Don,
Would you please expand on what you meant by CSS (Cold Start Syndrome).
I purchased a home two years ago that had a pellet stove installed in the basement, but was told by the seller it was broken and parts were no longer available. I hadn’t really given it any thought and did not have any experience with stoves in my life so I just ignored it; that is until recently when I decided I needed to host a New Years Eve Party and wanted the basement to be the overflow for the many anticipated guest. There is a Foosball table down there and some chairs and sofas, but at the party the year before, nobody wanted to stay down there as it was about 55 degree F. So, I went to a stove dealer to discuss new stove options; i.e., pellet, gas, etc. However, after hearing the prices, not to mention installions costs, and the fact they were booked solid and could not get an install scheduled until well after the 1st of the year, I started researching my stove as ther was an old owners manual sitting on top of the pellet hopper door.
It is, I believe a 2005/2006 Glow Boy Model HGBH/CCGB 3 with an Acu-Tron 2 Controller.
There was a bucket of pellets next to the stove, so I dumped in enough to cover the auger and closed the door. I plugged the electric cord in and hit the start button and waited. The feed rate 1 light, igniter light and auger light all lit up, and the auger cycle light was cycling on and off. The fan was running (turned out only the Convection Fan was running) on speed 1 and light was lit too. After a short while (I didn’t time it), it shut off. It did not feed any pellets.
I started researching everything I could about pellet stoves and how to troubleshoot with a power cord and jumper test wire. Did this for two weeks to educated myself.
Anyway, and finally I discovered the Combustion/Exhaust Fan was not running, but the motor casing was hot to the touch. I removed the fan assembly and discovered it was clogged fulled of caked ashes. I cleaned the fan assembly up, freed up the impeller and motor, connected it to power on the bench and it was now running. I reinstalled the fan assembly, plugged the stove back in and hit the start button. For the first 30 seconds or so, the auger was turning every time the auger cycle light lit, but then, the fan speed seemed to drop and the auger stopped turning even though the auger cycle light was still cycling on and off. However, the stove lit and I was excited with my progress. I knew from all my research that the vacuum switch was not staying activated due to the fan speed dropping at start-up, and his seems to be what you are referring to as CSS.
So, can you expand on this. How did getting the Acu-Tron 4 remedy this?
I suspect my fan assembly or motor needs replaced, but the stove runs when I jump the wires for the vacuum switch (I know, I know, not safe), and the Combustion/Exhaust Fan is running providing the air for combustion and exhausting the fumes/smoke. I think it may need more oomph.
My stove is seemingly (based on my research) identical to the Pelpro stove you restored in this post/thread. I would also be interested in your opinion on a good replacement fan assembly would be for this stove.
Mark
