Vermont Castings Vigilant Manuals Available

[Vigilant79]

Hi All,

Just thought I'd share the VC Vigilant Operations Manual, Installation Manual, Parts List and Service/Rebuild Manual (generously provided by Kenster).

So if anyone needs any, or all, of these please let me know.


Enjoy all !!

 

[awglx]

Would you send me a parts list and rebuild manual? I have the operations and owners. I just acquired a 1977 vigilant in great shape and cant wait to have a real wood stove again. I grew up with wood stoves and had a Harman pellet stove for the past few years.
Thanks,
Adam
Hey I just noticed you are in ct also.

 

[Vigilant79]

Hi Adam, sure thing, send me your email address and I'll get it out to you. Enjoy the Vigilant, mine is 33 years old and now that I've rebuilt it it looks like new!!

 

[awglx]

Thanks.

 

[PROOT]

Just thought I'd share the VC Vigilant Operations Manual, Installation Manual, Parts List and Service/Rebuild Manual (generously provided by Kenster).

So if anyone needs any, or all, of these please let me know.


I would like a copy please patrt2@gmail
.com
thanks

 

[Vigilant79]

Just thought I'd share the VC Vigilant Operations Manual, Installation Manual, Parts List and Service/Rebuild Manual (generously provided by Kenster).

So if anyone needs any, or all, of these please let me know.


I would like a copy please patrt2@gmail
.com
thanks

Hi there, sure thing, will send them to you now.

 

[webbie]

I can upload to the wiki if you want to email me at webmaster(at)hearth(dotcom)

 

[Vigilant79]

I can upload to the wiki if you want to email me at webmaster(at)hearth(dotcom)

This is to load the manuals up there correct? Just want to be sure I understand. Thanks

 

[webbie]

Yes, we have some of them there already......
https://www.hearth.com/talk/wiki/vermont-castings-older-stove-models/

In fact, there is one manual for the 4 stoves - there. So if yours is that same one, we don't need it. But if yours is not there and you want to add to the collection...

 

[Vigilant79]

Yes, we have some of them there already......
https://www.hearth.com/talk/wiki/vermont-castings-older-stove-models/

In fact, there is one manual for the 4 stoves - there. So if yours is that same one, we don't need it. But if yours is not there and you want to add to the collection...

Gotcha, the one I have covers the 4 and I also got a copy of the Vigilant II Service manual from "Kenster" that I cleaned up and put into a single PDF document (great for the "rebuilders" in the Hearth community). Thanks again, love this site Sean

 

[Durham Heater]

I have an older Vigilant (2 pc fireback) and need to rebuild. Does anybody have advice for this process or pitfalls to avoid? The stove leaks pretty badly in the front panel to side joints and I wondered if this is typical. Love the stove and don't want to scrap it so rebuilding is the plan!

 

[Vigilant79]

I have an older Vigilant (2 pc fireback) and need to rebuild. Does anybody have advice for this process or pitfalls to avoid? The stove leaks pretty badly in the front panel to side joints and I wondered if this is typical. Love the stove and don't want to scrap it so rebuilding is the plan!

Hi,

Yeah these are great stoves.

As far as Diss-Assembly be careful with removing the nuts holding the Tie Rods (four 1.5' threaded rods that hold the top plate to the bottom). Soak them with PB Blast for a few days before attempting to remove. Mine came off easy and I was able to leave the tie rods attached to the top plate (was allot easier than trying to remove them and reassemble). The top of the stove sees allot more heat than the underside of the bottom plate, I think the tie rods would just snap off from the top plate if you tried (that would NOT be fun). Unscrew, if possible, or dremel off the nut holding "Cover Plate-B" that is attached to the Fire-back first. Get a replacement nut & bolt. My stove came apart fairly easy, it’s not scary as long as you make yourself familiar with the Service Manual Instructions.

I received some great direction from www.grahamthestoveman.com for Re-Assembly. He pointed out that these stoves almost always have some degree of component warpage making re-assembly challenging. For my One-piece fire-back the issue was that "Cover plate-A" (the air channel attached to the back of the Fire back) had a small amount of warpage that I had to adjust with my dremel. The reassembly of the Side-Plate, Cover-plate-A, Back-plate & Fire-back is a puzzle, definitely get a second (or even third) set of hands to help out (I had three and it was MUCH easier). So if you go to the sites Wiki and download the Vigilant Service Manual it gives the exact directions for your Vigilant II 2 piece fire back model.

Graham said the re-assembly sequence is

1. Back, 2. Left Side, 3. Fire-back. I did this sequence but added the following.

Follow Grahams' sequence above but add;

3a. Cover-plate-A in channel

3b. Fire-back (make sure cover-plate-a & fire-back seat together).

4. Damper & Smoke Shelf

5. Front

6. Right Side Plate

7. Top

ADD

8. Replace Cover-plate-B through vent-hole on bottom right of Fire-back with cement & new nut/bolt. Will require someone holding a flashlight and a good sense of "feel" to be sure it's seated and attach nut and a boxed end wrench to hold it in place while you tighten the bolt with a ratchet from the stove side.

This helped ALOT! Trying to get those 4 puzzle pieces together was near impossible without doing this extra step.

I wish you well, these are the things I ran across in my rebuild journey, yours may be different but I hope this helps!

 

[Durham Heater]

Hi,

Yeah these are great stoves.

As far as Diss-Assembly be careful with removing the nuts holding the Tie Rods (four 1.5' threaded rods that hold the top plate to the bottom). Soak them with PB Blast for a few days before attempting to remove. Mine came off easy and I was able to leave the tie rods attached to the top plate (was allot easier than trying to remove them and reassemble). The top of the stove sees allot more heat than the underside of the bottom plate, I think the tie rods would just snap off from the top plate if you tried (that would NOT be fun). Unscrew, if possible, or dremel off the nut holding "Cover Plate-B" that is attached to the Fire-back first. Get a replacement nut & bolt. My stove came apart fairly easy, it’s not scary as long as you make yourself familiar with the Service Manual Instructions.

I received some great direction from www.grahamthestoveman.com for Re-Assembly. He pointed out that these stoves almost always have some degree of component warpage making re-assembly challenging. For my One-piece fire-back the issue was that "Cover plate-A" (the air channel attached to the back of the Fire back) had a small amount of warpage that I had to adjust with my dremel. The reassembly of the Side-Plate, Cover-plate-A, Back-plate & Fire-back is a puzzle, definitely get a second (or even third) set of hands to help out (I had three and it was MUCH easier). So if you go to the sites Wiki and download the Vigilant Service Manual it gives the exact directions for your Vigilant II 2 piece fire back model.

Graham said the re-assembly sequence is

1. Back, 2. Left Side, 3. Fire-back. I did this sequence but added the following.

Follow Grahams' sequence above but add;

3a. Cover-plate-A in channel

3b. Fire-back (make sure cover-plate-a & fire-back seat together).

4. Damper & Smoke Shelf

5. Front

6. Right Side Plate

7. Top

ADD

8. Replace Cover-plate-B through vent-hole on bottom right of Fire-back with cement & new nut/bolt. Will require someone holding a flashlight and a good sense of "feel" to be sure it's seated and attach nut and a boxed end wrench to hold it in place while you tighten the bolt with a ratchet from the stove side.

This helped ALOT! Trying to get those 4 puzzle pieces together was near impossible without doing this extra step.

I wish you well, these are the things I ran across in my rebuild journey, yours may be different but I hope this helps!

Thanks, we'll give it a shot and see how it goes! I am in CT and have looked for a service person I could trust to do this and have not found one. Graham pointed me to someone in Old Lyme but the number was disconnected! I had two stoves rebuilt at the factory years ago and it was absolutely great, they were like new for almost no cost. Wish VC was still alive in Randolph.

 

[Vigilant79]

Thanks, we'll give it a shot and see how it goes! I am in CT and have looked for a service person I could trust to do this and have not found one. Graham pointed me to someone in Old Lyme but the number was disconnected! I had two stoves rebuilt at the factory years ago and it was absolutely great, they were like new for almost no cost. Wish VC was still alive in Randolph.

Yeah it was a real project to rebuild, but I've never done it before so considering that it went fairly well. I agree about wishing VC was still in existence in Randolph, my sister worked for them in Randolph back in 78-81 thats how we got our Vigilant. If you decide to try doing it yourself and need any more insight let me know, us "newbies" should stick together!

 

[defiant3]

Hi, wonder if you would please e mail me a copy of the Vig. operations manual? I would appreciate it very much. People keep asking me and I refer them to this site, but it might be simpler stil if I just had one.

Thanx, and "happy heating"

Graham

[email protected]

 

[snaillich]

Hi All,

Just thought I'd share the VC Vigilant Operations Manual, Installation Manual, Parts List and Service/Rebuild Manual (generously provided by Kenster).

So if anyone needs any, or all, of these please let me know.


Enjoy all !!

Hi, Newbie here...I just pulled my Vigilant 1A, wood only. out to perform a rebuild while I reline the chimney. WOuld you be kind enough to send me the manual you have...Thanks Pete

 

[Red Sqwirl]

Hi All,

Just thought I'd share the VC Vigilant Operations Manual, Installation Manual, Parts List and Service/Rebuild Manual (generously provided by Kenster).

So if anyone needs any, or all, of these please let me know.


Enjoy all !!

Hi Vigilant 79! I could really use a copy of the Vigilant Operations Manual and a parts list! I aslo have a 78 Vigilant that is my primary source of heat in my home in Maine, and I'd love to get the most out of it. Thank you so much! My email address is:
[email protected].

 

[boot_wb]

Hi All,

Just thought I'd share the VC Vigilant Operations Manual, Installation Manual, Parts List and Service/Rebuild Manual (generously provided by Kenster).

So if anyone needs any, or all, of these please let me know.


Enjoy all !!

Hello Vigilant79,

I've just picked up a Vigilant 1A (single piece fireback... well, it used to be) from a less-than-honest Ebay seller, and it looks like it's going to need a full disassembly and a lot of work to get running efficiently.
Given the state of this Vigilant (which has long since lost its gaskets, been mercilessly overfired, stored in a damp barn for a while, before being given a coat of stove black and sticking on Ebay as "good condition") I'm almost certainly going to have to do some grinding/welding on some parts to reassemble.
I already have a 1979 Resolute (aka the "Old Resolute") which I've partially restored in the past, so appreciate what the rebuild is likely to consist of, but I'd much rather have an authoritative guide to work from, especially if having to cut/grind warped parts to fit.

Please could you possibly e-mail the service/rebuild manual, as it will save me a lot of head-scratching!

Regarding the now-two-piece fireback, I'm more concerned with a good fit to the air-tube castings behind, and to the fins that seperate the flueways than I am about aesthetics. It's for my own use, so if I can effectively refit it in two parts (or drill/tap holes and use bridging plates), and gapfill with fire cement, I'm ok with that.
As much as I'd love to give it a full restore (Vigilant 1c kit seems to be available at The Cozy Cabin), I just can't justify the >$500 + international shipping at the moment.

 

[zacharytn1]

Hello Vigilant79,

I've just picked up a Vigilant 1A (single piece fireback... well, it used to be) from a less-than-honest Ebay seller, and it looks like it's going to need a full disassembly and a lot of work to get running efficiently.
Given the state of this Vigilant (which has long since lost its gaskets, been mercilessly overfired, stored in a damp barn for a while, before being given a coat of stove black and sticking on Ebay as "good condition") I'm almost certainly going to have to do some grinding/welding on some parts to reassemble.
I already have a 1979 Resolute (aka the "Old Resolute") which I've partially restored in the past, so appreciate what the rebuild is likely to consist of, but I'd much rather have an authoritative guide to work from, especially if having to cut/grind warped parts to fit.

Please could you possibly e-mail the service/rebuild manual, as it will save me a lot of head-scratching!

Regarding the now-two-piece fireback, I'm more concerned with a good fit to the air-tube castings behind, and to the fins that seperate the flueways than I am about aesthetics. It's for my own use, so if I can effectively refit it in two parts (or drill/tap holes and use bridging plates), and gapfill with fire cement, I'm ok with that.
As much as I'd love to give it a full restore (Vigilant 1c kit seems to be available at The Cozy Cabin), I just can't justify the >$500 + international shipping at the moment.

Do you have a manual for the old resolute. I picked up one in good condition and installed it in my home, but being my first wood stove, id like a manual to look at. thanks

 

[jeffxyan]

I need the manual if you have it, please email xxxx.xxxx (Edit by mod)

 

[Rwcyr]

Hi All,

Just thought I'd share the VC Vigilant Operations Manual, Installation Manual, Parts List and Service/Rebuild Manual (generously provided by Kenster).

So if anyone needs any, or all, of these please let me know.


Enjoy all !!

Hi All,

Just thought I'd share the VC Vigilant Operations Manual, Installation Manual, Parts List and Service/Rebuild Manual (generously provided by Kenster).

So if anyone needs any, or all, of these please let me know.


Enjoy all !!

Hi,

I would greatly appreciate the rebuild manual! I am rebuilding my 1980 vigilant 1. Thanks much!

[email protected]
Rwcyr

 

[Vigilant79]

Hi All who are interested in the Vermont Castings Manuals. The site moderator has uploaded them onto the sites wiki, you can find them here: https://www.hearth.com/talk/wiki/vermont-castings-older-stove-models/

hope this helps

 

[Vigilant79]

Do you have a manual for the old resolute. I picked up one in good condition and installed it in my home, but being my first wood stove, id like a manual to look at. thanks

Hi, no but you can find it here: https://www.hearth.com/talk/wiki/vermont-castings-older-stove-models/

 

[Vigilant79]

Hello Vigilant79,

I've just picked up a Vigilant 1A (single piece fireback... well, it used to be) from a less-than-honest Ebay seller, and it looks like it's going to need a full disassembly and a lot of work to get running efficiently.
Given the state of this Vigilant (which has long since lost its gaskets, been mercilessly overfired, stored in a damp barn for a while, before being given a coat of stove black and sticking on Ebay as "good condition") I'm almost certainly going to have to do some grinding/welding on some parts to reassemble.
I already have a 1979 Resolute (aka the "Old Resolute") which I've partially restored in the past, so appreciate what the rebuild is likely to consist of, but I'd much rather have an authoritative guide to work from, especially if having to cut/grind warped parts to fit.

Please could you possibly e-mail the service/rebuild manual, as it will save me a lot of head-scratching!

Regarding the now-two-piece fireback, I'm more concerned with a good fit to the air-tube castings behind, and to the fins that seperate the flueways than I am about aesthetics. It's for my own use, so if I can effectively refit it in two parts (or drill/tap holes and use bridging plates), and gapfill with fire cement, I'm ok with that.
As much as I'd love to give it a full restore (Vigilant 1c kit seems to be available at The Cozy Cabin), I just can't justify the >$500 + international shipping at the moment.

Hi, sorry for the very late reply (haven't been on the site for many many months) sounds like you have your hands full, the manuals can now be found on the sites wiki right here: https://www.hearth.com/talk/wiki/vermont-castings-older-stove-models/

Also I had a few small issues with the rear tube and fireback plate fitting, had to bust out my angle grinder and dremel to shave a bit off here and there for them to go back together (slightly warped) I also had to do the same for the front tube. You can get the gasket material at any local stove store like I did and the rutland cement & stove black spray. It took a while but worked out great, never did this kind of job before so there were a few things I had to overcome (like a truss rod that snapped at the end of the threaded bottom, fixed with a piece I made from rod stock and a set of thread dies). Just hang in there, it's well worth it!

 

[Rwcyr]

Hi All,

Just thought I'd share the VC Vigilant Operations Manual, Installation Manual, Parts List and Service/Rebuild Manual (generously provided by Kenster).

So if anyone needs any, or all, of these please let me know.


Enjoy all !!

Hi All,

Just thought I'd share the VC Vigilant Operations Manual, Installation Manual, Parts List and Service/Rebuild Manual (generously provided by Kenster).

So if anyone needs any, or all, of these please let me know.


Enjoy all !!

Thanks for rebuild manual!

Richard