The Forestry Forum

Anyone ever modify the v-tech kiln to utilize a nyle 53 system? I figure I've got the kiln all built and everything, so why build a second one? I'm not a huge production mill, just a baby step up from a hobby I guess. Maybe I can make a little bump out in the front to put the system in and then remove and replace the clear roof with insulation and sheathing. Thoughts?? 

It depends what part of IL you are in.  The upper half of,IL would really need 6" or even more to be energy efficient in the cold months. Without that, you would need supplemental heat, which is expensive.  South of Effingham would be ok, although more insulation would be better there too.

Thanks for the response Gene! I'm in the SW suburbs of chicago. I wonder how much extra heat I'd need. I don't know too much about the nyle53 other than that'd be the one I'd go for, but I read on the specs it says a load will take about 450 kW start to finish. For me, that's roughly $50 and I could stomach a bit more since that's pretty cheap really. (For what it's worth, my kiln got peak readings of 171F this summer). I can get some foil raced rigid insulation for pretty cheap, I wonder if that would add enough extra r-value to be worth it? 

maybe just build a second with the plan dedicated to the 53.  could plan to put a wood stove in another cubby add the extra heat, assuming you have wood scraps.  :) or a wood furnace with an exchanger.