Installed a Lopi Cape Cod Flush Wood Plus insert last year. The third airtube from front is defective -- too short -- barely rests in the slot left side, falls out, large gap where it should go in; wondering if anyone else encountered similar problem. Also, the blower fan seems not that effective at pushing heat out into room, though it is VERY loud. Does anyone have any suggestions as to options replacing with quieter more efficient fan? Overall generally happy with the insert but not with the defects. Thanks folks.
Lopi Cape Cod Insert Air Tubes and Blower Fan
- Thread starter Prichan
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Welcome. The tube issue seems like a straight-forward warranty issue. Have you spoken to your dealer about these problems?
Huh. When I was at the shop and heard the blower on the Liberty, it was quiet. I just assumed all the Lopi blowers were quiet.
The Buck 91 is a little loud. One idea that occurred to me was to put on the blower housing some of the stuff they put in cars to deaden vibration when installing audio systems, such as Dynamat. I don't know if that would help or if it is 'air noise' from the fan blades themselves. I guess it would handle the heat OK since it is installed in cars, which can get pretty hot sitting out in the sun....
The Buck 91 is a little loud. One idea that occurred to me was to put on the blower housing some of the stuff they put in cars to deaden vibration when installing audio systems, such as Dynamat. I don't know if that would help or if it is 'air noise' from the fan blades themselves. I guess it would handle the heat OK since it is installed in cars, which can get pretty hot sitting out in the sun....
Did the tube fall out or did you take it out? They do seem a little short, but all the ones I've taken out went back with a little finess. As for the blower, its probably just a little out of balance causing a little more noise than normal. Have you been around other inserts? Insert blowers can be a little bothersome to some people and often don't seem to move much air. But in reality the noise level and air movement is "normal" for an Insert. This may not be the case, just a thought.
Webby the tube fell out on its own when I was soft brushing the area, that's when I noticed it. Here's some pics, also wondering if the firebrick is a little uneven as itdoesn't seat firmly on the left side like the other bricks do. Edge looks a little ratty. This was my first insert, always had freestanding stoves up to that point. Decided to go with the insert rather than doing major retrofitting of the mantle, etc., for clearances.
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Looks like something is sitting under the right edge of that last brick. Take it out and clean below it thoroughly with a vac and then visually check for an obstruction.
I wouldn't worry about the firebrick, it's no big deal at all. That crack should just fill in with ash, did you vacuum it out? Ash usually packs tight in there and fills any voids.
Have you taken the clip out of the right side and tried to re-install the tube? It takes a 3/8" socket, hit it with some PB Blaster first, they can be brittle!
I would try to re-install it, it's really easy to do so. I bet it will go back in Ok. It probably just got banged with a piece of wood. Like I said, they seem to be barely long enough, but I have been able to get them all back in. I've had the tubes in and out of 3 different Cods so far with no issues.
Have you taken the clip out of the right side and tried to re-install the tube? It takes a 3/8" socket, hit it with some PB Blaster first, they can be brittle!
I would try to re-install it, it's really easy to do so. I bet it will go back in Ok. It probably just got banged with a piece of wood. Like I said, they seem to be barely long enough, but I have been able to get them all back in. I've had the tubes in and out of 3 different Cods so far with no issues.
Yeah I've taken the clip out, etc. There is a prong on the clip that sets into a hole on the tube. When clip is tightened it pulls the tube so that there is not enough purchase on the other side where it falls out. It'll just barely sit there but should be longer for it to be stable. The Travis tech support guy said it might be just too shot (which is what I had said from the get go), bla bla. I'm going to get a new tube reckon, gladly under warranty as the tube set itself costs over $300.
Have cleaned behind all bricks. It's an uneven brick. I'm sure it isn't going to make a big differerence but constantly banging wood against it is a drag, etc.
Hope you gave Tech Support a tube length measurement or they asked for one so you don't wait and find out you were sent the same length tubes thus still having the problem...
$300 for a single tube? Is that correct? If so I need to go out and buy some stainless tube stock and some fresh drill bits.
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