Heat source/ Pellet stove?

Lostranger · September 10, 2015, 03:40:20 AM

Scott, I do not have hard figures on how much wood we used, but with the homemade stove, it was more than I would like. Still nothing compared to what we used to burn heating a house.

We're in the mountains of western North Carolina. Had lots of nights in teens and a surprising number in low single digits. We stayed tolerably warm in spite of inadequate insulation the first winter. Last winter was better. Stove had to be tended at least once each night. More often on coldest nights.

I seriously considered the Little Cod, but I do not recommend it. Beautifully made and good folks to deal with, BUT they are not airtight, and they do not have secondary combustion. You will tend it far more often and generate large amounts of smoke and creosote. The Morso Squirrel is almost smokeless and will burn much longer on the same amount of wood. It has a window. Made in Norway. Substantially less expensive than a Marine Stove in porcelain. I will never install another stove that does not have secondary combustion.

All small stoves require small wood. Twelve inches is typical. Most people who sell wood do not want to cut it that short. I mostly cut my own.

Jim H.

sledhead · September 10, 2015, 04:07:27 AM

there is no heat nicer then wood heat

dave

Darkspeed · September 10, 2015, 04:52:55 AM

Jim, are you talking about this model with the secondary heat? > http://www.morsona.com/morsoe-2b-classic

Lostranger · September 10, 2015, 05:32:47 AM

No. I'm buying a 1410. Don't want the height of the 2B, and I don't need the added heat capacity. The 1410 has secondary combustion in a much shorter package.

Darkspeed · September 10, 2015, 05:47:46 AM

This was a good article make sure to scroll down and read the user posts > http://www.livinlightly.com/off-grid-heat-small-wood-stoves/

As well as this > http://www.tinywoodstove.com/small-stove-reviews/

The Hobbit stove has a really nice window if you like watching your fire and it can be upgraded to use an outside air supply.

Good information on using outside air > http://salamanderstoves.com/documents/cold-air-intake.pdf

Dawgs · September 10, 2015, 06:15:26 AM

My biggest concern is wanting to make sure it won't kill me in a panic stop.

luvrbus · September 10, 2015, 06:33:17 AM

Certain times of the year and areas in the west you are not allowed to burn any type wood stove that would be my luck -20 and they have a burn ban on wood stoves

Scott & Heather · September 10, 2015, 06:49:07 AM

I just visited all three of the websites Todd posted. I read all the articles and looked through the stoves. I was impressed with the look and functionality of the Morso wall mounted stoves...really cool concept, but I'm sold on the fresh combustion air intake on the Hobbit stoves...I think if we go this route, we would get a Hobbit stove. Question tho, do they have the catalytic extra combustion? It really does make a difference. We had one in a house before living in the bus and it was amazing how well that stove maintained constant heat and efficient burn.

Lostranger · September 10, 2015, 07:54:35 AM

Quote from: Dawgs on September 10, 2015, 06:15:26 AM
My biggest concern is wanting to make sure it won't kill me in a panic stop.

You have to bolt it down.

Scott, I'm installing dedicated air intake through floor for the Morso.

luvrbus · September 10, 2015, 08:14:05 AM

This is a interesting topic I can see a wood heater for you full timers parked but it makes no sense to me a wood heater in a RV that one uses like we do on the road.

I not a big fan of diesel fired boilers but they are more practical for us on the move with the engine pre heat,endless hot water and nice even heat driving down the road all from 1 source of a fuel supply and take up no space in a bus that comes at a premium

I just don't see a wood stove in my future using my bus as a RV you still need some source for hot water or a electric engine block heater unless you are not on the move in the winter

Darkspeed · September 10, 2015, 08:18:12 AM

Quote from: Scott Bennett on September 10, 2015, 06:49:07 AM
I just visited all three of the websites Todd posted. I read all the articles and looked through the stoves. I was impressed with the look and functionality of the Moroso wall mounted stoves...really cool concept, but I'm sold on the fresh combustion air intake on the Hobbit stoves...I think if we go this route, we would get a Hobbit stove. Question tho, do they have the catalytic extra combustion? It really does make a difference. We had one in a house before living in the bus and it was amazing how well that stove maintained constant heat and efficient burn.

from what I understand ( not confirmed ) yes they do have a secondary combustion / glass soot wash feature. I like to be able to watch the fire with the honey so a glass is a must for me.

Darkspeed · September 10, 2015, 08:20:49 AM

Quote from: Lostranger on September 10, 2015, 07:54:35 AM
You have to bolt it down.

Scott, I'm installing dedicated air intake through floor for the Morso.

I would be inclined to build a big fire and get the casting really hot and weld the legs to a substantial plate ( letting it cool very slowly ) and bolt the plate down.

Scott & Heather · September 10, 2015, 10:05:52 AM

Since they are marketed for sailboats and RV's I assumed they had bolt holes. Jim, I'm curious how that works out. Keep us updated. I think if I could confirm that the Hobbit has clean burn features or one could install a proper fresh air kit on the Morso, either one would be useful. Cliff, I totally get what you're saying. If you're on the move all the time or really using your coach as an RV it really doesn't make sense. Heather and I drive between 5 and 10,000 miles a year and we stay parked for months at a time so this would be perfect. Plus we are full timers so yeah it does make a difference I guess

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

luvrbus · September 10, 2015, 10:21:46 AM

Scott I am just looking at the photo Todd posted seems like a lot of unused space just for a heater,then you just starting a family it would need a fence for a toddler believe me those stinkers can find a way get into everything and a wood stove will burn you.

Don't let Heather read this or the wood stove won't happen

I have feeling the little people coming into your life are going to be well protected

Lostranger · September 10, 2015, 10:44:41 AM

Clifford, we raised six children with wood heat and without a single serious burn. We now have four small grandchildren with two more on the way. Teaching little ones to respect the stove is not a problem. As for "wasted" space, the stove earns it's keep as much as any item in the bus with the possible exception of our Sundanzer refrigerator. We also have full size, front load washer and dryer, and I would ditch both of them before getting rid of the wood stove. To be fair, we do not have and do not want a dishwasher, ice maker or microwave.

You make an excellent point about difference in use. Our bus is not and never will be an RV. It truly is a motor home. The only travel related concession involving the wood stove is that we do not keep a fire on nights before we drive early. We then heat with a small, radiant propane device. When we drive, I remove the SS chimney cap and replace it with a flat, rubber cap that secures with a hose clamp.

Jim H.