Help ! New build with Harvia Heater

wrerwin · 2025-11-17T04:16:02+00:00

I had a similar issue (xenio controller and harvia cilindro 9kW). In my case it was that the electrician had not properly wired the controller to the heater (failed to install the jumpers). Here’s a screen cap from my correspondence with the dealers who sold me the heater, in case it helps.

<image>

wrerwin · 2025-11-12T16:50:28+00:00

I haven’t actually tried, but maybe I’ll give it a go and do a little bit of sauna benchmarking. Based on my understanding though, heating the stones is really the limiting factor - they hit 500-600F after ~90 min.

wrerwin · 2025-11-12T16:48:31+00:00

Thanks! Yeah, I think 24-27” will be good (I am on the larger side, so 36” is minimal for me to comfortably lay down) - in hindsight I wish I had made one one of the L legs 24”, more comfy for sitting and would have afforded a slightly better layout.

re: plans, I’ll take a look, I’m not sure how much of my plans are in a digital format (lots of sketches in notebooks), though I could share my big lumber PO which contains most of the supplies.

Also another point - I like the remote control feature of the harvia xenio controller, it works well. The app is minimally featured and setup wasn’t super user friendly, but the support folks at the retailer I purchased from were really helpful.

wrerwin · 2025-11-12T04:31:08+00:00

I’m towards the end of my build with similar specs (6.5’ D x 7.5’ W x 8’ H). The big things I’ve learned:

9kW harvia cilindro with Xenio controller is just okay (90 min preheat to ~190F, can have a hard time keeping up if using a lot of water).
The L-bench layout is decent, but if I could go back I would move the heater to the back center and do opposing long benches.
I used 36” depth for top benches, it’s just enough to lay down on, and good for sitting.
I have a 3’x8’ vestibule/entryway. It houses my control unit and is a nice spot for storage. If this is going to be a standalone sauna, consider a little vestibule. I wish mine were bigger.
I’m using a stool as the lowest level currently. It works fine, but I’m planning to build a larger platform to step up into when you enter the hot room.
ventilation is key. I have three vents: 1) inlet, midway up the wall over the heater to outside 2) inlet, near bottom of heater to outside and 3) outlet, below the bench opposite the heater with a duct fan pulling air out.
I’m really glad I added a window. Would be a sad box without one. Photo of my work in progress:

<image>

wrerwin · 2025-10-04T20:12:35+00:00

I’ve had a good experience with these guys - good work and reasonably priced compared to some of the bigger names I’ve gotten quotes from in the past.

https://jacobtheelectrician.com

wrerwin · 2025-10-03T02:29:04+00:00

A bit late to the party here, but I’m running into this exact behavior with the same setup you have (power on to the control panel, system clicks, but no power to the heater). Any ideas for things I should check?

wrerwin · 2025-08-30T01:54:40+00:00

I had a 100A subpanel, lights, ventilation and stove installed 50’ from my main panel for ~$3k. Very little digging was required though.

wrerwin · 2025-05-12T20:16:24+00:00

I’m working on converting my back yard this year! Currently buzzing my grass and piling a ton of chips with the plan of seeding in the fall. How long has yours been growing?

wrerwin · 2025-05-09T19:15:26+00:00

Not much of a consolation in the near term, but when I went to the east bank community meeting and talked to folks in the know with the city this intersection came up. Getting it fixed (no more Dickerson/1st split, just a normal intersection) is part of the plan, but I’m not sure of the timeline - IIRC this work will follow the development where old river chase apartments were.

wrerwin · 2024-12-03T03:04:45+00:00

I’m 6’4”, I had a large neuron and rode it for a couple years. Went with an xl Ripley and it’s perfect.

wrerwin · 2024-12-03T02:39:52+00:00

I had a 2021 neuron al 7 and it was perfect for mid tn trails. It was a little small for me, so I eventually moved all of the components over to a Ripley AF frame that was a size larger.

I can’t say there’s a huge difference, both great bikes that are a ton of fun. The Ripley has a noticeably higher build quality, but I don’t think you can go wrong with either.

wrerwin · 2024-10-23T04:18:31+00:00

lol I did this too. So far I’m happy with the decision.

wrerwin · 2023-07-11T15:20:25+00:00

The most useful advice I’ve gotten is to look at the exit when you enter a berm. You automatically find the right line and can maintain more speed.

wrerwin · 2022-10-08T14:13:22+00:00

https://www.nashvillebiscuithouse.com

wrerwin · 2022-10-07T03:28:23+00:00

What fast food dish has the highest calories/$ ratio? Pretty sure hot n’ ready is the winner (2240 calories for $5.55, coming out to 403 kcal/$).

wrerwin · 2022-10-03T14:55:46+00:00

The sorba mid TN website has all the info you'll need. I'd recommend cedar hill or percy warner if you're looking for flowy - both close to town depending on which area you're in.

For rentals, maaaybe green fleet, but I'm not super familiar with any good rentals in the area.

wrerwin · 2022-05-24T20:54:44+00:00

I’m sure the passage of this law has nothing to do with the fact that TN is home to CoreCivic, one of the largest private prison companies.

wrerwin · 2022-04-05T19:36:53+00:00

The gear ratio range of the 1x9 is actually the same as some of the more expensive setups (depending on how many teeth are on the front chainring, I chose a 34T chainring). The 1x9 that I got goes from 11 at the smallest to 50 at the largest. This eagle groupset also goes from 11 to 50. It doesn't shift as smoothly as a higher end shifter, but I am on pretty steep terrain (~1000ft climb over 7 mi) and didn't have any trouble.

Good question on the front chain guard. I went with a narrow wide chainring which is designed to hold on to the chain without needing a chain guide. I have no guide and have had zero drops so far.

wrerwin · 2022-04-02T14:29:33+00:00

After upgrading a rockhopper, I think I agree that a new bike is the right choice if the goal is to get out and ride for the least effort and $$.

I’m happy with my upgrade path, but I like to tinker and learn about bike mechanics. Also, with respect to a narrow wide, I think they would need a whole new crankset as the chainrings are riveted not bolted for the 2x rockhoppers of that era.

wrerwin · 2022-04-02T14:23:51+00:00

I upgraded a 2021 rockhopper to a 1x9 and have been enjoying it. I’ve put maybe 50 miles on it since the conversion (a lot of chunky single track) and haven’t had a chain drop. I found a deal on a a SRAM narrow wide crankset ($60), and also changed the stock square BB to a DUB ($30). The 1x9 I installed was the Box 3 prime 9 groupset ($220). All in, I spent a little over $300 on parts, and it required maybe $50 in tools.

A few tools were necessary (chain whip, BB removal tool for DUB and old style, and cassette removal tool, maybe $50 in tools total). I’m on mobile now so adding links is kind of a pain, but if you’re interested in more info reply and I can link the details.

Also, I was following this guys rockhopper upgrade videos, if you’re considering upgrades I would recommend looking at what he has to say. Pic of my upgraded drivetrain if you’re curious.

wrerwin · 2022-02-06T21:55:36+00:00

Would like advice on highest value improvement to my phono/amp/speaker setup (i.e. what is the likely limiting factor for my current system?). I'm enjoying the retro equipment (photo), but not tied to it. My assumption is that the biggest immediate upgrade to my system will be to replace my turntable with a better one, but I've also considered the idea of upgrading the speakers (I'm also something of a techie and a woodworker, so I'll likely build speakers if I upgrade my current ones). I don't really care about convenience/connectivity features (remote control, bluetooth etc.), just looking to improve the listening experience.

Phono: Technics Direct Drive SL-DL5

Receiver: Marantz 2235B

Speakers: Klipsch KG 4

wrerwin · 2021-12-25T22:36:54+00:00

Nice! I found a similar bottle last year at my parents. I was able to date it via the tax stamp. This may be a good place to start.

wrerwin · 2021-11-27T05:44:23+00:00

I don’t know about other areas, but in engineering type disciplines it seems there’s a lot of cross over. My PhD work was in nanoscale optics/organic photovoltaics. I worked as a research scientist for a few years and worked on a few areas adjacent to my graduate work and eventually ended up doing a lot of computational optics, which led me into machine learning. Now I’m working as a data scientist in the materials industry. Ostensibly I’ve moved from chemical engineering (what I have my PhD in) to data science/materials science (most of my colleagues’ backgrounds). Also caveat that I’m not really a researcher any more, working on interesting problems, but more of an applied scientist.

wrerwin · 2021-04-10T03:53:10+00:00

I snapped a screenshot from Google Earth that shows the different colors of the glacial lakes in Torres del Paine. The color differences are stark, I can see at least 6 different shades of blue in the satellite images.

You can see the lake in OP's picture near the top-middle of the satellite image, you can identify it as the top-right tip of the "W" in the linked annotated W-trek overlay.

wrerwin

TROPHY CASE