Mt Vernon AE start up - auger

[jimfrompa]

Just tried to start my one year old Mt Vernon AE today and the auger doesn't feed pellets. I put a handful in the pot and they ignited but no more pellets were delivered by the auger. I cleaned the pellets out of the auger at end of last season so everything was empty. The hopper was about one half full. I left it try for about 5 to 8 minutes and didn't hear the auger run and no pellets were dropped. I have heard that at cold start up it can take longer. What should I do? Thanks for any help.

 

[Bioburner]

Have you checked to make sure no obstruction in the exhaust that would prevent the vacuum switch from closing and allowing the auger to start? I think the stove is to new to have to worry about gasket leaks.

 

[LMPS]

Is there any error message?

 

[kappel15]

Is there any error message?

You would have to put a couple good handfuls in the pot to keep it going till the auger got filled up enough to start dropping pellets. Firepot thermocouple has to hit a certain temp for it to drop more fuel. You should be able to hear the auger running, or take the right hand side plate off and feel if the auger is turning if you can't hear it. And as suggested, make sure exhaust path is clear of any blockage. This includes the stove itself. Behind the baffle and the holes in back at bottom of firebox. Main thing is if auger is turning at all. If not, try pulling a wire on the vac switch and see if it starts running then. If so. either blockage, bad connections on vac switch, or bad vac switch. kap

 

[kramerica72]

I have the E2, so not sure if the same as the AE. To prime my auger after an empty hopper, I turn my main control knob from Off to High twice, leaving it on high. That runs the auger for 2 minutes before starting the stove.

 

[kappel15]

I have the E2, so not sure if the same as the AE. To prime my auger after an empty hopper, I turn my main control knob from Off to High twice, leaving it on high. That runs the auger for 2 minutes before starting the stove.

All the newer stoves have a safety switch on the hopper lid. If it is open, it shuts the auger off.

 

[smwilliamson]

clogged vac hose most likely.

 

[jimfrompa]

Good news this morning ... I reached in and jiggled the auger screw a bit and tried a startup. Worked like a charm. Maybe I didn't wait long enough for the auger to fill with pellets - I think I gave up too soon yesterday. I'm so new at this. Running now and the house is toasty. Thanks for the help.

 

[LMPS]

Good news this morning ... I reached in and jiggled the auger screw a bit and tried a startup. Worked like a charm. Maybe I didn't wait long enough for the auger to fill with pellets - I think I gave up too soon yesterday. I'm so new at this. Running now and the house is toasty. Thanks for the help.

The first start of the year is always the hardest, it typically takes me three cycles for it to get a fire going. This is also true if I run it out of pellets....not that I would ever let that happen......