Quadrafire Santa Fe Misfires

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tomandy

Member
Nov 26, 2011
29
Quiet Corner CT.
I have a new Santa Fe insert and would like to see if anyone has the same issues that I have. When thermostat is satisfied stove will shut down until thermostat calls for heat. Stove will relight for about 15 min. then go out. The call light will be on, temp is supposed to reach 200 then green light in control box goes on. At 800 the red light in the control box goes on and stove continues to run. That's the problem, lots of misfires because red light doesn't always go on. Forget it on med. and low settings. Tried different pellets and settings. Manual says to increase pellet feed for bigger fire but this would feed more pellets than it needs to for recommended fire height . Flame varies from not reaching thermocouple to proper height, depending on when pellets are dropped in burn pot. I guess my point is, how much do I have to play with this stove to eliminate misfires. It should work properly as it is new. Is it time to play the warranty card? How long would you tolerate a new car if it wouldn't start half the time? Any Ideas?
 
First have you adjusted your flame (fuel gate) according to the directions in the manual, which means on high ?

Then is your thermocouple end against the shield and is the thermocouple assembly in the proper position over the burn pot?
 
SmokeyTheBear said:
First have you adjusted your flame (fuel gate) according to the directions in the manual, which means on high ?

Then is your thermocouple end against the shield and is the thermocouple assembly in the proper position over the burn pot?

X2. Flame height should be 4" above pot on High setting and thermocouple should be sticking 1/2" over pot edge (inner edge) and the thermocouple should be touching the inside tip of ceramic cover.

Both are good reasons to shut down.

What setting are you running on? Do you always run on T-stat? Or have you tried running on a lower setting (constantly, in "On" mode / or with stat cranked so its never satisfied) letting the stove run constantly (at least while your home).??
 
I agree with Smokey. Also unplug stove and check thermocouple connections on block..make sure they are tight. The thermocouple should be approx 1" into the firepot. Also make sure the ash gate on the cast iron firepot is closing all the way,sometimes these can be stiff and partially open letting in more air. Make sure the ash door is closed properly.
Is you thermostat set to the lowest anticipation setting?
Ive never had problems with a new quadrafire other than a reset button and I have installed close to a hundred.
Good luck
 
SmokeyTheBear said:
First have you adjusted your flame (fuel gate) according to the directions in the manual, which means on high ?

Then is your thermocouple end against the shield and is the thermocouple assembly in the proper position over the burn pot?

Fuel gate - pellet feed rate? If feed rate is max, Wouldn't stove burn too much fuel? Haven't checked thermocouple end yet.
 
tomandy said:
SmokeyTheBear said:
First have you adjusted your flame (fuel gate) according to the directions in the manual, which means on high ?

Then is your thermocouple end against the shield and is the thermocouple assembly in the proper position over the burn pot?

Fuel gate - pellet feed rate? If feed rate is max, Wouldn't stove burn too much fuel? Haven't checked thermocouple end yet.

You set the flame height using the fuel gate when the stove is operated in high, read the manual.

After you get the flame height correct for the fuel you are burning you can then select a different firing rate.
 
SmokeyTheBear said:
tomandy said:
SmokeyTheBear said:
First have you adjusted your flame (fuel gate) according to the directions in the manual, which means on high ?

Then is your thermocouple end against the shield and is the thermocouple assembly in the proper position over the burn pot?

Fuel gate - pellet feed rate? If feed rate is max, Wouldn't stove burn too much fuel? Haven't checked thermocouple end yet.

You set the flame height using the fuel gate when the stove is operated in high, read the manual.

After you get the flame height correct for the fuel you are burning you can then select a different firing rate.

Flame height is correct. Different firing rate? This stove has only 3 speeds. Is there anything I'm missing?
 
tomandy said:
SmokeyTheBear said:
tomandy said:
SmokeyTheBear said:
First have you adjusted your flame (fuel gate) according to the directions in the manual, which means on high ?

Then is your thermocouple end against the shield and is the thermocouple assembly in the proper position over the burn pot?

Fuel gate - pellet feed rate? If feed rate is max, Wouldn't stove burn too much fuel? Haven't checked thermocouple end yet.

You set the flame height using the fuel gate when the stove is operated in high, read the manual.

After you get the flame height correct for the fuel you are burning you can then select a different firing rate.

Flame height is correct. Different firing rate? This stove has only 3 speeds. Is there anything I'm missing?

Those different "speeds" are in fact your three firing rates.
 
SmokeyTheBear said:
tomandy said:
SmokeyTheBear said:
tomandy said:
SmokeyTheBear said:
First have you adjusted your flame (fuel gate) according to the directions in the manual, which means on high ?

Then is your thermocouple end against the shield and is the thermocouple assembly in the proper position over the burn pot?

Fuel gate - pellet feed rate? If feed rate is max, Wouldn't stove burn too much fuel? Haven't checked thermocouple end yet.

You set the flame height using the fuel gate when the stove is operated in high, read the manual.

After you get the flame height correct for the fuel you are burning you can then select a different firing rate.

Flame height is correct. Different firing rate? This stove has only 3 speeds. Is there anything I'm missing?

Those different "speeds" are in fact your three firing rates.

Thanks for the help, got some things to try tomorrow.
 
From your manual::::

2. Heat Output Controls
This appliance is equipped with a heat output control switch that
has three settings or burn rates; low, medium and high. The
appliance will turn on and off as the thermostat demands.

Like Smokey said, set your flame height to an average of 4" after startup by adjusting your feed gate. Wait at least 15 minutes before adjusting it again. Then select HIGH, MEDIUM, OR LOW heat setting. DON'T mess with the feed gate anymore unless you change pellet manufacturers or a different lot or if you see a change in the pellet length or consistency. Even if there are no changes, it doesn't hurt to check your setting on HIGH about once a month.

Oh, and the red light comes on at 600 degrees, not 800, and it won't affect the feed or feed rate. It's there to shut off the igniter if it hasn't already been shut off by an internal timer. It will continue to run on LOW even if just the green light is on.
 
tjnamtiw said:
From your manual::::

2. Heat Output Controls
This appliance is equipped with a heat output control switch that
has three settings or burn rates; low, medium and high. The
appliance will turn on and off as the thermostat demands.

Like Smokey said, set your flame height to an average of 4" after startup by adjusting your feed gate. Wait at least 15 minutes before adjusting it again. Then select HIGH, MEDIUM, OR LOW heat setting. DON'T mess with the feed gate anymore unless you change pellet manufacturers or a different lot or if you see a change in the pellet length or consistency. Even if there are no changes, it doesn't hurt to check your setting on HIGH about once a month.

Oh, and the red light comes on at 600 degrees, not 800, and it won't affect the feed or feed rate. It's there to shut off the igniter if it hasn't already been shut off by an internal timer. It will continue to run on LOW even if just the green light is on.

Thanks, I will recheck my feed rate. Yes, your right about the 600 degrees. Also, how far should thermocouple wire extend into ceramic housing? Should wire touch inside? Thanks for all your help.
 
tomandy said:
tjnamtiw said:
From your manual::::

2. Heat Output Controls
This appliance is equipped with a heat output control switch that
has three settings or burn rates; low, medium and high. The
appliance will turn on and off as the thermostat demands.

Like Smokey said, set your flame height to an average of 4" after startup by adjusting your feed gate. Wait at least 15 minutes before adjusting it again. Then select HIGH, MEDIUM, OR LOW heat setting. DON'T mess with the feed gate anymore unless you change pellet manufacturers or a different lot or if you see a change in the pellet length or consistency. Even if there are no changes, it doesn't hurt to check your setting on HIGH about once a month.

Oh, and the red light comes on at 600 degrees, not 800, and it won't affect the feed or feed rate. It's there to shut off the igniter if it hasn't already been shut off by an internal timer. It will continue to run on LOW even if just the green light is on.

Thanks, I will recheck my feed rate. Yes, your right about the 600 degrees. Also, how far should thermocouple wire extend into ceramic housing? Should wire touch inside? Thanks for all your help.

Thermocouple (actual twisted wire) needs to touch the very end of cermaic cover (inside). Then the ceramic cover needs to extend 1/2"-1" inside the inner edge of firepot. So the flames can "lick" the cover, which transfers the heat directly to the thermocouple (tip).

Thermocouples only read from the end. So it touching the inside/end of ceramic cover is vital in relaying the temp.
 
DexterDay said:
tomandy said:
tjnamtiw said:
From your manual::::

2. Heat Output Controls
This appliance is equipped with a heat output control switch that
has three settings or burn rates; low, medium and high. The
appliance will turn on and off as the thermostat demands.

Like Smokey said, set your flame height to an average of 4" after startup by adjusting your feed gate. Wait at least 15 minutes before adjusting it again. Then select HIGH, MEDIUM, OR LOW heat setting. DON'T mess with the feed gate anymore unless you change pellet manufacturers or a different lot or if you see a change in the pellet length or consistency. Even if there are no changes, it doesn't hurt to check your setting on HIGH about once a month.

Oh, and the red light comes on at 600 degrees, not 800, and it won't affect the feed or feed rate. It's there to shut off the igniter if it hasn't already been shut off by an internal timer. It will continue to run on LOW even if just the green light is on.

Thanks, I will recheck my feed rate. Yes, your right about the 600 degrees. Also, how far should thermocouple wire extend into ceramic housing? Should wire touch inside? Thanks for all your help.

Thermocouple (actual twisted wire) needs to touch the very end of cermaic cover (inside). Then the ceramic cover needs to extend 1/2"-1" inside the inner edge of firepot. So the flames can "lick" the cover, which transfers the heat directly to the thermocouple (tip).

Thermocouples only read from the end. So it touching the inside/end of ceramic cover is vital in relaying the temp.


I removed the thermocouple cover and found the twisted wires only went about half way to the end. I then bent the wire slightly to touch the inside of the cover on the bottom side. Restarted the stove and it kept running on the med. speed, something it rarely does. The stove was still warm, so I will try this again when the stove is cold. Thanks!
 
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