Whitfield wp2 insert troubles

[Elmer F.]

Auger motor quit working. Took it down to the shop for bench test. It worked but awful noisy ( 1994 model ). Gave $130 for a new one.
Got it in but still no go.
I thought vacuum switch ? hey. I took the vacuum hose off and the auger motor started working again.
Stopped in for a new vacuum switch, $34. Looked like a groan to replace so just hooked it up hanging loose.
Still no go.
Anyone know what I'm missing ?

 

[johneh]

You removed hose from vac. switch and the auger worked ???
That does not make sense you need vac to activate the switch to get the auger to work

 

[heat seeker]

You removed hose from vac. switch and the auger worked ???
That does not make sense you need vac to activate the switch to get the auger to work

Only if the switch was wired to the wrong terminals (if it has three), but the OP doesn't mention fiddling with the wiring.

 

[Stovensen]

You removed hose from vac. switch and the auger worked ???
That does not make sense you need vac to activate the switch to get the auger to work

The pneumatic safety switch in most Whitfield stoves is a pressure switch. It is normally closed ( at atmospheric pressure ). It monitors the venting for any pressure rise caused by flow restrictions ( a birds nest, leaves etc. ). This pressure rise will open the switch and cut power to the auger motor.

Elmer F., could something be restricting the airflow in your venting? I remember at least one incident here on the forum, where a bird was trapped in the flue, so maybe you should check for something similar.

 

[Elmer F.]

The pneumatic safety switch in most Whitfield stoves is a pressure switch. It is normally closed ( at atmospheric pressure ). It monitors the venting for any pressure rise caused by flow restrictions ( a birds nest, leaves etc. ). This pressure rise will open the switch and cut power to the auger motor.

Elmer F., could something be restricting the airflow in your venting? I remember at least one incident here on the forum, where a bird was trapped in the flue, so maybe you should check for something similar.

I'll check it out. While in Tennessee I had a duck down in the 13" chimney, got him out through the clean out. Poor duck.
Maybe I need to vac. out ash from the pipe and fan.
Still kinda weird the auger runs at atmo. press. Really don't want to burn the house down, so not running right now. $$$$electric bill coming.
I'll check it out and be back tomorrow.
Thanks guys

 

[Stovensen]

Poor duck.

Yes, poor duck! Here in Northern Europe we have jackdaws, don't know if you have them in Northern America, but they have a bad habbit of building nests in our chimneys. Some years ago a whole family was killed here in Denmark by carbon monoxide entering the house from an oil furnace vented through a chimney clogged by a jackdaw nest. From this we can conclude that the involved oil furnace did not have a pressure switch installed to make the oil furnace shut down in case of a restricted venting.

Maybe I need to vac. out ash from the pipe and fan

The owners/installation manual has important information on this. Link to manual:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xg9p3x3gi...ge_II_Installation_Operation_775096M.pdf?dl=0

Still kinda weird the auger runs at atmo. press

As I see it, It tells us two things:
1: The airflow in your venting/chimney is restricted by something ( most likely flyash )
2: Your combustion blower delivers enough pressure to trip the safety switch.

Good luck and take care. Keep us posted