Advice when looking at a used MAXX

[skrypj]

So I had narrowed down my choice of stove to a Drolet Eco-65, Enviro Maxx, and Enerzone euromax due to the high output blowers. I was planning on buying new, but I just happened to stumble upon a used 4 year old Maxx on CL local to me and figured I would go check it out. I was curious if anyone could advise me on what to look out for on this stove, or used pellet stoves in general.

It sounds like the sellers purchased the home with the stove in place, so I don't know that they have ever used it or know much about it. I need to know what I am looking at going in.

Thanks for the help

 

[MountainSean]

Make sure you have a chance to fire up the stove and watch it burn. If the flame is lazy 90% of the time on a used stove it is because they didn't clean it but it could be a combustion blower/control board. Open up the side panels and check it out for any obvious problems such as slapped together parts that are obviously non OEM (or decent aftermarket) that have been modified to make it work. Used stoves in general if they have a cleaning port you should open those and check them as well. The Maxx is a very good stove that will crank out the BTU's for you.

 

[skrypj]

(broken image removed)
(broken image removed)

This is what the inside looks like . . . . . . I am assuming this is rust but please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[DexterDay]

Rust isn't a very big deal. But it's an indicate as to how well the previous owner cared for it and did preventative maintenance.

I clean my stoves every year and with spray Pam cooking oil (used to do) or spray paint the inside (been doing for several yrs now). As you can see. Rust can get pretty bad. Just as vehicles rust all the way through. A pellet stove will do the same over the years.

Anything I can do to make the motors, blowers, and overall body last longer? I will do. But I will also prob fetch more on the used market when I sell.

Here is what the inside of mine looks like over the Summer

 

[smoke show]

For me it would depend on asking price. I wouldn't pay top dollar for that rust bucket.

 

[skrypj]

They are asking $2500 OBO with exhaust piping, air duct kit, thermostat, and 1/2 ton pellets. I think that seems a bit high even for one in decent condition, but this one does not seem to be in the greatest condition. Do you think that there could be any issues with the motors etc based on the amount of corrosion in the combustion area.

EDIT: They just responded and say that the crud on the walls scraps right off, so I am not so sure that it is rust. I guess I will have to just go take a look at it myself.

 

[MountainSean]

Given how the stove looks in the pictures I wouldn't pay $2500 for it. Dirty is one thing and can be corrected with elbow grease. Rusting out is another matter entirely. I would check it but if that is rust I would need to know how serious it is before making an offer.

 

[smwilliamson]

They are asking $2500 OBO with exhaust piping, air duct kit, thermostat, and 1/2 ton pellets. I think that seems a bit high even for one in decent condition, but this one does not seem to be in the greatest condition. Do you think that there could be any issues with the motors etc based on the amount of corrosion in the combustion area.

EDIT: They just responded and say that the crud on the walls scraps right off, so I am not so sure that it is rust. I guess I will have to just go take a look at it myself.

It's rust

 

[Don2222]

Hello

My advice on a used Maxx is to check the Manufacturer's date. Stoves made before Mid 2009 have a bug in the control board that make it very hard to adjust the airflow and keep it running. The bug fix makes it run smooth! I picked up a used Maxx last week to refurb. I will be getting the new board so it will look and work like brand new!
Mine has very little rust too!

See this thread about the board.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/enviro-maxx-overheating-fire-issue.86329/#post-1202058

 

[smwilliamson]

Hello

My advice on a used Maxx is to check the Manufacturer's date. Stoves made before Mid 2009 have a bug in the control board that make it very hard to adjust the airflow and keep it running. The bug fix makes it run smooth! I picked up a used Maxx last week to refurb. I will be getting the new board so it will look and work like brand new!
Mine has very little rust too!

See this thread about the board.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/enviro-maxx-overheating-fire-issue.86329/#post-1202058

Where did you get that info? Enviro stoves can be tricky to operate if the draft isn't set properly. The link you posted has really nothing to do with a control board but a draft adjustment which was preventing the low limit from triggering properly within the allotted startup time. Ultimately the board was defective in that thread but had nothing to do with a bug that effected the draft. A far reach from a bug... There were problem with Enviro boards in the 2005-6 range and then again in early 08, AFAIK, the Maxx was somewhat except from these issues. Let me know if I'm wrong.

 

[Don2222]

Where did you get that info? Enviro stoves can be tricky to operate if the draft isn't set properly. The link you posted has really nothing to do with a control board but a draft adjustment which was preventing the low limit from triggering properly within the allotted startup time. Ultimately the board was defective in that thread but had nothing to do with a bug that effected the draft. A far reach from a bug... There were problem with Enviro boards in the 2005-6 range and then again in early 08, AFAIK, the Maxx was somewhat except from these issues. Let me know if I'm wrong.

You just said there was not a problem then you said there is a problem with the Enviro Control boards for the Maxx? What are you saying?
Anyway, it does not matter, I will be testing it and I will find out for myself. The link I posted above states there was a problem with the board so we will see.
I thought you knew but you said the Ignitor tube was too long and then they made it too short? LOL
That is a good one!

 

[Don2222]

They are asking $2500 OBO with exhaust piping, air duct kit, thermostat, and 1/2 ton pellets. I think that seems a bit high even for one in decent condition, but this one does not seem to be in the greatest condition. Do you think that there could be any issues with the motors etc based on the amount of corrosion in the combustion area.

EDIT: They just responded and say that the crud on the walls scraps right off, so I am not so sure that it is rust. I guess I will have to just go take a look at it myself.

This is how I take care of rust!
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...lief-and-smoothing-out-the-ruff-areas.110717/

 

[jxnsdad]

This looks like a better deal: (broken link removed to http://nh.craigslist.org/hsh/3981606870.html)

 

[smwilliamson]

You just said there was not a problem then you said there is a problem with the Enviro Control boards for the Maxx? What are you saying?
Anyway, it does not matter, I will be testing it and I will find out for myself. The link I posted above states there was a problem with the board so we will see.
I thought you knew but you said the Ignitor tube was too long and then they made it too short? LOL
That is a good one!

What I'm saying is that there were no reported problems for the control board on the Maxx. Lots of user error problems though. The earliest versions of the control pad Enviro used allowed for T-Stat but you had to tinker with a jumper on the back of the board...those boards had issues but were not used on the Maxx, the Maxx and the Omega it has it's own board

see new thread about Enviro boards

 

[Don2222]

Hello

There is an improved control board starting March 2009.
See > > https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/enviro-control-boards.112046/

 

[stovelark]

Hi skry- a 4 y/o maxx should be in the order of 1000-1200 used in working condition. Don't worry about the rust, it can be cleaned up and painted. Maybe the stove was in a basement or garage for awhile? (high humidity areas). Don't know what the value of the other stuff is, maybe 100 bucks for the .5 ton of pellets if they are in good condition. The maxx is a great heater, once the air control is adjusted properly (this stove a magnehelic is a must), the burnpot is in properly and the ignitor tube is properly positioned. It moves a lot of heat with the huge convex blower, but she's a noisy one. I'd pass on this one. What kind of heating arrangement do you need?? A stove in the basement, or in a formal area of your house? All factors to consider when getting a stove. Good luck, I would suggest Enviros are a good choice to look for.

 

[Heaterhunter]

They are asking $2500 OBO with exhaust piping, air duct kit, thermostat, and 1/2 ton pellets. I think that seems a bit high even for one in decent condition, but this one does not seem to be in the greatest condition. Do you think that there could be any issues with the motors etc based on the amount of corrosion in the combustion area.

EDIT: They just responded and say that the crud on the walls scraps right off, so I am not so sure that it is rust. I guess I will have to just go take a look at it myself.

You need to run the stove before you buy it. Make sure the blowers aren't whining, make sure the startup sequence is working, auger feeds properly, change heat settings while it's operating to make sure the circuit board is opearting properly. As mountainsean mentioned, the flame may be lazy but that's probalby due to it not being maintained. With all that being said I wouldn't pay 2500 for that, maybe 1700-1800 if the stove checks out good...