Forced Air For $100

[lobstafari]

This project will vary depending on your evaporator, and please use your own discretion in wiring, taking the risk of burning your shack down,etc. as I will not be responsible!!
But anyway, here how I did it on a 2x6 Small Bros.:
(sorry for not having a digital camera)
Parts From Ace Hardware:
10"x4"x6" end register Boot (used for forced air heat in a house)
6" to 8" galv. stovepipe increaser
end cap for 8" stovepipe
Rheostat and switchbox(w/ wire, nuts etc.)
sheet metal screws, for stovepipe
4: 1/4-20x1/2 bolts, nuts washers (for bolting fan on)
From Grainger:
Dayton mod #4C447 Shaded Pole Fan

1. Take off the damper door.
2. Just so happened the end register piece (rectangle) stuffed perfectly into where the damper was, and came out at 90 deg angle, to not interfere with firing, and also enough to support the fan.
3. Add increaser, fastening to reg. boot with sheet metal screws.
4. Center fan outlet on endcap, and trace outlet square, and mounting holes.
5. Cut square with tinsnips or other means.
6 Drill mounting holes for fan and bolt it on (I made a pigtail for wiring up the fan, but wire accordingly at this point)
7. Mount switch on wall in appropriate fashion.

All set to go!! I had to put a mark on my switch. I can only run it at 3/4 speed, because it'll blow flames out the door and stack, but might work better with a larger setup, or bigger diameter stovepipe. I found I dont need to turn it down when firing either, but again, thats just me!! :lol: :lol:
Good luck, and careful!! You will need to fire more often, and works best with a full firebox.

[Salmoneye]

Ayuh...

Basically have the same setup only mine was free...I took an old blower and a piece of rectangular home heating duct...I tinsnipped the duct till I got it folded to the right tapered shape...I cut off the excess and crimp folded the seams...I drilled and metal screwed the seams and then 'duct taped' the seams for airtightness...The open end that 'attaches' to the arch front I just cut and folded a lip that literally slides into the damper hole...The blower then sits on a brick with the rheostat...I can only run this rig about 1/2 throttle on my 2x6 or I have the same flames coming out the door...Thinking of lining the inside of the door with ceramic blanket to see if I can increase my 'throttle' a tad...


Basically the same unit from Leader is called 'The Grimm Woodsaver'...List price of $350...Saw one used at Leader two weeks ago...$250...


http://www.gmavt.net/~ubavt/Sappin04/blower.JPG

http://www.gmavt.net/~ubavt/Sappin04/blower2.JPG

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

I know that the companies take advantage of idiots like me, but that's how it goes. I guess it's better to buy them that to do without them. :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops:

[MaineMapleDave]

Salmoneye-
that is almost EXACTLY the same setup I cobbled together for my half-pint. Only thing is that my blower is much smaller (came out of a dumpster on a construction site, so I will not complain), but the concept is almost identical, right down to the duct tape, and I used a ceiling fan rheostat.

I am so glad I checked in tonight--now I need to show this to my wife so she'll know I'm not the only one.......

[Salmoneye]

WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER:

You aint an idiot...You just value your time and labour higher than some of us...For me it is a matter of being cheap and having access to stuff I can tinker with...For you it made more sense to buy one outright and have it done with so you could channel time and effort into something 'more important'...If I had put the same effort into fixing peoples computers for billable hours, I probably would have come close to the price of the used one I mentioned at Leader...

MaineMapleDave:

You are not alone...We are all deep in this addiction...

Hi...My name is Salmoneye...And I am a SapHead...

:wink:

[syrupmaker]

We spend all year long picking up treasures that we think or envision a use for :idea: .Some work and some don't,some will and some won't. Best you can do is tinker and try it and then try to super tune it from there.Keeps ya off the couch and outa the wifes way :wink: .Sometimes the treasures end back were they came from :cry:

Rick

[DougM]

Amen to that, Salmoneye!
I have a 3-tub stainless sink waiting to go in the new sugarhouse because I am - to quote my wife "such a scrounge" - and asked a guy if I could have it if he was going to throw it away. It never hurts to ask, and it's free, too. :D :D

[mapleman3]

FREE did someone say FREE where is it and when can I come get it.... thats what folks hear from my mouth all to often.... I may not know what it is, I may not be able to use it!! but if it's free I want it!!!!!

[Seibold's Sugarhouse]

Hello,
Are the forced air units worth the extra money? I'm buying a new arch and I was considering adding a forced air unit and grates. Any Thoughts??
Jason

[syrupmaker]

Jason.... In my opinion,definately! ! ! ! If you are not able to make one up yourself spend the extra nickle and do it. Once you have it you will definately see the difference. Just try boiling one time with and one time with out and you'll be boiling with a blower all the time.

Rick

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Jason,

I bought an airtight front and blower for my evaporator this year. I will find out in about 3 months how much difference it makes. I went to Walmart last year and bought a fan for $ 12 and cobbled together a makeshift duct to fit in my draft door and it made quite a bit of difference. I can't wait to get it cranking this year as they say a pressurized and airtight fire chamber is awesome. Due to the firebox being airtight, it becomes pressurized and you get almost complete combustion of your wood and I am told the very tiny quanity of ash you do have is blown out the top of the stack. :D :D

With some people, it increases evaporation as much as 50% but 15 to 20 percent is the norm. :D

[brookledge]

Definately, If you are going to buy a new arch go with a insulated air tight system with a blower. I have a leader inferno. I used to get about 16- 17 gallons of syrup per cord of wood with regular arch Now I get 25 gallons per cord. You should also get pan gaskets. You don't need an ash pit because there is basicly no ash. the only time I clean it out is when I start it back up usually a small scoop of ash that was left from the wood and coals when I shut down.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Do you clean it once a year or on each startup??

[Seibold's Sugarhouse]

Thanks for the Info. However I think an airtight setup is out of my price range. You can run just a forced air blower with a standard arch front and still receive benefits, right??? I only have 100 taps and therefore use about a cord of wood, however free wood is becoming harder and harder to get. If I can save wood and increase my gph I'll be happy.

Jason

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

If you go with a blower, I would mount it inside the draft door and blow the heat towards the back of the evaporator instead of blowing the heat towards the arch front. If you do decide to mount it on the back of the arch, I would buy some ceramic blanket and insulate the arch front and doors and it should work great.! :D :D

[lobstafari]

Another thing to consider is the space below the fire box. On my old rig, I just put flashing around it, and piled on sand for a quick fix, but it ought to be sealed off otherwise stuff will blow everywhere !!! You'll find a bunch of other unsealed spots too Im sure. It makes a mess, but it all comes out in the filter, and in my case, doubled the manufacturers GPH capacity. Fun stuff...just another thing to play around with, Im sure every setup is different !!!!!!! :lol:

[mapleman3]

AHHH thats true.. when I am on oil this season.. no dirt or ash in the sugarhouse let alone flying up into the pan everytime I fire.. although maybe it's all that extra stuff going into the syrup that gives it it's wonderful flavor 8O 8)

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Jim,

Make sure you have plenty of extra cell minutes so you can call me while you are boiling as you will be sooooo bored since all you have to do is set and relax. 8O :lol: :lol: :lol: :wink:

[syrupmaker]

Brandon....Jim is gonna need a ton of minutes. He'll be calling everybody.
OH OH whats that i can't hear you over the roar of that burner in the back ground. :cry: Now he'll have tons of time to chat while we're trying to balance the phone on our shoulders and fire. :x To bad that Belchertown syrup will loose it's taste with an oil burner. :roll:

[mapleman3]

HEY HEY!! the taste will only get better!! 8) :wink: Bored?? naw maybe I'll be able to get more done in the sugarhouse at the same time.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Yeah, no wood all will definitely harm the flavor. Oh well, since it is Mass syrup it can't be as good as ours anyway. It wouldn't matter what he boiled with. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[DougM]

We have decided that with now having a hood, auto drawoff and gas firing we're just going to have to buy a bigger bag of peanuts, our sugaring snack of choice. :)

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Doug,

You are going to be in such awe next spring, you will be standing with your mouth open so much you won't even think to put anything in it. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: