Hi -- and help! I started a fire the other night, the blower had not yet switched on.. but something sparked (by the rheostat) and the circuit breaker was tripped. I reset the breaker, but did not unplug the blower assembly, feed the fire... the blower did not switch on. Did I blow just the rheostat? I hope so. But --- how does the bottom lattice come off of the stove in order to access the blower, rheostat and snap disc? This stove was installed in 2017 by the prior owner of my house. I've called the installer -- he doesn't remember how to remove the bottom lattice. Can anyone help solve this mystery? I would be so grateful!
VC Merrimack Blower problem
- Thread starter mociun
- Start date
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Did the previous homeowner leave the install manual? If so, look for a separate sheet with the surround installation procedure.
VC Merrimack. It takes removing the ashlip.
Remove the two (2) side louvre (or access) doors under the ashlip.
Remove the screw and washer from each side holding the ashlip to the front.
Remove the two (2) screws holding the rheostat bracket to the fan housing.
Remove the two (2) side louvre (or access) doors under the ashlip.
Remove the screw and washer from each side holding the ashlip to the front.
Remove the two (2) screws holding the rheostat bracket to the fan housing.
There is a manual, but there are no instructions as to how to pull out the lattice front. The diagram is vague.
Hi and thank you - should the whole unit slide out? I have removed the four screws.. but the lattice still won't budge.
![[Hearth.com] VC Merrimack Blower problem](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/309/309816-073572718d9981ae40cfa9bfe095b8a3.jpg?hash=pPg0XdRIQb "[Hearth.com] VC Merrimack Blower problem")
Are there any other Merrimack stove owners on the forum who can confirm that the lattice should pull straight out (once the screws are removed)? We will need to demo the slate if that is the case. But before cutting into it - I’d like to be sure that demoing is our only option for blower access. Thank you!
It looks like they tiled after it was installed, and the ash lip is jammed in there. I've got the montpelier. My stove sits down a bit inside the fireplace. When I want to remove the blowers, I have to use a small crowbar, grab a corner of the stove on either side, hike it up a bit and put shims under the leveling bolts. From the pic it looks like you're able to take off those 2 side panels. Any access there? Maybe take the surround off (heavy, but should lift off), and try to rock the top of the stove into the fire place? You wont need much. Another person can stick some shims underneath. Perhaps (again, surround off) you can just push the whole unit into the fireplace a bit to give relief. There's usually some play.
Take a look at the manual. It doesn't mention removing the ash lip, but it does talk to mounting everything during the installation. Maybe that'll help.
Take a look at the manual. It doesn't mention removing the ash lip, but it does talk to mounting everything during the installation. Maybe that'll help.
Thank you for the idea! Yes they tiled after it was installed. I’m guessing the blower has never been cleaned - from what we can see.
I’m afraid the slate will need to be removed. I see no other way to access the blower assembly - sad to say.
Here’s the vermont castings blower wiring diagram for merrimack and Montpelier inserts. Conveniently located on the back of the blower. 😑
![[Hearth.com] VC Merrimack Blower problem](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/310/310109-8eb6fb4968c5bf38e2f08ebfeafb446e.jpg?hash=yG2cGw51-h "[Hearth.com] VC Merrimack Blower problem")
![[Hearth.com] VC Merrimack Blower problem](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/310/310114-fea40871e1cf3f48de40721e0a0485b1.jpg?hash=D3XKtBDycH "[Hearth.com] VC Merrimack Blower problem")
It was an absolute mess… we made a tent for the slate cutting. Used a handheld cutter with a diamond. Then chiseled out the 6 pieces of cut slate.
And now, a fire, a blower, a warm evening inside - a cold and chilly night outside…
The rheostat was fried. I bought a new rheostat and snapstat from Mountain View Hearth Products in Columbia Falls, MT (406-272-9850). Remodeled the slate and cleaned and replaced parts.
Thank you to you all for ideas and input - this forum was so helpful!
![[Hearth.com] VC Merrimack Blower problem](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/310/310140-92574fa07cad9d087e5e7ae38bd61c01.jpg?hash=BnuGSDn12O "[Hearth.com] VC Merrimack Blower problem")
The rheostat was fried. I bought a new rheostat and snapstat from Mountain View Hearth Products in Columbia Falls, MT (406-272-9850). Remodeled the slate and cleaned and replaced parts.
Thank you to you all for ideas and input - this forum was so helpful!
The fan was very dirty. The prior owners also routed the electrical cord in such a way that it cannot be removed without removing the façade from the fireplace. 😑
I worked with a short cord. But the good news is the fan works!
I worked with a short cord. But the good news is the fan works!
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