I've noticed when I place my hand on top of the unit that I can place my hand on the left side of the lid and it is barely warm when running. I go to slide my hand over to the right (about 12") and it's too hot to touch. I also notice the right side of the glass clouds up before the left side. The heat blowing out the tubes left to right is perfectly even though. Does anyone else notice this on their stoves?
I have the same stove and do not notice uneven hot spots. My glass clouds up evenly as well and depends on the brand of pellet on how bad it will be. If I was you, unless you have already done this, I would check and clean all areas that ash can clog up the air flow. A good cleaning may solve your problem. The only place on my stove that is too hot to the touch is the glass. Good luck and lets us know what you find if anything.
The right window clouds up more than the left because the flame favors the right side do to the thermocouple being on the right side.
Run the tube plungers up and down a few times on each side, then take the heat exchange plates off and clean everything good.
This was like this from day one so I know no amount of cleaning will solve it. (I keep it immaculate anyway) I just thought it was normal so I never questioned it until now, but your posts say otherwise. If everyone else chimes in that it is not normal, what else can it be?
My Mount Vernon is cool to the touch on the left side but gets very warm on the right side as you describe. Mine as well has been like this since day one. The heat output is even across the front though. It's not something I ever really worried about.... and the cat seems to like the warm spot.
SLLS, How does the flame know the thermocouple is on the right side? If the thermocouple was moved to the left side that side of the glass would cloud up? Please explain. Mainegeek, At least I know it's just not my stove. Thanks.
Stove has been running for about an hour (bringing the house up from the day time low setting) and the temp on the top is even all the way across. Glass does get a little more build up on the right side but I believe it is due to the air flow inside of the stove. Air coming out of the firepot will hit the right side and them come around the front.
The holes in the fire pot are designed to do just that, if you moved the thermocouple to the left side it would mess up all Quads engineering on the flame pattern. The flame has to in contact with the thermocouple to reach the first temp, 200 F and especially the 600 F. The control box uses these temps to turn on pellet drop after start up at 200 F, and at 600 F to go to low or medium that you set on the control panel. I keep mine on medium, so it goes to medium a 600 F. At start up the stoves stays on high until 600 F.
I understand the function of the thermocouple but in no way can this control the direction of the flame. All the thermocouple does, as you explained, is to control the function of the stove. And the holes in the firepot are all equally spaced and symmetrical. I feel as long as the thermocouple is located somewhere above the firepot, it will perform it's job as designed. That is, to sense temperature change. It has to be something with the air circulation as far as the glass goes. But I still can't figure out why the right side of the lid is noticeably hotter than the left. Maybe a trip to the dealer is in order. Anyone else feel a difference. (or not?)
Can't swallow the thermocouple location theory for the flame either. My Sante Fe has the larger flame to the right side and my Castile has it to the left side. Still get the green and red lights at same time on both. No where on either insert is the body too hot to touch or even excessively warm except the door. If your hopper cover is too hot to touch, then you REALLY have a problem! Exhaust problem....
The flames will trend to one side depending on the exhaust flow path. The classic bay is strange, I can't remeber how its setup exactly. I do know the comb blower and exhaust outlet are on the right which could explain higher temps in that area.
[quote author="ssman" date="1259099669"]I've noticed when I place my hand on top of the unit that I can place my hand on the left side of the lid and it is barely warm when running. I go to slide my hand over to the right (about 12") and it's too hot to touch. /quote] When you said 'lid' I figured you meant the hopper lid, which should NOT be too hot to touch. If it's that hot, you're going to have a hopper fire..............
The top of our quad gets very hot. However, the hopper door cover does not get hot. Is this ok for the quad 1200 to be very hot on top over the fire box. Or do we have an exhaust problem. It's always got very hot on top with no issues but after reading this post I'm concerned. Thanks
