Successful use of Oliver burner?

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Chet
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Successful use of Oliver burner?

Post by Chet »

Anybody here using an Oliver upwind burner?
I've heard some reports of difficulties...
I'm considering upgrading to propane and would like to resolve the burner issue before making a new furnace.
Thanks for any insights!
Chet
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Post by tomc »

Chet, we do. Needs more air holes. I drilled two more and it was much happier.
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Post by Chet »

Hi Tom!
Exactly the insight I was looking for!
Did you add the two additional holes in line with the others or at a 90 degree angle.
It's interesting because the website I used showed two additional holes, but Oliver had said they weren't necessary.
But perhaps two additional holes in-line are!!!
(One of my concerns was that some users were resorting to hair dryers to get sufficient air movement....)
Chet
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Post by tomc »

Chet,

Not sure but beleive at 90 degrees. will look next weekend and snap a pic.

Tom C.
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Post by tomc »

Chet, here is a pic with the extra set of holes. I spotted a second hole on each side while I had it in the drill press incase it wanted more. Why we added another set was it would go out alot on humid days more so than non humid. We figured it was worth a try and it helped.

Tom C.
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Burner with new hole 01-29-10.JPG
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Post by Chet »

Tom, Thanks for the photo and explanation.
I managed to contact another Oliver user and he recommended that the insert hole for the burner not be a close fit, so extra air can be pulled in.
He also found that the hole in the lid should be roughly 3 - 4 inches, not larger...
I know your burner works, but I added the extra info in case anyone is looking for additional tips...
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Post by Chet »

Hi Tom!
I followed your lead and built a modified Oliver burner with end feed using a 3/4" pipe, 7" long.
Instead of the three 3/8" holes on each side, I milled slots between the two end holes, figuring that would help easier air flow.
I also drilled a hole through a 3/4 plug for the feeder nipple, and screwed that into a 3/4 coupling attached to the pipe.
I then added a brass cap to the end of the nipple with a #57 hole.
I also rolled a 1:12 flared cone for the front of the burner for testing.
Okay, so far...
I then hooked up my unit to a propane tank.
I got ignition with a whisper of gas, and then added pressure to roughly 5 pounds.
I got a nice roar, but the flame appears to be burning in the first 1/3 of the pipe, not the end...
Should I have kept increasing the propane to push the flame to the end of the pipe?
I'm currently unsure on how to remedy this..
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