Run the damper wide open the fuel rod is set per brand of pellets you use, My stove came set to #2, damper open and fuel rod open. After burning 6 brands i have it set to 1/2 open fuel rod and damper open. If its new why would you start moving stuff around? Leave the damper alone, if the fire is going out is because it's getting to much or to little fuel
New CAB50 - Problems
- Thread starter dan v.
- Start date
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SmokeyTheBear
Minister of Fire
You move that damper if moving the fuel rod does not get the flame height on high to where it belongs, that is why one would close the damper and that is why it is there.
Thanks for the replies. Smokey - I assumed the snap discs were just a thermoswitch, so not sure why relocating the disc was part of the better burning. Must have just been a coincidence the pellets were feeding better.
Dmi - Things were moved around because the damn thing does not work well. When I got it, the inst manual was for an earlier model - the later dated builds had a diff control so I set the control for what the manual said, only finding out later that the unit needed a diff setting. The blower operated erratic. There is a service bulletin having one seal up gaps in the unit. If no pellets feed to the fire it goes out - have to find out why they don't feed and start investigating, right?
It is just so strange to me - the pellet feed rate is only set/adjusted by moving the gate in the hopper? I can the gate wide open and still not get a high burn.
A lot of controls in there I don't understand. What does the vacuum tube going to the pellet auger do, and what does the snap disc on the auger chute do. Does the auger motor turn faster when the switch is set to high, rather than med or low?
Dmi - Things were moved around because the damn thing does not work well. When I got it, the inst manual was for an earlier model - the later dated builds had a diff control so I set the control for what the manual said, only finding out later that the unit needed a diff setting. The blower operated erratic. There is a service bulletin having one seal up gaps in the unit. If no pellets feed to the fire it goes out - have to find out why they don't feed and start investigating, right?
It is just so strange to me - the pellet feed rate is only set/adjusted by moving the gate in the hopper? I can the gate wide open and still not get a high burn.
A lot of controls in there I don't understand. What does the vacuum tube going to the pellet auger do, and what does the snap disc on the auger chute do. Does the auger motor turn faster when the switch is set to high, rather than med or low?
Auger and fan speed change with the switch, the fan should not change speed on its own, are you using the thermostat it came with? A video showing start up and operation would help us to.
SmokeyTheBear
Minister of Fire
High burn is selected by placing the heat setting switch to the high position. The feed restricter in the hopper is a trimming device for the fuel to air ratio, the damper is a trimming device for the air part of that ratio between the two you can get the stove properly dialed in. The dial in for this stove is flame height when the heat switch is set to high.
SmokeyTheBear
Minister of Fire
Don't be too sure of that various pellet stove controllers do in fact change both feed rate and exhaust speed on start up and again when they exit start up, in fact some have also been known to having had their start up programs changed from one year to next year.
Then we have others that continuously monitor and change them. Life has gotten really complicated in what used to be a the simple world of pellet roasting.
Was about ready to give up on this pellet burner. Nothing would make the flame burn steadily higher than an inch or so above the pot when on high. Just didn't seem to drop enough pellets. Called the mfgr again and hoped to speak with the engineers once more, but they changed policy and won't allow that any longer. Was told to call the authorized service center, which is a store about a 45 min drive away, and get a service man to look at it. (The tractor store where I purchased the unit has no service). Anyway, the authorized service center told me that a service call would cost me $120- minimum, even though my unit is under warranty, and that they rarely travel to my location. They haven't sold Heatilators in years. Not real encouraging.
Got caught up on errands on my day off yesterday and took a road trip to the shop mentioned above, thinking that I may look for a different unit. Spent some time talking with the very attractive red haired young lady that was manning the floor that afternoon. She wrote me up for the service call, and started talking with me about pellets, and stated that some brands just don't want to burn. She suggested trying a couple of bags of different pellets, to see how they would burn for me. So - I hauled home with two bags of Uncle Jed's, and two bags of Somersets, and low expectations.
Got home and cleaned out the old pellets and threw in about a quarter bag of the Jeds. They fired up quickly and burned high. Long story short, but it was the only time that the Cab 50 worked as designed. Burned high, med, and low. Moving the feed control rod made a difference. The convection fan came on and stayed on. I am dumfounded at how well this stove works now.
So I had been through at least four other brands of pellets with lousy results. One change and all works well. It is that the Jed's are softwood, or that they are much shorter than the other brands?
Who would have thunk it? I would have not believed it if someone on the internet told me that just changing the pellet would cure it's ills. I'm a believer now.
Got caught up on errands on my day off yesterday and took a road trip to the shop mentioned above, thinking that I may look for a different unit. Spent some time talking with the very attractive red haired young lady that was manning the floor that afternoon. She wrote me up for the service call, and started talking with me about pellets, and stated that some brands just don't want to burn. She suggested trying a couple of bags of different pellets, to see how they would burn for me. So - I hauled home with two bags of Uncle Jed's, and two bags of Somersets, and low expectations.
Got home and cleaned out the old pellets and threw in about a quarter bag of the Jeds. They fired up quickly and burned high. Long story short, but it was the only time that the Cab 50 worked as designed. Burned high, med, and low. Moving the feed control rod made a difference. The convection fan came on and stayed on. I am dumfounded at how well this stove works now.
So I had been through at least four other brands of pellets with lousy results. One change and all works well. It is that the Jed's are softwood, or that they are much shorter than the other brands?
Who would have thunk it? I would have not believed it if someone on the internet told me that just changing the pellet would cure it's ills. I'm a believer now.
TonyVideo
Feeling the Heat
Sounds like you had pellets that had absorbed some moisture at one time. If they are sold outside make sure individual bags were covered. One ton pallets have a big bag placed over them along with shrink wrap and can be stored outside. The good places always store them indoors. TSC stores them outside but once they break open a pallet they store them inside the double doors where I shop for individual bag purchases. My stove dealer stores them all indoors.
St_Earl
Minister of Fire
something like that must have happened. even with budget pellets, i think the likelihood of four different brands not burning in a stove that is not at all finicky, seem vanishingly small.
i'm glad you got running.
i'm glad you got running.
Hdhogger
Feeling the Heat
X'2 haven't had a problem burning any pellet so far. Yes some are ashier or have more clinkers, doesn't change my cleaning and maintenance schedule per manual, this stove has been great.
danv, Let her rip! Glad your on track. Your going to love this burner!
I thought it may be time for an update. Wow - four years since I got the help from this forum. Since last posting, I have insulated the garage some more. Firing up the stove, it heats the space to a sweatshirt level in an hour and a half or so on most winter days. For the most part, I have stayed with Jed's and Somerset pellets.
Still no love for other brands of pellets sold at the big box or tractor stores. Just varying rates of less satisfying burns. For the 6 to 8 bags burned per winter I will stick with the ones above.
Cab 50 working well, although getting rust spots all over the hot parts of the cabinet. Been pretty happy with it. Now thinking of a unit for fireplace insert at home.....
Still no love for other brands of pellets sold at the big box or tractor stores. Just varying rates of less satisfying burns. For the 6 to 8 bags burned per winter I will stick with the ones above.
Cab 50 working well, although getting rust spots all over the hot parts of the cabinet. Been pretty happy with it. Now thinking of a unit for fireplace insert at home.....
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