2020/21 VC Owners thread

[redman]

Hey guys, I ordered a damper housing seemed like a fair price. I got the top off but can't figure out how to get the damper rod out so I can pull the bad housing out. Any step by step tips would be greatly appreciated. Even with the service manual I can't figure this out...

 

[Woodsplitter67]

Hey guys, I ordered a damper housing seemed like a fair price. I got the top off but can't figure out how to get the damper rod out so I can pull the bad housing out. Any step by step tips would be greatly appreciated. Even with the service manual I can't figure this out...

If yours is like mine ..2040 ..you need to put your hand inside the damper housing from the back of the stove..flue collar.. and remove the c clip that holds the rod in place..

 

[redman]

If yours is like mine ..2040 ..you need to put your hand inside the damper housing from the back of the stove..flue collar.. and remove the c clip that holds the rod in place..

Got it. I have to say this is a whole new world for me, its really cool to get in understand the mechanics behind this thing. But I went further because I couldn't help myself and now I have to buy some more gasket including the fireback one. I've had overfiring issues since my 3rd season. Really hoping all this work pays off. It sure is time consuming but kind of fun figuring it all out. Thanks for the help

 

[Woodsplitter67]

Got it. I have to say this is a whole new world for me, its really cool to get in understand the mechanics behind this thing. But I went further because I couldn't help myself and now I have to buy some more gasket including the fireback one. I've had overfiring issues since my 3rd season. Really hoping all this work pays off. It sure is time consuming but kind of fun figuring it all out. Thanks for the help

.I normally do any maintenance when I'm not burning. Last year in August I did my gaskets before the season started. they were shot and were warn from the winter before. I knew it was time. I keep basic stuff on hand. I have 1.5 gasket sets. high tepm silicone. stainless bolts, and cement, 2 extra cats, ect on hand if something out of the blue goes wrong

 

[Reckless]

.I normally do any maintenance when I'm not burning. Last year in August I did my gaskets before the season started. they were shot and were warn from the winter before. I knew it was time. I keep basic stuff on hand. I have 1.5 gasket sets. high tepm silicone. stainless bolts, and cement, 2 extra cats, ect on hand if something out of the blue goes wrong

Best thing I did was buy a spool of 200’ 5/16 gasket early on, always have a tube of gasket cement and furnace cement and a mixture of bolts, nuts and screws. 2 extra cats ?!?!

 

[RandyBoBandy]

Back in rebuild mode.... found a bolt loose on the upper, went to tighten it and it snapped......... kinda glad I went rope over cement on my rebuild. Drilled and tapped to a larger bolt. Hope everyone is doing well!!

reckless, are you saying you used rope instead of cement on the upper fire back? I have to replace my refractory box soon. I should have done it over the summer, however, I got lazy. And now it’s burn season and I’m working seven days a week to close out the season and I have no time. I’m hoping I can tare it down and have it back up and burning in a day.

 

[Reckless]

reckless, are you saying you used rope instead of cement on the upper fire back? I have to replace my refractory box soon. I should have done it over the summer, however, I got lazy. And now it’s burn season and I’m working seven days a week to close out the season and I have no time. I’m hoping I can tare it down and have it back up and burning in a day.

Yes and it held up pretty well although the bolts and fireback did come a little loose, but I rebuilt it years ago at this point. When I reassemble it this time I will be sure to check those bolts occasionally.

 

[Reckless]

Rebuild complete. Gaskets on upper, lower fireback and left inner wall. Swept the 30’ SS liner and got about 1.5 coffee cans out, having the upper fireback out makes it really easy to sweep just put a small cardboard box directly under the flue. Burned two break in fires and ready to go. I think I’ll need a new cat next year judging by the cracks forming. Stay warm people.

 

[Diabel]

Rebuild complete. Gaskets on upper, lower fireback and left inner wall. Swept the 30’ SS liner and got about 1.5 coffee cans out, having the upper fireback out makes it really easy to sweep just put a small cardboard box directly under the flue. Burned two break in fires and ready to go. I think I’ll need a new cat next year judging by the cracks forming. Stay warm people.

Did you end up using ss bolts?

 

[Reckless]

Did you end up using ss bolts?

Yes the ones pictured. We well see how they hold up.

 

[RandyBoBandy]

Rebuild complete. Gaskets on upper, lower fireback and left inner wall. Swept the 30’ SS liner and got about 1.5 coffee cans out, having the upper fireback out makes it really easy to sweep just put a small cardboard box directly under the flue. Burned two break in fires and ready to go. I think I’ll need a new cat next year judging by the cracks forming. Stay warm people.

what size rope did you use for the upper fire back? Did you regasket the damper plate while you were in there?

 

[Diabel]

I remember when i did my total rebuild on the 2550, the horizontal connection between the upper fireback and the bottom of the damper assembly had no groove/space for any gasket. I found that odd. There i just put lots of cement but i did not like it.

 

[Reckless]

what size rope did you use for the upper fire back? Did you regasket the damper plate while you were in there?

3/8ths and yes redid damper even though it was I decent shape, I have more than enough 5/16 to regret it later.

I remember when i did my total rebuild on the 2550, the horizontal connection between the upper fireback and the bottom of the damper assembly had no groove/space for any gasket. I found that odd. There i just put lots of cement but i did not like it.

I’m not sure I follow. Damper is housed in upper fireback, or am I confused (totally possible) Do you see the space in the pic I posted on page 1?

 

[Reckless]

Full throttle, here we go. Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

 

[gthomas785]

Chilly Sunday morning

 

[Diabel]

3/8ths and yes redid damper even though it was I decent shape, I have more than enough 5/16 to regret it later.

I’m not sure I follow. Damper is housed in upper fireback, or am I confused (totally possible) Do you see the space in the pic I posted on page 1?

You are not confused. I dont know why but when i wrote this for some reason i thought there were three sections there, damper, upper and lower.
The pic you posted on page one of the damper assembly, there was one area with no groove for a gasket. Just a flat cast section that butted against the body of the stove. That i found strange.

 

[Reckless]

Not the perfect place for this but this is the only place I’m active lol. 3cord cherry, white oak and ash strap was only precautionary measures cause the name fits me. Stay warm

 

[RandyBoBandy]

I need to be working on my stacks to. Haven’t had the time due to working 6-7 days a week. Hoping the weather is decent this weekend.

 

[Reckless]

I need to be working on my stacks to. Haven’t had the time due to working 6-7 days a week. Hoping the weather is decent this weekend.

Finding time to even split has been tough and I work from home! I was very happy to be done with it the other day.

 

[Woodsplitter67]

I need to be working on my stacks to. Haven’t had the time due to working 6-7 days a week. Hoping the weather is decent this weekend.

I hear you.. been working like a dog and im booked into January. Owning your own business isn't what its crack up to be. It does however pay for my wood addiction and I'm warm...

 

[Woodsplitter67]

Any one running a steel cat in the encore.. If so how well does it work. Notice any changes in stove operation..

 

[Reckless]

Any one running a steel cat in the encore.. If so how well does it work. Notice any changes in stove operation..

Jharkin was and quickly went back to ceramic, he was running a 2550.

 

[Reckless]

First over night temps around 26F and stove behaved itself peaking at 1270 with 3 splits red oak and one ash. Woke up 7hrs later 200 on cat with enough coals to start another.

 

[Diabel]

Several years ago i bought one of the steel cats. It was one of the diesel foil ones or something like that. It totally deformed after one month of use. I will stick with ceramic for both stoves.

 

[frased]

Got my house fully insulated all the walls and attic... WHAT A DIFFERENCE!! I can now heat my entire house with just the stove and it’s noticeably more evenly heated throughout. It’s going to be a different winter for me this season!