Recent content by sewerzuk

I've replaced the nozzle twice in maybe 7 years. Seems like I need to take it apart and clean it about twice a year. I put a new oring in each time.

There is something to be said for this. I've spent some time looking at a couple of different commercial designs. They do require less maintenance than either of my "big" furnace builds. My first one (that this post began with) is still in operation in my shop today. I'd say that I've got...

Unfortunately I never did draw up schematics of any of my builds; they were those kind of projects I just jumped into and wired up as I went. Anything I drew up was on a scrap piece of paper or cardboard that was discarded immediately afterward. Basically, the "alarms" on the temp controllers...

I'm still active! Don't post much here, but still lurk around :) Still busy out on the trails! In fact, I used this jumper cable welding technique in the middle of nowhere a few months back to weld a broken shock mount during an overland trip. Survived the rest of the trip, and still running...

Pressure switches are usually adjustable, but have an acceptable operating range. If you try to adjust them out of that range, they become unreliable. For example, if a switch is designed for 90-120psi, you may be able to adjust the kick-on setpoint anywhere from 70-110 PSI. To the point of...

I had planned on doing this exact thing...but the project kind of fell apart. My plan was to run the boiler with its own closed water system and a few heat exchangers; one for the house furnace, one for my shop, and one for my hot tub. I think it is a great idea, post up some pics if you get...

On another note, I fired up my shop furnace for the first time this fall this morning. Despite sitting all summer long, it coughed once and then roared to life. My shop is a nice comfortable 65 degrees...good for an engine swap project I have planned for today! Looks like I will be warm for...

I assume you have a Bentone burner? I've never seen one in person...there's no way for me to tell if it will work without modification. But, a few things I have learned during my "tinkering" with fuel oil burners that are pertinent to your question: -Most of them will run well on a 50/50...

Honestly...I can't remember my reasoning! And, I can't think of why this would be necessary. Since I am using 24vac for my other relays, I certainly could have done the same for the cartridge heater. Since I built this furnace in stages, it may have been just because I built that part first...

As long as the burner runs for more than a couple of minutes, the chamber stays dry. If it only runs for a short while, it doesn't get hot enough to completely burn all of the oil. I would suggest trying a slightly smaller nozzle and/or increased air pressure; hopefully a more fine oil...

Nice work! Just had the chance to watch your video...

Great thread. I just bought a Heil oil furnace and am fixing to convert it to burn WMO. It is really easy to tell that you are an engineer. I have a couple question if you don't mind to answer them. First, in your parts list for your original furnace, you list 3 relays that we need. In your...

I am not currently running a barometric damper. I have a very short section of single wall vent and the rest is all class A stainless chimney (I used to have a wood stove in the shop). I did try to run a damper for a short while, but I experienced the same ash problem that you had, as well as...

I came home from a week-long trip to Alaska yesterday to find my shop cold and smelling of oil smoke, and the furnace tripped off. When I reset the safety, it ran for about a minute and then tripped off again. During that time, small amounts of smoke were puffing out of the inspection port and...

I had two tees in my return line; two copper lines ran from the pump (recirc line and pressure line) to two sides of the first tee, the outlet of that first tee supplied the 2nd tee. The 2nd tee had a line that supplied the nozzle, and a line that returned to the constant level tank. I'm not...