Hi, I've learned alot from your forum about the Vigilant. I'm getting ready to install one very soon. We found it on Craig's list, the guy refurbishes wood stoves as kind of a hobby. It is in super good condition, however, in the year that we've stored it in an outside shed, it has a few rust spots. Can I just brush those spots with steel wool and reapply paint of some sort? Does anyone have a suggestion on getting the exterior in tip tip shape again? And would I want to do this before or after the install? The rust spots really are minor, probably moisture damage, but I want it looking as sharp again as when we bought it.
One other thing, I don't know what year this Vigilant is or the model number. I've looked on the back metal plate and I can't read the bottom inch or so. What I did find was this number engraven 052562. It says it can burn wood or coal, and the inspection date is Sept, 25th 1980. So should I assume it was built in 1980? It has glass windows and is just beautiful, I can't wait to cook some pancakes on the griddle!!
And where exactly do you find the model number? I can't find any 4-digit number anywhere. I found a manual on this website that I downloaded saying it was for any Vigilant pre 1992. So do I use the installation information in that manual to know the clearance distances? I'm having a general contractor install it and he does a lot of wood stove installs, he's just not really familiar with this particular stove, he's asked me to research it.
Ok, I know I'm asking a lot here, but do I need to have this stove cleared/inspected by the fire chief BEFORE installing it? I don't want to go to all the time and money installing it just to have it not pass inspection. I am aware that they do have to come when it's all complete anyway...just want to make sure it ok before it's installed. It's going into a modular home built in 2000.
I welcome any and all comments, but be nice, I'm just a stay at home mom, trying to be more self reliant
My hubby travels out of town every other week throughout the year, I have 4 small children, and I have to have another source of heat for warmth and for cooking/boiling water. I think this stove will be perfect. The wind blows terrible here and power outages can be frequent, I'm in a rural area.
Thanks!
One other thing, I don't know what year this Vigilant is or the model number. I've looked on the back metal plate and I can't read the bottom inch or so. What I did find was this number engraven 052562. It says it can burn wood or coal, and the inspection date is Sept, 25th 1980. So should I assume it was built in 1980? It has glass windows and is just beautiful, I can't wait to cook some pancakes on the griddle!!
And where exactly do you find the model number? I can't find any 4-digit number anywhere. I found a manual on this website that I downloaded saying it was for any Vigilant pre 1992. So do I use the installation information in that manual to know the clearance distances? I'm having a general contractor install it and he does a lot of wood stove installs, he's just not really familiar with this particular stove, he's asked me to research it.
Ok, I know I'm asking a lot here, but do I need to have this stove cleared/inspected by the fire chief BEFORE installing it? I don't want to go to all the time and money installing it just to have it not pass inspection. I am aware that they do have to come when it's all complete anyway...just want to make sure it ok before it's installed. It's going into a modular home built in 2000.
I welcome any and all comments, but be nice, I'm just a stay at home mom, trying to be more self reliant
My hubby travels out of town every other week throughout the year, I have 4 small children, and I have to have another source of heat for warmth and for cooking/boiling water. I think this stove will be perfect. The wind blows terrible here and power outages can be frequent, I'm in a rural area.Thanks!
