Quadrafire Mt Vernon not AE

[fnolteiii]

Morning all,

started Thanksgiving with high expectations for getting my MV back online. I’m having issues with the pellet feed stopping after initial startup. I’ve read the forums and cleaned it up extremely well. I thought my thermocouple was the culprit but having replaced it last night, I’m still having the same issue. Vacuum hoses and nipples are ok. Auger turns and feeds properly during startup but after the initi dump, t continues to feed right up to the blower fan coming on. Then the auger stops feeding. ive reset snap discs that can be reset. Any suggestions on what to look for next? I certainly appreciate anything you can suggest. Happy Thanksgiving.

 

[Overfireinthehole]

Try bypassing the vacuum switch and see if it still does it. If you you’ve got a clog or a leak

 

[fnolteiii]

Try bypassing the vacuum switch and see if it still does it. If you you’ve got a clog or a leak

So I can just unplug the power to the vacuum switch Or plug the vacuum lines?

 

[fnolteiii]

Update:
its running now but I don’t know why. I have to know that its safe to use. I’m home today so I’ll keep an eye on it.

 

[kappel15]

OFH meant to jump the vac wires together, with a jumper wire, thus bypassing the vac switch to see if there was issues. kap

 

[fnolteiii]

Roger that, sorry for the stupidity, I’ll try that, thanks Kap!

 

[kappel15]

And be careful not to ground the wires on the stove, or you will have problems. kap

 

[Overfireinthehole]

Usually the stance I take is if you don’t understand what bypassing a switch means you probably shouldn’t try because your likely going to short something out and make matters worse.

 

[fnolteiii]

Latest ***
worked normally since Thanksgiving then I shut it down last night for a cleaning. Now auger doesn’t feed at all. I emptied the hopper and vacuumed out the dust. When it calls for heat, no auger movement in either direction. Snap disc #2 or auger motor? I’m fine jumping out switches btw. Suggestions please?

 

[kappel15]

First vac switch to see if auger runs, then #2 disc. And if you can see if you hear auger motor running, feel behind auger motor and see if shaft is turning backwards or not. kap

 

[fnolteiii]

I have an empty hopper and can see that the auger is stationary. I’ll jump vac switch and see if auger moves. if it does, then I’ll jump snap disc #2. Thanks again KAP.

 

[fnolteiii]

Jumped out VAC switch and auger is turning. Is there anything I should do further with the VAC switch or just replace it?

 

[fnolteiii]

$33 on Amazon & free shipping. Since my stove is from 2006, I’ll get a new vacuum switch unless you want me to try another approach?
SRV7000-531 But I’m seeing a universal quadrafire replacement vacuum switch... not an OEM

 

[ARC]

Jumped out VAC switch and auger is turning. Is there anything I should do further with the VAC switch or just replace it?

Check rubber hose that goes from vac switch to stove see if it is plugged or cracked, also check door gasket to see if it is tight. Stick a dollar bill or piece of paper between door seal and stove close door and see if you can pull it out. Do that all the way around the door.

 

[fnolteiii]

appreciate the suggestion!

 

[ARC]

Jumping the vac switch just let you know it is a vacuum problem, lost of vacuum because the door seal, hopper seal, hose plugged or cracked or a bad switch.

 

[fnolteiii]

Door seal is tight as a frogs butt. Hose removed and appears crack free, nothing inside the hose. Bad switch? Interesting trick with the dollar bill. I also inserted paper clip straightened out into both nipples, just to be thorough. Plugged vac switch in and no auger movement.

 

[kappel15]

There's no seal on the hopper that would affect this. Another thing to check is the nipple the hose attaches to on auger tube. Poke a pc. of firm wire thru it to make sure it is clear. Also make sure exhaust path is clear. From stove thru exhaust pipe. If all things check out, then it is time for a new vac switch. kap

 

[fnolteiii]

There's no seal on the hopper that would affect this. Another thing to check is the nipple the hose attaches to on auger tube. Poke a pc. of firm wire thru it to make sure it is clear. Also make sure exhaust path is clear. From stove thru exhaust pipe. If all things check out, then it is time for a new vac switch. kap

I did insert paper clip into the nipple. Exhaust path has been cleaned and reemed with vent brush thoroughly. I’m just going to order a vacuum switch and keep my fingers crossed. Thanks again to all for your suggestions. I really appreciate the help!

 

[kappel15]

And I would get that owners manual downloaded. kap

 

[kappel15]

Read some of your posts I missed. If hopper is empty, you loose vacuum. kap

 

[Overfireinthehole]

Check the two exhaust ports at the bottom of your firebox. Maybe you dropped some ash into those when cleaning

 

[Gopher69]

Not to get off-track, and excuse my lack of knowledge, as I'm a newbie pellet stove owner,
but is the 'thermocouple', actually the same as the 'ignitor' ?

Also... what is the need for the thermocouple 'cover' ?

Thanks !

 

[kappel15]

The igniter is what heats up and starts the fuel on fire. The thermocouple is what senses the heat of the fire and signals the stove. The cover protects the thermocouple itself from the flames, making it last longer. If you have a stove, and not a manual, I would get one to help you know your stove and how it operates. kap