Englander igniter from Grainger

  • 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.

gjr1027

New Member
Oct 13, 2011
26
Maine
I think my igniter is shot and read a few posts about igniters from Grainger being much cheaper. I believe I found the replacement for mine but I have one question about the length. On the side of the one that came with the stove it says 300W 120V and it measures 3/8 diameter , my question is the length, mine is 4" to the bottom of the collar but then there is a about an inch after the collar stop that the leads come out of. Graingers is 4" from tip to leads, they don't seem to have a collar stop and the next step up would be a 5". Here are the links from Grainger, anyone ordered one in the past and know the correct one to order? Thanks.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/VULCAN-Thunderbolt-Cartridge-Heater-2E911?Pid=search
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/TE...m_sp=IO-_-IDP-_-BTM_BTB05209020&cm_vc=IDPBBZ2
I did notice that the 4" Vulcan states under applications that it is designed for concentrated heat in a limited space for close fit insertion and is rated to 1600 deg. F but the 5" one doesn't mention anything like that.
 
Got off the phone with Englander about 20 min. ago and he said that it sounds like its not getting enough air to the igniter so he had me disconnect the igniter air intake hose from the air intake tube, (the main air intake tube, not from the igniter housing) and just leave it in the back of the stove. He said the tube will be less restricted. I did it, hit the on button and fire in less than 10 min. Worth a try for anyone else having igniter problems.
 
Well, tried to start it this morning and nothing. Tried 2 start cycles and nothing so I'm guessing that it started yesterday because I had just cleaned everything and there was no soot or ash anywhere near the igniter. I did clean all the ashes out of the burn pot before I tied this morning and the igniter area was clear but I'm guessing its on its way out and any bit of ash or soot wont allow it to start. Sooo, back to ? on the igniter from Grainger, any one have any input to the correct one to get?
Thanks.
 
Did you completely remove the air tube to make sure there isn't a blockage in it anywhere? Also, you might want to remove the ignitor and try it out of the stove.

Many of us have made 120v "test" power cords out of an old lamp cord with spade terminals on the ends....great for running blowers, augers, AND ignitors while out of the stove. If you plug it in, and the end gets red, it's not the ignitor.


BTW, what model stove are we talking about here?? If you put the make & model in your signature line it makes it easier for forum members to help you in the future.
 
Yes, took air tube completely off and could see right through it , also blew through it so that was clear, also stuck a nail in the tubes where the hose connects to on both ends and I removed the burn pot and made sure the gasket was good and made sure the burn pot was tight against the gasket when i reinstalled it. Also did the test on the igniter with the lamp cord, it took about a minute for the bottom 2/3's to get cherry red but after 2 and a half minutes the last 1" (tip) never got red, it was hot but never got cherry red like the lower part.
The stove is a 2005 Englader 25 PDVC pellet stove.
Thanks.
 
gjr1027 said:
......did the test on the igniter with the lamp cord, it took about a minute for the bottom 2/3's to get cherry red but after 2 and a half minutes the last 1" (tip) never got red, it was hot but never got cherry red like the lower part......

EDIT: After speaking to Englander Tech, the ignitor is most likely OK.....the last 1" never gets cherry red.....only bottom 2/3rds

I looked at my ignitor (10-cpm Englander model), and it was made by Tempco. 525 watts, and has a flange near the end. Here's their website:

www.tempco.com/Cartridge_Heaters/Cartridge_hub.htm

Another place:

www.heatersplus.com/products/cir3-8.html
 
Question on igniter removal. In looking at the igniter in my gfi55, I can see how you would remove it from the firebox, but when replacing it would the heating element just slip(pull out) from the metal sheathing that protrudes into the firebox and burnpot or does the igniter have to be replaced as a solid unit. I know mine is listed as 300W but not sure of length or diameter. Anyone ever replace one, I believe the vista flame and meridian have the same igniter as well.......looking for info...
 
My igniter went bad after 13 months (perfect timing, no warranty) on my Englander insert. I do use a thermostat so the igniter gets extra use. I replaced it with Grainger item # 4NJG4


TEMPCO Cartridge Heater, 120V, 300 W, 57 W/Sq.-In

$25.15
 
13 months later I am replacing the igniter again. This time I bought Grangier item # 2E911. The 2E911 is one inch shorter (4") but the Englander igniter tube housing has enough room to accommodate. Below are the photos of both failed igniters. Top picture is Englander OEM. Bottom picture is TEMPCO brand from Grainger which had structural failure in addition to electrical failure.
 

Attachments

  • P1070921.JPG
    P1070921.JPG
    51.5 KB · Views: 343
other than seeing a split in the side of the igniter the best way to see if it is good is to do a resistance check with a meter.

Eric
 
Yep. As I remember, about 45-48 ohms is normal for a good ignitor.


You do not even need to pull it out of the unit to check with a meter.
 
Bad igniter again. This time the Grangier item # 2E911 lasted only 2 months.

Very frustrating....will try the TEMPCO again.
 
If your buying Tempco from Grainger, typically you can get a 2 year extension on your warranty for like 10$. So a 3 year warranty on a igniter. Not a bad deal. Same with auger motors /fans from Grainger.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.