Summers Heat 55-SHP10 Won't Light

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FrankM

Member
Jan 25, 2008
30
Eastern Pennsylvania
Installed a new Summers Heat 55-SHP10 pellet stove about a month ago in my Dad's house and it will not light most of the time with the auto ignite. We have to use some pellet lighter fluid on a few pellets to start it. The igniter glows but never catches any pellets on fire. It will eventually error and leave a bunch of pellets in the burn pot. Is there any adjustment that can be done to the igniter that would help. Thanks
 
Find the section in the manual dealing with replacing an igniter, there should be enough information about making an adjustment there.

Before doing that make certain there is nothing in the area between the igniter and the tube it is in, there must be a clear path and plenty of air flow. The igniter doesn't start the pellets via contact it is done via the superheated air flow. Anything that interferes with the air flow through the tube the igniter is in can prevent ignition.
 
I had the same problem! I pulled out the igniter a little bit as to leave a small gap and poof we have ignition!
 
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Thanks for the info Fire God & Burning Chunk. I will look at the manual and make sure there are no restrictions in the igniter tube.
Burning Chunk when you say you pulled it out a bit do me towards the fron or back of the stove?
 
Frank,

if the above mentioned suggestions don't help, I highly suggest calling the tech guys at Englander tomorrow....I'm sure they can get you fixed-up.

Have you tried removing the ignitor from the stove, and connecting a 120v "test" power lead and plugging it into a wall outlet? It should glow along almost it's entire length, with the exception of the very tip, and possibly a small section in the middle. If one "section doesn't get cherry red, it could be defective right from the manufacturer, and would be replaced under warranty from Englander.

And maybe Mike H. will see this post, and give some help tonight.
 
Thanks Fire God. I was going to email Mike with my question. I scoured the on-line manuals but I could not find anything in regard to the auto ignite or how to adjust. My Dad has been manually lighting it when it does not auto ignite but it bothers him that it does not work. I have had the same type of stove in my house for a number of years and never really had a problem with it lighting. Maybe 2-3 times it did not light. I am going to email Mike and see what he says. Thanks again for your reply.
 
Another thought....maybe his pellets have absorbed some moisture? That will make them "iffy" when trying to start.

There's a test for excessive moisture: Get a small microwave safe bowl, and place a handful of pellets in it. Cover with a small saucer, and nuke on High for 1 minute. Remove saucer and look at the underside. There should be little to no moisture. If water drips/runs off, pellets may have gotten wet.
 
pull the rear cover off the stove to access the igniter , locate and loosen the square headed setbolt to the left of the igniter , move the igniter back (away from the fire) a smidge to allow more airflow through the igniter chamber and into the pot.

while you are in there , look just forward and above the setbolt on the casting for a small smooth cap covering a hole. remove and discard the cap this will allow more air in. so with more air in and more air out the igniter should light the fuel quickly and consistantly
 
TLHinCanada said:
And englander service proves once that they provice the best service.


This is the exact reason I bought an Englander. Customer service is just as important if not More important that the actual product.
 
There is also another issue to look at. In the front of the stove under the door there are two 7/16 bolt which hold the burn pot up against the back wall of the firebox. Loosen those bolts forward and pull the burn pot out. Behind it there is a gasket. The holes for the igniter, air intake and fuel delivery tube NEED TO BE separated and sealed via this gasket. If the burn pot is not seated properly, the gasket missing or a section of the gasket missing around the igniter hole the heat may be escaping up and behind the burnpot. Try realigning the burnpot and tighening it down evenly. I've seen situations where hte burnpot is not tight, the gasket missing or it not tightened down evenly and this be a cause for missed ignition. Additionally, look to see if there is a peice of slag metal on the back of the burnpot which may be causing it to not seal.
 
Thanks everyone for your replies. I'll visit Dad this weekend and check everything out. Hopefully with all the suggestion I can make Pop-pop a warm man with just a press of a button. Thanks again and Holiday wishes to all.
 
I purchased one of these units last week, installed it yesterday, and it wouldn't light after 6 or 7 tries. I followed Mike's suggestion...removing the igniter cap and moving it a smidge...and it works perfectly!

On another note, does anyone know the correct setting for the impingement plate (baffle)? The only reference to this I can find says to place it in the original position. During the transportation and installation, it may have moved (I had to move this 290 lb unit upstairs, and it was on it's side for a bit). It was fully open for the first use last night as that's the "original position" I found it in, but I want to get some expert advice on where it should be.

Thanks!

Rod
 
Rosevillerod said:
I purchased one of these units last week, installed it yesterday, and it wouldn't light after 6 or 7 tries. I followed Mike's suggestion...removing the igniter cap and moving it a smidge...and it works perfectly!

On another note, does anyone know the correct setting for the impingement plate (baffle)? The only reference to this I can find says to place it in the original position. During the transportation and installation, it may have moved (I had to move this 290 lb unit upstairs, and it was on it's side for a bit). It was fully open for the first use last night as that's the "original position" I found it in, but I want to get some expert advice on where it should be.

Thanks!

Rod

hi rod,

center the plate on the back wall sometimes they shift in shipping but need to get shifted back to center
 
stoveguy2esw said:
pull the rear cover off the stove to access the igniter , locate and loosen the square headed setbolt to the left of the igniter , move the igniter back (away from the fire) a smidge to allow more airflow through the igniter chamber and into the pot.

while you are in there , look just forward and above the setbolt on the casting for a small smooth cap covering a hole. remove and discard the cap this will allow more air in. so with more air in and more air out the igniter should light the fuel quickly and consistantly

Mike,

I have a 55-SHP10 built 08/08 but I was unable to find the plug and or the hole you stated above. Do you have a picture or sketch of the location?

Thanks
 
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