2024/25 VC performance discussion thread

[arnermd]

1.1" wc is strong draft, especially if that was measured with the key damper closed.

The stove will need to be in top condition with the door and ash pan gaskets sealing tightly. Check to confirm the primary air flapper is closing completely and not sticking.

I agree 1.1 iwc is extremely strong.... fortunately mine is only 0.11 iwc which I would consider to be typical (decimal places matter, lol #DPM)

Key damper was full open, air at 100% although I checked it with air full closed and it did not change, probably does not change much as the secondary flow path is wide open even with the flapper full closed.

You mentioned the air flapper, I did some work on it a few weeks back to make it seal better. But... if the flapper were leaking I would expect a robust primary burn, lots of yellow flames, that's not what I saw. The primary burn was nothing, no flames no glow and STT was very low, just a smokey, smoldering mess. To me that indicates no air leaks on the primary side anyway....

Installed a new metal cat today.... first burn was awesome, full load. Cat went to 1200 - 1250 peak with 50% air and hung in there for hours. Will post a plot tomorrow.

 

[weee123]

So you would keep it at 50% air instead of cutting it back further? Im used to using tube stoves where it runs most of the time around 10% open

 

[Woodsplitter67]

That looks familiar.....

So I did something I never do. I was lazy and loaded the box wrong. My son didn't bring in any overnight splits. I didn't feel like going out back. So I loaded with all smalls and some mediums, on a good bed of coals. By the time I got the box loaded alot of wood had caught fire. I closed the bypass and turned the air all the way back and everything seemed ok. The cat settled in around 1350 and the STT was hanging in at 450.. In an hour it all off gassed at once and the cat actually went to 1730.. A new hearth record I believe. The STT never went above 570 and the flue coller never got above 700. It peaked at 1730 sat there for a bit then slowly went back down the the 1300s

Total rookie mistake..

 

[dmccoole]

So I did something I never do. I was lazy and loaded the box wrong. My son didn't bring in any overnight splits. I didn't feel like going out back. So I loaded with all smalls and some mediums, on a good bed of coals. By the time I got the box loaded alot of wood had caught fire. I closed the bypass and turned the air all the way back and everything seemed ok. The cat settled in around 1350 and the STT was hanging in at 450.. In an hour it all off gassed at once and the cat actually went to 1730.. A new hearth record I believe. The STT never went above 570 and the flue coller never got above 700. It peaked at 1730 sat there for a bit then slowly went back down the the 1300s

Total rookie mistake..

What temp did you first notice it at and did you do anything to try to stop/slow it? That all at once off gassing seems to cause many a panics.

 

[Woodsplitter67]

What temp did you first notice it at and did you do anything to try to stop/slow it? That all at once off gassing seems to cause many a panics.

I dont do anything I just monitor the stove a little more. If the catalyst gets to 1600 or higher and the STT is 650 or below and the stovepipe is is a good range I just leave it alone.

If the catalyst melts, warps, or goes bad.. so be it

 

[Eman85]

I don't have any "overnight splits". Overall I split small, easier to handle and dry and my wife likes loading the stove with smaller pieces. I'm into a section of my wood pile that is all limbs so they are small rounds, not split, of oak. If I cut it I burn it so I don't waste wood.

 

[arnermd]

Couple plots from my overnight burns this week. Generally these are larger splits, red oak, full loads, air set to 40-50%. This is with a new metal cat installed.

Per usual as winter settles in I have begun rasing my cat alarms, it was 1450, now its at 1550. It will end up at 1650 by mid Jan I expect.

This one peaked at 1721F, not sure why... I did not do anything to it, I was sleeping.

This one peaked at 1550F and hung up there for a while.

 

[Eman85]

I just had 2 burns where the cat decided it was time to get very hot. Mid 1500's last night and today we rang the bell at 1650. When mine gets hot it makes a whooshing sound in the stove, not pleasant. I know I'm not the only one to stare at the meter and try to wish it to stop climbing and start dropping. Great feeling when it stalls and starts dropping that first degree.

 

[arnermd]

I just had 2 burns where the cat decided it was time to get very hot. Mid 1500's last night and today we rang the bell at 1650. When mine gets hot it makes a whooshing sound in the stove, not pleasant. I know I'm not the only one to stare at the meter and try to wish it to stop climbing and start dropping. Great feeling when it stalls and starts dropping that first degree.

I know that sound well. One degree on mine does not seem to matter, it will turn back up again several times before finally running out of gas....

 

[skb31]

It’s very cold here this weekend. We got down into the low single digits and with the wind it’s a noticeable effect on the draft but stove is running well. I am selective about my splits and plan reloads like woodsplitter mentioned above. Ever since I closely followed the instructions on hot reloads I am able to keep the STT temps reasonable.

Last season I had a hard time understanding how people ran it based off the cat temps but this season I get it. Good cat temps keeps STT and flue temps under control for me.