New iDRY

[Stephen1]

I always like to keep an eye on the water draining out of the kiln. The dryer it is , less water coming out. 
I have never run the kiln on low power. I understand the low power works great on green oak. Let us know what the temperature gets up to after a week. Curious minds would like to know. 

[boonesyard]

I didn't know what to expect, but it seems to be ramping up. The graph shows it ran at 100 deg the first day, day two it ramped up to 130. A LOT more water was dumped today than yesterday (which makes sense). I'm not sure if it will continue to ramp up to 160 eventually, or if it levels out at a lower temp? I'll certainly keep an eye on it and let you know.

[Stephen1]

I didn't know what to expect, but it seems to be ramping up. The graph shows it ran at 100 deg the first day, day two it ramped up to 130. A LOT more water was dumped today than yesterday (which makes sense). I'm not sure if it will continue to ramp up to 160 eventually, or if it levels out at a lower temp? I'll certainly keep an eye on it and let you know.

What Temerature are you keeping your building at?
I keep mine around the 60F and I get those same Temps at Full power.


@Japarker4 what will the low power mode temperature come up to?

[boonesyard]

I didn't know what to expect, but it seems to be ramping up. The graph shows it ran at 100 deg the first day, day two it ramped up to 130. A LOT more water was dumped today than yesterday (which makes sense). I'm not sure if it will continue to ramp up to 160 eventually, or if it levels out at a lower temp? I'll certainly keep an eye on it and let you know.

What Temerature are you keeping your building at?
I keep mine around the 60F and I get those same Temps at Full power.


@Japarker4 what will the low power mode temperature come up to?

I keep my building at 60 as well. I dried the first load at full power and it ran at 156-158 deg for three days. I'm not sure what low power mode is going to get to or how long it will take to get there. 

[japarker4]

I didn't know what to expect, but it seems to be ramping up. The graph shows it ran at 100 deg the first day, day two it ramped up to 130. A LOT more water was dumped today than yesterday (which makes sense). I'm not sure if it will continue to ramp up to 160 eventually, or if it levels out at a lower temp? I'll certainly keep an eye on it and let you know.

What Temerature are you keeping your building at?
I keep mine around the 60F and I get those same Temps at Full power.


@Japarker4 what will the low power mode temperature come up to?

Usually between 130F and 140F, but it does depend a bit on ambient temperature in the building and how wet your wood is.  

[boonesyard]

Day three on a very wet load. Yes, as Jim said, it's leveled out at 135 deg. A lot of water is draining every 24 hrs. My plan is to let it cook for 8 days, then check it.

[Stephen1]

All my loads are that wet, I pull them off the mill and put them in on full power. It will be interesting to see what happens to a load on low power. I do notice that I do not  seal the ends if it is going right in the kiln. If I have to leave it to air dry as it waits for the kiln it will start to check and crack , so I will start to seal ends going forward

[boonesyard]

I had some large oak mantels and 12/4 slabs in this load, that's why I'm trying it at low power. There's a mixture of ash and green poplar in this load as well, so it will be interesting. I know It's not the best to mix such different species and thicknesses green, but I'll push the envelope and see how it goes.

[Stephen1]

I have only had 1 load of 1 species. It was 4/4 EWP dried in 4 days. Every load has been a mixture of species and moisture. I like to keep a skid of cookies sawn to baffle, instead of using plywood. That way the kiln is full every time I push start. The drier wood will take on the moisture given off by the wetter wood. It means that the drier wood has to stay in longer, so maybe 10 days instead of 7 days. Same thing for the thicker slabs. They stay in longer. I will try to put them in on the bottom so I can fork off the  thinner wood, leaving the slabs in for another cycle.

[boonesyard]

I have only had 1 load of 1 species. It was 4/4 EWP dried in 4 days. Every load has been a mixture of species and moisture. I like to keep a skid of cookies sawn to baffle, instead of using plywood. That way the kiln is full every time I push start. The drier wood will take on the moisture given off by the wetter wood. It means that the drier wood has to stay in longer, so maybe 10 days instead of 7 days. Same thing for the thicker slabs. They stay in longer. I will try to put them in on the bottom so I can fork off the  thinner wood, leaving the slabs in for another cycle.

Thanks, I'll do that. 
On another note, I've been trying to use a catch pan with a hose attached to run to a drain for the kiln drain water to allow for the air gap. It worked on the first dry load, there wasn't as much water in it, but it overflowed on this wet load. I have a couple of 90s and about 25' to get to my drain. So yesterday I piped the drain up solid with 1" pvc and installed a vent pipe to work as the air gap, worked great. Just an FYI

[Stephen1]

Originally I had plumbed mine in with 1" but with the connectors it reduced it to 3/4" so I had troubles.
Now I have a pan under the kiln drain with a sensored pump, when the water comes in it pumps it up and over the drain, I also have the dehumidifier draining into the same pan. What I have found is the water can be very "sticky" I'm guessing from the pine. It seized up the float sensor after 6 months. I soaked it in varsol to clean it up. 

[boardmaker]

Boonesyard,

I really like the interface.  It's very simple and detailed.  I use quite a few of another brand at my day job but I like the look of that one.  Could you get me the manufacturer?  I have been using Automation Direct Cmore's and they are simple and great but there are times that I need more detail.  Thanks.

[boonesyard]

Here is the drain and vent configuration as discussed. It's been working flawlessly.