How does the ignitor work on the Enviro M55?

[suchanewbie]

Can someone explain how the ignitor works on the Enviro M55?
I'm asking because somewhere on this forum I read someone saying that the ignitor is a "limited life" part and I'd like to understand why.
http://www.stove-parts-unlimited.com/Enviro-M55-and-VF55-Ignitor-Assembly-p/50-2142.htm
There seem to be two tubes here - one with the hose barb and another for vacuum tube or something?
I'd appreciate if someone could help understand the basics of how it works.
I assumed it's some type of a heater element over which forced air is blown but maybe that's not true here.
Thank you very much.

 

[xSpecBx]

I believe its just an electric resistance coil like what you have an electric oven. Eventually the material fatigues and breaks

 

[suchanewbie]

I believe its just an electric resistance coil like what you have an electric oven. Eventually the material fatigues and breaks

That's what I figured but I'd think that those things have a pretty long lifetime.
Not sure if anything is special about the M55 - for instance, what is purpose of the vacuum tube attached to the ignitor?

 

[suchanewbie]

Actually here's the underlying reason behind my original post:

My stove seems to run best when running at highest setting.
When I run it at lowest setting for somewhat prolonged periods (as it seems to in the hi/lo mode) it seems to burn a bit sooty - glass gets fogged up dark a LOT quicker and I even smell the "smoke" when the stove transitions from low to high.
To keep the stove at its peak performance I always run in the auto/off mode with the stat swing set at 4 degrees which will cold cycle the stove between calls for heat after meeting the stat temp.
And that's when I read about the "limited life" of ignitor on this forum and it's making me concerned.
Does the ignitor really "wear off" somehow? People say they have had to replace their ignitor after 6 months of use?
At 270 bucks a pop it's not cheap and I wouldn't want to abuse it if I can avoid it.

Also, are there any other down sides to cold cycling (besides the concern about the ignitor if it's valid)?

 

[johneh]

My Envro Stove has the same igniter that came with the stove 2002 model .
But mine is used only after a cleaning so twice a week . If you are using yours
in on /off mode then if may be used several times a day as with any resistance
heater the more times it heats and cools the faster it will burn out . They are built
to withstand only so many heat cool cycles It's called planed obsolescence. That the
headlights in your car they will burn out within 2 weeks of each other same principal .

 

[suchanewbie]

Thanks.
Problem then is not knowing this limit of what the max number of on/off cycles for this ignitor part.
Without which it's hard to tell whether I'm using it as expected for typical use, or over, or under.
Guess there is only one way to know - to use and see how long before it breaks.
Thought it would help to hear other people's first hand experiences on this forum too.

 

[seige101]

At 270 bucks a pop it's not cheap and I wouldn't want to abuse it if I can avoid it.

When it fails or on your annual service pull the ignitor out, look at the manufacturers name and the part number. A little google magic and you can buy it for about 1/6th the cost.

The ignitor for my empress is $150 from dealer or about $135 online. I just bought 3 for $126

I am thinking about keeping 2 and tossing the 3rd on ebay for $100

 

[suchanewbie]

Wow, seige101, that's great info. Glad to know that.
Keeping backup around is never a bad idea if it's an option.
Thanks.