asking advice on a outdoor boiler

[timh]

Hello everyone,
I`m new to this form my name is tim i live in NE Ohio and own a small tree service
chippers,stumpers, LT15  I heat now with a insert in the fireplace so so
  thinking about OWB theone im looking at is Lil powerhouse out of warren MN
anyone have one or knows someone.
   His OWB are little diffent than others this only burns seasoned wood cliams burn hotter
use less wood per year less water in boiler and only use boiler anti-frezze
   not large firebox,smaller gauge steel


         www.lilpowerhouse.com

[woodmills1]

I checked the site pretty well and could not find info on steel used, dimensions, warrenty, etc.  I did notice that the pipe insulation seemed to be way substandard.

I also went to the link in the second post and there are some harsh words there about the boiler.

[beenthere]

timh
Welcome to the forum.
If you like that one, and buy it, let us know how it lives up to the claims.

If you've looked closely at it, please let us know "what is inside".  Their brochure claims more heat from the wood compared to other OWB. That is an easy claim if comparing the burning of unseasoned wood against seasoned wood. And they claim that their OWB only burns dry wood.

There is only so much heat that can come from wood. I'd be interested in what this OWB does to get most of that heat out of the wood and into the water.

I've an inside boiler now, and am looking at other units that will heat water.

[ken999]

I wouldn't...

http://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/48796/

[JJ]

Hi,
I would check out central boiler.  More money, but comes with 25 year warranty.  I am on my 2nd season heating with e-classic 2300; and has some problems, but no problem finding help.

I was checking out the latest updates on e-classic, and lots of improvements over the model I have.

            Jim
 

[wi woodcutter]

A couple of guys I work with have Auqa-therm's. Both stoves only lasted less then 10 years. That would be a problem with me.

The biggest reason I bought a Central Boiler is because of the warranty and they seem to be put together pretty good too.

You get what you pay for.

[beenthere]

eco-one
What stoves are you handling that are 22 yrs old ?? boilers? or what?

With your comments, we'd like some more info. 

[wi woodcutter]

DID HE HAVE ANTI-FREEZE IN THE SYSTEM?WE JUST GOT A STOVE BACK THATS 22 YRS OLD AND WANTED A NEW ONE?WE WILL FIX ANY PROBLEMS ALSO IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG

First off there is no reason to yell.

They told me that both stove cracked in the fire box.
By your comments I am guessing that you have something to do with Auqa-therm? (I guess that I am a little confused )

[timh]

 Thanks for all great advice here I think im going to avoid this one

[red oaks lumber]

warranties.  good as the paper their written on, most stoves have 20t yr warranties if you look in the fine print that only covers workmanship..corrasive, steel life is only covered for 10 yrs. tops
 10 yrs. is along time if a stove lasts that long thats good! by then the new techonaligy will be even better. just my.02

[beenthere]

I bought my boiler in 1978, and it was from Babbitt, MN. It is 3/16" steel, and has a 9 gal water jacket. I had to replace the back wall (was 3/16" and went to 1/4") after 10 years, but it has been going strong every winter since it was purchased. Company went out of business, and don't know why.
If/when this one gives it up, I will have a new one rolled and welded if I'm still able to cut wood then.

 

[wi woodcutter]

I bought my boiler in 1978, and it was from Babbitt, MN. It is 3/16" steel, and has a 9 gal water jacket. I had to replace the back wall (was 3/16" and went to 1/4") after 10 years, but it has been going strong every winter since it was purchased. Company went out of business, and don't know why.
If/when this one gives it up, I will have a new one rolled and welded if I'm still able to cut wood then.

 

(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)

That is an interesting set-up.

The horizontal cylinder is for the firebox and what is the vertical cylinder for?

Do you use this set-up for heat or heat and hot water. Looks very well put together.

[beenthere]

The firebox is horizontal inside the outer water jacket. There is a temp controlled damper below the air-tight feeding door that opens when the water temp in the boiler is below 170 deg F. It closes when above that set point or when the elec. goes off. The house has three zones that are controlled by thermostats and individual water pumps. It is a closed system, so air needs to be bled off whenever the system is opened for any reason.

The stainless steel vertical tank behind is a preheat for the domestic hot water heater (gas, and sets behind the wood boiler). The water going into the hot water heater is warmed first by the wood via a copper coil inside the stainless tank.  In the summer, the cold water first enters and sets in that 30 gal SS tank and warms up a bit before being pulled into the hot water heater.   

The backup gas boiler is back in the corner. It is off when the wood fire is going. It is a well-balanced system that has been pretty trouble free for the last 30 some years now.

A pic at a different angle showing the pumps.

 

[red oaks lumber]

beenthere,
 i finally got you figured out man!! it's taken awhile but, iv'e so got your story.. i knew there was more to you than what you let on... yes!

[wi woodcutter]

The firebox is horizontal inside the outer water jacket. There is a temp controlled damper below the air-tight feeding door that opens when the water temp in the boiler is below 170 deg F. It closes when above that set point or when the elec. goes off. The house has three zones that are controlled by thermostats and individual water pumps. It is a closed system, so air needs to be bled off whenever the system is opened for any reason.

The stainless steel vertical tank behind is a preheat for the domestic hot water heater (gas, and sets behind the wood boiler). The water going into the hot water heater is warmed first by the wood via a copper coil inside the stainless tank.  In the summer, the cold water first enters and sets in that 30 gal SS tank and warms up a bit before being pulled into the hot water heater.   

The backup gas boiler is back in the corner. It is off when the wood fire is going. It is a well-balanced system that has been pretty trouble free for the last 30 some years now.

A pic at a different angle showing the pumps.

 

(Image hidden from quote, click to view.)

Very interesting.

It looks to be put together very well. How many cords of wood do you typically go thru every season?

[beenthere]

Over the years, right at 5 cords plus/minus.

'corse, that depends on the wood as there is more heat in a cord of oak than a cord of ash. Burning ash now, but not going through any extraordinary amount.

In the pic, you can see where the three pumps return cooled water that then goes to the wood boiler, or by shutting/opening the two lower valves, can be sent to the gas boiler. Hot water from the wood boiler travels across the upper black pipe to the distribution manifold (or it can be diverted through the gas boiler if a desire to run the two in series). For backup (and I am gone or sleep through the nite), there is a gray thermostat strapped on that black upper cross pipe that kicks the gas burner on if/when the water temp goes under 100 deg F. That will keep warm water circulating and the house won't get too cold. Normally don't have the gas boiler in series tho. Very little need for using gas unless gone for a weekend or more.

[wi woodcutter]

Over the years, right at 5 cords plus/minus.

At 5 cords that is not bad, I am guessing that you heat around 2,000 to 2,500 sq/ft. I am heating 2,000 sq/ft. and I am guessing I am going to use 6 to 7 cord this winter in my CB5036. That is just heating the forced air, I don't have the hot water hooked up yet.