Outdoor Boiler Site Placement

[Engineer]

Hey:  This is JohnBoy.  Aren't there any more talks about Outdoor Wood Boilers?

I'll let you in on a secret.  I have been all over this Whirled Wide Web looking for better and/or more information on outdoor wood boilers.  There isn't a better resource than right here.  If it isn't covered in this thread or any others on this Forum, you probably won't find much else.  There are quite a few sites devoted to the prevention, regulation and alleged pollution of these things, but not much on the positive/technical side.  I have had all my questions answered here, I have found that there are a lot of things the manufacturer doesn't tell you, and I have certainly found ways to make it run more efficiently and effectively.  Most of the major manufacturers and a few homebrew jobs are represented here by members of this forum, just ask. 

Since you're near Saratoga, mosey on down to Easton on Route 40 and visit Beecroft's; they're the Central Boiler dealer in these parts.  You'll get a good look at them, and they have the big Pallet Burner model running.   Not much they can offer you other than the company-sponsored brochures and propaganda, though.  Or you're welcome to cross the border someday and come look at mine.

EDIT: Never mind, I'm stoopid.  I just read through this entire thread and realized that you asked (and I responded) about these a year ago.  Have you gotten the chance to hook yours up yet or not?  If not, why not?  It's really not all that difficult.  There's another thread floating around the FF somewhere that's more of an "operations" discussion.  I've had mine running full bore since September '06 (left it idle all summer) and aside from some learning experience, it's been excellent.   I am heating 4300 square feet of SIP-enclosed timberframe to 68 degrees with JUST THE BASEMENT SLAB TUBING running 170 degree water through a copper plate heat exchanger.  Have not used domestic hot water yet (but SOON!).  I have been averaging one heaping wheelbarrow full of mixed dry wood (slabs, scraps and some hardwood) every two to three days.  Feed the fire once daily.  Today it hit almost fifty degrees and the fire was low, so I let it go out at 8 am, water temperature was 170.  I came back at 3 pm and cleaned out the firebox (about 10 gallons of ash from 3 months operation).  Fired it up, turned the boiler back on, temp read 160.   I just put 250 gallons of fuel oil in my tanks at my current place while we finish the new house, and at almost $700, I am not happy.  That's $700 I'll save every three months in the winter.   Can't get the house done fast enough.

[JohnBoy]

Hey, Furby and Beenthere, you guys are funny and thanks for still being there.  Engineer, yo only 50 miles from me and I would like to come see your setup. 
Yup, I may have big problems here.  New zoning going through soon (I just found out), but I'll be grandfathered in.  Have to get a permit but no probs as the zoning officer will give me one as it has been on the property going on 7 years.  They are banned in my area after this zoning proposal goes thru.
Here's the problem:  My boiler is 175 feet from my sisters house (not property line, the house) and and 150 feet from my home.  I put it out of the way to try to please her (moved it 3 times).  No pleasing, she doesn't want it hooked up at all. I only got $8500 into it and that was in year 2000.  I thought she would be the last one to hassel me. (Family Crap)  Did you guys read this:  www.woodheat.org-technology-NYSOBreport.pdf (Smoke gets in your lungs by Spitzer my wonderfull new govenor).  Well she's on top of that, but here's the real clincher:  Her son just passed his bar exam (my nephew) for New York State.
My friends say I'm screwed.  With that report and the Clean Air Act, I don't think I can beat it.  What do you guys think.  I procrastinated and look where I'm at now.   (Stupid Me)  If i hook it up and get shut down, ain't worth it.  I gots 11 acres of wood to and equipment to get it.  Oh Crap.

JohnBoy

[farmerdoug]

I have mine by the greenhouses and it heats our house also.  It is about 160 feet to the house so I think the 150 feet is not a problem.  It just costs by the foot to install so it will increase your price.  I would get it up and running to get a head start of the laws.

Farmerdoug

[Furby]

Yeah, I guess I don't see your problem.
You CAN get a permit and are grandfathered in, so you aren't breaking any laws.
Your sister will have to live with it or move.

[thecfarm]

I'm still in the looking stages.From what I've seen some only have a 6 foot chimmey.Some have a few sections of stainsteel pipe added on.I feel this is the way to go.Get the smoke up in the air where it won't bother neighbors.I plan on getting mine up in the air.I don't want to be smoked out.I don't have any close neighbors.I'm thinking of at least 12 feet,if the furance people says it's OK to do.How many people complain about smoke coming from a wood stove from a house?I realize a outdoor furnace is differant.

[farmerdoug]

Jerry, the Central boiler dealer I deal with said they installed one down in the city, Sterling Heights or close to there I think.  Anyways he put 30 feet of chimney pipe on the unit to meet the city requirements and it is now operating.  He said that it has to have a forced draft fan with that much though.  He said that the more pipe the less problems with smoke also.

I think just the forced sraft fan would help get the burning going faster with less smoke and a quicker cycle time to reheat also.

Farmerdoug

[OneWithWood]

I wonder how he intends to clean that chimney?

[farmerdoug]

OWW,

That is a good question.  I will have to ask Jerry about that the next time I talk to him.

Farmerdoug

[Don_Papenburg]

 Chimney fire every three or four years , let it burn out kinda like a self cleaning oven . 

[farmerdoug]

Now would that be a spectacular site in a crowded sub.   Better hopes it happens on a cold bone chilling not to keep the neighbors from seeing it though.

Farmerdoug