Tons to move that is!
Since both the Bills and Vikings games were depressing, I made two quick back-to-back trips to TSC and managed to get one ton of pellets in my garage in under an hour.
Stacking said ton took about as long.
I am now tired. I also realized that I don't have the room to store too many more bags there.
Maybe I can make a run once a month to get the remainder, or get another pallet to put another Ton in the basement.
At least for now, we have over 50 bags in the basement. That should get us through the holidays...I hope!
Showing posts with label Stove stuff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stove stuff. Show all posts
Nov 20, 2011
A good way to move 4 tons by yourself...
That is my current dilemma.
I have 4 tons of pellets on four pallets waiting for me to pickup at the local TSC.
The manager there has been kind enough to let me keep them there, but that might not always be the case.
I need to come up with a way to move those four tons from TSC to our house, about a 7 mile trip.
Here is how it works now:
Here's my ideal situation:
I have 4 tons of pellets on four pallets waiting for me to pickup at the local TSC.
The manager there has been kind enough to let me keep them there, but that might not always be the case.
I need to come up with a way to move those four tons from TSC to our house, about a 7 mile trip.
Here is how it works now:
- Open pallet, and take half of the pallet (25 bags) and load them into the back of my Sonoma.
- Drive 7 miles home.
- Take 25 bags and stack them on pallet in the basement/outside.
- Repeat.
This way is the easiest from a logistical point of view: I only need to have the time move 1000 pounds around.
Grabbing the pellets this way would mean another EIGHT trips to TSC to bring the pellets home.
That is a lot of trips, and a lot of man power (from me). The other thing with this plan means the pallets need to be opened, which means they are no longer sealed from the elements. If I continue this way, I would need to store all the pellets in the basement and/or garage. I like the idea of having the pellets still sealed during the winter. If I don't pick up the pellets until January, they are just sitting outside in the elements anyway...
Here's my ideal situation:
- Fork lift the 4 tons into a truck.
- Drive truck 7 miles.
- Use another fork lift to get them off the truck.
- Store pellet pallets on the backside of my house.
- Move pallets inside one at time.
The only issue with this plan is I do not have a Fork lift..
I could rent a pallet jack, but the wheel width would be too wide for a normal rental truck loading ramp.
I guess a makeshift ramp could be constructed...
This now adds ~$100 to the price. Not a deal breaker by any stretch, but I'm not a big fan of spending MORE money if it can be avoided.
I want to find a solution that is easy for me to do without having to rely on several friends to come help move my solid fuel source. I'd also like to find a solution that isn't dependent on my truck, as it is now approaching 12 years old...I'm not sure how long Vera will be with us (hopefully 2-3 years).
I'm thinking about delivery services for next year. I would need a pellet chute and a place to store them.
I smell a new spring project!
As far as my remaining 4 tons, anyone have an idea?
Nov 18, 2011
Stove Update: still rocking!
Ever since the last time I "fixed" the seal, the stove has been running great: The temperature in the house has hovered above 75 even when outside it is below freezing!
The only issue I have is I need to remember to fill the stove before bed! Two mornings I've woken up without heat on...
I smell a calendar entry coming!
The only issue I have is I need to remember to fill the stove before bed! Two mornings I've woken up without heat on...
I smell a calendar entry coming!
Nov 4, 2011
Stove is running fine
I think I have the stove running pretty good now.
After resealing every joint in the exhaust and the door, I think it is finally airtight. I'm not happy with the amount of silicone in the door gasket, but as long as it works for now, I'll take it.
I fired up the stove after the sealing and the draft fan sensor turned off, which means the loss in pressure was gone! I still had an issue with the pellets just piling up in the burn pot. After about 12 hours, the pot would be over flowing, and the bottom would be covered in "clinkers" or fused ash. This clogs the air holes which causes the flame to be lazy, as well as not allow ash to be trapped in the ash trap.
So, I also modified the draft fan thresholds a bit. The Factory setting is 100 for low, and 300 for high. I wish I knew what the units were, cfm maybe?
Anyway, after adjusting it to 170/315, the flame seems to be more stable, and the pellets are not piling up in the burn pot like they were on the default settings. If anything, I might need to turn it down just a bit; I think the flame may be too active. Although, my ash is nice and chocolate in color, a good sign the stove is running fairly efficient.
I'm sure that this will be an ongoing thing, but for now...I have heat :)
After resealing every joint in the exhaust and the door, I think it is finally airtight. I'm not happy with the amount of silicone in the door gasket, but as long as it works for now, I'll take it.
I fired up the stove after the sealing and the draft fan sensor turned off, which means the loss in pressure was gone! I still had an issue with the pellets just piling up in the burn pot. After about 12 hours, the pot would be over flowing, and the bottom would be covered in "clinkers" or fused ash. This clogs the air holes which causes the flame to be lazy, as well as not allow ash to be trapped in the ash trap.
So, I also modified the draft fan thresholds a bit. The Factory setting is 100 for low, and 300 for high. I wish I knew what the units were, cfm maybe?
Anyway, after adjusting it to 170/315, the flame seems to be more stable, and the pellets are not piling up in the burn pot like they were on the default settings. If anything, I might need to turn it down just a bit; I think the flame may be too active. Although, my ash is nice and chocolate in color, a good sign the stove is running fairly efficient.
I'm sure that this will be an ongoing thing, but for now...I have heat :)
Oct 28, 2011
Two Hours in...
And the stove is holding steady!
The new board (along with some more sealant around the draft pipe) and The stove is humming away.
We'll see how it goes this weekend, but I'm be cautiously optimistic :).
The new board (along with some more sealant around the draft pipe) and The stove is humming away.
We'll see how it goes this weekend, but I'm be cautiously optimistic :).
Oct 27, 2011
How I arrived at owning a Pellet Stove.
I'm beginning to realize that having a stove is more work than what I anticipated. I'm writing this as retrospective as to how I got here...soon to be followed by where I am :)
When Robyn and I were thinking about alternative heat sources to replace our Fuel Oil supplied Base board heaters, we discussed several options.
We first discussed just replacing the fuel source: Put in a gas burning boiler and get rid of Fuel Oil entirely.
This would be the easiest from a "Living Room Modification" standpoint, as we could use the existing heat pipes, pumps and thermostats. In the basement, we would have to remove the old boiler and the fuel oil tank...two daunting tasks.
Unfortunately, this task was outweighed by an even more dissuading one: The fact we have no natural gas lines into the house. I spent a good deal of time during the summer researching what it would take to get Gas lines run to the house. Our local provider, RG&E would run a line (100' max) to our house for free. From there, we call in a contractor to then run the lines inside the house. The only requirement They had is the Gas appliance has to be purchased prior to them running the line. I get that, they don't want to run a line for a promise, but a guarantee.
Having Gas in the house would also be nice in case we wanted to ever switch our our Electric range or dryer for a gas equivalent.
We ultimately decided that we WILL run a gas line someday, but probably not for a year or two.
Next, we briefly talked about a furnace. This talk broke down real quick as it would require extensive duct work, and something to heat the air. They make Electric Furnaces, but they are expensive.
Wood burning stoves was the next avenue we went down. Robyn's Parents have a wood stove in their house, and have for over 30 years. The heat that the stove is capable of is great, and the range seems to be significant. Starting the fire is simple, and if you get a big enough stove, it can be packed at night and last until the morning.
The thought of having to buy, and potentially split enough wood to heat our home started to give us reservations. It isn't that we are unable to do it, it is more a question of do I want to do it. I enjoy splitting wood on camping trips or during the occasional fire in our backyard. Getting up and going out to the cold garage everyday to split? Not the most exciting idea. The other show stopper for the wood stove was the lack of a good chimney that could be utilized for the exhaust.
By the time we arrived at the Pellet Stove idea, it seemed like we reached the Zenith of our talks. It provided us with the output similar to a wood stove, yet more convenient. Loading bags of sawdust pellets every day is pretty simple, and if need be, Robyn could do it. The Exhaust requirements are straight forward, and easy to do (as long as you have the correct tools, and Patient friends and family).
We committed ourselves to the Pellet Stove idea, and began down that path. Which leads us to....
When Robyn and I were thinking about alternative heat sources to replace our Fuel Oil supplied Base board heaters, we discussed several options.
We first discussed just replacing the fuel source: Put in a gas burning boiler and get rid of Fuel Oil entirely.
This would be the easiest from a "Living Room Modification" standpoint, as we could use the existing heat pipes, pumps and thermostats. In the basement, we would have to remove the old boiler and the fuel oil tank...two daunting tasks.
Unfortunately, this task was outweighed by an even more dissuading one: The fact we have no natural gas lines into the house. I spent a good deal of time during the summer researching what it would take to get Gas lines run to the house. Our local provider, RG&E would run a line (100' max) to our house for free. From there, we call in a contractor to then run the lines inside the house. The only requirement They had is the Gas appliance has to be purchased prior to them running the line. I get that, they don't want to run a line for a promise, but a guarantee.
Having Gas in the house would also be nice in case we wanted to ever switch our our Electric range or dryer for a gas equivalent.
We ultimately decided that we WILL run a gas line someday, but probably not for a year or two.
Next, we briefly talked about a furnace. This talk broke down real quick as it would require extensive duct work, and something to heat the air. They make Electric Furnaces, but they are expensive.
Wood burning stoves was the next avenue we went down. Robyn's Parents have a wood stove in their house, and have for over 30 years. The heat that the stove is capable of is great, and the range seems to be significant. Starting the fire is simple, and if you get a big enough stove, it can be packed at night and last until the morning.
The thought of having to buy, and potentially split enough wood to heat our home started to give us reservations. It isn't that we are unable to do it, it is more a question of do I want to do it. I enjoy splitting wood on camping trips or during the occasional fire in our backyard. Getting up and going out to the cold garage everyday to split? Not the most exciting idea. The other show stopper for the wood stove was the lack of a good chimney that could be utilized for the exhaust.
By the time we arrived at the Pellet Stove idea, it seemed like we reached the Zenith of our talks. It provided us with the output similar to a wood stove, yet more convenient. Loading bags of sawdust pellets every day is pretty simple, and if need be, Robyn could do it. The Exhaust requirements are straight forward, and easy to do (as long as you have the correct tools, and Patient friends and family).
We committed ourselves to the Pellet Stove idea, and began down that path. Which leads us to....
Oct 25, 2011
Stove Part Delivery
Called the stove company to get an estimate of when the part would arrive, as it had not shown up today.
...Apparently it will be 5-7 Business days....
Sigh...
...Apparently it will be 5-7 Business days....
Sigh...
Oct 24, 2011
Stove saga continues!
Well...
Looks like stove is still "a work in progress."
Spent the morning on the phone with Tech Support at US Stove. After trying several different things, they believe the controller board may be faulty on my stove. They are sending one (overnight I think) to swap ou the bad one.
Quick note: If you want to adjust the threshold for the Draft Fan on a 5500M, just hold down the draft fan up and the aux up simultaneously..this will change the higher threshold. Press on when you have it set to what you want. Repeat for the lower threshold by holding down Draft Fan down and Aux down.
We'll see!
Looks like stove is still "a work in progress."
Spent the morning on the phone with Tech Support at US Stove. After trying several different things, they believe the controller board may be faulty on my stove. They are sending one (overnight I think) to swap ou the bad one.
Quick note: If you want to adjust the threshold for the Draft Fan on a 5500M, just hold down the draft fan up and the aux up simultaneously..this will change the higher threshold. Press on when you have it set to what you want. Repeat for the lower threshold by holding down Draft Fan down and Aux down.
We'll see!
Oct 22, 2011
First Early Morning fun with the stove!
Well, we had an exciting morning today!
Around 1:30, I woke up and smelled smoke in the house. It took me about 30 seconds to realize this is "not a good thing" and got downstairs to take a look. The Glass of the stove was covered on the inside with black soot. The fire was still burning ok, but there was a haze in the house. I shut down the stove, opened the windows and let the house air a bit. Around 6:30, I cleaned out the stove and tried to piece together what happened.
Here's my current hypothesis:
Around 1:30, I woke up and smelled smoke in the house. It took me about 30 seconds to realize this is "not a good thing" and got downstairs to take a look. The Glass of the stove was covered on the inside with black soot. The fire was still burning ok, but there was a haze in the house. I shut down the stove, opened the windows and let the house air a bit. Around 6:30, I cleaned out the stove and tried to piece together what happened.
Here's my current hypothesis:
- When I cleaned out the ash pot yesterday, I didn't push the latch all the way down, allowing the ash to flow into the burn chamber more than it should have
- There was quite a bit of wind last night. This, combined with the excess ash, caused a backdraft scenario that allowed some smoke to come back into the house.
I checked the exhaust piping for any leaks taht might have caused the smoke, but could not find any. There is a spot around the door gasket that looks a bit singed, but it is still an airtight seal. The flame does not appear to be lazy, and three hours into today's burn, and the window is still almost as clear as the cleaning this morning.
I'm definitely going to keep an eye on it, but I think we are ok. Hickory smoked, but ok :).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)