Vermont Castings Radiance model 2600 b-vent thermostat issue

[rwh63]

this is a related question to one concerning the thermocouple. this stove can be operated with either an on/off rocker switch, or with a thermostat (not both at the same time). i have it responding to the rocker, but cannot get the gas valve to respond to a thermostat (tried three so far). educated guesses as to why? should i try another millivolt thermostat wire?

 

[DAKSY]

Are all the t-stats the millivolt type? Have you tried jumping the t-stat wires together to make sure they are not compromised?

 

[rwh63]

i've used these types before with the stove: mercury dial, battery powered digital. i don't imagine that the wiring goes bad , except for breakage. i'll try to get hold of some fresh wire section and test with that. i believe the wire currently being used was from the original install in '96.

 

[rwh63]

jumping wires. is that just touching them to trip the valve manually? the valve is a shaw model 710-503.

and here is an example of a common occurance with the thermostat, and sometimes the rocker. i turned the stove off for a little while. went to turn it on with rocker, no action. used a wrench to tap under the valve body, and the gas went on.

 

[rwh63]

update: again, let stove cool. put on rocker, nothing. tried to move thermocouple more into flame, nothing (couple body too hot to touch, so definitely getting the flame). tapped underside of valve body, opened up and gas flowed and ignited.

 

[rwh63]

update: cajoled a free "warranty" replacement valve and propane regulator out of Robert Shaw. got it installed for $390(!). Stove back to working normally. Shaw says the valve should not be failing in several years, as does installer. no idea why it is.