Drolet Heat Commander Damper/Stepper issues?

[sleewok]

Hey all,

This season (and sometimes last season) I have noticed that when I press the button to do a load I can hear one of the steppers skipping every so often (it isn't every time I do a load). It sounds like it wasn't in the position that the system had it set to and it is trying to do "something" that it can't. Clearly something is wrong and this is not the correct behavior. It is likely causing issues with the efficiency. I have the new dampers that have the white plastic on it.

There are two situations I am experiencing. One is too fast of a burn when heat demand has been met. The other is not enough heat when demand has been met and there is big pile of coals. It's like it just shuts down.

A few times I've stuck a wire in the fresh air slots and pushed the left damper (when facing the door) and it will sometimes snap shut. Other times I can force it, and then it will return to the position.

I'm not sure if it is related, but the green light will go off randomly until I completely power cycle the HC. I have some coals burning now and the plenum is HOT. The green light is off, no blinking, nothing. When it calls for it it does send it, but the light...ugh.

Does anyone have any idea what is going on? Should I spray some lube where the damper slides? Is there a firmware update? It doesn't matter if I power cycle. It will eventually do it again.

Hopefully I can get this figured out.

Thanks!

 

[Citationls]

Did you try hitting the reset button? I have had issues with my HC shutting down when there are still quite a few coals left. I make sure the thermostat calls for heat near the end of the burn cycle now so it keeps the fire going. I have also had times where the green light acted up. I believe thats when I reset the unit and it fixed it.

 

[brenndatomu]

Did you try hitting the reset button? I have had issues with my HC shutting down when there are still quite a few coals left. I make sure the thermostat calls for heat near the end of the burn cycle now so it keeps the fire going. I have also had times where the green light acted up. I believe thats when I reset the unit and it fixed it.

Have you cleaned the thermocouples in the firebox? There are 2, one in the firebox, another 1 right above it, above the baffle

 

[Citationls]

Have you cleaned the thermocouples in the firebox? There are 2, one in the firebox, another 1 right above it, above the baffle

Yup, I cleaned both at the beginning of the season. Ill take another look at them tonight to make sure though. I havent had the green light act up in quite some time. The HC still seems to "fall asleep" and shut down at the end of a burn cycle though if there is no call for heat. It's been doing that sense new though so I figured it was normal.

 

[sleewok]

Did you try hitting the reset button? I have had issues with my HC shutting down when there are still quite a few coals left. I make sure the thermostat calls for heat near the end of the burn cycle now so it keeps the fire going. I have also had times where the green light acted up. I believe thats when I reset the unit and it fixed it.

How do you reset it? Is that different from a power cycle?

 

[sleewok]

Have you cleaned the thermocouples in the firebox? There are 2, one in the firebox, another 1 right above it, above the baffle

Yes, I brush them off at the beginning of each season and in mid-season.

 

[Citationls]

If you remove the cover for the circuit board/dampers on the back of the HC there will be a button on the circuit board that is labeled "reset".

 

[sleewok]

If you remove the cover for the circuit board/dampers on the back of the HC there will be a button on the circuit board that is labeled "reset".

Thanks, I'll give that a shot! Is there a sequence for reset? Powered on? Powered off? Or just press it while on?

 

[Citationls]

Thanks, I'll give that a shot! Is there a sequence for reset? Powered on? Powered off? Or just press it while on?

I dont remember, I couldn't find the emails I had from SBI stating the procedure. I believe you press it with unit on with no fire. The "D3" light is also supposed to blink a certain amount of times once the reset button is hit. Sorry for the spotty info. Might be worth contacting SBI to get more info.

 

[sleewok]

I dont remember, I couldn't find the emails I had from SBI stating the procedure. I believe you press it with unit on with no fire. The "D3" light is also supposed to blink a certain amount of times once the reset button is hit. Sorry for the spotty info. Might be worth contacting SBI to get more info.

I just pressed it when it was idle while on. It did something and some lights came on and I could hear it "doing stuff". I had the same issue with the stepper this morning during a reload so that didn't fix it.

 

[Laynes6999]

It's been mild here, and I was carrying wood into the basement. My furnace was full of coals, however the light was off. The thermostat was met, and the blower still cycled. Once the demand came for heat in the house, the green came on and stayed on and the dampers opened. Just because the light is off, doesn't mean the furnace shut down. To me, it helps preserve coals if the heating demand isn't necessary.