Castle Serenity won't stay lit, no flashing error light

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prairyD

Member
Dec 26, 2015
21
Rhode Island
Hi all,
I have read through some of the posts from other members dealing with pellet stoves that won't stay lit. We are experiencing the same issue but I am not finding the error messages on my stove that other members seem to be getting on theirs. The stove has been thoroughly cleaned and inspected by a professional. He got it started and before leaving he said that if it shuts off again we should see a flashing 'V' which will indicate that it needs a new sensor. I just started it up. I could hear the lovely sounds of pellets dropping into the pan and watched them light nicely. The pellets stopped feeding, the flame grew grew strong and the fan kicked on. Then I watched the flame get smaller and smaller until there were only glowing embers in the bottom. After several minutes the stove gave the dreaded beeping series that either means it's in need of more pellets or the pot needs emptying. For those of you who own a castle serenity you have seen that this is exactly what reads on the screen but neither is the problem. I hit the button that returns you to the 'home' screen and there was no flashing 'V'. I wish I knew where to find the 'V' or how to test if there is a sensor problem...and which sensor the professional was referring to.

If anyone has had experience with this problem, especially with this stove in particular, please feel free to share your thoughts. We have loved this stove until this issue has come up. In fact we were just about to purchase a second one for an unheated room off the garage. My husband is a Covid nurse and should the hospitals full again he will move out to that room once more to keep his distance from me and the kids. It was cold last spring when he had to do this but if he has to stay there this winter it is going to be freezing. I'd really like to put one in that room with confidence. Thanks a bunch!
 
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Sounds like a bad Proof of Fire switch. If you take off the back left side panel you will see two wires plugged into. Small white round switch. With the power unhooked from the stove, unplug them and plug them into their brother next door which is a spare. The two are right next to each other.
 
2017-08-14_06-04-17.jpg
hopefully this helps
 
I've inserted the wires into the extra Proof of Fire switch (husband told me that he had to do that last year). So I am wondering if neither switch is operating?

I also removed the right panel and started the stove. The service guy said that the way to test if it is a faulty vacuum sensor was to remove the right side panel and light the stove. Same thing happened. The fire died out without new pellets being dispelled and the stove shut off. Was this a true test of the vacuum sensor?

I am not sure what else to try and the guy that came out is the only one in the area who services these stoves. Any thoughts? Thanks everyone!
 
If your husband had to switch to the other proof-of-fire switch, it sounds as though both may be bad. You might want to invest in replacement switches. They shouldn't be too hard to replace.
 
If your husband had to switch to the other proof-of-fire switch, it sounds as though both may be bad. You might want to invest in replacement switches. They shouldn't be too hard to replace.
Could they put a jumper in place of the fire of fire switch to verify that the switch was bad? Not sure if it is a contact switch or resistance based.
 
I’ve never jumped a POF on those but it would be hard to do because you would have to jump it hot, after stove has lit.
 
I've inserted the wires into the extra Proof of Fire switch (husband told me that he had to do that last year). So I am wondering if neither switch is operating?

I also removed the right panel and started the stove. The service guy said that the way to test if it is a faulty vacuum sensor was to remove the right side panel and light the stove. Same thing happened. The fire died out without new pellets being dispelled and the stove shut off. Was this a true test of the vacuum sensor?

I am not sure what else to try and the guy that came out is the only one in the area who services these stoves. Any thoughts? Thanks everyone!
Sorry I’m late, it’s starting to be burning season here. Taking off a side panel doesn’t test crap. The true test is to pull wires off the vacuum switch and check for continuity between the two connections on the switch while stove is running. If you are getting a vacuum icon, the switch is likely working, and the stove wouldn’t start if the switch wasn’t working anyways. Buy a couple POFs and you’ll likely be in good shape, although if you haven’t cleaned the exhaust blower and behind the POF switches inside the blower housing, I would do that too.
 
We've replaced the POF switches and vacuum sensor and still have the same problem. Not sure where to go from here. The stove has been thoroughly cleaned and the above parts replaced. Any other thoughts? Given the season I am open to spellcasting at this point ;)
 
We've replaced the POF switches and vacuum sensor and still have the same problem. Not sure where to go from here. The stove has been thoroughly cleaned and the above parts replaced. Any other thoughts? Given the season I am open to spellcasting at this point ;)
Does your stove have a lid switch?
 
I am having this same problem but mine shuts off with the alarm. My Serinity will ignite and run for about 10 minutes then beeps with the Alarm "Ignite fail". I have cleaned this whole stove, exaust and blower. I have tried my spare POF switch and jumped my vacume switch. All with no luck. I have read at least 30 different forums about this problem and no solution. PrairyD did you get yours fixed or try anything else?
 
Hi Coop17 welcome to the forums. you would get more replies if you make a new thread stating your issues and what you have tried
 
I am having this same problem but mine shuts off with the alarm. My Serinity will ignite and run for about 10 minutes then beeps with the Alarm "Ignite fail". I have cleaned this whole stove, exaust and blower. I have tried my spare POF switch and jumped my vacume switch. All with no luck. I have read at least 30 different forums about this problem and no solution. PrairyD did you get yours fixed or try anything else?
Ever figure this out?

Ty