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General => General Forum => Topic started by: peter nap on November 10, 2007, 09:42:41 AM

Title: To blow or not
Post by: peter nap on November 10, 2007, 09:42:41 AM
What a title...like the time the town engineer was asking why his micro hydro unit wasn't spinning well and I told him to give it a little more head. He nearly ran out ;D

Anyway.....I'm going to buy my firebox for the fireplace nexxt week. I can either get one with a blower or not.
I don't intend to use glass doors so I'm not sure a blower will make much difference.

Any opinions?
Title: Re: To blow or not
Post by: glenn kangiser on November 10, 2007, 09:49:18 AM
I built a few stoves and fireplace inserts in the early 70's.

A well designed one doesn't need a blower.  Problem is finding a well designed one.  

I would say the ones I built, designed by an inventor in Oregon were the most advance and proven stoves made, with fins and double walls providing over 300 cfpm convective air circulation.  It is not often you find one with double walls and a good flowing design, Peter.

I'd say look it over and if it looks like it needs it, blow it.

Keep in mind that fans usually need to be replaced in a matter of time so ease of replacement and availability of parts is a consideration.  It will also require electric power.
Title: Re: To blow or not
Post by: MountainDon on November 10, 2007, 11:13:07 AM
Peter, is the blown (supercharged?) firebox the same as the naturally aspirated firebox, but just without the blower? Or is it a totally different design? If about the same would the unit still convect heat with the blower off or would it be an obstruction?

Myself. I'd try to stay away from needing a blower just because if you can get the job done without one, it's a simpler machine. And there's the power issue. Blower suck power as they blow air.
Title: Re: To blow or not
Post by: desdawg on November 11, 2007, 07:20:03 AM
Since you are using solar power Peter I would avoid the blower. JMO.
Title: Re: To blow or not
Post by: glenn kangiser on November 11, 2007, 04:57:23 PM
Good point, desdawg.  A fan on all day or night will suck a lot of juice.
Title: Re: To blow or not
Post by: MountainDon on November 11, 2007, 06:14:02 PM
QuoteGood point, desdawg.  A fan on all day or night will suck a lot of juice.

That was my point above. Maybe I was not succinct enough. The RV furnace fan/blower is terrible, and it only runs on demand/cycles..

QuoteBlower suck power as they blow air.
Title: Re: To blow or not
Post by: glenn kangiser on November 11, 2007, 06:52:55 PM
I have the problem of reviewing the postings quickly and not always remembering if someone already made the point or not.

As I get older the CRS begins to take it's toll. ::)