Upgrading Mt Vernon AE 2008 for Dummies

[sweetczz]

I bought a 2008 Dealer Display Model Quadrafire Mt Vernon AE last year. This year I had a new Chimney put in for it, set it up and had someone start it up. I ran out of pellets in the feeder. So the min pot comes on, I put more pellets in and all is good. So I thought. From that point forward, min pot comes on all the time. I'm tired of restarting/resetting this dinosaur. It heated well when it worked, now it heats to a few degrees higher and kicks off without heating to the correct temp - about 25 degs higher.

I realize the TC, Firepot, starter and sometimes the thermostat can be problems. I've heard that if the TC cap is not on properly, that, too can cause problems. That being said, I'm not very mechanically inclined but I do learn well from you tube and good pictures.

I'd like to know if anyone has the same year stove as me, would they be kind enough to show me some pictures distant to close up of where the TC is located/cover?

Also, to disassemble the firepot, I'm told to lube the area first, but I'm not exactly sure where u are disassembling it to put the new one on. Any pics or you tube demos would be awesome. I'd need a zoom in/out to show where in the stove it is and slowly zoom into the part. Some demos go straight to the part and I'm like where the heck is it???? A general closeup does no good. I need a good location and zoom in.
The same is needed with the starter. These are the main components that cause all kinds of problems with the old 2008 AE.

A step by step picture slide show or you tube demo would be awesome. Remember, if you are starting from a closeup picture, you've lost me already. I need to visually see where you are going to the part, followed by the closeup. Repairs here are going for 250 an hour and they WANT to start with the inspection first, regardless that this stove has barely run a week. Alternatively, if you live in York PA, you could show me in person!

Thanks.

 

[kappel15]

The firepot thermocouple is the wire going to your firepot. The firepot thermocouple is the ceramic cover that covers the end of it, that is sticking in the firepot on top. It should stick into pot are an inch. For right now, I would not worry about the firepot. Only thing to look at is take a mirror and a flashlight and look inside firepot to make sure all holes are clear for airflow. There are holes in the sides, and in the pot floor. There is also a slit in the bottom front of firepot. This is where the heated air comes in from igniter to ignite fuel. Make sure it is not blocked with a pc. of clinker. If you pull the ashpan, you can see the bottom of the firepot, and the igniter housing, with the igniter in it. Loosen wing nut and slide igniter out and clean out housing to make sure there is no blockage there. And as I posted before, make sure your set on the right fuel table for the fuel you are burning. You also may need to adjust your flame height(feed rate) to improve ignition. And if you go to Quads website they should have some videos on the AE. And make sure you have an owners manual. There is a lot of info in there that will help you understand your stove. If you don't have one, download one from Quads website. It would be a lot easier to help you with your stove if you have read a manual. kap

 

[alternativeheat]

The general maintenance, cleaning of AE video, includes the fire pot, shows the igniter and shows the pot holes that need to be clear. See here:
<iframe width="1016" height="456" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GB9zJFxsAv0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[sweetczz]

The firepot thermocouple is the wire going to your firepot. The firepot thermocouple is the ceramic cover that covers the end of it, that is sticking in the firepot on top. It should stick into pot are an inch. For right now, I would not worry about the firepot. Only thing to look at is take a mirror and a flashlight and look inside firepot to make sure all holes are clear for airflow. There are holes in the sides, and in the pot floor. There is also a slit in the bottom front of firepot. This is where the heated air comes in from igniter to ignite fuel. Make sure it is not blocked with a pc. of clinker. If you pull the ashpan, you can see the bottom of the firepot, and the igniter housing, with the igniter in it. Loosen wing nut and slide igniter out and clean out housing to make sure there is no blockage there. And as I posted before, make sure your set on the right fuel table for the fuel you are burning. You also may need to adjust your flame height(feed rate) to improve ignition. And if you go to Quads website they should have some videos on the AE. And make sure you have an owners manual. There is a lot of info in there that will help you understand your stove. If you don't have one, download one from Quads website. It would be a lot easier to help you with your stove if you have read a manual. kap

I read the old manual. I've found the Thermocouple and I wrapped it Aluminum foil. It no longer slides out of the ceramic cover. Burned great almost a full day. Then my son turned down the heat and it went back to min firepot. I vacuumed everything, made sure Thermocouple was snug and felt around inside the pot randomly and found the holes mentioned. I didn't realize thete were so many slits or holes. I might have knocked a clinker outt. I wen back to the thermostat and the message was cleared. I will buy a good flash light and keep a cosmetic mirror as part of my quad repair box. This was new info so thank you guys. The YouTube videos I saw didn't talk about slits n holes. I'm deaf so I need captions to know that is going on.

 

[kappel15]

Sounds like you are zeroing in on your issues. I keep a small mirror and flashlight in my Quad tool box. Sometimes a small klinker can block that slit for the igniter, slowing down the startup process, giving you that min. firepot error. There is only so much time allowed for proof of fire, or stove will shut down with that error code. And if the thermocouple was sliding out of cover, that well could be your issue also. Time will tell. Are you burning corn or pellets? Stay warm. kap

 

[sweetczz]

Sounds like you are zeroing in on your issues. Kap

Kap I'm burning pellets.. I fixed the thermocouple issue of it sliding out of the ceramic cover by wrapping aluminum around the couple and then pushing it in as far as it would go. I put a black line on the couple outside the cover so if it slips I can tell by where the line is. Another time I stuck my hand under the pellet hood and felt for the sensor, swiped it to clean it n shut the hood. It burned well almost a day. Min firepot popped on. Feeling around the pot seemed to resolve okay issue. It's been running since 9 am and about to break a record. I got my fingers crossed! KAP, did you used to burn coal, too?

 

[Harvey Schneider]

Kap I'm burning pellets.. I fixed the thermocouple issue of it sliding out of the ceramic cover by wrapping aluminum around the couple and then pushing it in as far as it would go. I put a black line on the couple outside the cover so if it slips I can tell by where the line is. Another time I stuck my hand under the pellet hood and felt for the sensor, swiped it to clean it n shut the hood. It burned well almost a day. Min firepot popped on. Feeling around the pot seemed to resolve okay issue. It's been running since 9 am and about to break a record. I got my fingers crossed! KAP, did you used to burn coal, too?

Wrapping the thermocouple with any conductive material is a bad idea. It can corrupt the signal level and cause incorrect temperature measurements. The thermocouple is quite rigid and the cover is locked down with a strap and screw. There shouldn't be any sliding out.
I have been running my Mt Vernon AE for over four years and the first time I had to touch the thermocouple was this fall. The ceramic was beginning to break down so I installed a new one. Nothing needed but a screwdriver.

 

[kappel15]

No. Never burnt coal. As Harvey stated, you need to figure out your thermocouple and cover, so they stay in place. Sometimes those clips can get loose. Just need to bend em a bit to clamp down again. kap

 

[sweetczz]

Wrapping the thermocouple with any conductive material is a bad idea. It can corrupt the signal level and cause incorrect temperature measurements. .

I think I've resolved the hopper icon issue. Minpot has not happened again since I wrapped the thermocouple with foil. You might be right about the heat output being reduced. It seems to be about 5 degrees less than it should. I will watch the weather (it's currently 25 degrees out F) and see if that is a factor as well. It doesn't slip out any more, and I have no reason as to why it didn't seem to stay put before. But, I was well aware that the couple needed to be in contact with the ceramic cover all the way to the back or it would Min FirePot. Giving the rare non stop burn a chance to see how well it runs or doesn't.

 

[kappel15]

The tcouple could be going bad too. Sometimes if the wires are bent too much, it cracks the insulation on the wires and it can act up too. Just other things to think of, kap

 

[sweetczz]

Wrapping the thermocouple with any conductive material is a bad idea. It can corrupt the signal level and cause incorrect temperature measurements. The thermocouple is quite rigid and the cover is locked down with a strap and screw. There shouldn't be any sliding out.
I have been running my Mt Vernon AE for over four years and the first time I had to touch the thermocouple was this fall. The ceramic was beginning to break down so I installed a new one. Nothing needed but a screwdriver.

I do have a thermocouple hare and spare. I saw how easy it was to replace the ceramic lid. Not sure about the thermocouple itself. At least I know the location and I have seen how it runs through the stove. I think I could possibly follow the line, disconnect and reconnect the new TC if need be, run the new part up to existing TC and replace it (how I did spark plugs when I was younger in the good old days when cars were easier to fix).
I will certainly heed your advice on the aluminum part if it breaks down. I am using the old 2008 TC and expect it to be replaced anyway.

Meanwhile, until I cross that bridge, these forums are educating me well. Now I could use a little advice on why my comfort level would be set at 79 degrees hold with the following settings, and yet the stove shuts down at 72 degrees instead of 77 or 78 degrees:

Manual Setting, Fuel type Utility
User Settings: Temp Unit F, Flame height +2
Temp differential 2.0
Temp Cal 1
Elevation Normal
Blower Speed Normal
Properties:
WC: 49h UFTI 001
SC: 75h Rev 020
CB: 20h TC1
CV: 20h

(What does all that mean anyway?)

 

[sweetczz]

The tcouple could be going bad too. Sometimes if the wires are bent too much, it cracks the insulation on the wires and it can act up too. Just other things to think of, kap

Only been used a few times - doesn't seem to be dry rotted - so far fires are burning well, long as long as I don't open the hopper

 

[kappel15]

You may have to put another temp gauge in room and see if your wall control temp is off. May have to recalibrate it. My AE is one of the originals, an 06. It still has the original tcouple in it. You should of gotten the owners manual and wall control manual with the stove. It will tell you all about the above info. Too much to type and explain. lol kap

 

[kappel15]

And the external cover on the tcouple wires can look good. I'm talkin about the cover on the wires themselves. kap

 

[Lake Girl]

I don't open the hopper

Is there a hopper lid switch on this? I know mine was not contacting well and I had to bend the "arm" so it would reach farther forward to contact the strike on the actual lid.

 

[Harvey Schneider]

Is there a hopper lid switch on this? I know mine was not contacting well and I had to bend the "arm" so it would reach farther forward to contact the strike on the actual lid.

That happens when you overfill the hopper and the magnet on the bottom of the lid pushes down on the pellets above the lid sensor (magnetic switch). The sensor bracket bends down and is then too far from the magnet. Simply pull up on the sensor bracket until it is level again.
When I fill the hopper, I always brush away any pellets that are on top of the sensor before I close the lid.

 

[Lake Girl]

I generally take pains to make sure pellets are away from the switch area with mine. The comment above that caught me was problems occur every time they open the hopper lid ....

 

[sweetczz]

Hello all! It's almost 2018 and my stove is still kicking! It still does an occasional minpot so today I experimented with adding the flame height a plus 1. I am learning to do a lot of my own maintenance. When the maintenance tech comes this summer, I'm hoping he'll install special pipes that allow me to do more soot cleaning on my own. Also, I'm going to have him show me how to clean other areas that I'm not sure how.

Originally, I tried to use aluminum foil with my thermocouple. Someone said it was a bad idea so I revisited the issue. Upon careful inspection, I discovered that the "rod" that goes into the thermocouple was not all the way in, and thus was constantly getting loose every time the ignition started.

I was able to press into place the thermocouple with a little extra pressure, and I could feel that it slid in properly this time. There was no need for any more aluminum foil.

Next, I was able to tighten the housing around the TC to keep it in place. I keep the inside stove vacuumed every time I add pellets, and I automatically clean the drawer anytime I get the minpot and I know it's not a pellet issue. I generally have plenty of pellets.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that setting the flame up one more degree will resolve the all too common minpot. Meanwhile, I continue to enjoy the warmth of my stove and the long operation of it when minpot isn't haunting me.

Have there been any new software upgrades this year, does anyone know? Happy Holidays!

 

[kappel15]

Something that can happen too for minfpt, is not getting a fire fast enough. wouldn't hurt to use a mirror and flashlight, and look down at bottom front of pot at igniter slit, to make sure it is clear of any clinker chunks. Also, sometimes the igniter housing can get some ash in it.slowing down ignition also.Haven't heard of any new upgrades, except for fuel tables. And they would have to be downloaded onto stove by a dealer. Stay warm. kap

 

[sweetczz]

Something that can happen too for minfpt, is not getting a fire fast enough. wouldn't hurt to use a mirror and flashlight, and look down at bottom front of pot at igniter slit, to make sure it is clear of any clinker chunks. Also, sometimes the igniter housing can get some ash in it.slowing down ignition also.Haven't heard of any new upgrades, except for fuel tables. And they would have to be downloaded onto stove by a dealer. Stay warm. kap

Thanks for the new refreshing information. I will also try these ideas. Normally I do try to check the inner pot. I do keep a mirror handy (from previous suggestions) and my stove came with a nice flat probe that I use for piercing holes in the pot if needed. I hadn't thought to check the couple for cleaning the inside of the porcelain casing.

Another suggestion, try cleaning the baffle and slots with baby bottle nipples or pipe cleaners for the pot slot to clean excess ash (around the porcelain cap as well).

In the meantime, I have discovered that just unplugging the back of the stove and replugging it (no waiting required) seems to keep the fires running nicely for a longer time without fighting minpot constantly. So far, it minpots when it actually is out of pellets, then I just add pellets, and I'm good to go. But for those of you who have tried everything else to stop minpot, try just unplugging the back and replugging. I presume it resets the thermostat and clears something like the Cashe on a computer?