FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Find out more about how to use your Stirling engine and how it works. Read more about how to take care of your engine and other frequently asked questions. If your question isn’t listed, please get in touch
How reliable are Stirling engines?
Stirling engines are incredibly reliable as they have no electrical components which can burn out. We have test engines that run consistently – see the Stirling engine design page for more information.
How does a Stirling engine stove fan work?
Warpfive Stove Fans are miniature Stirling engines. They work by moving a sealed volume of air from the hot bottom plate to the cool top plate of the engine. As the air moves from the cool plate to the hot plate it is rapidly heated, it expands and pushes the piston up. As the air is moved from the hot plate to the cool plate it cools rapidly and contracts, this creates a vacuum which pulls the piston down. This same volume of air is rapidly heated and cooled many times per second. As the piston is connected to a crank shaft it causes the crank to rotate and this produces the mechanical power to rotate the propeller.
How do I maintain my Stirling engine?
Like any engine a Stirling engine requires basic care once every season or after approximately 1000 hours of use. This entails wiping clean and lubricating the displacer shaft with the supplied lubricant. Please see user guidelines for more information.
What is the first step when choosing?
You need to establish the temperature of your stove surface which can easily be done with a Stove Top Thermometer. If you don’t have an accurate thermometer, place a drop of water on the surface – if it bubbles away instantly, you’ll know your surface is above 100 C (212 F). The heat on your stove surface powers the engine which provides the energy to spin the propeller.
I have limited space above my stove - which engine do I need?
The Warpfive Sidewinder Stove Fan is specifically designed to fit into most restricted spaces. Its overall height is 225 mm (including the propeller)
I have a very large room - which engine do I need?
The Warpfive Twinspeed Stove Fan is premium high performance engine with twin piston cylinders. This makes it exceptionally powerful and able to move large volumes of air (in excess of 440 CFM), the perfect choice for a large room.
I can't feel any air movement?
The higher the temperature of your stove surface, the faster your fan will spin. When the room temperature is the same temperature as the air being moved by the propeller, it can be difficult to ascertain any movement. Wet the back of your hand with cold water and hold it in front of the propeller – this will instantly give you some indication of air movement. Warpfive propeller blades have been optimised to move maximum air at low RPM.
Will a Stirling engine stove fan work on a pellet stove?
Yes a Stirling engine will work on any surface so long as there is sufficient heat transfer into the base of the engine. All of our stove fans have minimum start up temperatures. If the base of the engine reaches this minimum start up temperature it will work.
How do I book a service for my Stirling engine?
Please contact us for information and pricing.
Can I use any oil to lubricate my Stirling engine?
It is important to use our supplied lubricant only because it is a synthetic, high temperature oil specially developed for use in extreme heat environments. Using other oils such as mineral oil or light machine oil, will result in a sticky residue which will damage your engine’s performance.
My Stirling engine is making a squeaking sound?
It is likely that the squeaking is a result of the propeller hub touching the vertical upright. Loosen the grub screw on the propeller hub and withdraw the propeller by 1 mm. If the squeaking persists, hold the propeller by the hub and move the entire shaft back and forth, returning it to a central position.
Can I use my dust cover while the Stirling engine stove fan is in use?
Yes you can so long as you spin the propeller as soon as it reaches operating temperature to keep the dust cover cool – and follow all other instructions. Refer to the dust cover page for more information.
Are Warpfive Fans noisy?
No. Operation is quiet – typically 36dB. We use precision bearings and glass piston cylinders to ensure the engine will work quietly.
I have a diesel stove. Can I use a Stirling engine stove fan?
Yes you can. However because diesel stoves run consistently at very high temperatures, you should protect your Stirling engine by reducing heat transfer. This is done by raising the unit slightly and inducing an air gap. For example you can use 3 washes under the base of the unit. Furthermore your Stirling engine will require lubrication much more frequently.