New to a VC Resolute

[SopwithCamel]

So I recently bought a house that was built in 1982 and is an envelope house. The primary source of heat is a VC Resolute I or II. I am new to using a wood stove and I am struggling with learning this stove. The problems I am having are that it seems to race up to 600F even with the dampener closed, or it stays at 350F and back puffs.

I begin by getting a small kindling fire going until I have coals that will catch a small log. I then shut the door and burn that log with the dampener open for 30 to 60 minutes to warm the flue. I then throw in more wood. Now here is where things go awry, if I put one log in and wait a few minutes to close the dampener, I get back puffing. If I put more than one log in, no matter what I do the stove races to 600f+.

It's very frustrating because I have spent hours reading forum posts on here and I still haven't figured it out yet. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[fbelec]

hi sopwithcamel welcome to the forum.
600 for that stove is a good temp. even 650 that is in the normal running range. where are you taking the temp from stove top or pipe? sometimes if it pops up to 700 with the damper closed or open if the primary air flap is closed then normally it will settle down after 20 to 30 minutes. if it seems to be uncontrollable primary air closed and working it's way past 700 that stove needs to be rebuilt. running it that way could be hazardous for at least the stove and or the house and yourself.

frank

 

[SopwithCamel]

Thanks for the welcome and the reply.

We're taking the temp from the top of the stove near the temp control. I was concerned about the temp only because the manual said not to get over 600, but that is the only place that says to keep it below that. Is the primary air control the hole on the left side, or the door connected to the temp control? because I have been leaving the hole open. We haven't seen it hit 700 so I think it may be more my nerves and lack of experience.

 

[begreen]

The primary air is controlled by the thermostatic spring connected to the flapper valve in back. The left side hole is secondary air. It's ok to leave that open.

 

[fbelec]

to add to begreen's post the only time the secondary air hole on the left side is not open is when the stove is running with the damper closed. when the secondary air control is open on updraft mode (damper open) the stove will run hotter. in updraft mode the secondary air is closed to let the primary control with the spring control the temp of the stove,

 

[TonyP]

to add to begreen's post the only time the secondary air hole on the left side is not open is when the stove is running with the damper closed. when the secondary air control is open on updraft mode (damper open) the stove will run hotter. in updraft mode the secondary air is closed to let the primary control with the spring control the temp of the stove,

Really? I've heard that this secondary air control stays open unless you have a coal conversion kit. Why would you close the secondary when running in cross draft mode? Doesn't that help feed the cross draft flame path?

 

[bmwloco]

After re-reading, have you made sure the stove is drawing well?

Easy test: light a piece of cardboard, paper, whatever with a cold stove. If it goes up and exits, good, if not, you need a Chimney Sweep or a big chain and good friends who don't mind getting dirty...

 

[TonyP]

It's drawing well, thanks. Wood's dry and the gaskets are tight. It runs very hot if I spike it up, but my main issue is heat longevity. I realize it's a small stove, so the reality is that it's not going to put out as much heat as a big boy. Thanks again.

 

[DougA]

Duration of heat is dependant on the species of wood. Large well dried oak should give you an overnight fire easily. Pine, ash, etc., maybe a few hours.
I only closed the small air hole when the stove got too hot.
Make sure the 5 small holes on the inside back are open and the air path to the secondary air chamber at the inside bottom right are open. All of these fill with ash too easily.
I found my Resolute very susceptible to draft problems and could run way too hot or backpuff easily depending upon the wind direction even with the proper chimney.

 

[TonyP]

Duration of heat is dependant on the species of wood. Large well dried oak should give you an overnight fire easily. Pine, ash, etc., maybe a few hours.
I only closed the small air hole when the stove got too hot.
Make sure the 5 small holes on the inside back are open and the air path to the secondary air chamber at the inside bottom right are open. All of these fill with ash too easily.
I found my Resolute very susceptible to draft problems and could run way too hot or backpuff easily depending upon the wind direction even with the proper chimney.

Thanks. The secondary air chamber is where the baffle is, right? Also, you really got an overnight fire with the resolute? My wood is seasoned and split, and when i load it up, i get max 4 hours when its 30 degrees out.

In regard to back puffing, it's been drafty in connecticut the past few days, and the back puffing is obvious. Thanks.

 

[72Rover]

I've been using a Resolute for 35 years now and the only times I've had back-puffing is when I try to damper the stove down and draft is low - like when the outside temp is warm (35or more) with no wind. Mind you, this stove will run you out of a small-ish room. When it back-puff, it's almost like one of those early "hit-or-miss" one cylinder gasoline engines. The firebox will ignite with a puff and then die back. Repeat. A one cylinder engine.... Letting it run hotter will stop it, but then the room will be overheated.

Right now, I'm in the middle of rebuilding it. Yeah, shoulda done this months ago...but I was busy. I swear, I don't know how I ever found time to work when I actually was....

Cheers

 

[bmwloco]

My Resolute is cooking now... both Stirling Engine fans are moving air. 31F outside, 75.6 now with the stove rolling!

(broken image removed)

 

[DougA]

Also, you really got an overnight fire with the resolute?

Yes, I had mine for 30+ years and there would be lots of good coals left in the morning with a stove top of 250 or more. Big oak splits. No other way to do it. I loaded the stove very full on top of coals and let the damper up for only a short time, then closed it. If half your wood is burned before you go to bed, there will be nothing left by morning.

 

[TonyP]

I always have coals the following morning, so I guess this qualifies as an overnight burn. I'll keep at it. Thanks guys.