Replacing thermostat on Intrepid I 1302 wood stove

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Keithj9835

New Member
Sep 21, 2017
3
Hampstead, Maryland
i need to replace the thermostat assembly on my Vermont Castings Intrepid I wood stove, but I cannot figure out how to remove the old one so I can replace it. I have looked inside the stove to see if it is attached with a nut, but it is not. I have turned the handle back and forth and pulled on it, but it will not come out. How can I remove the old thermostat assembly? Thanks for any help you can give me.
 
So after removing the thermos. cover by backing out the screw just below the thermostat lever, one simply bends the thermos. lever to straighten it so that the cover slides off more easily. Then, pop out the hinge pin on the "flapper" so it is free. Next, thread the thermostat assy. out (counter clockwise) and voila! You may need to further straighten the thermos. lever so it clears the stove body, but it just unscrews.
 
So after removing the thermos. cover by backing out the screw just below the thermostat lever, one simply bends the thermos. lever to straighten it so that the cover slides off more easily. Then, pop out the hinge pin on the "flapper" so it is free. Next, thread the thermostat assy. out (counter clockwise) and voila! You may need to further straighten the thermos. lever so it clears the stove body, but it just unscrews.
Thanks, that worked!
 
So after removing the thermos. cover by backing out the screw just below the thermostat lever, one simply bends the thermos. lever to straighten it so that the cover slides off more easily. Then, pop out the hinge pin on the "flapper" so it is free. Next, thread the thermostat assy. out (counter clockwise) and voila! You may need to further straighten the thermos. lever so it clears the stove body, but it just unscrews.
One more question. Since I have to straighten out the new one to get it to screw in clockwise, how do I bend it back into shape after installation without the threaded end breaking off in the stove?
 
i've always started drilling. start with the smallest bit and just keep going larger one bit at a time. when you get close to the size that it is it will either start coming out or retap once you get to the size needed. then use a little never seize before putting it back together
 
Bought a house with the Intrepid I 1302... I am currently refurbing a few things on it, one being the thermostat assembly. I had to order a new one obviously, also the cover that was missing (and screw). It seems pretty simple, thread in, push cover over, and I read bend handle. Also see the "fan chain" will attach to the flapper door. Is it that easy? How do I "set" it, chain tight but not opening the door when the stove is cold? Looking for some help, thanks!
 
One more question. Since I have to straighten out the new one to get it to screw in clockwise, how do I bend it back into shape after installation without the threaded end breaking off in the stove?
I also had a problem with the lever breaking off when trying to bend it back into position. The manufacturer has a 2 page set of installation instructions, but they also just say to bend it. The lever seems to be made of 3/16 in steel rod, which I imagine must lead to a lot of broken levers when following those instructions.

After experimenting a bit -- the best solution I came up with was to take a flat piece of metal with a hole in it, and position that around the lever and between the cover, to shift the pivot point into the middle of the lever. Then you can apply the force you need to bend it, without it snapping off.
 

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