Hastings Shutting Down #3 light

[jgross1185]

Hello - looking for a little advice/help. About 4 times over the last 3 weeks I have come up/woken up to my stove being off and the #3 light blinking. A little history: Stove is a St Croix hastings, 7 years old. I clean it every two weeks and do a full breakdown each year. Last year my combustion fan went. I replaced it with a new one that kicked the bucket in December. When I replaced it in December, I was noticing some creosote build up so since the stove keeps shutting down and I was getting build up, I decided to open the damper a bit for more air....it seemed to help with the creosote but not the shutting down.

When I checked the burn pot today there were unburnt pellets....so I am thinking the stove is shutting down due to a POF issue?

Any help is appreciated....the #3 light seems to be caused from a few things in the posts I have read. Just looking for a starting point to troubleshoot.
Thanks

 

[Bioburner]

Do you do the daily high fire for 20-30 minutes to help move the ash and get the stove good and hot to help burn off the creosote? 2 week cleaning schedule is probably a bit to long for that stove line.

 

[jgross1185]

Thanks for the reply bioburner. I have it hooked up to a thermostat and it usually goes for a good 20 minutes a couple of times a day. Just to be sure though, I will start doing it each night to see if it helps. Also, I cleaned the stove Saturday morning and it was off when I got home from work, so I don't think it is a cleaning issue.

 

[Bioburner]

Since you have replaced the exhaust fan you should know where the proof of fire switch is. Take it out and check it for creosote and ash. Ash is a very good insulator. I know it does not take much to shut the circuit on some stoves and Whits its a common issue. You may have some pellets that are on the low end of btus and the stove may need to have the trim adjusted to feed a few more pellets to maintain the I think St.Croix calls it a "pilot mode" a bit hotter.

 

[jgross1185]

Thanks..I will check the POF switch tomorrow. Much appreciated

 

[Bioburner]

I would take a good look at running a brush thru the venting as well. This season has been hard on stoves and venting maintenance.

 

[bogieb]

Bioburner is probably correct, the 3 blink code is usually for POF. However, it can also be for high temp. Here is a (broken link removed to http://www.mainstreetfireplace.com/pdfs/StCroix/StCroix-PB-Hastings-Operations.pdf) - page 6 (shows the error code explanation).

 

[heat seeker]

For overtemp, both #2 and #3 blink:

The High Limit switch. This sensor will
sense if the unit reaches temperatures that are
too high for normal operation. If this happens
the Auger will quit feeding and the #2 and #3
LED lights will flash simultaneously.

 

[jgross1185]

So I have been playing around with this....it is taking a few days for the stove to shut down. I checked the POF switch and it didn't have any build up, but I gave it a good brushing. I also played with the combustion fan voltage. I have been thinking maybe the POF switch is faulty????

Should I try replacing it?

 

[heat seeker]

You can get a replacement fairly cheaply, so it's worth a try. Make sure that it's making good solid contact with the housing, with nothing in between the switch and the housing.

You might also time the auger to make sure it's running at the correct RPM. Mine was slow due to gummy motor bearings, and at idle barely delivered enough pellets to keep the fire going. Maybe a long shot, but easy enough to check, and it's free!

 

[jgross1185]

Thanks....I found one for 46$ so I think it is worth a shot. If this doesn't work....I am throwing my hands up. Appreciate the help

 

[heat seeker]

$46 is too much! Let me do some research and get back.

Found one - try this:

(broken link removed to http://www.ebay.com/itm/Proof-of-Fire-Low-Limit-Switch-Pellet-Stove-Snap-Disc-St-Croix-Instructions-/121189478523?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c3774b07b)

Under $19.00, free shipping.

 

[bogieb]

(broken link removed to http://www.mainstreetfireplace.com/pdfs/StCroix/StCroix-PB-Hastings-Operations.pdf), if it shuts down and the #3 light is blinking, there is probably too much combustion air (see page 16). which goes with you saying you opened up the damper because of creosote. I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but I get creosote if I have too much air, just a lot of black soot if there is too little air.

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Clean everything including the POF snap disc and the area behind where it mounts if it isn't an air stream mount.

 

[jgross1185]

Thanks Heet Seeker for that link! Going to buy it anyway just to have one on hand.

I did read about the combustion air so I did lower it back to what I originally had it set at yesterday when I got home. I guess I will know in a day or two. I think it makes the most sense since that is what I changed originally when this started happening (problem is you start making so many adjustements, you forgot what you touch. Think i need to start writing down what I troubleshoot next time a problem starts). If this works, I will then need to work on the creosote isssue...although I am making sure I do 2 good high burns a day now for at least 20 minutes each.

I will let you know in a couple of days if it is the combustion air. Appreciate all your advice and help. This forum has the most helpful people I have ever come across! So glad it is here.

 

[Bkins]

Sounds like you need to do a full breakdown now, not at the end of the heating season, like Smokey said. You might be surprised at the results. I suggest this before putting any money into parts. You can try oiling the motors at this time also. To me, 2 weeks between cleans is asking for trouble.

Good luck.

 

[jgross1185]

So far no shut downs.....sounds like it may have been too much air on the damper. Thanks everyone.

 

[bogieb]

So far no shut downs.....sounds like it may have been too much air on the damper. Thanks everyone.

Glad you are back in business!