Can we build it? Wood furnace day one.......and counting

[Cynangyl]

Re: Can we build it? Wood furnace day one-three.

It will have some frustration.......the rest of the black iron pipe may or may not be in for the weekend....start another step and risk an error.....or hurry up and wait? This just might work!

Hard decision sis! I say pray hard the rest of the pipe is in before the weekend because no way you can get Gerry and the boys to agree to hurry up and wait now....cuz....well this just might work....gotta get it done so we can see!

 

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[COUNTRY GIRL]

Re: Can we build it? Wood furnace day one-three.

Donna I'll let you know what we think of the Magazine now adays.

Sis, now way they are going to stop now so that pipe better be in. Or....on to phase 2.

 

[Old Dog]

Re: Can we build it? Wood furnace day one-three.

Kim,

The concept is a sound one for a wintertime application.
Are you guys planning on using this to heat your water in summertime as well?
If so, the question becomes one of dispelling heat away from the house.

I use a similar set of pipes that will pick up cold air from the floor and force hot air out the top of the stove.
I see no reason why it won't work with water.
I am very eager to celebrate with you your success!

Thom

 

[COUNTRY GIRL]

Thom, We aren't quite sure yet. The burner will be enclosed, so if it doesn't heat the garage up too much...............It just might work.

The unit will be enclosed in the garage about 200 feet from the house and heat a lot of area. I'll get the approx. square footage.

The pipe came in, so we cut and bent 39 pieces this weekend. Ty and I kept switching on who got to hold the pipe. We have the look down pat! Then we made sure it was a perfect fit, took it back apart, cleaned it up, ready for welding tomarrow.

Minor set back...........Can't lay on the ground upside down and weld? So you make up a rotisserie style unit (last picture) So weld the top, flop it 180 degrees, weld the bottom, flop it again and start all over with the final weld. This just might work!

 

[Don in SJ]

Looking good Kim!!!

 

[Old Dog]

An excellent job of welding so far!
I wish you guys a "one shot" on this one.
Do you plan on pressure testing some how before the final assby??
Certainly would be a very good Idea.

Thom

 

[Cynangyl]

Definitely looking good and Ty is sure enjoying himself! What a project you guys got going and it is progressing well...this just might work!

 

[COUNTRY GIRL]

It's a two phase weld, the first rod will be the root, and the second style rod is for the finish. They think they can have the water to it tonight. Pressure test for 12? hours at 150? psi. I may not have the numbers exact, but I think I have it. You wouldn't want this baby to leak.

 

[Ray S S]

Hello,Wow, you folks have got a great looking project going there. That is really making your personal skills pay off in yourfavor. Congratulations on your work. I can't offer any particular advice cause it is a little out of my line but I'mrooting for you and wishing all of the best on it. It sure looks impressive. Ray karenray08

 

[wesfrye53]

It's moving right along Kimmie...and I see you have plenty of help. Just don't let Micki put her wet nose on a hot weld!

 

[COUNTRY GIRL]

Micki stays well out of the way!

I was mistaken on the pressure test. You test it with AIR 100 psi for 24 hours. Boy would'nt want me to help there! Here is the welding job so far, it's taking longer than expected, looks like the final welds will be Monday night. The air should be to it and hopefully no leaks.

 

[Old Dog]

Kim,

Am sitting here...(figuratively) with my fingers crossed.

"This could work"

Thom

 

[Cynangyl]

Can't wait to see it work!!

 

[rmptr]

Sure looks like a fun project!

Gonna be a task welding around all those pipes up against each other.
Most folks use a coil of pipe to avoid welding up manifolds or expensive fittings.

Small leaks could rust closed and seal themselves,
but heat against the pipes and manifold will cause the metal to expand and contract, though...

...Heat loss in a 200ft run could be considerable, even if insulated.

But I'm glad you're having fun!

Best
rmptr

 

[COUNTRY GIRL]

Thom, I think it just might work, I have asked a ton of questions and even made a couple of good sugestions . My understanding of how this is going to work is growing in leaps and bounds.

Rmptr, Thanks for the input. I don't think you can buy a "roll" of 1/4" wall black iron pipe, and looping it through 79 holes would be real tough. The Jig the Guys made up is making the welding process go rather smoothly, just flip it over 180 degrees, and you can get the bottom side. They are welding the pipes in 2 at a time that's why it's taking a bit longer than anticipated. Oh we are not real worried about heat loss, more worried about it getting too hot, that's why there will be dump zones.

We are having fun, it's a learning process, and a big money saver. Besides "This just might work!"

 

[rmptr]

Hey CG,

Well, what I've seen done, was standard 21ft joints of 3/4 black iron pipe jigged on a large winch drum and wound onto it... stop and thread a coupling and another joint on... and keep going.
Actually, 1 or 2 coils in a fireplace is enough for dishwashing, or a unregulated-temp shower.
The ones I've seen in woodstoves for washing the dishes at the sink were far less than that.

In the 'way back machine' my buddy had some big mining equipment that worked for the task.
...Now I remember why we had more than one joint... we were in the process of building a steam cleaner and needed more length for a propane burner to get heat to the coil of pipe. I don't think we got it working right...

Yes, too hot is a problem... with many solar heaters and such. It takes an expensive mixer valve to blend the solar heated water into the volume of the gas fired water heater that may be the mainstay of the system.
Last I heard the mixer valve was just under $200. not a clue, today.

Yours sure is fancy, with the manifolds and such... I've never really seen one like that.
It could be better than sliced bread!

Best
rmptr

 

[Old_Okie]

We need an update. This is too cool a project to leave us hanging on.

Old_Okie

 

[rmptr]

Yes!

How has the project turned out?

warm, I hope!
rmptr

 

[COUNTRY GIRL]

I've been taking pictures, and learning tons! Trying to organize the pictures is the tough part.

The heat exchanger had some leaks after the first weld. Funny we kept joking about how it was going to be a leaker. Wasn't so funny when it did.

We have hit a bump or 2 in the road...................I have got to tell you this............do NOT try this at home. Unless you have the tools, the talent, the patients, and the people............you still might not want to try it.

Do NOT buy the plans........they stink! We actually had to go and look at what the plans refferenced to several times, they are far from user friendly or cost effective.

All in all we have her figured out and it just might work!

Here are some pictures, we are actually way further ahead than this, just got to down load the rest of the pictures.......................

More to come..............

 

[COUNTRY GIRL]

Any questions.............bring them on.