Castile Convection Blower help

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.

Lesley

New Member
Mar 1, 2013
24
Groton, MA
Hi, I'm trying to replace my convection blower in my Castile freestanding stove. The wire connection is not the same as the old blower. Does anyone know how to connect the blower? The connection I have now is a white plastic clip on the blower wires that connects to a white plastic clip on the stove wires. The new on has pink connectors, one on each wire. When I ordered the new fan they assured me it was the right one and that a "conversion" kit would be included but all that was in the box were more pink clips. The directions that came with the blower are useless. Thanks!
 
It should just have two wires coming out of the motor, which can be connected to the two wires going to the old motor. It could also have a green, ground wire which would get connected to any convenient place on the metal chassis. It sounds like the connectors don't match up, which is no great surprise since China would have used any connector they had in stock at the time. You will have to cut off the dual connector and perhaps crimp on the 'conversion' connectors that they gave you. Without seeing them, there's no way of knowing if they mate with the connectors on the end of the motor though. The worst case scenario would be that you cut off all the connectors and replace them with male and female spade connectors.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...ce=CAT&znt_medium=RSCOM&znt_content=CT2032231

Since it is AC, you can connect either wire to either motor lead.
 
It should just have two wires coming out of the motor, which can be connected to the two wires going to the old motor. It could also have a green, ground wire which would get connected to any convenient place on the metal chassis. It sounds like the connectors don't match up, which is no great surprise since China would have used any connector they had in stock at the time. You will have to cut off the dual connector and perhaps crimp on the 'conversion' connectors that they gave you. Without seeing them, there's no way of knowing if they mate with the connectors on the end of the motor though. The worst case scenario would be that you cut off all the connectors and replace them with male and female spade connectors.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...ce=CAT&znt_medium=RSCOM&znt_content=CT2032231

Since it is AC, you can connect either wire to either motor lead.


That's what I was thinking. No green ground wire. Hate to cut it up at this point but in the end that may be what I'll have to do.
 
If youre not too mechanically inclined, 2 twist on wire nuts would work as well. Sometimes the crimp on connectors don't crimp so good.
 
If youre not too mechanically inclined, 2 twist on wire nuts would work as well. Sometimes the crimp on connectors don't crimp so good.

Thanks! I wondered if I could do that without causing a fire hazard. I've replaced light fixtures, sockets, switches, etc but am always nervous about doing something that doesn't look exactly like what I'm replacing.
 
Hi, I'm trying to replace my convection blower in my Castile freestanding stove. The wire connection is not the same as the old blower. Does anyone know how to connect the blower? The connection I have now is a white plastic clip on the blower wires that connects to a white plastic clip on the stove wires. The new on has pink connectors, one on each wire. When I ordered the new fan they assured me it was the right one and that a "conversion" kit would be included but all that was in the box were more pink clips. The directions that came with the blower are useless. Thanks!
Is this a QuadraFire part or an aftermarket replacement? Who ever assured you this is the correct part is mistaken. I wouldn't mess with the electrics in the stove. You could fry the whole stove or worse. Get the correct part before you cut wires and ruin the part so that you can't return it.!!!
 
The worst case scenario would be that you cut off all the connectors and replace them with male and female spade connectors.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...ce=CAT&znt_medium=RSCOM&znt_content=CT2032231

Since it is AC, you can connect either wire to either motor lead.
The worst case scenario is much worse than this. Electrocution or house fire would be my candidates for worst case scenarios. wire splicing is O.K for battery operated stuff but dangerous for house splices done by do-it yourself people:mad:
 
Is this a QuadraFire part or an aftermarket replacement? Who ever assured you this is the correct part is mistaken. I wouldn't mess with the electrics in the stove. You could fry the whole stove or worse. Get the correct part before you cut wires and ruin the part so that you can't return it.!!!

Hi, It's a Quadrafire part from Hearth & Home. They are the ones who said it was the correct one and the conversion kit would fix the wire connection discrepancy. According the the quadrafire site this is the replacement for the blower on my stove, but is the "replacement" part for an older version. Only answer I got from quadrafire was that all replacement parts/repairs should be done by a qualified dealer. I've all ready had this blower replaced a few years ago by a dealer and it cost more to have him come out and do the work than the blower cost itself.
 
Hi, It's a Quadrafire part from Hearth & Home. They are the ones who said it was the correct one and the conversion kit would fix the wire connection discrepancy. According the the quadrafire site this is the replacement for the blower on my stove, but is the "replacement" part for an older version. Only answer I got from quadrafire was that all replacement parts/repairs should be done by a qualified dealer. I've all ready had this blower replaced a few years ago by a dealer and it cost more to have him come out and do the work than the blower cost itself.


Sorry, bought it from Mt View Hearth Products, (Hearth & Home is what it says on the direction sheet).
 
Sorry, bought it from Mt View Hearth Products, (Hearth & Home is what it says on the direction sheet).
Is this the only blower that is available and have you checked the parts list in the owner's manual for your stove's model year for the part number ? I would get the blower from a Quad dealer and let him find the correct part number. Explain your experience with the replacement part to the dealer and that if the wrong connecters come in, he can be responsible for getting the correct part. My experience with Quad dealers has been very positve.

Again, I wouldn't cut wires on the blower from Mt View. I have ordered from them in the past and I am sure they will take the return and eat the return shipping cost. They don't want anyone injured by a replacement part that has to be altered to installed.
 
The worst case scenario is much worse than this. Electrocution or house fire would be my candidates for worst case scenarios. wire splicing is O.K for battery operated stuff but dangerous for house splices done by do-it yourself people:mad:
The worst case scenario is a person coming to this forum for advice on how to replace a component and not having the least bit of do-it-yourself knowledge. The man has enough know how to find the part to be replaced, recognize the connectors for what they are and to ask if he got the right part. Beyond that, if he's uncomfortable around electricity, then, by all means, call the dealer or a friend able to skin two wires and crimp on the correct connectors, tape them up, connect them and ensure they aren't grounding anything. Splicing is perfectly fine if done correctly and taped to prevent shorts. Me thinks the fuse would blow long before a fire ensues. I would venture to guess there are MANY splices with wire nuts everywhere in your house behind your walls against your wooden studs. Sleep well tonight. :p
 
The worst case scenario is a person coming to this forum for advice on how to replace a component and not having the least bit of do-it-yourself knowledge. The man has enough know how to find the part to be replaced, recognize the connectors for what they are and to ask if he got the right part. Beyond that, if he's uncomfortable around electricity, then, by all means, call the dealer or a friend able to skin two wires and crimp on the correct connectors, tape them up, connect them and ensure they aren't grounding anything. Splicing is perfectly fine if done correctly and taped to prevent shorts. Me thinks the fuse would blow long before a fire ensues. I would venture to guess there are MANY splices with wire nuts everywhere in your house behind your walls against your wooden studs. Sleep well tonight. :p

Got one of the maintenance guys at work to come over and take the connector off the old blower and rewire the new ones. He knows what he's doing and showed me how easy it was. All set with new, quieter, blower. Thanks for all your help.
 
Got one of the maintenance guys at work to come over and take the connector off the old blower and rewire the new ones. He knows what he's doing and showed me how easy it was. All set with new, quieter, blower. Thanks for all your help.
That's GREAT!!! Glad you're warm again. It never hurts to ask for help AND to have tech-savvy friends! Yep, simple job and done right.
 
I would venture to guess there are MANY splices with wire nuts everywhere in your house behind your walls against your wooden studs. Sleep well tonight. :p

Seeing as how I live in a restored 1850 farmhouse, you're probably right. I was working on another house I owned in Vermont and the contractor was working on opening the outside wall for a window. when a spark from a wire he hit set the kraft faced insulation on fire. No fuses worked there. I grabbed the insulation and tossed it out the opening while the contractor did his deer in the headlights thing.

I sleep well evey night, knowing that I can only worry about what is in my control. Warning people about safety is one of those things in my control.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tjnamtiw
Is this the only blower that is available and have you checked the parts list in the owner's manual for your stove's model year for the part number ? I would get the blower from a Quad dealer and let him find the correct part number. Explain your experience with the replacement part to the dealer and that if the wrong connecters come in, he can be responsible for getting the correct part. My experience with Quad dealers has been very positve.

Again, I wouldn't cut wires on the blower from Mt View. I have ordered from them in the past and I am sure they will take the return and eat the return shipping cost. They don't want anyone injured by a replacement part that has to be altered to installed.

Just for the record (and future readers of this thread)... this was the QuadraFire replacement. Quad changed the convection blower's plastic electrical connector to spade connectors on the stoves starting around 2004 (after they were bought by HHT, maybe?). The replacement blower includes extra mates for the new connectors, with instructions to cut and replace the old plastic connector from the stove.

Cut off the stove's old plastic connector, strip the ends of the wires, insert them into the new female spade connectors, and crimp (squeeze) the connector onto the wire tightly with pliers. Now the stove has the new connectors for the convection blower.

And as with everything electrical: turn off the power first, and seek help if you're at all uncomfortable with doing it yourself.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tjnamtiw
Status
Not open for further replies.