Wood Pellet Stove Auto Feature Test -Difference between control panel slide switch or programmable?

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Don2222

Minister of Fire
Feb 1, 2010
9,117
Salem NH
Hello

Mode Selection Method 1
Some stoves have a 3 position slide switch to choose the operation Auto-On/Off, Auto-Hi/Lo, or Manual like Sherwood Industries for Enviro, Regency or Vista Flame stoves or Auto-On/Off, Auto-Hi/Lo, or Off like Travis Industries for Lopi and Avalon stoves.

Mode Selection Method 2
Some stoves have this operation selectable by programming the buttons that show heat level lights 1 and 4 for manual operation, 3 and 4 for Hi/Lo or 1 and 3 for Auto-On/Off like Canadian Comfort Industries for their Pelpro and Danson pellet stoves.

So what is the difference in the way these functions operate?

Answer:
Mode Selection Method 1 needs power to the Control Panel to select the mode. When using the T-Stat the heat level lights stay lit to show the mode selection during Auto-On/Off mode. Pressing the power On/Off button shuts down the stove completely and it will not come back on if the T-Stat calls for heat.

Mode Selection Method 2 does not need power to select the mode. The stove will lite if the mode is in Auto-On/Off. No need to have heat level lights on to show this mode when the stove is not calling for heat. Also it is much easier to select the mode you wish to run!

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On Enviro stoves - Auto-On/Off works like Hi/Lo so when the T-Stat Stops calling for heat the stove's heat level goes to Lo but if the T-Stat still does not call for heat for another 30 min then the stove goes into shutdown.

On Pelpro, Travis and Englander 10-CPM stoves - Auto-On/Off works like When the T-Stat does not call for heat, the stove goes into shutdown right away. Also that is the way all Quadrafire's work!

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On Pelpro stoves - Auto Hi/Lo shows the the Hi level on the heat range indicator when the T-Stat calls for heat and also shows the Lo level on the Heat range indicator when the T-Stat does not call for heat.

On Englander and Enviro stoves - Auto Hi/Lo shows the the Hi level on the heat range indicator when the T-Stat calls for heat but does NOT show the Lo level on the Heat range indicator when the T-Stat does not call for heat, instead it continues to show the Hi Level setting!

However on Enviro stoves you can hear the room blower change immediately when it switches from Hi to Lo or vica versa!

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So which Method would you prefer?

Pic 1 - Enviro with slide switch for Auto-On/Off, Auto-Hi/Lo or Manual
Pic 2 & 3 - Pelpro with programmable mode for Auto-On/Off, Auto-Hi/Lo or Manual
Pic 4 - Travis with Auto-On/Off, Off or Manual
Pic 5 - Englander with Auto-Hi/Lo Only when T-Stat is connected except 10-CPM and 25-EP modes which also has Auto On/Off that is programmably selected
 

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Don, your talking to youself again...
 
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Don, your talking to youself again...

Yes, but I thought the info would be interesting for someone looking to a buy a stove. Not all digital panels are the same!
 
The Englander 25-PAH also is an Auto On/Off and High/Low stove.

The Quad is the same as your Astoria? Why isnt it in the list. Its a Manual/ Auto On/Off stove....

Everyones needs are different. So the answer will never be the same.

Some owners have 20 yr old manual light (analog panel) stoves that wouldn't change them for the world....
 
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