Effecta lambda 35

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chewy

Member
Nov 7, 2009
188
Indiana
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Effecta lambda 35
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  1. #1Today at 11:38 AM
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    chewy

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    Hello all. I have an effecta lambda that isn't running properly. For the last couple weeks when I start a fire, at 100*c the boiler adjusts to full primary air and stays this way for about the first 2ish hrs of my normal 5 hr burn. Normally the secondary air from the start is adjusting once the boiler temp reaches 100*c. My co2 % for the first half of the burn stays at the 6-8% range. The manual suggests between 10-13% and 12% for the most part has been where I've kept it for the 4years I've had it.

    Things I've already tried:

    I've cleaned the tubes/turbulators

    Taken the fan out and cleaned it. (My fan makes a weird noise while running and has so ever since I've installed the boilet). I will attach a video of the fan running bc this could be the problem.

    I've replaced the lambda sensor

    I've taken apart the flu to make sure there was no blockage

    I've cleaned the secondary air holes in the firebox

    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    Ty, erin

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Ok, does he still frequent this forum?
 
Thanks tc, I really appreciate it.
 
Ok, ty again
 
Are you into a wet area of the woodpile, seems like the primary is tryingto increase the fire. Until the co2 increases I doubt the primary will start to close, this scenario is usually representative of wet wood.
If the wood was dry, with the primary open, the flue temp would increase as well as the co2.
 
Does he o2 sensor respond correctly, one way to check is to remove it from the flue( with no fire in the boiler) hold the sensor with a pair of Chanel locks, heat the end of the sensor with a propane torch, ( you won’t hurt it) immediately the Effecta should display a full scale rich reading ( a co2 reading in the area of 20) and the dampers respond accordingly, primary modulates to close and the secondary modulates to open. When you remove the torch co2 should drop to 0 and dampers assume the start of burn positions. If you get this response then the sensor and dampers are responding correctly, if not then you’ve got a problem.
 
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Are you into a wet area of the woodpile, seems like the primary is trying to increase the fire. Until the co2 increases I doubt the primary will start to close, this scenario is usually representative of wet wood.
If the wood was dry, with the primary open, the flue temp would increase as well as the co2.
I'm with Tom on this one, since it does start to function properly after 2 hours and it is reading an co2 of 5-6% and then climbs I have to think it is the wood (bringing back fond memories of my 1st year with the Effecta 35). I had a lot of bridging issues in year 1 caused by wood that was not properly dried. As a Sidenote I new have the Effecta 60kw (the 35 was undersized for my home) and it is much less finicky. Tarm USA in NH is now Effecta's US distributor and can help with support issues but I would get some kiln dried wood and give it a go to see what happens. Good luck.
 
Hi guys, thanks for the responses. My would pile is consistent. I've had wet wood before and what it does is starve the fire and send smoke out the chimney. I can see a couple fires here or there doing this, but not everyone for the last couple of weeks.

It does seem to be an air issue though. I'm going to clean it again to see if I missed anything. Another thing I read in the manual is maybe the damper doors have moved and need to be reset.

After 3 years of using the stove I can definitely tell it's not responding right. I just cant figure out what it is.

Any other thoughts?

Thanks again.
 
I'm with Tom on this one, since it does start to function properly after 2 hours and it is reading an co2 of 5-6% and then climbs I have to think it is the wood (bringing back fond memories of my 1st year with the Effecta 35). I had a lot of bridging issues in year 1 caused by wood that was not properly dried. As a Sidenote I new have the Effecta 60kw (the 35 was undersized for my home) and it is much less finicky. Tarm USA in NH is now Effecta's US distributor and can help with support issues but I would get some kiln dried wood and give it a go to see what happens. Good luck.
Tom, I see what you are saying, it does seem to be a starving issue. What else could cause this if the wood isn't the issue?
 
I meant John, sorry.
 
Also, does the fan motor sound normal
 
Also, does the fan motor sound normal
Sorry, no other thoughts. It sounds like how my Effecta behaved when I was having bridging issues (are you using bigger wood than previous years?). The fact that it starts to function as normal after 2 hours sounds like the wood dries out during that time and the your fire burns as previous years. I will shoot this thread over to someone I know at Effecta and see if he has any thoughts.
 
Sorry, no other thoughts. It sounds like how my Effecta behaved when I was having bridging issues (are you using bigger wood than previous years?). The fact that it starts to function as normal after 2 hours sounds like the wood dries out during that time and the your fire burns as previous years. I will shoot this thread over to someone I know at Effecta and see if he has any thoughts.
Ok,ty. Over the years I've used all sizes of wood, usually hand size. I wouldn't say it runs normally after 2hrs, that just when the secondary air starts to adjust. My wood sizing is no different than it has been for the past 3 years. I'm wondering if it's not calibrated properly?
 
Ok,ty. Over the years I've used all sizes of wood, usually hand size. I wouldn't say it runs normally after 2hrs, that just when the secondary air starts to adjust. My wood sizing is no different than it has been for the past 3 years. I'm wondering if it's not calibrated properly?
Sorry I could not be of more help, that's all i got for you:). I pinged someone over at Effecta, I am sure you will hear from them in a day or two. Let us know what it turns of to be.
 
This is an image of the screen after 2hrs of burn. I started this fire at 9am.

Co2= is at 7%
 

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Ok,ty. Over the years I've used all sizes of wood, usually hand size. I wouldn't say it runs normally after 2hrs, that just when the secondary air starts to adjust. My wood sizing is no different than it has been for the past 3 years. I'm wondering if it's not calibrated properly?
What happens after 2 hours? I guess I assumed that once the secondary starts to adjust your co2 works its way to 13% and you start running 50/50 primary/secondary.
 
Here are a couple of pics of the wood moisture %. I have probably at least 3 years of wood, if not more.
 

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Another current image of the screen.
 
A current image of the burn.
 

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What happens after 2 hours? I guess I assumed that once the secondary starts to adjust your co2 works its way to 13% and you start running 50/50 primary/secondary.
John, if you notice in the newest picture the secondary door has opened one notch. I have the boiler set to 10% currently to try to get the secondary to adjust. It will barely reach 10%. Usually it reaches 12% plus right after the boiler reaches 100*c, and then the secondary kicks in.
 
John, what year was you 35? Was it like mine? Did your fan sound like mine? Were you able to see the video I posted of the fan running?

I'm wondering if the fan isn't slowly going out and it's not drawing enough air?