How to measure heat output of Harman Accentra Insert?

[DexterDay]

Dexterday and Don 2222

Thanks for the Temp pictures and links
I will check out both this week
Eric

Yes Thank You! You guys have got me interested in checking my stove temperatures. I have a digital multimeter with a temperature probe, so I am going to dig that out and see what the specs are. Maybe in the future I will buy one of those stand alone units and dedicate it to monitoring the temp all of the time. I was wondering how people could tell the difference in temperature between pellet brands. I had a hard time feeling the difference between the brands I have used. Of course the pellets I had in the late winter and spring could have been similar enough that there was no difference to notice. I have the same two brands for this season. One thing I did notice of course is a difference in burn time and ash. Still so much to learn. Thanks again!

Your welcome. Putting your hand in front of the heat exchange tubes does work. But you have to go from a $hitty pellet like Natures Junk to Okies. Anyone would notice. But a 30* difference at 250* is hardly noticeable with your hand. I also have a magnetic thermometer on the inside of the door. It is not as accurate, but can still be used as a guide. It will show a 30* difference.

 

[Don2222]

Hello

If you want to measure the wood pellet stove heat output accurately and on it’s highest setting, The ONLY one I can recommend is the $25.00 digital Cole-Palmer and also purchase the high temperature heat probe. Most thermometers do not measure up to 1500 degrees like this one! My Avalon Astoria on low is 250 and high is over 600 degrees F !! see pics below:

See my post below
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/52626/

See cole-palmer web site
http://www.coleparmer.com/catalog/product_view.asp?sku=8646003

Large pic
http://www.coleparmer.com/catalog/large_image.asp?sku=8646003&img=86460_03 _05.jpg

This meter has a 4-ft. ribbon micro-cable that allows you to place the probe within an area and close the door without affecting the probe or the door seal. Accurately monitor temperature within freezers, water baths, heating blocks, incubators, refrigerators, and other areas. The meter includes a fast-response type-K probe that can be used for general purpose applications. Users can also choose from a wide verity of probe sold separately for surface, liquid, air or semi-solid materials.
What�s Included:
one beaded-wire type K probe, NIST-traceable certificate, leatherette case, and one 9 V battery
Specifications
Temp range -58 to 1382�F
Resolution 1�F
Accuracy �2�F .75% between 32 to 932�F and �2�F 1% between 933 to 1382�F. Below 32 accuracies are: -4 � 8�F, -40�F � 8�F, and -58�F � 10�F
Probe Thermocouple
Display 4-digit LCD, 0.7� high
Probe type Type-K
Probe(s) included Yes
Dimensions 2 3/4� W x 4 1/4�H x 3/4� (76 x 114 x 18mm).
Power 9-Volt Alkaline battery (included)

Good Luck
Don

I never did any testing on High.. I heat mainly on Low. But 250 is a good average temp for our stoves. The Astoria and the CB 1200 are very similar.

Yes our stoves put out good heat, I use high (Setting 6) when it goes to -6 Degrees F outside. In fact I developed a Temp Chart for proper heat setting!

I will be using Heat setting 5 out of 6 when it reaches zero and if it stays there a while of goes below then I may be using 6 !
This will heat the 2k split with the pellet stove installed in the basement.

The chart below shows the Pellet Stove Heat Settings we use with the Air Restrictor on 2, and the Convection Fan on 6 (Highest)

Outside Wind Speed
Temp (F) +or-5 MPH
+or-5 5 10 20
Degrees

00 4 5 6
10 3 4 5
20 2 3 4
30 1 2 3
Astoria Heat Setting (1-6)

Heat Burn
Setting Rate (Lbs/Hour)
1 1.7
2 2.46
3 3.22
4 3.98
5 4.74
6 5.5

In my case the consumption curve is:

Deg F lbs/hr Heat setting
-20 5.5 6
-10 4.74 5
00 3.98 4
10 3.22 3
20 2.46 2
30 1.7 1

Above consumption is for no wind. The consumption increases 1 heat setting for every 10 mph increase in wind.
This is in a very tight house using an OAK with R53 insulation in attic. R49 recommended by DOE

Wind makes a big difference so by blocking up air leaks the heat hangs around alot longer and the house is much more cozy

See Low Temps Forecast for Salem NH (small numbers) for 01-20-2011

 

[fullfatboy]

Well... It took me awhile to get home.. One pic is it burning last season. The other is from today and I let the temp sensor (thermocouple) hang out..... I have a little steel clip that holds the Rod (thermocouple) in the middle of the tube. Cant see it, but you get the picture.

I take it out during the summer mon ths and put the log kit in..

Hope this helps... I hide the wire behind the right door. Like I said before, it looks like it came with it..

Dexter- The temp gauge you use has a rod thermocouple, correct?
Do you have any issues with the unit melting due to the high heat?
What brand is the gauge in case I want to look for it?
Thanks!

 

[DexterDay]

Well... It took me awhile to get home.. One pic is it burning last season. The other is from today and I let the temp sensor (thermocouple) hang out..... I have a little steel clip that holds the Rod (thermocouple) in the middle of the tube. Cant see it, but you get the picture.

I take it out during the summer mon ths and put the log kit in..

Hope this helps... I hide the wire behind the right door. Like I said before, it looks like it came with it..

Dexter- The temp gauge you use has a rod thermocouple, correct?
Do you have any issues with the unit melting due to the high heat?
What brand is the gauge in case I want to look for it?
Thanks!

No melting. Its a cooking thermometer thats rated to go in the oven. (Just the rod and wire) The unit is magnitized or it has a kick stand, so you can set it on top of the stove. Will post brand name later this evening.

 

[fullfatboy]

Dexter mentions that he takes the fake logs out when he runs the insert. Is this common practice? Do the logs affect the performance in any way?

 

[DexterDay]

Dexter mentions that he takes the fake logs out when he runs the insert. Is this common practice? Do the logs affect the performance in any way?

No I just think they are a PITA to clean them, then remove and clean the stove, then put back in. Then clean them, then remove and clean the stove, then put them back in. I think they look good in the stove. Just not when I am burning in it. To much work. IMHO.

I put them in for the Summer for looks and take them out for the Winter. Also with the heating and cooling, they eventually start to lose there color and break.
This is my personal choice. Although I did just buy something that will be much easier to clean around in the Winter and will also give the Stove a Custom look and look good while burning. I will start a thread and post pics when it arrives (theres a little teaser for ya)

 

[fullfatboy]

Now you've got me curious!

 

[jtakeman]

Now you've got me curious!

X2 What you get dex???

 

[DexterDay]

Well... It took me awhile to get home.. One pic is it burning last season. The other is from today and I let the temp sensor (thermocouple) hang out..... I have a little steel clip that holds the Rod (thermocouple) in the middle of the tube. Cant see it, but you get the picture.

I take it out during the summer mon ths and put the log kit in..

Hope this helps... I hide the wire behind the right door. Like I said before, it looks like it came with it..

Dexter- The temp gauge you use has a rod thermocouple, correct?
Do you have any issues with the unit melting due to the high heat?
What brand is the gauge in case I want to look for it?
Thanks!

The brand name is Taylor. FYI.