Cab50 stops feeding after it lights

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DanSaco

New Member
Sep 27, 2021
5
NH
So I did some searching and got some ideas, but I’d still like some direct advice if anyone has had the same problem. I got tired of my Englander that I’ve replaced every single part except the control board in the last couple of years. I found a like new Heatilator cab50 cheap, owner said it just had an auger problem. Figured I’ve replace augers enough times, shouldn’t be too hard to fix. Got it home, got it to light if I put pellets in the pot, but won’t feed. Cleaned pellets out and verified auger was turning on but shutting off before feeding the fire. Ordered a new auger, when I went to install it I found that the set screw wasn’t locking the motor onto the auger shaft, at the flat spot like it should. Fixed it and put it back, now it feeds pellets but even after hitting reset a couple times it still just stops feeding after a minute. Thought maybe auger was too weak after having been trying to turn the shaft or something, so I put the new auger in. It works right but does the same thing. So I bypassed the vacuum switch, no change. Checked and rechecked the lid switch, seems ok but maybe I should bypass it to be sure? Igniter works every time, idk how to check the thermocouple, but it looks ok it’s still fairly new. I was getting all the fans to work but now I’m not getting the blower that pushes the heat into the room. I don’t know anything about these snap discs I’ve seen mentioned, so I just ordered a set of them to rule them out. I only ever get the red light, no blinking or other colors. And I’ve got the thermostat set above temp so it should call for heat. Rubber vacuum hose to auger area from vacuum switch is new too. Only other thing I can think of is I have no exhaust hooked up, it’s just on the shop floor while I work on it, could this make a difference? I know a blocked flue will create havoc, but it seems like the exhaust blower shouldn’t be able to tell there’s no pipe but idk.
Idk how to test the control board, in fact I’m surprised there really isn’t a control panel, just the reset button, low/med/hi switch and then the remote thermostat. Pretty primitive controls, especially the reset that you have to use every time you want to start it to refill the pellet auger tube.
Also, the stove is clean and the door gasket seal looks good.
Anyway, I guess I’ll replace the snap discs and try again. If there’s anything I’m missing I’d appreciate a heads up. Sorry for the long post and sorry if it’s been covered before, I didn’t see it. My manual is very skimpy, especially as it relates to troubleshooting.
 
If I remember correctly, last year there were some complaints about that unit.
 
So I did some searching and got some ideas, but I’d still like some direct advice if anyone has had the same problem. I got tired of my Englander that I’ve replaced every single part except the control board in the last couple of years. I found a like new Heatilator cab50 cheap, owner said it just had an auger problem. Figured I’ve replace augers enough times, shouldn’t be too hard to fix. Got it home, got it to light if I put pellets in the pot, but won’t feed. Cleaned pellets out and verified auger was turning on but shutting off before feeding the fire. Ordered a new auger, when I went to install it I found that the set screw wasn’t locking the motor onto the auger shaft, at the flat spot like it should. Fixed it and put it back, now it feeds pellets but even after hitting reset a couple times it still just stops feeding after a minute. Thought maybe auger was too weak after having been trying to turn the shaft or something, so I put the new auger in. It works right but does the same thing. So I bypassed the vacuum switch, no change. Checked and rechecked the lid switch, seems ok but maybe I should bypass it to be sure? Igniter works every time, idk how to check the thermocouple, but it looks ok it’s still fairly new. I was getting all the fans to work but now I’m not getting the blower that pushes the heat into the room. I don’t know anything about these snap discs I’ve seen mentioned, so I just ordered a set of them to rule them out. I only ever get the red light, no blinking or other colors. And I’ve got the thermostat set above temp so it should call for heat. Rubber vacuum hose to auger area from vacuum switch is new too. Only other thing I can think of is I have no exhaust hooked up, it’s just on the shop floor while I work on it, could this make a difference? I know a blocked flue will create havoc, but it seems like the exhaust blower shouldn’t be able to tell there’s no pipe but idk.
Idk how to test the control board, in fact I’m surprised there really isn’t a control panel, just the reset button, low/med/hi switch and then the remote thermostat. Pretty primitive controls, especially the reset that you have to use every time you want to start it to refill the pellet auger tube.
Also, the stove is clean and the door gasket seal looks good.
Anyway, I guess I’ll replace the snap discs and try again. If there’s anything I’m missing I’d appreciate a heads up. Sorry for the long post and sorry if it’s been covered before, I didn’t see it. My manual is very skimpy, especially as it relates to troubleshooting.
Auger will feed for a minute or so when red heat light is on. Watch the control box for LED in middle of clear cover to turn Green after fire is lit for a minute or so. If this happens auger should feed and if all goes well the LED should turn Red. If it stays green the unit will shutdown within 10 or so minutes. Also check that the thermocouple is touching the inside tip of the ceramic cap.
 
Presuming the door gasket is good is false economy. Do the dollar bill test on the door. Close and latch the door with a dollar bill between the gasket and the outside. Pull it out. If it comes out with little resistance (do it in various spots), it needs a new door gasket.

A good sealing door gasket will take some effort to latch the door closed with. You can get a replacement gasket on Amazon or TSC.

Don't know beans about that stove other than I remember people complaining about them last year. Way back when I had an Englander, long gone and not missed either.
 
This is a pretty explanation
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So I ordered a new set of snap discs because I didn’t know how to test them. Installed all three, turn the power on and I get no auger at all, and no red light. Auger was at least working before changing the snap discs. Bypassing the new vacuum switch, checked the door seal and the lid switch. Only light I get is a blue flash when I first turn it on. I was getting the steady red light before. Auger isn’t jammed, it’s just not turning on. All I’m getting is the exhaust blower now.
 
Just found a manual online, the one I have in hand is just an installation manual, doesn’t say much about troubleshooting. So in the online manual it says to jump the thermostat to test it, bingo auger immediately started, red lights came on and I’ve got fire. But only while jumping the thermostat. Thermostat was working before, idk what would cause this new issue. Should I just order a new thermostat?
 
Where did you jump the stat?
What kind of stat ?
Does the stat have a battery?
The reason the stove does not work
is the stat is not calling for heat
a dead battery or bad stat
 
Just found a manual online, the one I have in hand is just an installation manual, doesn’t say much about troubleshooting. So in the online manual it says to jump the thermostat to test it, bingo auger immediately started, red lights came on and I’ve got fire. But only while jumping the thermostat. Thermostat was working before, idk what would cause this new issue. Should I just order a new thermostat?
Try jumping wires at thermostat to see if red call light comes on. You could have a break in one of the two thermostat wires. If this works then something is wrong with thermostat which is simply an open/close switch.
 
Where did you jump the stat?
What kind of stat ?
Does the stat have a battery?
The reason the stove does not work
is the stat is not calling for heat
a dead battery or bad stat
I jumped it red to white wire at the terminals on the stove and also at the thermostat end, same result, it gave me the red light and the auger feed. Stat has no battery, it’s an old fashioned thermocoil style I guess.
 
Try jumping wires at thermostat to see if red call light comes on. You could have a break in one of the two thermostat wires. If this works then something is wrong with thermostat which is simply an open/close switch.
I jumped it at both ends of the wires and the red call light comes on, as does the auger. Stove will light but convection blower doesn’t come on and auger stops feeding. Hit reset it will feed again but never catches and stays running. Thermostat was working before, you could hear it click when you raised it past room air temp. Looking for a new one now but all I’m seeing is digital ones, would that work the same?
 
I jumped it red to white wire at the terminals on the stove and also at the thermostat end, same result, it gave me the red light and the auger feed. Stat has no battery, it’s an old fashioned thermocoil style I guess.
Replace the stat
To me, it makes no difference which stat you use
but I don't use any blue tooth, not for me
fancy electronics is just a pain in the ass to me.
 
I just had this same issue. My Heatilator cab 50 lite with a working auger then wouldn’t feed once lite. I hand feed it to keep it going while trying to troubleshoot and finally started working again after hitting the reset a few times. Not sure if my reset button is on its way out but if it happens again I will update this thread. 11/24/2022
 
I just had this same issue. My Heatilator cab 50 lite with a working auger then wouldn’t feed once lite. I hand feed it to keep it going while trying to troubleshoot and finally started working again after hitting the reset a few times. Not sure if my reset button is on its way out but if it happens again I will update this thread. 11/24/2022

How long after it fires up does it stop feeding pellets?
 
How long after it fires up does it stop feeding pellets?
It only feed pellets to start the burn then it stopped and the fire would go out. Played around with the thermostat and it didn’t do anything. Then I hit the reset button a few times and it started feeding pellets again and kept working normally again.
 
You most likely have a Vacuum or thermocouple problem
try cleaning the thermocouple.
Does the combustion fan run when the pellets have
stopped feeding or has it stopped at the same time as the pellets stop feeding?
 
You most likely have a Vacuum or thermocouple problem
try cleaning the thermocouple.
Does the combustion fan run when the pellets have
stopped feeding or has it stopped at the same time as the pellets stop feeding?
Same problem has happened again so I’m going to try cleaning the thermocouple and will let you know if that works.