Newbie here with Vermont Castings Reliance 2220

[Modifymike007]

Ooooo by the way your one in a million.
Way cool

 

[Bill A]

Ok got you just one more question i put everything back togather and started up the stove. Correct me if i am wrong. I lit the pelletts shut door hit start and auger came on. I thought auger only came on when temp was reached???????
It runs all the time untill i hit the stop. I was thinking to unplug the thermocoupler to see if the auger stops running when start up cold and it does. Plug it back in auger runs. Somewere along the line something wrong i feel. Back to the dwraling board. Such a nice clean stove and omg beatulful stove.

Mike, doublecheck the polarity of the thermocouple, that it matches red to the pin that is in the picture that I sent.
Check that there is continuity between the red and white TC wires and also make sure that the TC sheath isn't connected to either red or white wires. An open TC will result in what you are describing.

 

[Modifymike007]

I did not get that photo bill . I was going to ask you for a photo

 

[tbear853]

If you have any Sales Brochure please post it, that would be cool.

I forgot to do this, I'm sorry.

 

[tbear853]

Mike, doublecheck the polarity of the thermocouple, that it matches red to the pin that is in the picture that I sent.
Check that there is continuity between the red and white TC wires and also make sure that the TC sheath isn't connected to either red or white wires. An open TC will result in what you are describing.

Bill, I ordered that same combustion fan ... (https://www.ebay.com/itm/PELLET-STOVE-COMBUSTION-EXHAUST-XP7610-BLOWER-MOTOR-4-3-4-Fan-FITS-MANY/173635949081?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649) ... that you steered me to. Was wondering ... how has it been working for you?

I still have the type J thermocouple in my save for / following list ... but curious how you used it keeping it isolated? Below is a picture of my original, but I was told it was "bad", but it's never been tested yet. It looks OK, I plan to test it today. If bad, thinking I might can make a same like mount with big hole, and secure the new TC via J B Weld (rated 600 deg when cured) and or ultra high temp RTV "insulated" from contact?

We have it going, it's purring now, but the blower did squeak at start up. I have that new auger motor / reduction gear box still, thinking of replacing all 3 soon as one operation.

Later ........... Les

 

[tbear853]

I spent over an hour digging through boxes ... marking them ... looking for the new in box auger motor, no luck (but I did find 4 brass synchro rings for a Muncie 4 speed in my '67 Chevelle that I sold in 1984)... was gonna give up, turned to flip a light switch, there "plain as day" were two boxes marked "Pellet Stove Auger" with a date on each box ... on that shelf with spray paints and glues, wax, etc ... one was the OEM one which developed a noise in the gear box ...which I replaced in 1996 ... and the other was the NIB still, never used one that I bought in 2013 when I thought I was gonna need one.

I went to my files, pulled out my pellet stove file where the OEM thermocouple was stored too, it's end looks black from soot, but no breaks so I checked it for continuity, looks good as the meter set on resistance went to 0.00 (closed circuit, is good) from 1.00 (open circuit, is not so good) immediately. I was trying to remember why they sent me one ... stove was acting weird then, not burning good and the technician thought a new thermocouple would fix it. It did start running right soon enough, but I also was in a phase of trying different brands of pellets (which is why I kept it since 1994).

 

[tbear853]

If you have any Sales Brochure please post it, that would be cool.

A better copy of this page for you.

 

[tbear853]

This was the TC that I bought https://www.ebay.com/itm/Thermocoup...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

But the part # that you posted should work as well and it's cheaper.
What is important is that it is type J and the element is insulated from the outer metal sheath..

I know this was a few years ago, but I am hoping you are still here after a recent reply. That link was for a 12" type J TC, I was wondering if it's too late to ask you how you went about mounting it. The link I am looking at is about the same, but only 6" long and it's still longer than the depth under the stove's mounting place. I figure if you got a 12" in there, I could get a 6" in there. https://www.ebay.com/itm/355729246552

I recently put my OEM one back in the VC sent me a replacement for 30 years ago, and the OEM tested OK a couple years ago, and the stove is doing great, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared.

Thanks ..... Les

 

[Bill A]

Hi Les, I think that I just reused the existing compression fitting. The ferrule was still loose, not compressed, so the new TC was able to slide in and be snugged down. It mounts in a small plate so you could always make something. A 1/8” NPT would probably work, not sure of the OD of the TC probe, but probably 1/8” also.
Bill

 

[tbear853]

Hi Les, I think that I just reused the existing compression fitting. The ferrule was still loose, not compressed, so the new TC was able to slide in and be snugged down. It mounts in a small plate so you could always make something. A 1/8” NPT would probably work, not sure of the OD of the TC probe, but probably 1/8” also.
Bill

Thank You ...... So not the whole 6 or 12 inches need be inserted into the 3 or so inches space? Sounds like just get a couple in and is OK.

Les

 

[Bill A]

Yes, the sensing element is in the tip, that should be in about the center of the exhaust gas stream.

 

[tbear853]

I thought must be , but wanted to confirm my thought.

 

[tbear853]

OK, I found what I was looking for .... I do hope all is OK.

 

[Bill A]

Glad you found what you were looking for Les, hope everything and everybody is doin well in the Shenandoah valley.

 

[tbear853]

We are that. Thank You Sir .... and Merry Christmas wishes your way.

Just had a thought. I bought this VC 2220 stove new in 1992 when the dealer had it marked down as he didn't want to do pellet stoves. 33 years. Most years I used it non stop through winter, stopping for cleaning. Most years I'd have 2 or three tons delivered, was a couple years I got into the forth ton. 100 tons is a fair size chunk of pellets. I am on third auger motor, and a second burn pot. I have a spare combustion fan / motor and even auger motor. I've swapped the TC but both the OEM and the replacement sent by VC test OK, so I might have applied the wrong fixes then. I have changed flu set ups a few times.

 

[Bill A]

Since the mechanicals are all Harman, it is really a tank on the inside. Most of the parts are replaceable albeit if you're handy.
Harman was in the business of building coal stokers before pellets and I had two of them and they were workhorses.
Since you haven’t talked about replacing the exhaust blower, that might be something to look into. I used the housing from the old blower, cut a round hole in it and mounted a new Fasco ball bearing motor and impeller. If you're having burning issues, perhaps the blower is on the tired side after 33 years.
The only rub on these very old stoves is with the control board since they are long since gone, and not too many people can repair them.
My stove is running good with a PLC based control system that I designed (I used to do this for a living) and I added an ignitor to the new Accentra burn pot that you pointed me to so starts are all automating now. I only burn about a ton or less each year as supplemental heat, the cost of pellets keeps climbing, but I like watching the flames, something that a regular heating system doesn’t do.
Lastly, I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas to you and your Family, hope it’s a blessed one.

 

[tbear853]

Oh, I have one bought to put in, but where it was making noise at start up last year, I had used a light machine oil in a needle luber and oiled it and it's quiet now, but first time I next have the stove moved out, gonna use your swap technique, I have a file of your pics and description waiting.

Judging by how she's running right now, I think my biggest issue was not cleaning the flu often enough. I got it figured out though, a quick easy opening clean out cap and that hurricane / tornado like leaf blower / vacuum.

I remember getting good Hamer's pellets for $2.50 a 40lb. bag. Guy who got me started with Pellets sold them (and Whitfield stoves), he told me about the dealer he knew with the VC stove, He thought I might get a decent deal on it, but I got 50% off just for walking in the door.