Hello everyone. Thankful for this forum. Would appreciate your input.
After what I thought was sufficient research, (yes I have "The Book" lol) and close attention to the proper dimensions,
I started in on my first rsmh -
1 1/4" x 9 x 4 1/2" firebrick lined, three 8" masonry chimney flues - 36" tall.
Burn chamber is (approx.) 7 3/4" tall x 5" wide x 13" deep.
Total burn area is 21" long including the 8" flue width.
Feed tube is a 6x6 rectangle metal tube cut at a 45 d angle.
(This angle was chosen to allow for a self-feeding pellet option at future date).
A 1" high metal grate sits on the brick and fuel then sits on this grate while burning.
Door when open fully allows air into burn chamber opening which is (as above) 7.5"h x 5"w.
Two air intake baffles allow adjusted air in under the 1" metal grate when door is closed.
Burn chamber is insulated 1 1/2 w/Perlite both sides, but not the top or bottom.
Top of stove was not fully sealed. (No gasket material installed yet on the top inspection plate).
Consequently, stove was losing heat out of the top before it could be directed down to the exhaust pipe.
Can be easily rectified with gasket material installed.
Exhaust diameter is 8".
Chimney is insulated with 1 1/2" Perlite all four sides.
Fired the prototype up yesterday.
Stove drew well, little smoke back-up. After 4-6 mins, no smoke out of exhaust flue.
Heat at the top of the chimney was + - 425 d. F.
Problems:
Stove doesn't achieve that "rockety" sound when burning.
Could not detect the vortex type fire expected in the flue.
Should not the stove generate higher temps?
My thoughts are:
1. Because of the angle of the feed tube, (45%) the
wood is burning too close to the chimney, with not
enough (length) time for a good burn?
In other words, burn chamber needs to be longer?
2. Burn chamber is too tall?
3. Burn chamber is too wide?
4. Needs insulation bottom and top of burn chamber?
5. Feed tube is too large due to the angle? A 5"x5" tube at 22.5 d would be better?
Those are my thoughts.
Your thoughts welcomed and appreciated.