Quad Mt Vernon (non Ae) problem

[martya66]

Hello I'm new here and brand new to pellet stoves. I've searched the forum and can't seem to find anything regarding my problem.

I bought a used stove and installed it yesterday. I have thermostat installed and the stove started as I expected it would. However when I adjust the control knob on the side I notice no difference. Feed rate stays the same and fan stays the same. Based on consumption of pellets and how loud the fan is I figure it is stuck in Quad.

Any suggestions for this Noob?

 

[Bkins]

I would take the switch out and put a meter on it to see if it's working. The only other thing is the control box. The has been some talk of the wiring connector on the box not being seated correctly. Some stoves suffered from this, most didn't.

Did you try the stove before you bought it?

Quad on these stoves is really high and it will go through a bag of pellets really quick on Quad. The stove should be started on Quad for a cold stove startup.

I would take off the thermostat until you get the stove sorted, actually start with this first. You can jumper the thermo hookup to have the stove run by itself. What kind of thermostat do you have on it?

 

[martya66]

I would take the switch out and put a meter on it to see if it's working. The only other thing is the control box. The has been some talk of the wiring connector on the box not being seated correctly. Some stoves suffered from this, most didn't.

Did you try the stove before you bought it?

Quad on these stoves is really high and it will go through a bag of pellets really quick on Quad. The stove should be started on Quad for a cold stove startup.

I would take off the thermostat until you get the stove sorted, actually start with this first. You can jumper the thermo hookup to have the stove run by itself. What kind of thermostat do you have on it?

I plan to take the switch out tomorrow and test it to see if that is the problem. I did see the stove work but not really knowing what to look for exactly (and the fact that I trust people too easily!) it appeared to work correctly. Guess I should have played with the switch to make sure that it functioned properly. Shame on me!!

I originally used a jumper but when the stove didn't seem to respond to the control knob I hooked up the thermostat to see if that made a difference. The t-stat is Lux PSP511 with the Quadra Fire logo on it. This does seem to properly turn the stove off and on as it should.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I should notice a big difference between low and Quad, correct?

 

[tractorman100]

Yes, you will hear a difference. Very noticable.
I cant believe the stat is a problem. It's just an on off switch.
My first thought would be the quad switch. But I've never had a problem with my quad switch. Do you feel it clicking between the speeds?

 

[Bkins]

Very big difference between Quad and the low setting. I only mention to take the thermostat out to eliminate one thing.

Switches do go bad and for your sake I hope that is all it is. Control boxes are expensive.

 

[tractorman100]

(broken link removed to http://www.stove-parts-unlimited.com/Mt-Vernon-4-Position-Switch-Heat-Output-Control-p/7000-128.htm)

You may try your local supplier.

 

[martya66]

As far as I know the tstat is fine.

The switch is definitely "clicking" between speeds.

I will shut down the stove this morning and take the switch out and test it. I'll let you know what I find out. I too hope its only the switch!

 

[martya66]

Ok so the switch is working fine. When I first start the stove and I change the knob position there is a definite difference in the feed rate and exhaust fan (?). Once the stove heats up and the convection fan comes on its very loud. I thought the stove would be quieter and that if I changed the heat knob it would also change the speed of the convection fan. Is the convection fan only one speed? How loud is it normally? I would say mine sounds like a box fan on medium. Could my convection fan be on its way out?

 

[SwineFlue]

Ok so the switch is working fine. When I first start the stove and I change the knob position there is a definite difference in the feed rate and exhaust fan (?). Once the stove heats up and the convection fan comes on its very loud. I thought the stove would be quieter and that if I changed the heat knob it would also change the speed of the convection fan. Is the convection fan only one speed? How loud is it normally? I would say mine sounds like a box fan on medium. Could my convection fan be on its way out?

It should operate like the other Quads -- the heat level adjusts feed rate, exhaust blower, and convection blower. The convection blower should have a significant difference between settings. When you say it is loud, is it airflow or are you hearing a noisy motor? How much air is coming out? .

If it's running too slow, it's probably the blower. But the only way it could be running "too fast" would be for the control box to be providing it too much voltage for the selected heat setting. Measure the voltage at the blower, see if it changes with heat setting.

A real long-shot: Look for non-factory looking wiring to snap disc #1... maybe the previous owner hot-wired the blower to run on high all the time.

 

[martya66]

Some of the noise is air flow, but I definitely feel like the fan motor is louder than it should be. The airflow coming out is as I would expect if it were on high. Unfortunately I have nothing to compare it to. I bought a used cheap Charlie (pelpro) Franklin 120 for the basement and when it's on high I would say it is considerably quieter. But this may be comparing apples to oranges, idk!

I don't have time today but I am planning to take the panels off and take a look at things and test the blower as you say. And look at the snap disc.

Here's to hoping that it's not the control box $$$! I guess that's the chance you take buying used!

 

[martya66]

A real long-shot: Look for non-factory looking wiring to snap disc #1... maybe the previous owner hot-wired the blower to run on high all the time.

So I finally got around to checking out the stove. I do think the fan is on its way out. I think the majority of the noise is coming from the bearings. But aside from that the issue of the convection fan not changing speed is still an issue. I tried to insert the pic but I can only upload it (maybe I am missing something) I pointed out what I found which looks like a jumper or something. It was wrapped in elec. tape so I figure it probably isn't factory. However it looks like it goes to Snap disc #2.

Also on these fans you can't just replace the bearings can you?

Thoughts?

 

[SwineFlue]

As best I can tell in your pic, the near snap disk is #1 (and looks OK) for the convection fan; the other one is #2 (orange wire and possibly a reset button on it) for the auger. I think you are pointing to the capacitor for the auger motor.

 

[martya66]

ok, I just wasn't sure. Like I said it was wrapped pretty messy with elec. tape, not like I would expect if it was factory. Then again I can't imagine the factory using elec. tape that way!

But I guess for now I just let it be. At least it's heating the house.

Thanks!