Quadrafire 1000 having issues staying lit

mlwinchell · Mar 8, 2009

For a week or so here I have been battling my stove to work. Free standing Quadrafire 1000 unit.

First thing I would like to note is the call light had been working sporadically and has not been on for a while now, I cannot figure out away to test just the bulb I will probably just order a new one. The REAL problem I am having is the fire will not stay going for much longer than 10-20 minutes. I have cleaned the whole unit to my best ability with an exception of the flue and exhaust as I have a guy come yearly and do that, I have not burned more this year than any years past and have invested in cleaner burning pellets so I should clean throughout the exhaust system. Originally I thought this was a thermocouple problem after speaking with a few locals who also have Quadrafires, upon further investigation a friend told me how to test my thermocouple by removing the side and watching the temp. detection lights on the side of the unit and sure enough the green light came on a few minutes after the fire started and the red light a few more minutes after the green. What seems to be happening in the shutdowns is the auger just suddenly stops feeding pellets even though the ignitor is still on and all fans seem to still be engaged.

So I am a bit puzzled at what could be wrong? Judging by my manual I'm thinking it may have to do with the vacuum system??? Perhaps someone can help me figure out my problem !!!

jtakeman · Mar 8, 2009

mlwinchell said:
For a week or so here I have been battling my stove to work. Free standing Quadrafire 1000 unit.

First thing I would like to note is the call light had been working sporadically and has not been on for a while now, I cannot figure out away to test just the bulb I will probably just order a new one. The REAL problem I am having is the fire will not stay going for much longer than 10-20 minutes. I have cleaned the whole unit to my best ability with an exception of the flue and exhaust as I have a guy come yearly and do that, I have not burned more this year than any years past and have invested in cleaner burning pellets so I should clean throughout the exhaust system. Originally I thought this was a thermocouple problem after speaking with a few locals who also have Quadrafires, upon further investigation a friend told me how to test my thermocouple by removing the side and watching the temp. detection lights on the side of the unit and sure enough the green light came on a few minutes after the fire started and the red light a few more minutes after the green. What seems to be happening in the shutdowns is the auger just suddenly stops feeding pellets even though the ignitor is still on and all fans seem to still be engaged.

So I am a bit puzzled at what could be wrong? Judging by my manual I'm thinking it may have to do with the vacuum system??? Perhaps someone can help me figure out my problem

I had a Quad 800 and mine did that when the vacuum tube to the auger housing was clogged. Take off the rear cover and find the vacuum switch. Pull off the hose and see if you can blow air through it into the stove. If not take off the other end by the auger housing. I'll bet the fitting is clogged. Use some compressed air and blow out the fitting. Don't blow air back to the vacuum switch you'll wreck it.

If that doesn't work jump out the vacuum switch(only if your sure the system is clear) maybe the switch is going. Please don't run it it the switch is bad. That is a safety switch. Order a new one.

jay

mlwinchell · Mar 8, 2009

I found that hose it appeared to be clear and functioning properly, I went ahead and blew it out to the stove with compressed air gave it a go and same failure. I am guessing by your verbage "jump out the vacuum switch" you mean to connect the two wires running into the switch to bypass it to test to see if the vacuum switch is the problematic part?

Also what should I do to ensure system is clear as you mentioned.

Thanks for your time & help!

jtakeman · Mar 8, 2009

I meant the vacuum system has no blockage. Yes try connecting the wires together(unplug stove first). See if it will stay running.

Report back,
jay

mlwinchell · Mar 8, 2009

It seems this is fixing the problem.

Now how do I figure out is it the switch and not a clogged exhaust system?

Or??? Thanks a lot for your help.

jtakeman · Mar 8, 2009

How is the flame?

Orange and lazy? Yellow and bright?

You can hook up a magnehelic guage and see what the stove is pulling. Or you can do what I have done with no guage.

Pull the hose off the switch and see if it will hold a piece of paper to it. If the paper sticks, The vent should be OK.

mlwinchell · Mar 8, 2009

Flame is bright and STRONG, on a side note;another problem I have never been able to resolve: I have both the feeder and air intake all the way down but still the stove has 6" flames out of the pot - I don't know why this is I could never adjust stove right. I was thinking about modifying feed plate in hopper to allow less pellets to drop but have been hesitant as everything has been working great as is. I am above 10,000ft sea level if this could have anything to do with it, I know there is less oxygen in the air - any ideas?

I tried the paper and it did nothing will not stick.

jtakeman · Mar 8, 2009

mlwinchell said:
Flame is bright and STRONG, on a side note;another problem I have never been able to resolve: I have both the feeder and air intake all the way down but still the stove has 6" flames out of the pot - I don't know why this is I could never adjust stove right. I was thinking about modifying feed plate in hopper to allow less pellets to drop but have been hesitant as everything has been working great as is. I am above 10,000ft sea level if this could have anything to do with it, I know there is less oxygen in the air - any ideas?

I tried the paper and it did nothing will not stick.

I wish you stated that up front. Having the air intake almost closed will useally not make enough vacuum. How many tons have you burned??

Your vent maybe clogged or you combustion motor is going. Doesn't sound like you are getting a good draft through the stove. If you have a tee remove the clean out on the bottom. Check the vent with a mirror and flash light. If a lot of ash falls out I'm sure your plugged. If you remove the left side panel. There is a door that is a port to the combustion motor. That may also be plugged.
Might want to have something under the cleanout so you don't make a mess.

jay

mlwinchell · Mar 8, 2009

I have burned a 2-3 tons under these settings. I did hear the motor on the RHS making some noises one day I added a few dashes of WD40 a few months ago and the noise went away but problems have started since then. I have not adjusted the air intake before problems occurred, when I tested the piece of paper I did have some of the lower sides open could have that affected the test?

I am unsure of what your asking me to try next I understand getting in the front bottom panel. Are you talking about the firepot or do I remove the firepot so I can see the exhaust?

I have the left panel open the fan on that side appears to be working properly.

I am waiting for stove to cool now...

jtakeman · Mar 8, 2009

I am unsure, Its been a while. But it seems more like an air leak then a vent issue.(the reason why you had to close down the damper)

Please check the door seals and make sure the fire pot clean out door(the handle you pull to clean the pot.) is closed all the way. Sometimes stuff will get cought in the linkage and the door wont close all the way.

Open lower door, Remove the ash pan. Pull out the lever. Use a flash light and see if anything is stuck where the plate closes against.

The little square door on the side of the stove is what I was talking about before. I'll dig up the manual. the 1000 may not have that.

Edit:
This it what the manual says for large fire. Check image

jay

mlwinchell · Mar 9, 2009

I should also probably note I have a ceramic firepot with a few hairline cracks in it. Otherwise the seals to everything else seems good. I did have the sealer tape around my ignitor fail a while ago but I am pretty sure I have gotten by without it before.

The part that connects the fan on the LHS to the front firepot area was a little more dusty than it should have been but I cleaned it out.

I am unsure of plate and lever you talking about still sometimes I'm just clueless. I know the maintenance video I have is also for the 800 model so they are very similar.

I am glad this has had 4 years of troublefree operation before this happening.

jtakeman · Mar 9, 2009

The ceramic pot doesn't have the clean out. I am surprised yours has lasted so long. There was a recall in 1996. They were replacing them for free. I had to buy my cast pot with clean out becuase I missed it. Mine broke in 1998.

I am at a loss. But all leads kind of to an air leak or maybe the plugged exhaust.

Take a piece of paper and check the door seals and the lower ash door seal. Close the door on the paper and see if you can pull it out. check it all around the door.

If the seals are good, Then head towards the vent.

Try opening the damper plate a little it should make the vacuum switch work.

Don't know what else to try.
jay

mlwinchell · Mar 9, 2009

Just to see what would happen I unplugged stove, undid the vacuum jump, plugged stove back and the stove fed pellets for about 2 more minutes then shutoff with the earlier problem.. I am going to check the seal when it cools down again.

mlwinchell · Mar 10, 2009

Update: Please help!! I cant afford the local service call of $250 OMG I've been sick all weekend without heat other than a few space heaters to keep pipes from freezing.

I was able to have the stove running jumped around the vacuum switch for one more session after speaking on here, then while burning everything just suddenly came to a stop, all fans/blowers were going and then viola all of them were dead all of a sudden no nothing. Now when you press the call button absolutely nothing happens. No clicking no nothing, I have checked the fuse in back of the unit? Any ideas on parts I should start throwing at this thing? I'm freezing thanks! I did get my chimney brush out and swept the flue and removed the stove from the wall and cleaned all exhaust (everything was very tidy - waste of time)

Any other ideas?

jtakeman · Mar 10, 2009

Inside the control box there is another fuse. It blew for a reason. Most likely because you have the vacuum switch jumped together. This really is for testing only. You should not run the stove with it jumped!

Remove the jumper and OPEN the DAMPER until the stove will run. When you closed it all the way you killed the vacuum in the stove. Slowly open the damper and it should run!

If the stove will not start its probably time for the tech to come in. Call around there may be some one with a more reasonable rate.

jay

mlwinchell · Mar 11, 2009

To clarify I was not running the stove but testing to see if my cleaning the exhaust had changed anything.

The damper as is the fan on the left hand side? It is open full after you recommended I do it to increase the vacuum.

I am going to take the control box into a place to have them test it tomorrow.

Thanks for the continuing support.

jtakeman · Mar 11, 2009

Sorry, I assumed!. I hope you make out OK.

Almost mad at myself for not being able to get you going again. Some times you just have to be there to see whats happening.

Sorry I couldn't help you better!
jay

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