Installing a damper in my flue

I want to install a damper for my Lopi Answer. Any recommendations for what to buy and any tips on installing it?

 

Welcome to FHC Paul.

They are pretty standard and available at most hardware stores. Install spot depends a little on your setup, ideal spot would be about 18-20 inches above the stove on a straight up flue. Just drill a hole on either side of the pipe, reach in and hold the steel plate in place while you thread the rod through.

 

One trick I found is to drill one hole, then thread the rod through the plate. Use the point on the rod to poke the hole on the opposite side.

 

Welcome Paul Dokken

 

I have done it this way after just one time of drilling holes on both sides of the pipe. I didn't like the loose way the damper fit after using it for some time with the two drilled holes. Subject to personal preference, no?

 

Would it be good to have it on the vertical or horizontal part. (See photo)

 

I've purchased a liner from this company for my in-laws and I used their tutorial video to install it.
I've never installed a damper, but I feel fairly comfortable recommending this place as a resource from my own experience.
How to Install a Stove Pipe Damper | Stove Pipe Damper Install Video

 

Vertical is the only way I've ever seen it.

 

I'd put it on the vertical portion just above the stove.

 

Vertical as gas is rising faster in that portion versus horizontal portion.

 

I own a duravent appliance adapter with a damper built in so I would say that you can place the damper right on top of the stove in that vertical section. Not sure why you would want to be any higher above the stove. Anybody know?

 

This is exactly how I did it.
I figured out how high I wanted it , wrapped masking tape around the pipe , drilled one hole and then was able to use the rod to get the hole at the same height on the tape line. This was you just need to figure out front to back on the pipe and not the height at the same time.

 

I raised mine so the steel knob to turn damper did not burn fingers.

 

i have heard old timers say to put it up high to get some heat out of the pipe. Not the best practice but...

 

I was told the same thing from an old timer.
His tips.

18-24 inches or as high as possible to get there on a vertical pipe.

Never would work right on a horizontal. On a too short vertical stub was better than any horizontal.

The height for him explained was to keep the handle from getting too hot to handle and the excess heat lower would weaken the plate and rod connection causing the assembly to get loose over time.
And if you had one of the spring thermostatic types, it would destroy the spring earlier.


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Here is mine.

 

Do you folks just open it fully for reloads and startups and then close it fully? Or can these things run partially closed?

How do you know how far to close it?

 

If I close mine all the way, it will smother the fire quickly. Definitely open on reloads.

 

Both for me but two different situations.
Stove in the house I use it to actually control the fire , wide open at startup then throttle it back once up and running to control temperature , maybe around halfway open. I have a thermometer on my pipe and it seems to work best at 300-350 degree range.
Wood furnace in the shop it is always wide open since firebox burn is controlled by a draft induction fan that feeds the fire.

 

Always open it when reloading or starting a fire. Then close it off once you are at temp or have a good fire going, then I close mine off to about the 11 or 5 o'clock position.

I think I need to sweep the pipe around mine because I used to be able to close it off all the way when I first installed it 2 years ago. Now if I close it off (12 o'clock position) it will slowly die out.