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B<~ckpuffing.
A
hot
combustor (above 1400°F) can sometimes act like a glow plug (spon-
·.
n.!ous combustion
ignitor).
Usually the wood gas-to-air mixture is either too lean or too
nch
to form a highly flammable
mixture. There
are times when this mixture is
just
right
within the firebox during the normal burning
process.
II the combustor is running at or above
the ignition temperature of the mixture. spontaneous combustion will result, causing the
stove to vent puffs of smoke.
Non-Uniform Flow · Non-uniform l:vw causes the
combustor
to heat and cool unevenly
and is a result of fuel-loading
configurat1on.
This occurs when the flow pattern of the fire
is concentrated on one side of the combustor. This condition causes thermal stress within
the ceramic. resulting in cracking
.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Operation of any wood heater can create
problems.
While the use of a catalytic-combustor
equipped stove will c;ubstantially lessen some of these problems--such as creosote
formation-
other traditional wood-heater problems may remain.
The following guidelines apply to operation of all wood heaters, with problems related
to catalytic heaters addressed where appropriate.
HEATER RELATED PROBLEMS
Problem
1
.
Sluggish heater
Performance
Possible Cause
Solution
1.
Obstruction in chimney
1. Check for and remove
2. Improperly sealed trim
kit or direct connect kit
3.
Manual damper in
chimney is closed
obstruction.
2.
(a) Check trim kit gasketing
seal to fireplace and gasket
as necessary to seal unit.
Gasket
under stove if
needed.
(b) Check seal of direct connect
and correct.
3. Open manual damper and wire
shut with stainless steel wire
or remove damper.
4.
Closing bypass or
4. Follow New Buck instructions
exhaust damper too soon.
for proper firing procedures.
5.
Wet or unseasoned
wood being burned
6.
Too much wood added
to too few coals
7.
Dislodged stove parts
8.
Poor chimney draft
9.
Combustor
is plugged
35
5. Burn dry, seasoned wood
6. Add small amounts of wood
to small coal
beds.
Once a
good bed of coals has been
established more wood can
be added.
7.
Check all movable heater parts.
Replace if
necessary.
8. See section in
"Chimney-
Related
Problems"
9. See section in "Combustor
-Related Problems"
·-~,
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