Rika Integra II ?

[ajohansson]

I have been researching stoves and I really like the Rika Integra II. We have a large great room that the stove will be placed in. There is a company selling them on ebay. I inquired about them and the seller says they are new but were manufactured in 2006-2007. Anything to worry about? Any major improvements to the stove since then? I can get a brand new one for an extra 800 bucks from a an online retailer. just curious if its worth it. Any info appreciated.

AJ

 

[Flammam]

I have a older Integra a 1994 model. I have put around 100 tons through this unit with the only replacement part has been a auger motor last year. easily heats my 1800 sq ft open concept house I dont think I have ever turned it up past 3/4 even on the coldest nights(-20 f)

 

[MZR800]

I just installed mine this summer, it really is an awesome stove. I've been a pellet burner for 12 years now and compared to the old Quad 1100i this replaced there is no comparison. This Integra is just so quiet and easy to operate, the glass stays clear and its super quiet so for a pellet stove what more could you ask for?
I clean the burpot out once a week and do a good cleaning just like my old Austroflamm in the basement and they both run good

 

[Jeff Lawson]

I have a older Integra a 1994 model. I have put around 100 tons through this unit with the only replacement part has been a auger motor last year. easily heats my 1800 sq ft open concept house I dont think I have ever turned it up past 3/4 even on the coldest nights(-20 f)

x2

 

[Mark_ms]

Yep..What they all said!!

 

[Phil Do's fire.]

I have been researching stoves and I really like the Rika Integra II. We have a large great room that the stove will be placed in. There is a company selling them on ebay. I inquired about them and the seller says they are new but were manufactured in 2006-2007. Anything to worry about? Any major improvements to the stove since then? I can get a brand new one for an extra 800 bucks from a an online retailer. just curious if its worth it. Any info appreciated.

AJ

I would spend the extra $800 bucks, the technology is better in the new one

 

[skibumm100]

I would spend the extra $800 bucks, the technology is better in the new one

Hi Phil,

What did they change? The one's on ebay are Integra II's, not like my old Integra. I would think all the Integra II's are pretty much the same. Do you know of any differences?

TIA

 

[pinetop12]

1. Hi
   
   
   I'm aware of one aspect that is different between these manufacturer dates. Which is the Controller and Software, updates , v2.35 or higher , allowing the use of a low voltage thermostat. The important date for this is March 1, 2009 and after. Prior to this the option had been a Rika Proprietary thermostat.
   Experienced Austroflamm users may be able to chime in on weather a thermostat is necessary for the stove. I installed a Skytech and find it useful.

I have a Rika file provided by Lucky Distributing with instructions . If I can find I can send that to you.

 

[Jeff Lawson]

1. Hi
   
   
   I'm aware of one aspect that is different between these manufacturer dates. Which is the Controller and Software, updates , v2.35 or higher , allowing the use of a low voltage thermostat. The important date for this is March 1, 2009 and after. Prior to this the option had been a Rika Proprietary thermostat.
   Experienced Austroflamm users may be able to chime in on weather a thermostat is necessary for the stove. I installed a Skytech and find it useful.

I have a Rika file provided by Lucky Distributing with instructions . If I can find I can send that to you.

I still have a lot to learn about my Integra as I'm just getting my first few bags through the stove. That being said though, I did get the original manual with it and on page 12 it gives instructions for installing a room thermostat (terminals 7 and 8).

But I'm here to learn, and thermostat controls are a big question mark for me. So school me up.

 

[Phil Do's fire.]

Hi Phil,

What did they change? The one's on ebay are Integra II's, not like my old Integra. I would think all the Integra II's are pretty much the same. Do you know of any differences?

TIA

The control board, burn pot and blower changed in design.

 

[Phil Do's fire.]

Hi Phil,

What did they change? The one's on ebay are Integra II's, not like my old Integra. I would think all the Integra II's are pretty much the same. Do you know of any differences?

TIA

The company that has them on Ebay is very reputable. I got my Palazzetti there last year and they were great to deal with. I ordered spare parts also and no problems. I dealt with Ryan. I believe I still have his direct phone line - extension

 

[pinetop12]

I still have a lot to learn about my Integra as I'm just getting my first few bags through the stove. That being said though, I did get the original manual with it and on page 12 it gives instructions for installing a room thermostat (terminals 7 and 8).

But I'm here to learn, and thermostat controls are a big question mark for me. So school me up.

I stand corrected. After looking over the manual it does indeed suggest that a thermostat is possible with the Austroflamm Integra. If you have installed a Thermostat on the Integra , can share the results with the forum ?

Back to my original , comment . I'll backtrack and say , from what I read and was told from Lucky Distributing the 'newer' Rika Integra II models did not have the thermostat compatibility . From 2009 and after , this changed. I did not have knowledge of the older Austroflamms, A better analogy may have been an older Datsun compared to a modern Nissan . Same company ,name changed and they added some advancements. Both stoves are great.

I look forward with encouragement to my Rika lasting the 20 plus years , your Integra , has lasted. Hope you have many maintenance free years ahead !

 

[MZR800]

I too am using the Sky Tech Smart Stat III thermostat on our Integra II and am very happy with it, although I did have to extend the wires from the receiver to the board by about 4ft to get the remote to communicate in the house properly other than that it was very easy to install and does what a thermostat is suppose to do (has 2 deg swing set also)

Just cant believe how quiet the Integra is, we can actually watch tv in the living room without constantly having to raise and then lower the volume like we did with the old Quad!!

 

[RKBAGUY]

I stand corrected. After looking over the manual it does indeed suggest that a thermostat is possible with the Austroflamm Integra. If you have installed a Thermostat on the Integra , can share the results with the forum ?

I'm running an Integra 'V.1' (1991) and it DOES support a thermostat. However the only thing the thermostat does is to 'toggle' between 'demand' and 'low' settings. The stove interprets demand to be whatever the dial is set to on the user control board and 'low' being 1/2 of the 'demand'. I can't speak to the newer models, but that's the way it works on the old ones.

To the OP, there are lots of great stoves out there, and you'll find many opinions here mostly centering on Whitfield, Harmon and a handful of others, but it seems that universally the Integra has a reputation for long service life. If the unit I bought used is any indication, that reputation is well deserved. This stove is 22 years old and still going. I don't think you'll go wrong with any of the better stoves.

 

[AJ9]

I ordered one from the company on ebay. It comes tonight actually (already got the surround and accent pieces from their Oregon warehouse). I can tell you the stove actually comes from Lucky Distributing from NY, as that is whom shipped it. I was told all Rika's in the US end up coming through them. I didn't realize these weren't newly manufactured? I'm a little confused by that since they come from lucky distributing in NY where the rest of the new ones are coming through... Also note that the stoves they are selling are a light grey color. I was a little bummed when I found it was light grey and not darker grey as I thought. I'm not sure you can get them in a different color from the other online shops? I asked another and was told they had metallic grey...not sure if that is the same grey I have.

Anyone have suggestions on painting the stove while its new before its started? Stove Bright?

UPDATE:
See my post below. Stove is a metallic grey type color, just got it. I think I just ended up with the wrong surround...hence not liking the color.

 

[RKBAGUY]

Date of manufacture really doesn't matter with these things. A car that's 10 years old but has never been taken out of the showroom is still new. My stove has seen 22 years of service by the previous owner and is still going strong. However, they are still in production, so far as I know, just that these units might be "new old stock". In any event, at almost half price, it's a helluva deal.

As to the color, looking at the ads on Ebay clearly show that other color choices are available. if that was a priority it probably would have been better to ask first. However, I doubt that painting the thing will void the warranty but you might want to ask first. If you're that unhappy, perhaps you can call and ask if they can swap the panels, but it will probably cost you a few bucks between shipping and perhaps a restocking fee to make it happen. Up to you to say whether or not it's worth it.

 

[AJ9]

Date of manufacture really doesn't matter with these things. A car that's 10 years old but has never been taken out of the showroom is still new. My stove has seen 22 years of service by the previous owner and is still going strong. However, they are still in production, so far as I know, just that these units might be "new old stock". In any event, at almost half price, it's a helluva deal.

As to the color, looking at the ads on Ebay clearly show that other color choices are available. if that was a priority it probably would have been better to ask first. However, I doubt that painting the thing will void the warranty but you might want to ask first. If you're that unhappy, perhaps you can call and ask if they can swap the panels, but it will probably cost you a few bucks between shipping and perhaps a restocking fee to make it happen. Up to you to say whether or not it's worth it.

I just saw the pics and thought it was darker. It is much lighter looking than in the pics for the stove. The pic for the surround listing is closer. It was my beef for not asking, didn't even think to as I thought they were always dark grey. Paint is cheap at least. Can't imagine it is too hard to paint. Thanks for the warranty suggestion. May wait til next summer and paint to make sure it works well first.

 

[AJ9]

The stove came in and looks great. Then stove is a metallic grey sort of color and is EXACTLY what I wanted/expected. The surround is more of an unpainted model airplane grey / light grey. I think I ended up getting the wrong color surround, which is why i didn't like the color. The stove was in a cube shaped crate, well protected by the wood. Stove is in a blue bag, open on the bottom and crate opennings wrapped in saran wrap. The estes guy was great as well.

 

[pinetop12]

Hi, AJ9

RKBAGUY had this useful idea . This worked for me . Saves on your back , you'll find there is no good way to grab the stove.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Workforc...otectAlls-8-Pack-12818/100178571#.Up666t6wX68

They really do help. You'll be moving that stove in and out a lot while you set it up . These may help. Your actual set up may not allow the use . Hope this helps . Good Luck !!