Post by bigrock on Nov 30, 2019 22:01:20 GMT -8
Fireplace conversion
First Post. I’ve been following the boards here for a couple years now. So much great information. Thank you to Peter and all the other contributors who have helped add so much valuable information to these pages.
I want to put a rocket core into my existing fireplace. I’ve found the linked build to be the most applicable to my situation.
donkey32.proboards.com/thread/1274/rocket-heater-fireplace-design?page=6
My main goals are to burn cleanly and efficiently. My existing fireplace is unique in that although it is an open fireplace, it has heat extraction tubes that run at the top of the fireplace below the flu. When I burn, there is a substantial amount of heat coming through the extraction vents. If I turn my fireplace could be turned into a bell, and I could really take advantage of the pre-existing heat tubes while burning much cleaner. Picture of fireplace and heat tube system in google photo link.
Fire Place and Heat tube photo
I’m in northern California and burn Nov-Feb when it is sufficiently cold. The current configuration of open fireplace produces enough heat to comfortably warm about 300 sq ft. and avoid using the furnace, but I have to burn a substantial amount of wood.
I’d like to build Peter’s DSR2. Using the Batch Box calculations a system size of 4.17 or 106mm matches standard fire brick dimensions of 9 x 4.5 to match a DSR2 firebox height of 9 inches. Additionally DSR2 Box of 106mm will just fit inside my fireplace. I intend to lengthen the firebox 25% to 5B. This makes firebox 15 inches to better accommodate wood size. By my calculations my straight box will be about 23 inches long, depending on what materials the core is constructed from. I need to maintain the smallest footprint. My fireplace is 24 inches deep. Height is an issue as well. The rear wall of the fireplace slopes forward, making it shorter at back, too short to accommodate the height of a top box bigger than 106mm system without changing to an offset DSR2 core configuration.
The fireplace and chimney are on the interior of the home in a central location. The chimney exits at the peak of a single story home about 15-18ft from ground level; 2ft off the peak of the roof.
I have some questions about venting the system correctly.
1) Can I vent directly into the chimney after correct system size restriction?
2) Will I have problems with exhaust cooling before it exits the chimney?
3) Do I need full length chimney pipe?
4) Would chimney pipe have to be insulated?
If there were to be problems with not enough heat in a small system to exit the chimney, I’m limited on system size. A 6 inch system might be possible with a side box configuration, but my fireplace dimension wont allow for any bigger. I’m pushing the size of a top box configuration with the 4 inch system.
Thank you
BigRock
First Post. I’ve been following the boards here for a couple years now. So much great information. Thank you to Peter and all the other contributors who have helped add so much valuable information to these pages.
I want to put a rocket core into my existing fireplace. I’ve found the linked build to be the most applicable to my situation.
donkey32.proboards.com/thread/1274/rocket-heater-fireplace-design?page=6
My main goals are to burn cleanly and efficiently. My existing fireplace is unique in that although it is an open fireplace, it has heat extraction tubes that run at the top of the fireplace below the flu. When I burn, there is a substantial amount of heat coming through the extraction vents. If I turn my fireplace could be turned into a bell, and I could really take advantage of the pre-existing heat tubes while burning much cleaner. Picture of fireplace and heat tube system in google photo link.
Fire Place and Heat tube photo
I’m in northern California and burn Nov-Feb when it is sufficiently cold. The current configuration of open fireplace produces enough heat to comfortably warm about 300 sq ft. and avoid using the furnace, but I have to burn a substantial amount of wood.
I’d like to build Peter’s DSR2. Using the Batch Box calculations a system size of 4.17 or 106mm matches standard fire brick dimensions of 9 x 4.5 to match a DSR2 firebox height of 9 inches. Additionally DSR2 Box of 106mm will just fit inside my fireplace. I intend to lengthen the firebox 25% to 5B. This makes firebox 15 inches to better accommodate wood size. By my calculations my straight box will be about 23 inches long, depending on what materials the core is constructed from. I need to maintain the smallest footprint. My fireplace is 24 inches deep. Height is an issue as well. The rear wall of the fireplace slopes forward, making it shorter at back, too short to accommodate the height of a top box bigger than 106mm system without changing to an offset DSR2 core configuration.
The fireplace and chimney are on the interior of the home in a central location. The chimney exits at the peak of a single story home about 15-18ft from ground level; 2ft off the peak of the roof.
I have some questions about venting the system correctly.
1) Can I vent directly into the chimney after correct system size restriction?
2) Will I have problems with exhaust cooling before it exits the chimney?
3) Do I need full length chimney pipe?
4) Would chimney pipe have to be insulated?
If there were to be problems with not enough heat in a small system to exit the chimney, I’m limited on system size. A 6 inch system might be possible with a side box configuration, but my fireplace dimension wont allow for any bigger. I’m pushing the size of a top box configuration with the 4 inch system.
Thank you
BigRock