Carbon monoxide problems

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Coalnoob
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Post by Coalnoob » Sun. Oct. 21, 2018 5:28 pm

I finally got my coal stove up and running, used Harman Mag Stoker, but I am having carbon monoxide issues along with a strong sulfur smell. I shut the stove down due to the detectors going off. This is my first coal stove and year burning coal. The gaskets on the doors seem fine. Any thoughts or suggestions on where I should start?

 
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coaledsweat
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Post by coaledsweat » Sun. Oct. 21, 2018 5:35 pm

Crack a window an inch or two.

 
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Post by Odyknuck » Sun. Oct. 21, 2018 5:40 pm

Do you have a draft? Is your chimney clear?

 
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WNY
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Post by WNY » Sun. Oct. 21, 2018 5:45 pm

check draft and make sure it's set correctly. And check exhaust pipe, make sure it's cleaned and sealed.

if you having CO problems, something is def. wrong.

Is it natural draft or power vent?


 
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McGiever
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Post by McGiever » Sun. Oct. 21, 2018 6:04 pm

Too much combustion air will "flood" or pressurize any otherwise negative pressure stove.

Do you have a "swing cover" at the intake of combustion fan?...dial it down some if that is an option.
Even a decent size refrigerator magnet or even duct tape in a pinch can throttle it down by restricting the opening size if there is no "swing cover" there.

 
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Post by titleist1 » Sun. Oct. 21, 2018 9:37 pm

Good Job having the CO monitors and also good job shutting down and getting more info! CO is not to be ignored.

As McG suggested you are probably pressurizing the firebox with the combustion fan. The cover on the combustion fan intake should be adjusted to about 1/2 blocked.

A manometer can be used to tell you what the flue draft is compared to the firebox draft (pressure) to make sure you have it blocked enough.

 
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lsayre
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Post by lsayre » Mon. Oct. 22, 2018 5:39 am

Birds may have built a nest in your chimney.

 
Coalnoob
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Post by Coalnoob » Sun. Oct. 28, 2018 10:24 pm

I went out that evening and checked my chimney one last time and found another large birds nest packed into the bottom of my chimney just above the cleanout. Removed the obstruction and stove is working great with no carbon monoxide readings.


 
Coalnoob
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Post by Coalnoob » Sun. Oct. 28, 2018 10:30 pm

I did also adjust the combustion fan cover to about half closed. I do not own a manometer but may invest in one this year. No issues with draft since then.

 
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lsayre
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Post by lsayre » Mon. Oct. 29, 2018 5:08 am

A chimney cap may be in order here to keep the birds from building nests.

 
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StanT
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Post by StanT » Mon. Oct. 29, 2018 8:19 am

My sister had co2 alarms, went crazy, finally changed all the gaskets, working fine now.

Good luck, Stant

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