off to get some chores done and then off to bed. I work third shift so I need to get some sleep and will check back in tomorrow. thanks for all your help. I appreciate it and look forward to hearing more from you.
cab 50 problems
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Tedinski
Member
No trouble! I like a challenge!
If you can, work on getting us all some pictures of the interior of the firebox, of the combustion air path inside (in the back of) your stove...
Perhaps a friend can help you with getting pictures posted.
If you can, work on getting us all some pictures of the interior of the firebox, of the combustion air path inside (in the back of) your stove...
Perhaps a friend can help you with getting pictures posted.
St_Earl
Minister of Fire
ok. i think i may have this one figured out.
i just had to do this on my PS50. (same stove basically)
i actually just started having a similar thing happen with the fire being WAY too low even with the feed gate all the way open.
i have never run with the gate all the way open.
i knew something wasn't right when i opened the gate all the way and there was almost no change.
since pellets were dropping, i didn't at first think it could be an auger issue.
i vacuum the channel out a few times a year these last two seasons.
it turns out though that over time, the ultra fine dust had accumulated at the very top of the auger right at the upper opening to the drop chute.
vacuuming from the bottom of the channel inside the hopper had had no effect on this deposit.
i had earlier poked a wire up there to no effect.(thinking it may have been some kind of partial pellet jam) but this morning i put a piece of hose (an old piece of small diameter washing machine supply hose with one fitting cut off) all the way up the drop chute from inside the firebox end. and i gave a good blow of air.
lo and behold the superfine dust fell out into the firepot and also back down the channel to the bottom of the hopper.
before i did this i was getting some misfires and the flame was too low because there were just not enough pellets in the pot even with the gate full open.
now it's lighting and running like a champ on medium with the gate closed down to my usual sharpie mark.
flame height is perfect just like i had set it originally
hopefully this is also what you have going on.
good luck
i just had to do this on my PS50. (same stove basically)
i actually just started having a similar thing happen with the fire being WAY too low even with the feed gate all the way open.
i have never run with the gate all the way open.
i knew something wasn't right when i opened the gate all the way and there was almost no change.
since pellets were dropping, i didn't at first think it could be an auger issue.
i vacuum the channel out a few times a year these last two seasons.
it turns out though that over time, the ultra fine dust had accumulated at the very top of the auger right at the upper opening to the drop chute.
vacuuming from the bottom of the channel inside the hopper had had no effect on this deposit.
i had earlier poked a wire up there to no effect.(thinking it may have been some kind of partial pellet jam) but this morning i put a piece of hose (an old piece of small diameter washing machine supply hose with one fitting cut off) all the way up the drop chute from inside the firebox end. and i gave a good blow of air.
lo and behold the superfine dust fell out into the firepot and also back down the channel to the bottom of the hopper.
before i did this i was getting some misfires and the flame was too low because there were just not enough pellets in the pot even with the gate full open.
now it's lighting and running like a champ on medium with the gate closed down to my usual sharpie mark.
flame height is perfect just like i had set it originally
hopefully this is also what you have going on.
good luck
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thanks Ted. I did take some pics but they didn't turn out good. If you wish to e-mail me I can send them to you. I am [email protected]
I have tried that too. I let the unit run empty every other week and then shop vac the dust out.
Tedinski
Member
I sent you an email, so you can just hit "reply" along with pictures.
If you'd like, I can try to post the pictures after you've sent them to me, so other people can chime in as well.
St_Earl
Minister of Fire
yeah. as i said, just vacuuming didn't get at the accumulation at the top end of the auger.
that's why i actually blew it out. but if you tried that, then i guess that's that.
Been thinking that the fan isn't running hard enough. Thinking about buying a new one and trying that. where can I order parts for eco choice pellet stoves? Please don't tell me to go to the dealer. That does NOT work.
Tedinski
Member
If you want to go that route, here's a place that was recommended to me. I haven't used them yet.
http://www.stove-parts-unlimited.co...ce-70-CFM-Combustion-Blower-p/srv7000-602.htm
Tedinski
Member
Something to keep in mind though: You said you had a LOT of air going out of the exhaust pipe. If it's a lot, it must be coming from the combustion fan.
I can't remember.... did you do the "dollar bill test" on your door? Put a dollar bill across the door gasket, and close the door. You should NOT be able to pull the dollar out. Do this all around the door looking for spots where the gasket isn't tight.
I really wish I could see this stove.... it has to be something basic!
I can't remember.... did you do the "dollar bill test" on your door? Put a dollar bill across the door gasket, and close the door. You should NOT be able to pull the dollar out. Do this all around the door looking for spots where the gasket isn't tight.
I really wish I could see this stove.... it has to be something basic!
today when I do my weekly complete teardown/cleanout I will try the dollar bill test. You would be surprised at how much ash build up I get in just one week burning about a half a bag a day. Still shuts itself down once a day. it was in the middle of the night but now it shuts down mid morning.
I have tried the dollar bill test. It will pull out in some areas but it takes a good tug. The other areas the bill will not pull out.
Tedinski
Member
Well @#$!
Running out of ideas!
I'm out on the road working right now, but when I get home I'll take a good look at the exhaust path, and see if there's a likely candidate for a major leak.
Is that 22 year old kid gonna come out & take a look?
Running out of ideas!
I'm out on the road working right now, but when I get home I'll take a good look at the exhaust path, and see if there's a likely candidate for a major leak.
Is that 22 year old kid gonna come out & take a look?
He keeps saying I am using the wrong pellets. He can tell me that over the phone. I wouldn't let this kid rake the leaves out of my yard. Doubt he is qualified to service a fishbowl.
Tedinski
Member
I just can't believe that could be the problem, but perhaps you should buy a bag just to test it. then, when it doesn't work you can say "see"? And maybe get a replacement unit in.
Mpodesta
Member
yeah...I'm not buying that either..............
I have a ps50 that I got last year, same stove as yours, just less capacity and I've burned all sorts of box store crap in mine when I first got it...made no difference, burned it all
I have a ps50 that I got last year, same stove as yours, just less capacity and I've burned all sorts of box store crap in mine when I first got it...made no difference, burned it all
Tedinski
Member
I just don't know what to say.
If he refuses to come, I'd really let the manufacturer "have it" so to speak re: their distributor.
If you can find a reputable repair guy, it might be worth getting him in. The CAB50 really is a decent unit. It has to be something simple!
Last but not least, there's always small claims court.
If he refuses to come, I'd really let the manufacturer "have it" so to speak re: their distributor.
If you can find a reputable repair guy, it might be worth getting him in. The CAB50 really is a decent unit. It has to be something simple!
Last but not least, there's always small claims court.
Tedinski
Member
no one has contacted me about service. They are ignoring me. I filed a complaint with the BBB. The warranty period will be done by next week..Heatilator/eco-choice has done a fine job in avoiding the warranty. I warn everyone I know and even people I don't know about this clown that pretends to be a dealer and about the manufacturer.
Tedinski
Member
I don't know what to say, other than it just plain SUCKS that you've been treated so poorly.
I'm still convinced it's probably something quite simple with your stove, but if they won't bother to come out it will be a bear to fix. I wish I could help more... I'm just too far away to stop by & take a look.
Good choice, calling the better business bureau. I hope they help you get some satisfaction!
I'm still convinced it's probably something quite simple with your stove, but if they won't bother to come out it will be a bear to fix. I wish I could help more... I'm just too far away to stop by & take a look.
Good choice, calling the better business bureau. I hope they help you get some satisfaction!
Tedinski
Member
Maybe there's somebody in Michigan that lives close enough to take a look?
Perhaps start a new thread, asking for a knowledgeable member or a GOOD sales rep right in your area.
The CAB50 is a good stove. I would call a GOOD dealer in your area to come & take a good look. THEN: SUE the PANTS off the dealer who has ignored you, and put that receipt for service in as part of your suit. Small claims court isn't a huge deal... you don't need a lawyer for basic stuff.
But hopefully the BBB scares the guy into coming out.
Perhaps start a new thread, asking for a knowledgeable member or a GOOD sales rep right in your area.
The CAB50 is a good stove. I would call a GOOD dealer in your area to come & take a good look. THEN: SUE the PANTS off the dealer who has ignored you, and put that receipt for service in as part of your suit. Small claims court isn't a huge deal... you don't need a lawyer for basic stuff.
But hopefully the BBB scares the guy into coming out.
hearthnleisure
Dave
Forgive me for dropping in here late and I started to read through the post but it was a little painful 
Heatilator released a vacuum isolator box to remedy a problem that was known that was causing the pressure switch to lose vacuum when the distribution blower would come on under certain venting configurations, namely short runs like it sounds like you have. Part # SRV7074-183 . It is basically a metal box that mounts around the vacuum switch.
More recently they released a design change for Cab50's that were manufactured after 5/20/13 that changed the unit around a little bit to eliminate the low vacuum people have been having. Basically sealed up problem air leak areas and redesigned the back panel where the unit is sucking in air. See the attached pdf that breaks down the field fix for existing units. One tube of RTV will go a long way towards fixing any vacuum issues people are having.
Heatilator released a vacuum isolator box to remedy a problem that was known that was causing the pressure switch to lose vacuum when the distribution blower would come on under certain venting configurations, namely short runs like it sounds like you have. Part # SRV7074-183 . It is basically a metal box that mounts around the vacuum switch.
More recently they released a design change for Cab50's that were manufactured after 5/20/13 that changed the unit around a little bit to eliminate the low vacuum people have been having. Basically sealed up problem air leak areas and redesigned the back panel where the unit is sucking in air. See the attached pdf that breaks down the field fix for existing units. One tube of RTV will go a long way towards fixing any vacuum issues people are having.
Tedinski
Member
I'm still trying to picture what's going on with your stove.....
If you open your owner's manual to page 16, it shows a couple of different situations/problems with burning. Which one looks like your trouble?
Does the flame look like figure 16.2 ? You've tried more than one fuel, so I doubt it's fuel that's your trouble. I'm just trying to picture what you're running into.
If you open your owner's manual to page 16, it shows a couple of different situations/problems with burning. Which one looks like your trouble?
Does the flame look like figure 16.2 ? You've tried more than one fuel, so I doubt it's fuel that's your trouble. I'm just trying to picture what you're running into.
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