Pellet heads!! What's up today?

Here are some screen shots that hopefully make sense. remember, I get up early and when the computers are turned on, there is a jump. So I took readings where nothing else is on besides normal stuff (refrigerator, clocks). I only ran the main (livingroom) MS head and had it set at 68* , the pellet stove's thermostat is in my office (not in same room) and also kept at 68*.

Each bar on the graphs represents a 15 minute increment - Orange is energy used, blue is energy create by solar panels

The first pic is early morning hours for when I did not have any heat on. The spikes were at 0.2 kwh (fridge I assume). Second picture is with Mini Split, spikes were at 0.5 kwh. Third picture is with pellet stove at 0.3 kwh (worst I saw was 0.4 kwh - which I assume is the stove starting up).

I think this next graph is the most useful - If you look at the early morning (before 2:30am) on 10/10/23 versus the evening (after the pellet stove was set up). You can see at around 4 pm I shut off the MS (the pellet stove did not start up right away). Also note that my total daily consumption was 11.7 kwh (that big circle)



Yesterday's total usage, with pellet stove only (but otherwise computer and all other electronic usage was basically the same) was 6.2 kwh.

 

That is just the standard monitoring system supplied by Enphase that only available thru certified installers of their inverters. The monitoring is pre-paid per my contract for 10 years (it is part of the REC monitoring program too).

I would have loved a battery backup - but that by itself would have cost more than the entire current system.

 

My new roof was finished yesterday. Now to get my outside long wire antenna back in service, Lee took the 1:9 and Choke out. Funny things happen when the wind blows. It is a random length end fed system.

 

HELLO BOYS! The admin finally fixed my password

 

In this case have one for me!!!

 

This all makes sense if you already have pellets like you do.

Curious if you would feel the same if buying at today's price points for fuel?

 

13 ear old Troy Bilt Bronco ride mower with Kohler Courage 19 HP engine died on me last weekend. Was running fine for an hour or so, stopped it to empty bagger and would not restart.

Had fuel, spark but no compression. Courage engine is notorious for issues but mostly oil leaks (yup on this one) and cracked blocks.

Looked at replacement riders with better engines but cost is

Took off the valve cover last week and found exhaust rocker loose and not on the valve stem. Had seen reports of this being an issue as well with the adjuster coming loose. Pushrod is fine. Tightened it down but still nothing.

Noticed the exhaust valve stem not quite as far out as intake so today took the head off to find the valve seat was dislodged and blocking the valve from closing all the way.

Took the head to a neighbor that works on these quite a bit. He has seen all kinds of issues with the Courage engine, but this was a first. He didnt have any old compatible heads around so he told me to give him an hour and see what he can do.

Came back a bit later. There didnt seem to be any damage so he pressed the seat back in as well as using some cement hoping it will stay in place. Peened it a little as well.

Didnt charge me anything as he cant guarantee it will work. Put the head back on and she fired right up. I need a valve cover gasket as its leaking but its running again.

Hopefully it stays but if not will see about finding a used head. If I can get thru fall cleanup, hopefully there will be better deals in the spring. Having the repair hold up would be even better

 

After filling up the basement with pellets yesterday, I found that I have a total of about 4 tons (1 ton is still in garage). That makes me nervous as I like to keep 6 tons on hand. Heavily thinking about getting a couple more tons to round out my stash.

My electricity is "free" (I have plenty of credit $$ with the electric company) and I'm still choosing to use the P43.

So conclude whatever you want from those two tidbits.

 

No ill thoughts at all. Just asking as the fuel cost has to be added into the electricity cost.

 

No doubt that stove heat is better .

 

Ffs. Not again!

 

IMO, time to rid yourself of the "No courage" bucket engine and move on. The Briggs single cylinder has their own "issues" (mainly blown head gaskets due to poor head bolt design, but easy to replace with updated gasket). Best engine IMO is the Kawasaki V-Twin......but pricey.....but you get what you pay for. I've bought & sold a LOT of tractors since Covid hit......IMO, overall best is Husqvarna.....easy to work on, pretty reliable with V-Twin Briggs or Husqy engine. Just don't get a YTA model.... their faster driving, but have plastic transmission.

 

Local dealer has a Husky TS242XD with the Kawasaki engine and rear bagger already on it. Will throw in the bagger for no cost but still spendy

Hoping to get thru fall cleanup. Nothing much used available at this point. If it works, people are keeping them

 

Going backwards in time, we be.

 

Sounds like the perfect time to put summin tasty in the oven to warm up the house.

 

I still have my 88 john deere with a kawasaki, still starts and runs great. But that last 5 years it's been demoted. It only gets used a few times a year for the roller, spreader and sprayer.

 

I only have 2 tons left from last year. Prices be crazy. Not sure what I'm gonna do yet.