Napoleon NPI40 new install

[bobb0815]

Just installed my Napoleon NPI40 stove and all has gone well. Had it for only a few days but these are my first impressions. Good looking unit and is quite. All seem to be as advertised but the unit does have some drawbacks.

Unit does not put out as much heat as I expected.
Seems to burn a little dirty.
The air adjustment is a little tricky thus I can not seem to find the "sweet spot". Too much air seems to burn cleaner but blows out small flames. Too little air and does not burn clean. Sort of like have a bad carburetor (dating myself here) Why is this adjustment necessary, do other units have this adjustment also? Have not seem much about this in postings.
Lastly, clean up is needed more often and dirtier then expected. FYI only needed a high performance bag ($10) on a low end shopvac mini to do the trick.

Well that's my first impressions so far so good.

 

[j00fek]

nice setup!

 

[save$]

Those inserts of that make of stove seem more prone to be harder run more ditry. However, it is to your advantage to run more air, the shorter flame is hot like a torch. Just put a thermometer (one like you might use on a barbecue ) into one of the air tubes while it is running and try a few adjustment to your settings. you will quickly learn what setting works best for your with your brand of pellets.
You may want to try some different brands of pellets. They are not all equal.
Nice set up.

 

[bobb0815]

Thanks I'll try the thermometer. About what temp does your unit run at?

 

[save$]

If 20 to 30 outside, I run at 4,4,4 if colder, I run 4 to 5, and 4,4. my thermometer goes to 212 F then says high. If warmer out side 30-45, I run around 3, and 4, 4. stove temp is around 160. will run cooler if you slow the fan, you get hotter temp but not the same volume of heated air. I you reduce the draft, you get a bigger flame but it is lazy and you get more ash and dirty glass.
When I list the number, the order is auger speed, draft setting, and fan speed.
These setting are what has been working for me. I have gained some of my opinions from posting in this forum, some from the dealers, and most from my own experience. I am still new to this. I have found there are some variations between brands of pellet, and the area and setting you are trying heat.
I have to shut the stove down every other day for cleaning. I get a clump in the burn pot. I just spoon this out and put it into a metal bucket with some water in the bottom. The glass wipes clean with just a paper towel.
We would have liked to have one of those nice looking colored ceramic Franklin style stoves, but they are only to be found on a wait list that for others still is an event waiting to happen. So we settled for this stove. About half the price but impressive performance. Hope this may help. Keep an eye out for other postings. Lots of good and helpful information found in this forum.

 

[Saltair]

I have the NPI40 as well. We have had it up and running for five or six weeks. WE dont have the surrounds installed as we went with a step up from the standard and our useless dealer didn't order the adapter needed to make it fit. I had some trouble maing the stove run clean at first, but it turned out to be mostly the pellets. They were athens, and I would recomend staying well clear of those. I had similiar troubles with last years Corinth pellets. This years Corinth Softwoods, Komphy Kozy, and Homewood, have all burned very well in the stove. This years Corinth Hardwoods burn pretty good, but leave ash behind in the pot. With all of the above I am running the air 80-100% open.

We are VERY disappointed in the amount of heat output. The dealer way oversold the stoves capabilities. It does look nice, but a lot more money than I would have spent on a decoration. I am learning how to use it in conjuction with the furnace to keep acceptable heat in the house. We are getting there, but the dream of a toasty warm house has gone by the wayside. With the recent cold snap it is only 65deg in the room the stove is in. Beats the 62 we kept it at with just oil, but know the rest of the house is colder than last year. I would not by this stove again, we needed something bigger.

 

[Cavedweller]

I also have a Napoleon npi40 installed in October 2008, bought in summer. Have had extensive problems with noisy blowers sometimes intermittent, other times annoyingly constant. I am scheduled to have my 4th blower installed next week. noise is often times unbearable. Napoleon will give you no answers only to contact people you bought stove from who don’t seem to have any better answers. Spent to much money to be this dissatisfied with the stove. not recommended..

 

[Saltair]

I just had both blowers replaced on my stove, and the new convection blower started making noise again within 24 hours of being installed. My frustration with this unit grows by the day.

 

[Cavedweller]

Just wanted to touch on the heat output as well. We have about a 1500 sq ft home. the stove is rated for 2000 sq ft and the heat surely does not drive you out of the room on cold days. again very disappointed with this stove and it appears NAPOLEON is not quick to respond to any of the problems. however when I spoke to NAPOLEON on time the girl did say they were receiving several complaints about the blowers and having many problems with them....

 

[Cavedweller]

still have not received my surround trim piece yet

 

[save$]

My family has 3 of these stoves. one insert and 2 free standing stoves. They are all new as of Aug. I have run 2 tons through mine. Did have two short instances of the blower screeching. But then it went away and hasn't been back for a month. When it made the noise, all I did was some cleaning to include the Auger. I have a little over 2000 sq feet, well insulated. All areas stay 72-76 until the temp outside goes below the mid 20's, Then the furnace kicks in for a few short moments. Hardly burned any oil so far. Get my hot water off oil. (separate oil hot water heater). All three of us vac out the stove about every 3 days. One person is burning Athens. I have Energex and one other has LGs. For each of us, this is our first experience with pellets. So far these stoves are living up to our expectations. I addressed these concerns about the faulty blower (as expressed in this forum) with one of the local dealers. He said he had one instance of a complaint of a blower, but that the regional Napoleon rep was easy to work with to get a resolution. Also it didn't matter from what dealer the stove was purchased.
While our experiences have been good, it doesn't lessen some of other's experiences that are much less than positive. I just felt it important to note that these stoves are not the lemons that one might think they are if all they read about them is the negatives.

 

[Cavedweller]

Thank you for your thoughts. I thought I would send along another link you may find interesting.

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewreply/343277/