Pellet Stove problem ???

bigdog · 02-06-2020, 11:51 AM

Trying to trouble shoot Quadrafire Mt. Vernon OE. This stove is about 10+ years old and the 'original' edition model.

Stove starts and runs fine for 15 min, pellets were dropping as they should no issues, then stove just stopped for no reason ? The 'Convection' blower never came on, and is suppose to kick-on after 10 min of operation. 

FYI, the stove temperature is controlled by a wall-mounted thermostat.

FYI, I have replaced both Snap Disc #1 l(Convection Blower) and Snap Disc #2 (Thermostat Override). I have also checked the rubber hose to the 'vacuum' switch and it was clear, and air flowed through that OK.

Thermocouple and cover all look good, Cover is touching the Thermocouple,
as it should, and is positioned about 1" into the burn-pot.
 
In now have no clue of my next steps? Your suggestions are appreciated !!!!
Also, if any Forum members have any recommendations of businesses that repair pellet stoves,
please Post those suggestions.

Thanks !

WinnisquamZ · 02-06-2020, 01:48 PM

Could the exhaust be blocked?

Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

ishoot308 · 02-06-2020, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

Also, if any Forum members have any recommendations of businesses that repair pellet stoves,
please Post those suggestions.

Thanks !

Call Fireside Living in Laconia, (603-527-8044) right next to HK Powersports. They have an excellent tech!

Good Luck!

Dan

iw8surf · 02-06-2020, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Call Fireside Living in Laconia, (603-527-8044) right next to HK Powersports. They have an excellent tech!

Good Luck!

Dan

Is this the place that burnt down?

Blue Thunder · 02-06-2020, 03:01 PM

If you’ve done the snap disc that powers the motor your next step is to make sure the thermocouple is generating a millivolt signal. This is done with a multi meter. You need to apply heat to the thermocouple using a cig lighter or grill lighter. You should get at least 15mV on the tester. If that passes the test try and apply 110v to the motor and see if it runs......if not. It’s motor time. Good luck

ishoot308 · 02-06-2020, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iw8surf

Is this the place that burnt down?

No, not that I am aware...

WinnisquamZ · 02-06-2020, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

No, not that I am aware...

No. The one that burnt was Fire and Stone in Tilton

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Arabella · 02-06-2020, 03:44 PM

My #1 cure for all pellet stove problems (so far) was a good, I mean take it apart type, cleaning. I've learned over time to try that first. Good luck--

SAB1 · 02-06-2020, 04:44 PM

Don't know much about that brand but Harman has an ESP probe in the exhaust duct. If that thing gets really dirty it becomes a problem.

Lakeboater · 02-06-2020, 07:03 PM

Check all your gaskets and make sure they are tight. I believe leaking air can cause all sorts of problems. Good luck! 👍

Blue Thunder · 02-06-2020, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAB1

Don't know much about that brand but Harman has an ESP probe in the exhaust duct. If that thing gets really dirty it becomes a problem.

A Harman stove will tell you what’s wrong with a blinking status light. Quadra Fire stoves are a bit more finicky....

SAB1 · 02-06-2020, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

A Harman stove will tell you what’s wrong with a blinking status light. Quadra Fire stoves are a bit more finicky....

Not necessarily based on my experience or the experience I’ve had with the stove shop. As mentioned above, cleaning a pellet stove to the point of anal is a good trait to have.

SteveO123 · 02-07-2020, 01:08 AM

Quadra Fire stoves are serviced by Energy Savers in Meredith. They would likely have a 2 month waitlist for service though...(up here we have a QF gas insert from them and got an annual service plan)

In Mass we had the Mt. Vernon pellet insert. In addition to the great advice given here be sure to keep the ashpot clear EVERY day...scrape it out and dump it. We found it to be a real PITA to do it do frequently but it’s really necessary to keep it running.

Energy Savers
279-7961

Blue Thunder · 02-07-2020, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAB1

Not necessarily based on my experience or the experience I’ve had with the stove shop. As mentioned above, cleaning a pellet stove to the point of anal is a good trait to have.

I own two Harman stoves. They self diagnose to a certain extent by flashing the status light when something is wrong. They have 5 different “blink” codes which indicate 5 areas to start looking for the issue.
I totally agree that a clean stove is very important. The majority of pellet stove issues start with a dirty stove.

SteveO123 · 02-08-2020, 01:58 PM

...also the auger could be clogged. Once it starts, Push the reset button until it continues to feed on its own. This happened about once every couple of years with us

bigdog · 02-09-2020, 02:52 PM

After inspecting the thermocouple and the cover to this, it looks pretty ROUGH,
and the thermocouple cover is really beat-up and looks like cracking.

Since the thermocouple has a lot to do with temperature sensing, which controls the pellet drop and rate of drop, I've ordered a new thermocouple and cover.

Again, I'm the second owner of this stove, and this is my first heating season,
it will be an inexpensive fix if in fact this is the problem.

Parts will arrive this week, so will report back with results.

Thanks again for everyone's feedback, much appreciated !

bigdog · 02-10-2020, 05:32 PM

Parts arrived, and I installed new 'Thermocouple and Cover' and stove having same behavior. FYI, Thermocouple is positioned extending about 1" over the burn-pot, and the Thermocouple is touching the inside end of the ceramic cover. 

Stove starts up, pellets drops, ignitor lights pellets in the pot, but then pellets STOP dropping. Fire goes out and stove shuts down. Whole cycle takes less than 10 minutes. Again, this Mt Vernon is a very 'early' OE model and has NO trouble-shooting lights at all, so working in the blind !

Again, I have replaced Snap Disc #2 that controls the On/Off to the feed system. The red Reset button on this Snap Disc never tripped, so it appears to be working fine. FYI, the Convection blower never came on. I removed and checked the Vacuum switch 'hose' and it was clear no obstructions !

Confused now on next steps to trouble-shoot, and very concerned that the issue may be related to the control box ?

Any feed-back will be greatly appreciated !

8gv · 02-10-2020, 06:14 PM

Have you searched for YouTube videos of this model?

I have zero experience with pellet stove operation but since this is the internet...

I can offer these thoughts:

The more you can learn about the machine's normal operation the more likely you will be to solve the issue yourself.

In many mechanical systems there are parts that perform an operation and parts that control those parts.

If you know the normal sequence of events you can look for voltage or current at the various places and times to see where the system is stopping.

I suspect there is a system that allows initial combustion and then, after certain conditions are met, allows continued combustion.

Learn what those conditions are and figure out why it isn't continuing.

Or better yet...

CALL A SERVICE TECH WHO KNOWS THIS EQUIPMENT.

SteveO123 · 02-10-2020, 08:37 PM

Try adding a handful of pellets to the pot prior to starting. The first burn will run longer and make sure everything is properly hot. Alternatively, add pellets via the reset button as I noted in a prior post. This will run the auger and feed more pellets extending the startup phase.

That service call is looking like your best bet.

Steve

TheTimeTraveler · 02-11-2020, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8gv

Have you searched for YouTube videos of this model?

I have zero experience with pellet stove operation but since this is the internet...

I can offer these thoughts:

The more you can learn about the machine's normal operation the more likely you will be to solve the issue yourself.

In many mechanical systems there are parts that perform an operation and parts that control those parts.

If you know the normal sequence of events you can look for voltage or current at the various places and times to see where the system is stopping.

I suspect there is a system that allows initial combustion and then, after certain conditions are met, allows continued combustion.

Learn what those conditions are and figure out why it isn't continuing.

Or better yet...

CALL A SERVICE TECH WHO KNOWS THIS EQUIPMENT.

I would advise folks to learn about Pellet Stoves BEFORE actually buyng one; what you learn may convince you that it's not for you at this stage of your life!

bigdog · 02-12-2020, 05:44 PM

Had EnergySavers come to house to check the pellet stove issue.
The service tech was VERY knowledgeable, I believe his name was Keith.

After about 15 min of trouble-shooting, he determined by Control Board is the issue, and unfortunately, I have to agree with him.

Ordered part from EarthSense stove part company and it should arrive by Monday. These folks are top notch and you can actually talk 1:1 with their service technicians. They seem to know their stuff !

TheTimeTraveler · 02-12-2020, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

Had EnergySavers come to house to check the pellet stove issue.
The service tech was VERY knowledgeable, I believe his name was Keith.

After about 15 min of trouble-shooting, he determined by Control Board is the issue, and unfortunately, I have to agree with him.

Ordered part from EarthSense stove part company and it should arrive by Monday. These folks are top notch and you can actually talk 1:1 with their service technicians. They seem to know their stuff !

Out of curiosity do you mind sharing the cost for just the service call to obtain the diagnosis?

Thank you.

bigdog · 02-14-2020, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

Out of curiosity do you mind sharing the cost for just the service call to obtain the diagnosis?

Thank you.

TimeTraveler...
Sent you a PM with details !

bigdog · 02-17-2020, 09:25 AM

Circling back with Forum on latest update about my pellet stove issue....

I've tested the vacuum switch by disconnecting the vacuum switch and bypassed with a jumper switch, started the stove, and stove tarted OK, dropped pellets, but then after less than 10 min. pellets stopped dropping and stove went into it's normal shutdown mode. 

Just to backup a bit, I installed a new 'Thermocouple and Cover' previous to all of this. Snap Disc# 2 did not trip, and everything else looks good?w b 
It's now been over 2 weeks since since the stove was running, and being so frustrated trying to self-diagnose I called my local Quadrafire dealer to send a service tech.
Service tech checked stove, and said it was very clean, checked all snap discs, checked pressure switch, checked 'new' Thermocouple and cover, all good !

After about 30 min trouble-shooting he said that he was 100% positive the issue was related to the Control Board. He said I would be better to order the Control Board myself, because if he had to do would cost twice as much ! On that advice I ordered the new Control Board, and installed per instructions.
The Control Board did not fix the issue, and the pellets stop dropping after initial start-up cycle !

The next day the bill came from the Dealer
 Now I have a $100+ Service call bill, a brand new Control Board, and still have a stove that doesn't run as it should. Will be making a call today to the Dealer about the service call and Bill, which I have no intentions of paying, since they told me that the issues was 100% related to the Control Board, which isn't the problem.

I'm totally at a loss at this point and reaching out to all for any suggestions.

WinnisquamZ · 02-17-2020, 10:25 AM

Any information from other user blogs? Most models or manufacturers have user blogs not monitored by them. No filter just users fixing issues

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thinkxingu · 02-17-2020, 10:43 AM

Might be worth posting on Hearth.com. That's a great resource.

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bigdog · 02-17-2020, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Might be worth posting on Hearth.com. That's a great resource.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

FYI,
I've been posting to 'HEARTH.COM' for about 2 weeks now. Lot's of great feed-back and suggestions, but nothing to fix the issue.

thinkxingu · 02-17-2020, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

FYI,
I've been posting to 'HEARTH.COM' for about 2 weeks now. Lot's of great feed-back and suggestions, but nothing to fix the issue.

Oof, that's the hive mind over there. Good luck!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

dpg · 04-15-2020, 06:38 AM

Every winter I think about a wood or pellet stove insert haven't "pulled the trigger" yet. I think when I do it'll be a regular wood stove now.

I don't want a stove I need to "anally" clean all the time to keep it operational. Very sorry for the person with the issue but this thread has me thinking.

WinnisquamZ · 04-15-2020, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpg

Every winter I think about a wood or pellet stove insert haven't "pulled the trigger" yet. I think when I do it'll be a regular wood stove now.

I don't want a stove I need to "anally" clean all the time to keep it operational. Very sorry for the person with the issue but this thread has me thinking.

Wood. With all this “stuff” happening around us. Glad I stayed with wood. I can walk a few feet and l have fuel for heat. With pellets they must be made, bagged, shipped, delivered, sold, stored, carried and dumped in a stove!

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02-06-2020, 03:01 PM	#5
Blue Thunder Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Eastern MA & Frye Island/Sebago Lake, Maine Posts: 951 Thanks: 252 Thanked 351 Times in 158 Posts	If you’ve done the snap disc that powers the motor your next step is to make sure the thermocouple is generating a millivolt signal. This is done with a multi meter. You need to apply heat to the thermocouple using a cig lighter or grill lighter. You should get at least 15mV on the tester. If that passes the test try and apply 110v to the motor and see if it runs......if not. It’s motor time. Good luck __________________ " Live for today because yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come"

02-06-2020, 03:44 PM	#8
Arabella Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 8 Thanks: 10 Thanked 7 Times in 3 Posts	Need Good Cleaning? My #1 cure for all pellet stove problems (so far) was a good, I mean take it apart type, cleaning. I've learned over time to try that first. Good luck--

02-06-2020, 07:03 PM	#10
Lakeboater Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 394 Thanks: 20 Thanked 131 Times in 94 Posts	Gaskets Check all your gaskets and make sure they are tight. I believe leaking air can cause all sorts of problems. Good luck! 👍

02-12-2020, 05:44 PM	#21
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,446 Thanks: 340 Thanked 119 Times in 96 Posts	Issue Identified ! Had EnergySavers come to house to check the pellet stove issue. The service tech was VERY knowledgeable, I believe his name was Keith. After about 15 min of trouble-shooting, he determined by Control Board is the issue, and unfortunately, I have to agree with him. Ordered part from EarthSense stove part company and it should arrive by Monday. These folks are top notch and you can actually talk 1:1 with their service technicians. They seem to know their stuff !

02-17-2020, 09:25 AM	#24
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,446 Thanks: 340 Thanked 119 Times in 96 Posts	Update ! Circling back with Forum on latest update about my pellet stove issue.... I've tested the vacuum switch by disconnecting the vacuum switch and bypassed with a jumper switch, started the stove, and stove tarted OK, dropped pellets, but then after less than 10 min. pellets stopped dropping and stove went into it's normal shutdown mode.  Just to backup a bit, I installed a new 'Thermocouple and Cover' previous to all of this. Snap Disc# 2 did not trip, and everything else looks good?w b  It's now been over 2 weeks since since the stove was running, and being so frustrated trying to self-diagnose I called my local Quadrafire dealer to send a service tech. Service tech checked stove, and said it was very clean, checked all snap discs, checked pressure switch, checked 'new' Thermocouple and cover, all good ! After about 30 min trouble-shooting he said that he was 100% positive the issue was related to the Control Board. He said I would be better to order the Control Board myself, because if he had to do would cost twice as much ! On that advice I ordered the new Control Board, and installed per instructions. The Control Board did not fix the issue, and the pellets stop dropping after initial start-up cycle ! The next day the bill came from the Dealer  Now I have a $100+ Service call bill, a brand new Control Board, and still have a stove that doesn't run as it should. Will be making a call today to the Dealer about the service call and Bill, which I have no intentions of paying, since they told me that the issues was 100% related to the Control Board, which isn't the problem. I'm totally at a loss at this point and reaching out to all for any suggestions.

02-06-2020, 11:51 AM	#1
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,446 Thanks: 340 Thanked 119 Times in 96 Posts	Pellet Stove problem ??? Trying to trouble shoot Quadrafire Mt. Vernon OE. This stove is about 10+ years old and the 'original' edition model. Stove starts and runs fine for 15 min, pellets were dropping as they should no issues, then stove just stopped for no reason ? The 'Convection' blower never came on, and is suppose to kick-on after 10 min of operation.  FYI, the stove temperature is controlled by a wall-mounted thermostat. FYI, I have replaced both Snap Disc #1 l(Convection Blower) and Snap Disc #2 (Thermostat Override). I have also checked the rubber hose to the 'vacuum' switch and it was clear, and air flowed through that OK. Thermocouple and cover all look good, Cover is touching the Thermocouple, as it should, and is positioned about 1" into the burn-pot.   In now have no clue of my next steps? Your suggestions are appreciated !!!! Also, if any Forum members have any recommendations of businesses that repair pellet stoves, please Post those suggestions. Thanks !

02-06-2020, 01:48 PM	#2
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,048 Thanks: 210 Thanked 652 Times in 435 Posts	Could the exhaust be blocked? Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

02-06-2020, 04:44 PM	#9
SAB1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Tuftonboro Posts: 1,230 Thanks: 188 Thanked 319 Times in 234 Posts	Don't know much about that brand but Harman has an ESP probe in the exhaust duct. If that thing gets really dirty it becomes a problem.

02-07-2020, 01:08 AM	#13
SteveO123 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Laconia, Lake Opechee Posts: 187 Thanks: 286 Thanked 90 Times in 48 Posts	Quadra Fire stoves are serviced by Energy Savers in Meredith. They would likely have a 2 month waitlist for service though...(up here we have a QF gas insert from them and got an annual service plan) In Mass we had the Mt. Vernon pellet insert. In addition to the great advice given here be sure to keep the ashpot clear EVERY day...scrape it out and dump it. We found it to be a real PITA to do it do frequently but it’s really necessary to keep it running. Energy Savers 279-7961

02-08-2020, 01:58 PM	#15
SteveO123 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Laconia, Lake Opechee Posts: 187 Thanks: 286 Thanked 90 Times in 48 Posts	...also the auger could be clogged. Once it starts, Push the reset button until it continues to feed on its own. This happened about once every couple of years with us

02-09-2020, 02:52 PM	#16
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,446 Thanks: 340 Thanked 119 Times in 96 Posts	After inspecting the thermocouple and the cover to this, it looks pretty ROUGH, and the thermocouple cover is really beat-up and looks like cracking. Since the thermocouple has a lot to do with temperature sensing, which controls the pellet drop and rate of drop, I've ordered a new thermocouple and cover. Again, I'm the second owner of this stove, and this is my first heating season, it will be an inexpensive fix if in fact this is the problem. Parts will arrive this week, so will report back with results. Thanks again for everyone's feedback, much appreciated !

02-10-2020, 05:32 PM	#17
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,446 Thanks: 340 Thanked 119 Times in 96 Posts	Parts arrived, and I installed new 'Thermocouple and Cover' and stove having same behavior. FYI, Thermocouple is positioned extending about 1" over the burn-pot, and the Thermocouple is touching the inside end of the ceramic cover.  Stove starts up, pellets drops, ignitor lights pellets in the pot, but then pellets STOP dropping. Fire goes out and stove shuts down. Whole cycle takes less than 10 minutes. Again, this Mt Vernon is a very 'early' OE model and has NO trouble-shooting lights at all, so working in the blind ! Again, I have replaced Snap Disc #2 that controls the On/Off to the feed system. The red Reset button on this Snap Disc never tripped, so it appears to be working fine. FYI, the Convection blower never came on. I removed and checked the Vacuum switch 'hose' and it was clear no obstructions ! Confused now on next steps to trouble-shoot, and very concerned that the issue may be related to the control box ? Any feed-back will be greatly appreciated !

02-10-2020, 06:14 PM	#18
8gv Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,092 Thanks: 64 Thanked 744 Times in 478 Posts	Have you searched for YouTube videos of this model? I have zero experience with pellet stove operation but since this is the internet... I can offer these thoughts: The more you can learn about the machine's normal operation the more likely you will be to solve the issue yourself. In many mechanical systems there are parts that perform an operation and parts that control those parts. If you know the normal sequence of events you can look for voltage or current at the various places and times to see where the system is stopping. I suspect there is a system that allows initial combustion and then, after certain conditions are met, allows continued combustion. Learn what those conditions are and figure out why it isn't continuing. Or better yet... CALL A SERVICE TECH WHO KNOWS THIS EQUIPMENT.

02-10-2020, 08:37 PM	#19
SteveO123 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Laconia, Lake Opechee Posts: 187 Thanks: 286 Thanked 90 Times in 48 Posts	Try adding a handful of pellets to the pot prior to starting. The first burn will run longer and make sure everything is properly hot. Alternatively, add pellets via the reset button as I noted in a prior post. This will run the auger and feed more pellets extending the startup phase. That service call is looking like your best bet. Steve

02-17-2020, 10:25 AM	#25
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,048 Thanks: 210 Thanked 652 Times in 435 Posts	Any information from other user blogs? Most models or manufacturers have user blogs not monitored by them. No filter just users fixing issues Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

02-17-2020, 10:43 AM	#26
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,212 Thanks: 1,167 Thanked 2,048 Times in 1,271 Posts	Might be worth posting on Hearth.com. That's a great resource. Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

04-15-2020, 06:38 AM	#29
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,591 Thanks: 150 Thanked 229 Times in 166 Posts	Every winter I think about a wood or pellet stove insert haven't "pulled the trigger" yet. I think when I do it'll be a regular wood stove now. I don't want a stove I need to "anally" clean all the time to keep it operational. Very sorry for the person with the issue but this thread has me thinking.