AUF Question

[Paddymountain]

I do have air over fire, and it works well. I used to get just a little streak of scorching along the pan wall of whichever side I was drawing off.
Since AOF that has disappeared. I still think I need to push a little more fire back on the flue pan. I really should just get the ambition to build a
new arch. Mine is a really old Soule, I had rebuilt when I bought it back in 2009. I've gone though about 3 upgrades since then. But I'm sure
if I built one from the ground up I would get a little more efficiency.

[Paddymountain]

Since I started this thread awhile ago, I have done some minor upgrades. I drilled some more holes in the floor of my
firebox. I've also replaced my dust collection gates with 4' ball valves. Also, I've bought a digital temp pid controller with
K-type thermocouple. I have it mounted in a 6" box, it really turned out great. I'm sure it will be a good improvement.
Next question: Has anyone thought of using a radon manometer to monitor their draft? It looks like you can get one for $15.00
or so. It seem to me for that price it would be a great way to monitor your draft!
Any thoughts out there?

[minehart gap]

Possible a stupid questions but why do you need to monitor this and what exactly would you be measuring? I haven't been doing this long enough to understand the reason.

[Paddymountain]

It was in the UVM article improving combustion with AUF/AOF. Maybe I need to go back and reread it. Some of it applies to
oil fired evaporators. Anyway, besides monitoring stack temp you would know if your draft is consistent.

[raptorfan85]

I'm on the same level as minehart... if you have auf and aof wouldn't it be a forced draft at that point? Meaning that there is no natural draft and it's a forced draft because of the blowers?

[Super Sapper]

I'm on the same level as minehart... if you have auf and aof wouldn't it be a forced draft at that point? Meaning that there is no natural draft and it's a forced draft because of the blowers?

It would depend on how air tight your evaporator is. If it is air tight you will force the air through the stack, if it is not it will come out where ever it has an opening once you have more air coming in than the draft can handle. Granted you will be hotter with auf and that will improve the draft some.

[Paddymountain]

You know, you guys are probably right! With a stack temp gauge, I'll be able to monitor my overall boil rate better.
Having that draft gauge to look at too, might be overkill. It's like isn't there enough to keep track of when you boiling
let alone another gadget!!

[Super Sapper]

Ask Chuck what happens when you have too many things going at once.