RickS

Without wanting to sound too dramatic, I honestly think that being advised to take the ash bucket outside could well have saved mine. It was far hotter than it had been, with cold ash presumably re-igniting (not sure that's the right term as there was no flame) and pumping out fumes. Also the bottom of the metal bucket was very hot and left inside overnight may even have started a fire. I hope someone does read this and thinks to check theirs if they didn't realise the potential risk, as I didn't.

I installed (or had installed) a new one but only lit it on a regular basis a couple of weeks ago. When the old squirrel stove came out it had a bit more than a cracked lid, there was a bloody great hole in the back which was difficult to see until the stove was out of position. Glad I didn't just stick some cement in the crack (which I was advised to (not on this forum) and carry on

No, not normally. I occasionally open the door to watch the flames, but only for a few minutes at a time. should I not be opening the door at all - apart from adding fuel?

Ah right, thanks Mike. I couldn't quite see how that was to be bolted to the 'studding' and then go down the flue. Makes sense now.

Thanks BEngo. M14 studding? what is that then? I know M14 is the size but not sure what you mean by studding

Yes, will do blackrose. Thanks Yes, doing that now. The cold stuff is replacing the hot air as we speak. Interesting, thanks David. I will look into that.

I certainly do. That could have got considerably worse

Thanks Goliath. Will not be making that mistake again. Quite scary finding the ash bucket hotter than it was when I put the ashes in!

Thanks Eeyore - ash bucket left outside prompted me to check, which otherwise I probably wouldn't have.

Thanks booke23 - useful info

Thanks Vagabond. To be honest, I feel a bit of a dick. I don't consider myself to be an idiot, and I thought I understood sources and risk of CO poisoning but didn't even consider the ash bucket. The taste in my mouth should have been a bit of clue - he says with perfect hindsight!

Thanks Jen. This is sounding exactly what I seem to have done. The hot ash seems to have carried on burning in the cold ash and, from what you say, producing CO - so not surprising that the alarm has gone off - I feel a complete fool! Thanks bizzard. You are describing exactly what I have just found in the ash bucket - getting hotter and hotter. Sounds like I have dodged one and has proved how damn useful this forum is - I would not have thought to check it otherwise

I think this might be the source - just went to put the ash bucket outside - it had what i thought was warm ash in it, certainly not glowing - it was kept just under the CO monitor. Moving it outside and it was considerably hotter than when it went in, and this was hours ago! Maybe this would explain the smoky taste in my throat. I appreciate that this does sound like a ridiculously obvious mistake but it never occurred to me that it would be a problem. I have just taken the ash bucket outside and far from being cold ash with a small amount of hot ash on top, just poking the top and it proved to be a very hot glowing bucket of ash - clearly the hot ash has ignited what was still combustible in the cold ash. i had no idea this was going on under my nose. Took it away from the boat and added a small amount of water and a big smelly cloud came off it, which tasted of what I have been tasting over the last hour or so. That could have been a disaster if i hadn't been prompted to consider it - lesson learned I think Thanks LadyG. Sounds similar to what I am doing, usually, so nice to know I'm getting there

Usually cold ash in a metal bucket (no lid) stored by the fire in front of the door - but every now and then it is warm/hot. The vents in the door are clear but there has been a curtain hanging loosely in front of them. I wouldn't say it was blocking them as there is always a draught but maybe I should consider drawing the curtain a bit more often. Chimney is about 18 inches and it has been quite windy the last couple of days, so don't know if this may have an adverse effect.

That's a good point enigmatic, thankyou. My fire-lighting skills are getting better but I have done a fair bit of poking at uncooperative fires over the last couple of weeks.

Meant to say thanks for replying 🙂

Thanks AdE, nicknorman and Jen about possible leaks. I did a smoke test before I lit it for the first time and it was fine, but I will do another one tomorrow when this fire has gone out. There is no visible smoke, apart from when the door is open and wood is starting to burn, but I know that may not mean anything as CO is invisible. Smoke test and sweep flue, sounds like a plan. These hard deposits, how are you supposed to get rid of them if a brush won't do it? Chimney still in place - yes 🙂 Vents clear - I assume you mean mushroom vents etc Ash bucket left outside - no, I have been keeping it in the boat - sounds like a mistake Flue seals all look fine but will get a more definitive answer when I do a smoke test tomorrow

It has never been swept - that sounds worse than it is - it's a new stove and was only lit for the first time just before Christmas

I have had the fire on pretty much all day for the last week and today I had a strong taste of coal in my throat, like I'd smoked 40 gaspers in 5 minutes and was a bit wheezy - and then the CO alarm went off! I have opened doors and windows and can gradually move the alarm back to where it was without it going off, so assume that whatever set it off is dispersing. Feel a bit tight across the chest but nothing serious. What I really would like to know is what I have done to cause this and how not to do it again. Am I incorrectly burning the coal? Does the flue need sweeping do you think? I have one of those brushes on a long wire, which I assume I just shove down the flue from the outside (with door closed obviously) then sweep out the stove? Just an addition - I chucked a lump of wood onto the fire to burn off any bits of coal that might be giving off CO by not being fully burnt - mistake? Door is shut to force gases up the flue

Thanks PD1964. Apologies for late reply. It is really stiff and slightly weeping. I am going to wait until the staff are back at the marina in case my brute force approach doess any damage. At least, as you say, it just screws off, so how much damage can i do ? 😀 Thanks David. I did wonder whether it might be a good idea to turn the pump and supply off before starting this. Bucket will be at the ready!

Thanks Detling, good to know. I will seriously consider that when i can figure out where the water is getting in. Bizarrely, with all the rain we have had over the last few days, nothing seems has got through even though a lot has before this. Puzzled!

I know this is an old thread but I have a Jabsco filter in my system and I have no idea how long it has been there - at least two years I think. I have bought a new cartridge as I worry that the water might be cleaner with a new cartridge rather than having it go through gawd knows what in the old one. Does the old cartridge just unscrew from its mount or is there some cunning catch to release first? Difficult to curl myself up into the under-sink cupboard to see and when I tried forcefully to unscrew ii there was a slight hissing and a drop of water from the bottom of the old cartridge. Appreciate any advice

That's what I'm afraid of, water finding a way. Didn't think of the glass seal. Something else to investigate when the weather turns nicer Thanks

Apologies F Drayke. Just thinking about what you meant and it now seems obvious (I was probably overthinking it) I suppose the clue was 'quick fix' Thanks again Nice to know the black Gorilla tape is up to the job as that is what I have now bought. Ta pete.i Looks good, thanks Loddon. Problem is I am not sure where to apply it as not sure where the leak originates - yet.

OK, it's just that I'm not sure how to implement the plant tray and bricks fix - maybe I'm not thinking laterally enough. Not too worried about slight paint damage when tape comes off as I'm hoping to paint the roof next year. Interesting about the screw holes - I will look at that first before taking the hatch out completely when the weather gets better - which of course makes it harder to track water when it's not raining 🙂 Thanks F Drayke