VC Montpelier II - Air Control

[log-jammer]

This past spring I had the subject wood insert installed and for the life of me, I cannot get a draft started. It's a brand new liner and wood insert; my wood is 20% or lower according to my moisture reading tool.

The ACC does tick, so it seems like it's working, however, I don't hear the damper opening. Also, the ACC - when you look at it, it's super loose, like there are 2 screws behind it to the right of the blower that is hard to get at, are those supposed to be loose? I found a YouTube video and a guy who had the same issue and I'm not sure if it was resolved (

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).

Thanks in advance.

 

[begreen]

Draft can be sluggish if the liner is <15', or crimped, and the outside temps are mild.

What was the outside temp? Describe the starup procedure. Have you tried at top-dpwn start?

Where is the insert located in relation to the house, basement, first floor, or second floor?

 

[log-jammer]

The insert is located on the first-floor via a masonry chimney and the over liner is approximately 18' high. I do believe that there is a crimp (I'm assuming that means a bend in the liner from the insert that goes up into the chimney.

I've attempted to fire it up in cold temps (teens, 20s) and mild (50s) and no luck.

I have NOT attempted a top-down start. Once the weather gets colder (it's in the 50s-60s) now I'll give that a try. Thank you.

 

[begreen]

It sounds like the liner needs an inspection with a camera. It could be kinked or if 2ply, it may be delaminating.

 

[vbu]

I have the same insert as you have (quadra fire, but it's the same). I have about 21 ft of liner, and I've never had issues with it not drafting, in contrary. Mine is almost like a rocket stove, and there's nothing I can do about it.

Run a camera up the chimney and see what's going on. You can use a cheap borescope/endoscope camera off amazon that you hook up to a laptop. That's how I inspected mine yesterday

 

[GrumpyDad]

I have the same insert as you have (quadra fire, but it's the same). I have about 21 ft of liner, and I've never had issues with it not drafting, in contrary. Mine is almost like a rocket stove, and there's nothing I can do about it.

Run a camera up the chimney and see what's going on. You can use a cheap borescope/endoscope camera off amazon that you hook up to a laptop. That's how I inspected mine yesterday

Could you block the air intake a bit?

 

[vbu]

Could you block the air intake a bit?

I wouldn't know how

 

[z28dz]

This past spring I had the subject wood insert installed and for the life of me, I cannot get a draft started. It's a brand new liner and wood insert; my wood is 20% or lower according to my moisture reading tool.

The ACC does tick, so it seems like it's working, however, I don't hear the damper opening. Also, the ACC - when you look at it, it's super loose, like there are 2 screws behind it to the right of the blower that is hard to get at, are those supposed to be loose? I found a YouTube video and a guy who had the same issue and I'm not sure if it was resolved (

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).

Thanks in advance.

To answer your question, yes those screws for the ACC will be very loose. The knob just pushes a mechanical timer and the actuating rod needs to be loose so the timer can push it back as the timer winds down. I don't know how to increase your draft.