In a quandary

[Wood Wules]

I have an insert. I don't know the make. In the winter I pushed the lever and the blower would make a continuing noise but I felt nothing. Yesterday I tried the blower with no fire and it made a feeble noise no rush of air.

Should I expect a strong current of air. Can I get it repaired. Who does that. Could I get it replaced. The insert doesn't give a great deal of heat so I need the boost. I'm on a very low budget like Virgil Cain.

Thanks in advance.

 

[begreen]

Welcome. It could be that the fan blade or squirrel cage is free spinning on the motor shaft. If so, there is a set screw that needs to be tightened.

For more info do you know the make and model of the insert?

 

[Wood Wules]

It came with the house so I don't know the make or model. It's a good size. I think it's busted because now it only makes very little noise. We had squirrels in the attic but we got rid of them humanly.

 

[begreen]

The make and model are usually on the unit. sometimes on a plate in the door frame. Maybe post a picture of it?

 

[Grisu]

Yes, pics please. Does the chimney have a stainless steel liner installed that is connected to the insert? How dry is the wood? (Measured with a moisture meter on a fresh split surface.)

 

[begreen]

Not sure if this is really an insert yet. May be a ZC fireplace. We need more info.

 

[Wood Wules]

Begreen is right there is a plate in the door. The insert was made by Vermont Castings. It says bd 1989. It also says model but the number is worn off.

My cousin gave me the first two cords of wood. It was over five years old and I couldn't feel the blower. I don't think it is a matter of adjusting a screw since the blower sounds a lot weaker now.

I'm not tech savvy so I can't take a picture. I'm old. I do cut down the trees and split them with my manual ten ton splitter.

The sweep said the liner doesn't go all the way up.

Is it hopeless or can I fix it or replace it for a low cost.

 

[Grisu]

Should you have a digital camera or a phone that snaps pictures we can walk you through the steps to post a pic here.

Does the insert look like this one? (broken link removed to http://www.mainstreetfireplace.com/pdfs/VermontCastings/VC-WB-WinterWarmLge.pdf)
I assume the blower can be fixed but the question is how cheap that can be. Can you open it up and see if the blades can still be moved? Maybe some cleaning and oil would help. More likely though, you may need a replacement.

However, you should not need the blower to feel heat coming from the insert. I have the feeling there are quite a few other problems like not a full liner and probably the catalyst needs replacement if it is indeed a Winterwarm. Without an inspection of the insert and the installation it will be hard to say whether spending money on the blower is really worth it.

 

[webby3650]

There is a lever that operates the fan one the operates the primary air and one that operates the bypass damper. Are you moving the lever very far? These have a tendency to get rusted up and not move much, limiting the blower speed. It should be the lever on the bottom on the left side.

 

[Wood Wules]

A tip of my sir Jon red cap to grisu. Winter warmth is my insert. Thanks for iding it and providing me with the manual. I may have misled you. My insert gives off heat. When it is roaring it is hard to stand in front of it when I reload. But with the door closed not as much.

How do you open up the blower . I'm a neophyte. I am a fairly quick learner on a low budget like the kinks. On the schematic you provided there is also a ref to an optional blower. Could I get one of those and install it.

I have always kept the damper lever to the left so I may have never engaged the catalyst. How do I know if it works.

Thanks webby. I pushed the lever today with no fire and felt a light breeze.