I'm trying to figure out a problem with my free-standing CB1200 Quadra Fire that's driving me nuts!. I've had it since '98 and it's worked flawlessly (aside from maintenance replacements like snap disc's, an igniter, etc) until the beginning of this season, when it wouldn't feed, combustion blower wouldn't change speed regardless of fan setting and so on. Anyway, went ahead and changed out the control box and then everything seemed to be just fine.
Now however, if the stove is stone cold (I use a programmable thermostat that turns it way down overnight and when I'm at work) it won't completely start up. I'll come home (or get up) to it quiet with call light lit. I reset it and it immediately feeds and lights up and cycles fine the rest of the day/night, again, until the next time it gets completely cold. I originally thought it wasn't feeding at all upon restart but this morning I caught it during it's initial start-up and here's what it does: Call light comes on, blower motor comes on and it begins to feed. Then however, only about 30-50 seconds into the feed (it seems, instead of the 98 seconds the owners manual says it should feed) it stops feeding and then the blower motor goes from it's "normal" speed down to that really low speed you get when you first plug it in. From there the few pellets in the firepot light, but it doesn't continue to feed so they eventually burn out and everything times out and it shuts down. This is the state I usually find it in when I get home.
One final clue that this may be temperature related: after I installed the new control box, everything checked out (blue flashes, blower motor normal speed) but STILL wouldn't feed. So just to see if the igniter was working, I threw a handful of pellets into the firepot and they lit. And then, as soon as there was a bit of warmth in the firebox, the auger began to feed!
Any thoughts? Perhaps the vac switch? I did check out the tube attached to the vac switch to make sure it was clear (including where it attaches to the auger area). I hate to keep throwing parts at it, but after buying 2 tons of pellets I'm motivated! Thanks!!
Now however, if the stove is stone cold (I use a programmable thermostat that turns it way down overnight and when I'm at work) it won't completely start up. I'll come home (or get up) to it quiet with call light lit. I reset it and it immediately feeds and lights up and cycles fine the rest of the day/night, again, until the next time it gets completely cold. I originally thought it wasn't feeding at all upon restart but this morning I caught it during it's initial start-up and here's what it does: Call light comes on, blower motor comes on and it begins to feed. Then however, only about 30-50 seconds into the feed (it seems, instead of the 98 seconds the owners manual says it should feed) it stops feeding and then the blower motor goes from it's "normal" speed down to that really low speed you get when you first plug it in. From there the few pellets in the firepot light, but it doesn't continue to feed so they eventually burn out and everything times out and it shuts down. This is the state I usually find it in when I get home.
One final clue that this may be temperature related: after I installed the new control box, everything checked out (blue flashes, blower motor normal speed) but STILL wouldn't feed. So just to see if the igniter was working, I threw a handful of pellets into the firepot and they lit. And then, as soon as there was a bit of warmth in the firebox, the auger began to feed!
Any thoughts? Perhaps the vac switch? I did check out the tube attached to the vac switch to make sure it was clear (including where it attaches to the auger area). I hate to keep throwing parts at it, but after buying 2 tons of pellets I'm motivated! Thanks!!