Lopi Replacement part...a dangerous piece of simple electronics

[Tom Brainerd]

I have a Lopi Endeavor, in the house when we bought. Three years ago I installed the Lopi blower.

At the end of last season we got to the point that the blower would not turn off, even when the stove was dead cold. I touched the back of the snap disk and almost blistered my finger. Preparing for this season I have removed the disk, in hopes of replacing it. I found out what the problem was...

Both of the contacts were loose on the switch body. One was so loose that it caused overheating and the plastic on the spade connector was melted down and charred. I know who the manufacturer of the part was, and I can see why they have discontinued it. I guess I'm just lucky that there wasn't a fire.

So...the original part number was an Emerson...part number was 36TR12 13253 F120-30F 100-00230 A0844.

Can anybody help me decode that and tell me what I need to get to replace it? I don't really want to pay for an entire new blower unit, and I don't want to take this up with the local dealer who sold it to me, who, as a sweep, fired me two years ago in a fit of pique.

EVEN BETTER...is there a Lopi rep who lurks the forum who can help me fix this issue with a dangerous piece of machinery they sold me? I can post some pictures if need be.

Thanks.

 

[begreen]

Lopi doesn't make the snap switches. Your gripe is with Emerson. Unfortunately this is most likely a Chinese switch these days. Graingers has replacements. It will be something like this:
(broken link removed)

I'm wondering if the switch got too hot. Where is the switch located on the stove body? On the underside of the firebox?

 

[Tom Brainerd]

On the back of the stove, right where it's supposed to be. One of their dealers positioned it.

Lopi manufactured and sold the unit. They can make it right.

 

[begreen]

Sounds like you need to speak with the dealer then.

 

[Heatsource]

where would this fire have come from?
a melted switch on the back of a wood stove shouldn't be a fire hazard, as there are no combustibles around... possibly a shock hazard if it didn't trip a breaker. (plugged into a properly grounded outlet?)

that said, good luck on your mission for justice

 

[KaptJaq]

First take a deep breath. The blower is three years old, out of warranty. Was it installed by the dealer? Talk to him or call Lopi Customer service. Try to get them to send you a snapdisk or at least get the replacement part number. If that gets you nowhere then: If I remember correctly the switch you need goes on at 130°F, off at 120°F. Probably a $10 or less part. Since you got the old one out you can probably put a new one in easily. Check (broken link removed) or www.woodmanspartsplus.com. I like woodsmanpartsplus since you can put in the model stove you have and they will show the proper parts. If they only stock the entire fan assembly then try the manufacturer (I think lopi uses FASCO units) for the snapdisk.

In the meantime you can just put a jumper where the snapdisk goes and manually control the fan.

Stoves and all their components are designed to be near fire. I doubt it would have caused one unless the circuit it is on was not properly wired.

KaptJaq

 

[Tom Brainerd]

Calling Dealer...I'll take it under advisement. Don't really want to deal with a man who called me, told me to...well...and hung up on me.

Fire potential...no no combustibles. except of course the plastic on the wires from the switch to the blower and from the blower to the wall socket...right under a wooden table and next to a couch. Note that one of the connectors isn't damaged at all...the electric heat outstripped that from the stove.

Deep breath...I'm not real hot about this. I can fix it. But it was a fire hazard, and I want to find out what part Lopi uses.

 

[KaptJaq]

...except of course the plastic on the wires from the switch to the blower and from the blower to the wall socket...

Properly wired/grounded stove/outlet and a circuit breaker should mitigate this risk.

...right under a wooden table and next to a couch.

How are your CTC (Clearance to combustibles)?

 

[eclecticcottage]

call Lopi Customer service.

KaptJaq

Sadly, not an option as far as I can tell. They DO have a facebook page though.

I have to say, this is one place where BK, Woodstock and Englander have it over Lopi/Travis Industries and similar companies. Actual interest in customer interaction and opinion.

 

[eclecticcottage]

On the back of the stove, right where it's supposed to be. One of their dealers positioned it.

Lopi manufactured and sold the unit. They can make it right.

Where in the back? Ours is in a little vent looking thing below the ash lip next to the air control. Dealer installed also. I assumed since the Republic is the sister stove to the Endeavor it would be the same...Now I'll be checking ours, to be sure, once it's cool enough!

 

[KaptJaq]

Sadly, not an option as far as I can tell. They DO have a facebook page though.

Address: 4800 Harbour Pointe SW , Mukilteo WA, 98275
Email : [email protected]


They do respond....

KaptJaq

 

[lopiliberty]

Where in the back? Ours is in a little vent looking thing below the ash lip next to the air control. Dealer installed also. I assumed since the Republic is the sister stove to the Endeavor it would be the same...Now I'll be checking ours, to be sure, once it's cool enough!

With the endeavor and liberty the snap disk goes between the heat shield and the back of the stove. For your republic its in the right place

 

[eclecticcottage]

With the endeavor and liberty the snap disk goes between the heat shield and the back of the stove. For your republic its in the right place

Huh. Learn something new...

 

[Tom Brainerd]

CTC is as it is supposed to be. The stove, itself, is in an alcove lined with adobe. I have attached a photo to show what the problem is. Those female spade connectors used to connect to the snap disk. Note that one is the way it's supposed to be and the other is carbonized. How much hotter did it need to get to actually flame?

All the electrics are properly grounded.

 

[blades]

Heck I have seen that type of damage on those types of connectors having nothing to do with wood stoves. A poor contact will cause an overheat problem at the connector resulting in a higher than normal current draw leading to what you have. If it was from stove heat both would be fried. Snap disc switches are notorious for internal break down ,contacts get pitted by arcing causing the high current draw.

 

[begreen]

This can also happen if the connector is not fully slid onto the spade of the switch.