Please hear me out, I have done *everything* in this thread and all other threads to get my
AMNPS mailbox mod to stay lit. Especially posts from daveomak (dude has game!). That's hours of reading, and a ton of testing, but still it goes out shortly after I close the mailbox door. I know this has to be a matter of getting enough airflow through the mailbox and through the
AMNPS, it's so simple it kills me. I'm at ~5400 feet, so maybe this is a high-altitude
AMNPS mailbox problem? Here's my general setup (also see picture), below is what I've tried:
- Pellets microwaved 2 minutes, rest a couple minutes after half of that time
- Torch light the AMNPS, let burn or keep it burning w/ the torch - open flame for 10 minutes. Make sure there's a good cherry of coals. Done for each test below.
- Mailbox connection to MES30 via 2 elbows of 3" conduit, taped where they join together and as they insert into the mailbox. No leaks anywhere.
- AMNPS is on stilts exactly as daveomak shows - 2.5" carriage bolts. I think I even have the exact same mailbox.
- Mailbox door drilled w/ 3/4" holes exactly as daveomak shows - 2 on bottom, 1 at top
- All other holes in mailbox plugged
What I've tried. MES30 is set at 260*. Each test it smoked well for ~5 minutes and diminished to imperceptible smoke from the MES30 after ~10-15, very slightly smoldering in the mailbox. An allnight test verified the AMNPS was going out, not just smoking very slowly:
- First test w/ 'daveomak setup' = fail
- Drilled third hole on bottom of door = fail
- Taped part of top hole = fail
- Put the AMNPS in the back of the mailbox = Fail
- Put the AMNPS in the middle of the mailbox = Fail
- Put the AMNPS in the front of the mailbox = fail
- Wire brushed the AMNPS (seemed unlikely, but it was in a thread somewhere) = fail
- Leave the AMNPS outside the mailbox to see if it would work, it did stay smokin' a half hour later
- Drilled a fourth hole on the bottom of the door (2x recommended for good airflow) = fail
- Added a 3-soup can chimney on the MES 30 = fail
I'm out of ideas short of installing an electric fan in the mailbox. Anyone have any thoughts?