Replace the cabin Furnace

 In January we went to the cabin to do some cross country skiing and ice fishing. The day that we left we noticed that at some point the old furnace how had a bit of a blow back, and fried the wiring. 

So that was scary! I had been wanted to replace it for awhile, since it was 60% efficient. So I had been watching facebook, and even went to talk to the folks at Appliance Depot, I thought I could get a new 80% furnace for $7-800, but the quote came back at $1300 (plus the conversion kit), so I went back to facebook.

I was able to find a 2012 Rheem that should meet the need for $200. I found a LP conversion kit on eBay for $35 (vs $100 normally).

Last weekend we go the old one out and the new one into position.

I talked to a friend at work and AI, and figured out that I need a 4" chimney liner for the vent, so I ordered that and will work on that the next time we are up. I have the manometer from the garage furnace project, so I should be able to get the right gas pressure at the value. The electric was pretty easy, the existing conduit even worked.

It is a lot smaller, so we were able to move the wood burner over and put the new furnace in between 2 support posts in the basement, so we get some room back as well.

Treadmill Repair

 

The treadmill (NordicTrack C2255) rear roller was scrapping against the side of the frame.

In the bottom picture you can see the plastic insert was sliding out of the roller. The reason is that the same black plastic insert rim had worn off on the other side and had pushed into the roller. I didn't see a way to fix the plastic part, but a new roller was $90 at treadmill doctor.

So I ordered that and replaced it, it has been working well for Jen for a run or 2 so far. Also, the new one has a metal insert (which goes around the bearing) instead of the plastic one so that should be a problem again...

I last fixed the treadmill in 2012, which is pretty amazing.  I think we got it in 2006. Jen uses it pretty much every day in the winter.