Shaver Improvement Forum

[John D]

Look what someone is selling on ebay now...

Kind of steep if you ask me.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Burn-less-wood-and-recover-faster-Shaver-Wood-Furnaces_W0QQitemZ150323995107QQihZ005QQcategoryZ41987QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Also kind of ironic that you guys did yours,and a few weeks later he pops up selling them.Shavers been around what 36 yrs,and hes a dealer,now he is selling them? I gotta wonder if he even used one before trying to sell them.I dont know what the blower costs,depending on that price i figure $80-100 over that is fair.I actually thought about removing the blower,and just using the actuator on the 3 bolt opening with just natural draft.I bet I save some wood,but get a slightly slower recovery time.

 

[yodayoda]

Also kind of ironic that you guys did yours,and a few weeks later he pops up selling them.Shavers been around what 36 yrs,and hes a dealer,now he is selling them? I gotta wonder if he even used one before trying to sell them.I don't know what the blower costs,depending on that price i figure $80-100 over that is fair.I actually thought about removing the blower,and just using the actuator on the 3 bolt opening with just natural draft.I bet I save some wood,but get a slightly slower recovery time.

I was trying to figure out a way to have a natural draft and blower setup. Maybe 2 thermostats, 1st stat closes natural draft at say 170 degrees , 2nd stat runs only the blower, maybe shutting off blower at 155 degrees. That way you could have the best of both worlds,natural draft for less wood consumption, fan would kick on if water temp drops to low. My only problem is it would be nice to be able to adjust each draft independent of each other?

 

[fletcher0780]

I was trying to figure out a way to have a natural draft and blower setup. Maybe 2 thermostats, 1st stat closes natural draft at say 170 degrees , 2nd stat runs only the blower, maybe shutting off blower at 155 degrees. That way you could have the best of both worlds,natural draft for less wood consumption, fan would kick on if water temp drops to low. My only problem is it would be nice to be able to adjust each draft independent of each other?

You could just use a two stage aquastat, both ranco and dwyer have them. In theory, all off could be 185*, set point 1 could open the draft, but not the blower at 180*, and set point 2 could turn on the blower at 175*. I don't think you'd get enough draft to make much of a difference on the real cold days, but it would probably work well as it gets warmer.

 

[robowing]

Also kind of ironic that you guys did yours,and a few weeks later he pops up selling them.Shavers been around what 36 yrs,and hes a dealer,now he is selling them? I gotta wonder if he even used one before trying to sell them.I dont know what the blower costs,depending on that price i figure $80-100 over that is fair.I actually thought about removing the blower,and just using the actuator on the 3 bolt opening with just natural draft.I bet I save some wood,but get a slightly slower recovery time.

He has been a Shaver dealer for a while and puts these on all stoves he sells as standard equipment. Funny, I ran across this site after I found his and sent him an email asking him for help on all the problems you guys have. He was nice enough to explain what he does and I asked him if he sells the fan mod seperately. He put one together for me and I guess he sees theres a market for this, and there is. not everyone has the tools and want to modify these things by themselves. I can do alot, but he made it easy for me and I am greatful for that.

 

[fify59thatsit]

ranco thermostat

Hi,I am brand new to this forum but not new to Shaver shortcomings.
Please, would someone help me with a model # and source for a ranco thermostat.

 

[fletcher0780]

Hi,I am brand new to this forum but not new to Shaver shortcomings.
Please, would someone help me with a model # and source for a ranco thermostat.

here you go: http://www.iaqsource.com/product.php?p=ranco_etc-111000&product=110270

just curious, how did you find this discussion?

 

[fify59thatsit]

Shaver walking wounded

HI,I found you folks searching high and low for help with the Sybil like behavior of my Billy Ben outdoor heating appliance.
I have quite a long story to tell,but I will leave that for another time.

 

[fletcher0780]

HI,I found you folks searching high and low for help with the Sybil like behavior of my Billy Ben outdoor heating appliance.
I have quite a long story to tell,but I will leave that for another time.

There is quite a lot of good info in this thread if you read it beginning to end. Share your story when you get a chance.

 

[projectsho89]

Hi,I am brand new to this forum but not new to Shaver shortcomings.
Please, would someone help me with a model # and source for a ranco thermostat.

I just bought one from Honey Run Apiaries at www.rancoetc.com

Got it in within 3 days.... Really fast shipment.

Was going to install it this afternoon, but, by the time I found everything I needed (after getting home two hours later than expected) I ran out of sunlight and time. Will install it Saturday.

Which model depends on what you want - single or dual stage and with or without analog output for remote display/sensing. I bought the single stage with analog out - ETC-1111

Steve

 

[fify59thatsit]

Billy Ben heater

There is quite a lot of good info in this thread if you read it beginning to end. Share your story when you get a chance.

Thanks for the fast response on the thermostat info.
For a while ,I thought I might wander in the wilderness forever.
This sight has already shown me some much needed daylight.
I like to tinker and try to improve stuff ,but I had about hit the wall with my Billy Ben heater.
Maybe I should not call it that,but it's slightly better than swearing.
I have the ranco thermostat on the way and may do some type of mod to the draft fan.I liked the simple idea of using a flapper [ much like a dryer vent]that I read about earlier today.

 

[fify59thatsit]

Things are better

I resealed that crappy door over the copper coil again and this time piled some weight on it for good measure. Also did the steam pipe fix with very good results so far.The ranco thermo will be here on Monday, looking forward to that fix as well.
I guess I should Mention this my 3rd winter with my b+b heater.
Just for fun,Have any of you out there met Billy in the flesh?I have.

 

[yodayoda]

fify59 I'd like to hear your story when you get the chance. Has any one else noticed that sometimes the water sounds like it's starting to boil at the very front top area of the stove(above the wood loading door) I have noticed this several times when it has been really cold out, the water temp at the rear of the stove at pump outlet has been as low as 145 degrees, but it sounds like it is boiling up front. When I have noticed it has been when the stove is loaded fairly full of wood, most of the grate is covered so the fire burns mostly at the very front of the grate. I'm thinking it creates a hot spot there. It's hard to believe the water could be that much hotter in one area and not mix with the colder water. I don't know what else the noise could be, it sure sounds like water that is just starting to boil. I was thinking of running one of my return lines to the front of the stove? or maybe even if it is starting to boil it doesn't hurt anything? any thoughts? Oh also I am using both hookups, 1 for the house and 1 for my shop, both pumps run all the time.

 

[fify59thatsit]

front boiling

Mine has done the same thing,Now I keep the fire in the back close to back wall of fire box where the pump would pull in water.
It seems to keep the grate open better with less ash covering it up.
The compartment [ for lack of a better term] created by the back of the firebox to the water jacket is about 5" wide .
While this piece of plate is not welded to the water jacket ,[it holds up the back of the fire box inside the water jacket] looks to me to be almost impossible for much circulation from front to back to take place.
So folks we are pulling all of our heat from this very narrow compartment.
There is space for some holes that could have been cut in this plate that might have made this situation better , easily done during fabrication. Maybe Billy will make this modification in the future.
Perhaps the newer models are not like this. There was only one model when I got mine.
This is my 3rd winter with ole Billy Ben












th

 

[yodayoda]

The problem with that is the chimney is in the way, its hard to get enough wood in it, I think this summer when I rip all the siding off of it to insulate it better, I may run some steel pipe on top of the furnace, drill a hole in the top front of the water jacket and run the pipe down into the water,then hook my return line to this and cap the original return at the bottom of the furnace. I still can't believe they don't insulate the bottom of the water jacket. I have been banking snow around the furnace all winter to try and keep the wind from blowing under it. I know there is a lot of heat loss at the bottom because it melts the snow and I have to keep rebanking it up.

On the upside it has been warmer the last couple a days lower 30s in the day teens at night, it works great in this type weather. It probably doesn't't get much colder than that in Arkansas.


I saw another member on this site originally ordered a shaver, then canceled and got a Natures Comfort. I had never heard of that brand so I went to their website. It looks like they copied the shaver, I do like the basic design of the shaver, round firebox 3/8 thick, chimney sits low in the firebox. The natures comfort looks like they took the shaver and refined it, looks very impressive on their website.(but then again so did the shaver)

So if your considering buying a shaver, seriously consider spending a little more and buy a natures comfort

 

[fify59thatsit]

In the spring I intend to reach through the door covering the roll of copper and
torch a few holes in the back plate to let water circulate better.
I have another one of these things that hasn't been hooked up yet and it looks like it's doable .This spare one was to sell to help pay for the cost of going to Salem,Ak to pick them up.
I can't tell you how glad I didn't sell it to someone, for with my luck they surely would have sued me.

 

[yodayoda]

In the spring I intend to reach through the door covering the roll of copper and
torch a few holes in the back plate to let water circulate better.
I have another one of these things that hasn't been hooked up yet and it looks like it's doable .This spare one was to sell to help pay for the cost of going to Salem,Ak to pick them up.
I can't tell you how glad I didn't sell it to someone, for with my luck they surely would have sued me.

You've had money tied up in a second spare furnace for 3 years? That sucks
When you met Billy could you hear banjo music coming from somewhere?
Just kidding, that wasn't nice

 

[fletcher0780]

I may run some steel pipe on top of the furnace, drill a hole in the top front of the water jacket and run the pipe down into the water,then hook my return line to this and cap the original return at the bottom of the furnace.

There is a guy that did this on another forum and reported excellent results, I'm thinking of doing the same thing.

http://**************************/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=9ea05eabd9f8764eb453d7c3fd7d416e&topic=46.msg301#msg301

 

[fify59thatsit]

You've had money tied up in a second spare furnace for 3 years? That sucks
When you met Billy could you hear banjo music coming from somewhere?
Just kidding, that wasn't nice

It's Better than being sued by somebody who may not love these things the way we do.
I liked Billy then and still do a little. Ben not so much.
To me this whole deal was a classic bait and switch.
I looked at the website and saw this perfectly wonderful furnace with the simple design and super firebox I craved after looking at all the other boiler's out there. It's got a roll of copper to heat water,a water heater thermostat to control your heat for Pete's sake. Talk about simple.
Then I pick it up and discover that it is actually a troll,.an ugly toad nothing like the beautiful thing on the website.
But,maybe it's not that ugly.Maybe I can do a little here a little there and it won't be so ugly.maybe I can learn to use it.After all I did this to my self,I can't quit now.
As for banjo music,I do remember a beautiful song about heating a 5000 sq. ft. old farm house, a hot tub all with railroad ties. Yes it was a beautiful song.

 

[user 28181]

Boy I don't get it.Our 165 has been workin fine with no mods but an elbow on the vent to keep it from steamin, and some extra chimney height..Bought two extra therm-o-disc thermostats just in case-they're still sitting on the shelf..blower's been working fine,just close the shutter a little during a warm spell..maybe set the temp down a hair..it maintains an almost constant 170-190 temp to the house...using a re-circ pump for the DHW seemed to help too..DHW is better than what the oil burner provided..and free...as for the chimney sweating under the roof,I don't know..been looking for it but nothing yet....could be a poorly sealed coil cover causing it...Just my 2 cents---J

 

[fify59thatsit]

Quality

Boy I don't get it.Our 165 has been workin fine with no mods but an elbow on the vent to keep it from steamin, and some extra chimney height..Bought two extra therm-o-disc thermostats just in case-they're still sitting on the shelf..blower's been working fine,just close the shutter a little during a warm spell..maybe set the temp down a hair..it maintains an almost constant 170-190 temp to the house...using a re-circ pump for the DHW seemed to help too..DHW is better than what the oil burner provided..and free...as for the chimney sweating under the roof,I don't know..been looking for it but nothing yet....could be a poorly sealed coil cover causing it...Just my 2 cents---J

Before a couple days ago I had no idea as to what was going on with other people's Shaver Boilers good or bad.
After reading many posts, some good some bad,26LCS might have helped to make the point that there is no assurance of quality while the price is the same.
I have a question for all Shaver Owners.
Who built your furnace?
In the fall of 06 I called Ben trying to buy a furnace from him.
It was hard to get through to buy one probably because He thought I was a pissed off customer wanting to know where their furnace was.
In One of my conversations with him, he told me he was building a better furnace than Billy was. I could go to Ben's or Billy's to pick it up.I wanted the real deal so I went to Arkansas.
So when I get to Salem and ask Billy about this ,First he laugh's and says ya I hear their doors fall off .Then much more seriously Billy says I Hope he has his factory credentials in order. I was a little taken aback by this.
This is probably just useless info to most so take it with grain of salt.
This is web site is for improving Shaver furnaces .I am done talking about the past and will speak no more about it.