shines into the firebox when the door is open.

Although the E-Classic 2300 seems like a lot more furnace than the E-Classic 1400 for just another $1,160 dollars before rebates, I purchased the E-Classic 1400. I believe it will meet my needs better. However, I will pour a concrete base large enough for the E-Class 2300, just in case I have to feed wood to the E-Classic 1400 more often than twice per day and I need to change it out.

I plan on creating a new post about the E-Classic 1400 after installation and usage.

flapjack23 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 25, 2009, 08:31:30 pm »

Just curious, what prices did you find for the 1400 and 2300?

Andy

Dean186 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 26, 2009, 12:34:26 am »

Fall of 2009

The E-Classic 1400 was priced at $9,630.00 with a discount of $700.00 off of that price.

The E-Classic 2300 was priced at $10,790.00 with a discount of $925.00 off of that price.

dva · « **Reply #11 on:** November 26, 2009, 06:24:08 pm »

Dean186 - is it up and running?

flapjack23 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 27, 2009, 10:53:20 am »

Thanks Dean186, I'm in the beginning planning stages for a barn and hope to use an OWB to heat it and supplement my house. Is it running? Good unit?

Andy

rpote · « **Reply #13 on:** November 27, 2009, 03:47:05 pm »

Dean,

Let me know how you do with the EC1400. It took a little time and effort but once the nuances of the EC2300 were understood it actually performed very well for us this past winter. Fired up about a month ago and warmer temps have saved some wood but I ran new ThermoPEX this summer and now see the real benefits. We're doing much better on wood consumption.

Basically, we fill it once per day with dry wood. Not sure why we'd want to burn wet wood since it takes a fair amount of BTUs to drive out moisture. With the new ThermoPEX installed this winter I'm estimating about 8-9 full cords will be enough for winter. Compare that with 1800 gallons of fuel oil and the payback is pretty good on this unit.

Learning how to load wood to prevent bridging (load sideways with front seems to work for me), keeping the ashes down in the reaction chamber, and some monthly cleaning have worked for me. I also use a scraper to peel off the creosote buildup and keep the air holes clear in the bottom of the fire box each time I fill it. Takes me about 10 minutes per day to take care of business with about an hourly each month in burn season to do some PM. Not bad considering the payback. Also, I have some neighbors with regular CB and other older style units and they really smoke up the neighborhood. Regulations or not, I like the difference in smoke cloud intensity after I close the damper and the stack goes clear. Much more neighborly.

CBoiler has been quite helpful with my secondary air chamber (eg: reaction chamber/fusion chamber) issue. They sent me the replacement unit with instructions for install. No problems doing it myself and it seems to be working fine.

Keep us updated on your progress with the EC1400. You'll find most of the good folks on this forum are really helpful with answering questions, giving guidance, etc. I think the EClassic has gotten a bad rap because of the growing pains we've been through but I think we're coming out of this. We've all learned a lot by working through some problems with this unit - the EClassic is more complicated that the older technology but I think it's well worth it.

firechief · « **Reply #14 on:** November 28, 2009, 07:53:43 am »

Hey rpote-
Curious to know if you are using split wood or rounds ?
If split when you say you fill it up once a day, about how many pieces would that be ? I find my self loading up about four times a day. Not sure if I'm afraid of "overloading" or what if that is even possible. Thanks

Jim

Dean186 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 28, 2009, 10:34:27 am »

Thanks for all the information rpote.

It is not up and running yet, not even delivered, but soon. The installation takes time to accomplish, as most of you know. Here is an image of the completed pad. I still have to pull the electric wire and connect the heat exchanger to my boiler.

I will post my results.

dva · « **Reply #16 on:** November 29, 2009, 06:09:52 pm »

Nice looking pad.

Are you sure you have enough room to get to the reaction chamber and back panels with the side and back brickwork?

rpote · « **Reply #17 on:** November 29, 2009, 09:33:16 pm »

Great pad. Nice style!

I split the wood into small pieces that are about 18-20 inches long and about 4-5 inches in diameter. I bought one of those high wheel carts and about 1.5 cart loads do the trick right now. Will need to increase load when gets colder here in upstate NY.

Make sure you use dry hardwood.

Dean186 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 29, 2009, 10:54:34 pm »

Thanks for the pad compliments rpote and dave.

I will have enough room even though the manual suggest 6 feet of clearance. The retaining wall doesn't go up very high on the cleanout side of the furnace. I will have 38 inches of clearance between the E-Classic 1400 and the 18 inch high wall on the reaction chamber side. I will have enough room in the back and I could stand on the wall to access the reaction chamber tubes for cleaning, which would save getting a ladder out for cleaning. Worst case, I can remove a layer of retaining wall on the cleanout side, since the extra layer on that side is there just to match the other side's height.

Dean

dva · « **Reply #19 on:** November 30, 2009, 10:03:28 pm »

Dean, I'm anxious to see a picture of the completed installation. It looks like it will be very attractive.

What sq footage are you heating with the 1400?

News:

Author Topic: Central Boiler E-Classic 1400 - opinions please (Read 8609 times)