Any really cool mods? How do you get more out of your stove?

[WoodPorn]

my 25pdvc came without a back plate. it has a 16" piece of singlewall black pipe exposed which i mount a 18w fan so it blows on the pipe & into the back of the stove

You'd better hope there isn't a Fire Marshall anywhere near there!

 

[Arnold]

Just curious if anyone has any modifications they want to share. Can be something you have done or maybe a youtube vid you've seen. Anyone tried solar to run the stove or battery backup? I have a few ideas I'm working on. Wondering what you got.

Just got rid of the ugly fake logs in my Englander insert............

 

[smwilliamson]

my 25pdvc came without a back plate. it has a 16" piece of singlewall black pipe exposed which i mount a 18w fan so it blows on the pipe & into the back of the stove

Is this mod for thermal safety of the electrical components or for thermal gain?

both I'd guess

Hmmmm. I do not know if I can call this a really cool mod. In fact, I cannot discern any real benefit. It certainly isn't any prettier to look at nor does it contribute to more efficient burning. Please explain what you think this does before it can be accepted as "really cool" Sorry, my thread, those are the rules.

 

[smwilliamson]

Seeing my Omega is now out of warrenty. I am really gunning to upgrade the convection blower from a Maxx(sister stove to the Omega). They use the same chassis and the blower is a bolt in and only requires a little tin smoothing to fit. Upgrading the blower would give me more air circulation at about double the CFMs of the current blower. What ever I do I want to be able to undo just in case the extra cfms is not really worth it. Might need a dimmer added IDK!

Once the Maxx M comes out I want to look into the control board. It also maybe a good fit to the upgraded blower.

The disclaimer is I will not touch any factory safety device on the stove. It will be as safe as day one. If Enviro added anything new to the Maxx M as far as safety I will upgrade the Omega to match it.

The one thing I have already added is a fuse between the control panel and the ignitor circuit. Seems if the Igniter dead shorts it can damage the board. Mine shorted and took out the 3 amp relay mounted on the control board(little blue module). I have a post on the Omega igniter. Adding an inline 3 Amp fuss is working so far. Both the air pump and ignitor are fused between the control board as a safety! I have a 1 Amp fuse on the air pump! These are nice neat auto inline fuses that are plugged inline with component. The original wire was unplugged and the fuse was added into the circuit. They can easily be unplugged and the component can be plugged right back to the factory harness.

Sorry for the extended post. I get going its hard to stop!

Does the Omega use a TRIAC controlled system for the blowers? I assume being digital it would. The problem many digital boards have is when the control board (for whatever reason) sends a signal out of phase, the motor kicks it. I wonder if a mod to control the phase would keep the motor safe and happy. Any ideas?

The Maxx and the Omega use triacs to control the motors. I see no difference in how the motors are controlled. The only difference I see is: The amount of voltage output to control the end rpm speed for each heat setting.

The Maxx M has the exact same control board as the Omega with different programming(speeds and feeds). I should be safe to play!

Oh' and both motors are of the same type. Shaded pole. I would worry if one was a SPC or something! A SPC motor on a shaded pole control = no speed reduction motor runs full out! Shaded pole on a SPC control = IDK never tried it. I always keep the motors the same to match controllers!

What is the low end volt on the Omega? Is it around 82v as with the Meridian? I would assume they could go lower having the agitator.

87V to my knowledge

Thankyeew

The Maxx control low is 0 on 1 and 84v on 2. What I see is it will not go as low with the Omega controller. I think its safe to try it. I will probably go with the Maxx M controller once its available. The Maxx and the Maxx M use the exact same motor! I did my home work. Did I pass?

You are always much smarter than I am.

So, am I to understand that the Maxx controller uses the stoves natural draft for the lowest setting?

Now, now I never said that! You will get me at something as I don't get to play much with the stoves anymore. I respect your opinions on many things, That's why I am running my mod by you. Keeps me on my toesies. :lol:

Yes the Maxx on low fire is natural convection only. The heat exchangers on these stoves rock!

One day(seeing as Enviro isn't making a furnace anytime soon!) I may try to fab some duct work to the stove to force the heat upstairs. The main reason for the larger cfm blower is to reduce the overall air temps in the duct work. Otherwise I might get hot floor vents and burn my totsies on the vents. I have never seen a furnace put out more than 100ºF temps from the duct work. I have seen others add duct to there stoves but never have I seen them reduce the temps out the vent. Seeing as my stove will easily throw temps over 200ºF on medium. I feel it would be better to cut the temp in half. I just need to figure out how to cut the fan speed in half on low. I am thinking a 2 speed motor and a temp comtroller or snap disc? I have a lot more details just to lazy to type them all out here. If it goes good, I will post the progress! I really need a furnace to heat this dump properly!

Now if this seems scary let me have it! :cheese:

How about a 160 limit switch mounted just beneath the first register to control a power relay and capacitor to the motor. I will defer to you as I'm not an electrical engineer. When the 160 switch closes it actuates the relay to only allow 1/2 of the line voltage toward the motor.

 

[smwilliamson]

Just curious if anyone has any modifications they want to share. Can be something you have done or maybe a youtube vid you've seen. Anyone tried solar to run the stove or battery backup? I have a few ideas I'm working on. Wondering what you got.

Just got rid of the ugly fake logs in my Englander insert............

YES IS this an Orange County Flame Set...Those guys have their hands into everything!

 

[Arnold]

my 25pdvc came without a back plate. it has a 16" piece of singlewall black pipe exposed which i mount a 18w fan so it blows on the pipe & into the back of the stove

Is this mod for thermal safety of the electrical components or for thermal gain?

both I'd guess

Hmmmm. I do not know if I can call this a really cool mod. In fact, I cannot discern any real benefit. It certainly isn't any prettier to look at nor does it contribute to more efficient burning. Please explain what you think this does before it can be accepted as "really cool" Sorry, my thread, those are the rules.

Those flames are hand plasma cut from a mixture of uranium, unobtainium, & stainless. Therefore they not only glow when the pellets are burning but other times as well, and they also function as a UV tanning light as well as providing whole house mutant rodent control.

you did ask................

 

[vvvv]

my 25pdvc came without a back plate. it has a 16" piece of singlewall black pipe exposed which i mount a 18w fan so it blows on the pipe & into the back of the stove

Is this mod for thermal safety of the electrical components or for thermal gain?

both I'd guess

Hmmmm. I do not know if I can call this a really cool mod. In fact, I cannot discern any real benefit. It certainly isn't any prettier to look at nor does it contribute to more efficient burning. Please explain what you think this does before it can be accepted as "really cool" Sorry, my thread, those are the rules.

really cools off the singlewall so i can put my hand on it,genius. i got pissed when i felt the hot air blowing outdoor. now go read a thread about melted wires inside a stove as possible electrical shorts, duh

 

[jtakeman]

my 25pdvc came without a back plate. it has a 16" piece of singlewall black pipe exposed which i mount a 18w fan so it blows on the pipe & into the back of the stove

Is this mod for thermal safety of the electrical components or for thermal gain?

both I'd guess

Hmmmm. I do not know if I can call this a really cool mod. In fact, I cannot discern any real benefit. It certainly isn't any prettier to look at nor does it contribute to more efficient burning. Please explain what you think this does before it can be accepted as "really cool" Sorry, my thread, those are the rules.

really cools off the singlewall so i can put my hand on it,genius. i got pissed when i felt the hot air blowing outdoor. now go read a thread about melted wires inside a stove as possible electrical shorts, duh

Do you get much build up in the single wall?

I had a magic heat in my vent when I was using my quad(a long time ago) trying to get every last dimes worth of heat from it. But the darn thing loaded up even burning on the higher feeds. I had to remove it as it just scared the crap out of me. It wasn't black tar, But it might have plugged up when I wasn't home and I just didn't want to chance it. But I have to say it did give us more heat! Just couldn't chance it with others at stake!

You might want to look at upping the CFM on your convection blower, Maybe your leaving to much heat in the stove to get carried out the vent??? Or get the Europa!

Yes melted wires will short out a stoves controll panel. Using non type L vent is against code. We read a thread or 2 on that, no? Safety first!

 

[jtakeman]

Seeing my Omega is now out of warrenty. I am really gunning to upgrade the convection blower from a Maxx(sister stove to the Omega). They use the same chassis and the blower is a bolt in and only requires a little tin smoothing to fit. Upgrading the blower would give me more air circulation at about double the CFMs of the current blower. What ever I do I want to be able to undo just in case the extra cfms is not really worth it. Might need a dimmer added IDK!

Once the Maxx M comes out I want to look into the control board. It also maybe a good fit to the upgraded blower.

The disclaimer is I will not touch any factory safety device on the stove. It will be as safe as day one. If Enviro added anything new to the Maxx M as far as safety I will upgrade the Omega to match it.

The one thing I have already added is a fuse between the control panel and the ignitor circuit. Seems if the Igniter dead shorts it can damage the board. Mine shorted and took out the 3 amp relay mounted on the control board(little blue module). I have a post on the Omega igniter. Adding an inline 3 Amp fuss is working so far. Both the air pump and ignitor are fused between the control board as a safety! I have a 1 Amp fuse on the air pump! These are nice neat auto inline fuses that are plugged inline with component. The original wire was unplugged and the fuse was added into the circuit. They can easily be unplugged and the component can be plugged right back to the factory harness.

Sorry for the extended post. I get going its hard to stop!

Does the Omega use a TRIAC controlled system for the blowers? I assume being digital it would. The problem many digital boards have is when the control board (for whatever reason) sends a signal out of phase, the motor kicks it. I wonder if a mod to control the phase would keep the motor safe and happy. Any ideas?

The Maxx and the Omega use triacs to control the motors. I see no difference in how the motors are controlled. The only difference I see is: The amount of voltage output to control the end rpm speed for each heat setting.

The Maxx M has the exact same control board as the Omega with different programming(speeds and feeds). I should be safe to play!

Oh' and both motors are of the same type. Shaded pole. I would worry if one was a SPC or something! A SPC motor on a shaded pole control = no speed reduction motor runs full out! Shaded pole on a SPC control = IDK never tried it. I always keep the motors the same to match controllers!

What is the low end volt on the Omega? Is it around 82v as with the Meridian? I would assume they could go lower having the agitator.

87V to my knowledge

Thankyeew

The Maxx control low is 0 on 1 and 84v on 2. What I see is it will not go as low with the Omega controller. I think its safe to try it. I will probably go with the Maxx M controller once its available. The Maxx and the Maxx M use the exact same motor! I did my home work. Did I pass?

You are always much smarter than I am.

So, am I to understand that the Maxx controller uses the stoves natural draft for the lowest setting?

Now, now I never said that! You will get me at something as I don't get to play much with the stoves anymore. I respect your opinions on many things, That's why I am running my mod by you. Keeps me on my toesies. :lol:

Yes the Maxx on low fire is natural convection only. The heat exchangers on these stoves rock!

One day(seeing as Enviro isn't making a furnace anytime soon!) I may try to fab some duct work to the stove to force the heat upstairs. The main reason for the larger cfm blower is to reduce the overall air temps in the duct work. Otherwise I might get hot floor vents and burn my totsies on the vents. I have never seen a furnace put out more than 100ºF temps from the duct work. I have seen others add duct to there stoves but never have I seen them reduce the temps out the vent. Seeing as my stove will easily throw temps over 200ºF on medium. I feel it would be better to cut the temp in half. I just need to figure out how to cut the fan speed in half on low. I am thinking a 2 speed motor and a temp comtroller or snap disc? I have a lot more details just to lazy to type them all out here. If it goes good, I will post the progress! I really need a furnace to heat this dump properly!

Now if this seems scary let me have it! :cheese:

How about a 160ºF limit switch mounted just beneath the first register to control a power relay and capacitor to the motor. I will defer to you as I'm not an electrical engineer. When the 160 switch closes it actuates the relay to only allow 1/2 of the line voltage toward the motor.

Well we think alike anyway. I was thinking a 160ºF limit and relay but using a 2 speed motor instead. I not sure if half voltage would run the motor. Might stall out or worse, Not even start. Using a 1500/750 rpm 2 speed might net the same results. I need to find a tiny 160ºF limit like the hopper limit on the Bixby.Still need to play. But its to dang warm to start now!

 

[vvvv]

my 25pdvc came without a back plate. it has a 16" piece of singlewall black pipe exposed which i mount a 18w fan so it blows on the pipe & into the back of the stove

Is this mod for thermal safety of the electrical components or for thermal gain?

both I'd guess

Hmmmm. I do not know if I can call this a really cool mod. In fact, I cannot discern any real benefit. It certainly isn't any prettier to look at nor does it contribute to more efficient burning. Please explain what you think this does before it can be accepted as "really cool" Sorry, my thread, those are the rules.

really cools off the singlewall so i can put my hand on it,genius. i got pissed when i felt the hot air blowing outdoor. now go read a thread about melted wires inside a stove as possible electrical shorts, duh

Do you get much build up in the single wall?

I had a magic heat in my vent when I was using my quad(a long time ago) trying to get every last dimes worth of heat from it. But the darn thing loaded up even burning on the higher feeds. I had to remove it as it just scared the crap out of me. It wasn't black tar, But it might have plugged up when I wasn't home and I just didn't want to chance it. But I have to say it did give us more heat! Just couldn't chance it with others at stake!

You might want to look at upping the CFM on your convection blower, Maybe your leaving to much heat in the stove to get carried out the vent??? Or get the Europa!

Yes melted wires will short out a stoves controll panel. Using non type L vent is against code. We read a thread or 2 on that, no? Safety first!

no chimney = easy clean= run stove cold & work the brush + keep the door open during cleaning for better blow. i do get stove kinda hot sometimes

 

[jtakeman]

my 25pdvc came without a back plate. it has a 16" piece of singlewall black pipe exposed which i mount a 18w fan so it blows on the pipe & into the back of the stove

Is this mod for thermal safety of the electrical components or for thermal gain?

both I'd guess

Hmmmm. I do not know if I can call this a really cool mod. In fact, I cannot discern any real benefit. It certainly isn't any prettier to look at nor does it contribute to more efficient burning. Please explain what you think this does before it can be accepted as "really cool" Sorry, my thread, those are the rules.

really cools off the singlewall so i can put my hand on it,genius. i got pissed when i felt the hot air blowing outdoor. now go read a thread about melted wires inside a stove as possible electrical shorts, duh

Do you get much build up in the single wall?

I had a magic heat in my vent when I was using my quad(a long time ago) trying to get every last dimes worth of heat from it. But the darn thing loaded up even burning on the higher feeds. I had to remove it as it just scared the crap out of me. It wasn't black tar, But it might have plugged up when I wasn't home and I just didn't want to chance it. But I have to say it did give us more heat! Just couldn't chance it with others at stake!

You might want to look at upping the CFM on your convection blower, Maybe your leaving to much heat in the stove to get carried out the vent??? Or get the Europa!

Yes melted wires will short out a stoves controll panel. Using non type L vent is against code. We read a thread or 2 on that, no? Safety first!

no chimney = easy clean= run stove cold & work the brush + keep the door open during cleaning for better blow. i do get stove kinda hot sometimes

Well, I had to go up and out because its a basement install. Does your thimble get hot as well?

 

[vvvv]

my 25pdvc came without a back plate. it has a 16" piece of singlewall black pipe exposed which i mount a 18w fan so it blows on the pipe & into the back of the stove

Is this mod for thermal safety of the electrical components or for thermal gain?

both I'd guess

Hmmmm. I do not know if I can call this a really cool mod. In fact, I cannot discern any real benefit. It certainly isn't any prettier to look at nor does it contribute to more efficient burning. Please explain what you think this does before it can be accepted as "really cool" Sorry, my thread, those are the rules.

really cools off the singlewall so i can put my hand on it,genius. i got pissed when i felt the hot air blowing outdoor. now go read a thread about melted wires inside a stove as possible electrical shorts, duh

Do you get much build up in the single wall?

I had a magic heat in my vent when I was using my quad(a long time ago) trying to get every last dimes worth of heat from it. But the darn thing loaded up even burning on the higher feeds. I had to remove it as it just scared the crap out of me. It wasn't black tar, But it might have plugged up when I wasn't home and I just didn't want to chance it. But I have to say it did give us more heat! Just couldn't chance it with others at stake!

You might want to look at upping the CFM on your convection blower, Maybe your leaving to much heat in the stove to get carried out the vent??? Or get the Europa!

Yes melted wires will short out a stoves controll panel. Using non type L vent is against code. We read a thread or 2 on that, no? Safety first!

no chimney = easy clean= run stove cold & work the brush + keep the door open during cleaning for better blow. i do get stove kinda hot sometimes

Well, I had to go up and out because its a basement install. Does your thimble get hot as well?

i dont sew!

 

[jtakeman]

my 25pdvc came without a back plate. it has a 16" piece of singlewall black pipe exposed which i mount a 18w fan so it blows on the pipe & into the back of the stove

Is this mod for thermal safety of the electrical components or for thermal gain?

both I'd guess

Hmmmm. I do not know if I can call this a really cool mod. In fact, I cannot discern any real benefit. It certainly isn't any prettier to look at nor does it contribute to more efficient burning. Please explain what you think this does before it can be accepted as "really cool" Sorry, my thread, those are the rules.

really cools off the singlewall so i can put my hand on it,genius. i got pissed when i felt the hot air blowing outdoor. now go read a thread about melted wires inside a stove as possible electrical shorts, duh

Do you get much build up in the single wall?

I had a magic heat in my vent when I was using my quad(a long time ago) trying to get every last dimes worth of heat from it. But the darn thing loaded up even burning on the higher feeds. I had to remove it as it just scared the crap out of me. It wasn't black tar, But it might have plugged up when I wasn't home and I just didn't want to chance it. But I have to say it did give us more heat! Just couldn't chance it with others at stake!

You might want to look at upping the CFM on your convection blower, Maybe your leaving to much heat in the stove to get carried out the vent??? Or get the Europa!

Yes melted wires will short out a stoves controll panel. Using non type L vent is against code. We read a thread or 2 on that, no? Safety first!

no chimney = easy clean= run stove cold & work the brush + keep the door open during cleaning for better blow. i do get stove kinda hot sometimes

Well, I had to go up and out because its a basement install. Does your thimble get hot as well?

i dont sew!

Hahaha! The metal piece protecting the house from the pipe passing through it. You did use one RIGHT??

 

[vvvv]

my 25pdvc came without a back plate. it has a 16" piece of singlewall black pipe exposed which i mount a 18w fan so it blows on the pipe & into the back of the stove

Is this mod for thermal safety of the electrical components or for thermal gain?

both I'd guess

Hmmmm. I do not know if I can call this a really cool mod. In fact, I cannot discern any real benefit. It certainly isn't any prettier to look at nor does it contribute to more efficient burning. Please explain what you think this does before it can be accepted as "really cool" Sorry, my thread, those are the rules.

really cools off the singlewall so i can put my hand on it,genius. i got pissed when i felt the hot air blowing outdoor. now go read a thread about melted wires inside a stove as possible electrical shorts, duh

Do you get much build up in the single wall?

I had a magic heat in my vent when I was using my quad(a long time ago) trying to get every last dimes worth of heat from it. But the darn thing loaded up even burning on the higher feeds. I had to remove it as it just scared the crap out of me. It wasn't black tar, But it might have plugged up when I wasn't home and I just didn't want to chance it. But I have to say it did give us more heat! Just couldn't chance it with others at stake!

You might want to look at upping the CFM on your convection blower, Maybe your leaving to much heat in the stove to get carried out the vent??? Or get the Europa!

Yes melted wires will short out a stoves controll panel. Using non type L vent is against code. We read a thread or 2 on that, no? Safety first!

no chimney = easy clean= run stove cold & work the brush + keep the door open during cleaning for better blow. i do get stove kinda hot sometimes

Well, I had to go up and out because its a basement install. Does your thimble get hot as well?

i dont sew!

Hahaha! The metal piece protecting the house from the pipe passing through it. You did use one RIGHT??

ya but its all homemade. iNITIALLY i USED B-VENT UNTIL i FOUND A DEAL ON l VENT , burned it hottest with bvent ! bvent was not damaged when replaced 2 or 3 yrs later...........stove's a mess but worx

 

[jtakeman]

[quote author="BLIMP" date="1282010389"]my 25pdvc came without a back plate. it has a 16" piece of singlewall black pipe exposed which i mount a 18w fan so it blows on the pipe & into the back of the stove

Is this mod for thermal safety of the electrical components or for thermal gain?

both I'd guess

Hmmmm. I do not know if I can call this a really cool mod. In fact, I cannot discern any real benefit. It certainly isn't any prettier to look at nor does it contribute to more efficient burning. Please explain what you think this does before it can be accepted as "really cool" Sorry, my thread, those are the rules.

really cools off the singlewall so i can put my hand on it,genius. i got pissed when i felt the hot air blowing outdoor. now go read a thread about melted wires inside a stove as possible electrical shorts, duh

Do you get much build up in the single wall?

I had a magic heat in my vent when I was using my quad(a long time ago) trying to get every last dimes worth of heat from it. But the darn thing loaded up even burning on the higher feeds. I had to remove it as it just scared the crap out of me. It wasn't black tar, But it might have plugged up when I wasn't home and I just didn't want to chance it. But I have to say it did give us more heat! Just couldn't chance it with others at stake!

You might want to look at upping the CFM on your convection blower, Maybe your leaving to much heat in the stove to get carried out the vent??? Or get the Europa!

Yes melted wires will short out a stoves controll panel. Using non type L vent is against code. We read a thread or 2 on that, no? Safety first!

no chimney = easy clean= run stove cold & work the brush + keep the door open during cleaning for better blow. i do get stove kinda hot sometimes

Well, I had to go up and out because its a basement install. Does your thimble get hot as well?

i dont sew!

Hahaha! The metal piece protecting the house from the pipe passing through it. You did use one RIGHT??

ya but its all homemade. iNITIALLY i USED B-VENT UNTIL i FOUND A DEAL ON l VENT , burned it hottest with bvent ! bvent was not damaged when replaced 2 or 3 yrs later...........stove's a mess but worx[/quote]

I have seen a few installs(early on in the pellet game) with 3 inch B vent. They would globe the seems with silicone. Don't think I heard about any fires. I started later in the game(stuck on free wood) and was suggested to use L vent. I was sold by the fact you could touch it and not get burned. Due to my little one. With the magic heat in place you could not touch it when on high. There is a lot of heat the escapes the stove. I can see why Claude was looking at that part. My Omega vent does not get as hot as the Quads. But there still is alot of heat that goes out to nowhereland.

In theory if you had more pipe inside catching the heat and radiating it into the house you would not need the fan. And you would slow down the exhaust stream. I would be reluctant to try though!