VC Resolute Acclaim

[f14tomcat5]

I am brand new to the forum and have been doing some research for the past few weeks on an older (circa '92) Resolute Acclaim wood stove that came in a house I purchased a few years ago. The previous owners did not use the stove often, and I only average 6-8 fires a year in the stove. The arches in the back of the stove are warped and need to be replaces along with the combustion package, as it appears to be disintegrating. I also noticed that burn times are nowhere near the spec'd time and the right side panel seems to be separating from the stove which I'm assuming is letting air leak into the stove.

I am new to the wood stove world, but do have a strong mechanical ability. I am not sure if it is worth purchasing all new parts and gaskets and completely pulling the stove apart, of if I should just replace the stove. I have noticed from the posts on this forum that VC stoves have some problems and that older models are difficult to get parts for, and they are often expensive.

Does anyone have a rebuild manual for a resolute acclaim, I think it is a model 0041, single door, side hinge, bottom shaker grate?

Also, any recommendations for repair vs. replacement ?

 

[fbelec]

welcome to the forum. i am not to familiar with the insides of your stove but have rebuilt my defiant. at this point you have nothing to lose. the stove sounds like it is getting to hot and maybe unsafe to burn. now that the better weather is around the corner maybe you should take the stove out to the garage or basement and disassemble it and add up the prices of what it needs. you might find it adds up to a used stove or half the price of a new one. i to am in that spot. my defiant needs 500 worth of parts and can't see doing it. i have had good luck at (broken link removed)

 

[Sturla Snorrison]

I had one of these for about 15 years, and from what I gather the problems you mention are considered "standard maintenance." The firebricks and combustion chamber have to be replaced every few years. This can add up to several hundred dollars every few years. This, in addition to the fact that I found the firebox a little on the small side, made me choose not to continue to maintain this stove. I generally found the quality of workmanship in mine to be sorely lacking. The damper mechanism cracking and falling apart was the last straw. It just wasn't the workhorse I needed it to be, burning 24/7 four months per year. I have switched out to first generation Vermont Castings products and I am thrilled with the results compared to the Resolute Acclaim. I am sure there are many other satisfactory replacements out there as well, but being from Vermont and having fond memories of the original buzz surrounding VC in the late 70s and early 80s, my Defiant and Vigilant, in addition to keeping my home toasty, bring me back to the old days. Bottom line- the Resolute Acclaim required too much expensive maintenance for me and I am quite sure that there are better, cheaper, and more reliable stoves out there. I have heard really good things about the newer Jotul Black Bears, for example. IMHO- Resolute Acclaim suxxors.

 

[begreen]

The Acclaim is what started the bad reputation for VC. It's predecessor, the Resolute was a great stove. It was an expensive maintenance nightmare for customers. I would get rid of the stove for a cheap price and get a good quality new stove so that your introduction to wood burning is a good experience. If you decide to go this route start a new thread in the main forum that describes the house, stove location and heating needs.

 

[kennyp2339]

Craigslist it