2003 St Croix Pepin stove rheostat issue

[Thethc]

Evening all!

I got an older St Croix pellet stove off of a family member a month ago. I installed the exhaust and fresh air kit. I started the stove and have been using it the past couple of days as test runs but i have some unanswered questions and i think possiable issues.. Manual is not all that informative. I've already cleaned the stove and it was in dire need. I started the stove and everything seems ok but at first it was hard to keep a good flame and constantly needed to fine tune the air damper while stove was at temp. I noticed the air is decent, its keeping my home 75 but it was also a high of 38, but when i change heat settings between 1-6 there is no difference in air flow or air temp output, just pellet feed rate. I have a switch for the convection fan ( High fan ) and i end up turning that on and its easier to keep a good flame ( getting better efficency i assume ) The rheostat on the side, is that for the room fan or the convection / combustion fan? regardless, the rheostat seems to do nothing at all which leaves me leaving the high fan switch on and damping the air ( I did the pencil trick and left it there ). Heat output at this point is again the same reguardless of setting. Ive gone through and deep cleaned the unit again, not that it needed it and just learning as i go. Anyone run into this? Any and all info is appreciated, Thank you!

 

[Thethc]

I will also add that i removed the board and seen there was a jumper installed for the thermostat, does it matter what 2 prongs the jumper is on? The board has 2 legs that go to the posts for the thermostat and the other 2 that run to the heat 1-6 switch but unsure if it matter on placement as im not using a thermostat at the moment.

 

[Ssyko]

Convection air will not change only the feed rate. It takes 15-20 min. for heat range change to be noticed or measured. 1-2 15 2-3 15 if the jumper is there leave it. Change nothing on the board. Stove is really old so it does not operate like newer stoves

 

[Thethc]

I understand its not a new stove but has been a tried and proven one, thats for sure. I did not change anything on the board and i never asked if he used a thermostat when he had it, but the manual does state changing the jumper, but unclear as too what prongs, manual states " the 2 open prongs", leaves alot on the table lol. Any idea with the analog rheostat? I appreciate the reply.

 

[Ssyko]

do you know the model?

 

[Thethc]

Its a St croix Pepin. I'll explain that I dont believe the convection fan is working. I manually turn it on with the high fan switch but i just assume that its at its highest rpm. In the manual it does say that the rheostat is for room fan ( does not say anything on the control box )and if thats the case it probably failed wide open.

 

[Ssyko]

Jumper pins 1&2 for no thermostat. 3&4 are for running thermostat. Top-bottom 1-2-3-4. Rheostat is probably dirty or worn out. Boards are hard to find. Without knowing what part numbers are for the pots i cant look up replacements.

 

[Ssyko]

High fan switch probably bypasses the rheostat

 

[Thethc]

I appreciate the info! Im going to pick up a thermometer to throw in a hole and see if its just me on the temp not changing and give that a try, ill admit i didnt give it much of a chance between settings.

 

[Ssyko]

The manual i have Here

See pg 6 for start up n burn

 

[zrock]

First thing i would do is change any and all snap discks in the stove and the rheostat, they can all be had for cheap. On my stove someone had reversed of put the wrong snap disk in and while the stove ran it had some issues once i replaced those alot of my issues went away. Myself i think its worth putting money into these old stoves as when they are working properly they are rock solid

 

[Thethc]

I got the unit for free, even if I have to throw money at it that's fine. It beats buying new. I'm cheapish, I'd rather sink money into proven old stuff rather then spending my big money on new and possibly run into issues.

 

[zrock]

i agree that's why everything in my old breckwell is new.. Not by choice but had a blower seize up and took out the control board, i still have the old control board since it still works just surges the blowers until stove reaches temp.. Start with replacing the basics so then you know what is all new, can always keep the old parts as spares.