Build Your Own Automated Pellet Stove

2013 - Volume #37, Issue #1, Page #31

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Carl Dobrovolny sells parts to make your own pellet stove or to upgrade an existing stove to totally automatic operation. Parts include a Cycle Timer/Auger Control, Auger/Motor Assembly, and a Feed Chute.
  “I’ve been playing around with pellet stoves since I built my first one in 1998,” says Dobrovolny. “I decided to make the parts available so people can build their own.”
  A machinist with an engineering degree, Dobrovolny works on computer controls for a living. The first controller he installed in a pellet stove cost $500. The new controller he developed sells for just $129.99.
  The CT1000 Timer/Auger Control uses industrial components and is thermostatically controlled. It’s simple and easy to install, like a light switch.
  “It allows you to control the amount of fuel plus the burn time,” he says. “Many controllers on the market have a high, medium or low setting or just 1 to 5 settings to indicate the on and off intervals for the auger.”
  He points out that variability in quality and type of pellets affects efficiency and output with those standard settings. With his, the controller adjusts time and feed rate to optimize burn conditions.
  Dobrovolny says there’s nothing on the market like his AU-90 Auger/Motor Assembly, which has the ability to move up to 14 lbs. of pellets an hour, or 115,000 btu’s. It has a standard flange mounting with a standard bolt pattern.
  “You can make your own hopper and stand and attach it,” says Dobrovolny.
  Dobrovolny also makes a Feed Chute to work with the auger. “It also has a standard bolt pattern for mounting to a burner,” he says. “If using with a burner, the Feed Chute mounts on the inside of the stove.”
  The auger/motor assembly is priced at $159.99 plus shipping and handling. The Feed Chute is priced at $19.99 plus shipping and handling.
  Future plans include a new burner design for pellet stoves to be introduced this coming spring. Dobrovolny says it will burn up to 115,000 btu’s efficiently.
  “Most commercial pellet burners burn in the 30,000 to 40,000 btu range,” he says. “That means my auger can’t be used at its full output, and the control has to throttle it back. With my new burner design, the auger will be able to work at 100 percent capacity. It will be fun to get all the components together.”
  All three products are relatively new to the market and are still in experimental status. As a result, Dobrovolny direct markets them in the continental U.S. only. He hopes to introduce them to Canada in the near future.
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Bad Apple Automation, LLC, E3397 E. Harris Rd., La Valle, Wis. 53941 (sales@badappleautomation.com; www.badappleautomation.com).

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Build Your Own Automated Pellet Stove ENERGY Miscellaneous Carl Dobrovolny sells parts to make your own pellet stove or to upgrade an existing stove to totally automatic operation Parts include a Cycle Timer/Auger Control Auger/Motor Assembly and a Feed Chute “I’ve been playing around with pellet stoves since I built my first one in 1998 ” says Dobrovolny “I decided to make the parts available so people can build their own ” A machinist with an engineering degree Dobrovolny works on computer controls for a living The first controller he installed in a pellet stove cost $500 The new controller he developed sells for just $129 99 The CT1000 Timer/Auger Control uses industrial components and is thermostatically controlled It’s simple and easy to install like a light switch “It allows you to control the amount of fuel plus the burn time ” he says “Many controllers on the market have a high medium or low setting or just 1 to 5 settings to indicate the on and off intervals for the auger ” He points out that variability in quality and type of pellets affects efficiency and output with those standard settings With his the controller adjusts time and feed rate to optimize burn conditions Dobrovolny says there’s nothing on the market like his AU-90 Auger/Motor Assembly which has the ability to move up to 14 lbs of pellets an hour or 115 000 btu’s It has a standard flange mounting with a standard bolt pattern “You can make your own hopper and stand and attach it ” says Dobrovolny Dobrovolny also makes a Feed Chute to work with the auger “It also has a standard bolt pattern for mounting to a burner ” he says “If using with a burner the Feed Chute mounts on the inside of the stove ” The auger/motor assembly is priced at $159 99 plus shipping and handling The Feed Chute is priced at $19 99 plus shipping and handling Future plans include a new burner design for pellet stoves to be introduced this coming spring Dobrovolny says it will burn up to 115 000 btu’s efficiently “Most commercial pellet burners burn in the 30 000 to 40 000 btu range ” he says “That means my auger can’t be used at its full output and the control has to throttle it back With my new burner design the auger will be able to work at 100 percent capacity It will be fun to get all the components together ” All three products are relatively new to the market and are still in experimental status As a result Dobrovolny direct markets them in the continental U S only He hopes to introduce them to Canada in the near future Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Bad Apple Automation LLC E3397 E Harris Rd La Valle Wis 53941 sales@badappleautomation com; www badappleautomation com

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