Enviro M55 Tstat modes - what's worse

[steveg_nh]

Hey Folks,

As we are now on the outer edge of the winter season here in southern NH, pellet usage is going down. The stove doesn't need to run as much.

Between the two tstat modes of High/Low and Auto/Off on an M55 insert, what's better?

If you run Auto/Off, you are using the ignitor maybe 5-6 times a day. But if you run High/Low, the stove is running on low (1) for many hours during day, wasting pellets and burning cool and not very hot to keep the stove nice and clean.

What's the better pick?

Also, I've noticed, when running on Auto/Off, that after the 30 min wait period, the stove will seem to power cycle completely off, then back on. It's like everything ceases for a second (all fans stop) and then it turns on, but just the combustion fan is running until the sensor is cool enough, and then it stops too. No lights are shown on the display panel (like it would be if I turned it off). Is that power cycle typical? Anyone else noticed it? I don't recall. I just replaced the convection fan under warranty, but I can't imagine swapping that had any impact on how the stove operates on Auto/Off.

Thanks

 

[johneh]

I'd run it in Hi/low the cost of a few extra bags of pellets far
out weights the cost of a replacement igniter pulse the power
used to run it 5 or 6 times a day

 

[steveg_nh]

Thanks. I had read that running a long time on low though, really clogs things up, since the fire isn't really hot. Not something to worry about in your opinion?

 

[johneh]

Coming to end of the burn season so a full tare down and
cleaning will be done soon. It's not like you are going to need full
blown heat till next years heating season and even if you do it will
be only for a shot time. The stove will have had
a in depth cleaning by Fall when you will want the heat.

 

[steveg_nh]

True. Actually, I only have about 8 bags of pellets left and then I may just finish the season as needed with oil. I'll clean it up fully at that point, so it will be ready for the fall. Then in the fall, I'll just run my vent pipe cleaner up once to be sure nothing is clogging the vent...

 

[batchman]

The "stop/start" is normal for that control board, same thing in my Maxx-M.

I'm in the mode of "overnight bag" as my 35' vent won't keep running on low, or on 2 for that matter.

Cheers,
- Jeff

 

[steveg_nh]

What do you mean that it won't keep running? Not enough draft on the lower settings? I'm at about 28', straight up the chimney with a 4" SS pipe.

 

[batchman]

I lose proof-of-fire when run too low, especially on anything less than a really hot pellet. My 35' is 6" masonry, just on the border (okay maybe a touch beyond) the recommended setup, I really don't want it running cool anyway.

Cheers,
- Jeff