BK Princess need help

[Illinois burner]

Yes. I'm closing the bypass (broken image removed)

 

[claybe]

In that picture, I am pretty sure the bypass is open. It should be pushed up and over away from you to be closed. Look at page 21 of your manual.

 

[Rickb]

Yup pulled to the front the bypass is open. Push it up and back till the bypass closes then is should latch. You can feel it.

 

[rdust]

Yes. I'm closing the bypass (broken image removed)

Bypass is wide open in this picture! I hope that isn't the way you're running it, if it is that explains bunches and bunches.

 

[Illinois burner]

After load I burn on 3 until stove reaches 500° or so with the bypass closed. I've tried closing it once in the active but the temperature never climbs. I then turn it down little by little until I hear the flapper closed. At this point I figure the coil is wound so the flapper is on the cool down. I turn it up past the sound of closing ever so slightly. I try to run the fan on the lowest set to help move warm air. At this point I would think it's on cruise control and wouldn't need adjustment until loading or a major change in outside weather, such as heavy wind. Does my thought process sound correct?

 

[Illinois burner]

Sorry sent wrong picture (broken image removed)

 

[Illinois burner]

No. Lol. My phone and big fingers don't always get along. I researched this stove and read threads on it for almost 2 years before I pulled the trigger

 

[rdust]

After load I burn on 3 until stove reaches 500° or so with the bypass closed. I've tried closing it once in the active but the temperature never climbs. I then turn it down little by little until I hear the flapper closed. At this point I figure the coil is wound so the flapper is on the cool down. I turn it up past the sound of closing ever so slightly. I try to run the fan on the lowest set to help move warm air. At this point I would think it's on cruise control and wouldn't need adjustment until loading or a major change in outside weather, such as heavy wind. Does my thought process sound correct?

Ok, quick run down on how I run mine.

Loading from coals
Flip bypass lever open(handle end facing me)
Turn air up to 3 1/2
Open door
Move ash back, pull coals forward(slide coals to one side before pushing ash back) spread ash even in back and coals even across front
Load wood
Leave stove on high for 10 minutes or so until wood is involved or cat probe goes active
Close bypass by pulling lever up and rotating it down(turning to the right)
Turn air down to 3
Burn on 3 for 10-15 minutes(if I need heat to warm up a cold house I'll turn it down to the high end up normal and burn it there for longer)
Turn down to 2 for 5 minutes or so
Turn down to final setting, which is usually 1 1/2 to 1 3/4(low end of normal line) 90% of the time

Every load may be a little different but from a coal bed this is it most of the time.

 

[Badger]

Sorry for asking this again, but I don't remember the answer. Why is the thermostat knob so far out?

 

[claybe]

Have you tried running it without the fan? I wonder if there is a missed weld and the fan is super heating the fire with extra air? It might be worth it to try a fire without the fan and see what happens....like you say it could be anything at this point. Good luck!

 

[Illinois burner]

The rod that that know is on is all part of the new thermostat kit that I changed out. There was a paper in the replacement that stated to cut the rod to fit. I haven't cut it yet because I want to make sure it worked first.

 

[Illinois burner]

I ran it without the fan when I did the test earlier when it stalled 2 1/2 hours in. I understand that a lot of my problem is operator error but I have a hard time wrapping my head around this style of stove. I'm used to the ole, if it's cold turn it up, kind of stoves. I still don't understand why everyone says my chimney isn't tall enough. I added 4 feet to what I had posted in the last picture to check that off. I understand straight up is the better setup, however I didn't want to shut the stove down and disassemble it to check my flue every time. Or to have crap falling into the bypass and possibly the cat. Not my idea of easy maintenance. I wish the stove would put out more heat. I'm just frustrated and have now spent a ton of hours and money in buying stuff that I can no longer return to check things off the list. Never imagined with all of the positive feedback that I would ever have an issue with it. Sorry for venting guys but I'm just about to lose it.

 

[weatherguy]

I remember someone came on last year (not zanimal) and had one of the newer BK, either the sirocco or chinook and had the same problems as Illinois, this thread is almost a duplicate of that one, in the end she got the stove swapped out for the bigger one and the new one worked like a charm. I don't think the problem was the stove was not the right size, it just didn't run right.
I think you need the stove swapped, JMHO.

 

[BKVP]

I remember someone came on last year (not zanimal) and had one of the newer BK, either the sirocco or chinook and had the same problems as Illinois, this thread is almost a duplicate of that one, in the end she got the stove swapped out for the bigger one and the new one worked like a charm. I don't think the problem was the stove was not the right size, it just didn't run right.
I think you need the stove swapped, JMHO.

You are correct. It was a owner in Northern California. The dealer swaped out the stoves and the smaller one was sold to a consumer that is quite pleased to have it in their small home.

 

[BKVP]

I ran it without the fan when I did the test earlier when it stalled 2 1/2 hours in. I understand that a lot of my problem is operator error but I have a hard time wrapping my head around this style of stove. I'm used to the ole, if it's cold turn it up, kind of stoves. I still don't understand why everyone says my chimney isn't tall enough. I added 4 feet to what I had posted in the last picture to check that off. I understand straight up is the better setup, however I didn't want to shut the stove down and disassemble it to check my flue every time. Or to have crap falling into the bypass and possibly the cat. Not my idea of easy maintenance. I wish the stove would put out more heat. I'm just frustrated and have now spent a ton of hours and money in buying stuff that I can no longer return to check things off the list. Never imagined with all of the positive feedback that I would ever have an issue with it. Sorry for venting guys but I'm just about to lose it.

I am flying all day tomorrow. If your chimney did run straight up and out, it would eliminate the elbows. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, the vast majority of the chimney would be in the confines of the home. That was my purpose for suggesting the chase around the outside all fuel venting. I am not certain who your dealer is, but perhaps you can ask about moving into a King model. That would be their call.

To be certain, you have done a great deal to run this issue down. It would be nearly 1 in 10,000 or more that the cat was bad in a new stove. But, you did see it glowing. Check that one off. The bypass plate tension is adjusted at the factory, check that off because it's a new stove. Your readings for fuel moisture content show you are burning dry fuel. The thermostat is working and the one before was working too. So it comes down to draft.

Incidentally and if I missed this I am sorry, but do you have it connected to a FA kit?

I will be back in Walla Walla late tomorrow so if you would like to speak about this, call me at 509-522-2730 on Friday. Please call early (7:00 a.m. PST) as my day will be heck after being up here meeting with regulators all week.

Chris

 

[Illinois burner]

Thanks Chris! Kinda stupid question but could I reduce a king down to my 6 inch?

 

[Illinois burner]

And no I do not have a fresh air kit

 

[tarzan]

At this point I can think of nothing that could explain away some of the things this stove has done, though I suppose, as Chris and others have said, loosing draft comes closest.

It seems that you are doing things right (blower, bypass. Wood, shut down procedure, etc.) or at least put enough time and effort in that it's obvious this setup, at least in its current configuration, is not going to work for you.

I wouldn't rush into a bigger stove though. Not until you at least get this one running right. Without going back through this thread I think you mentioned heating your home with a smaller stove yet the Princess is struggling, even in mild weather.

I think the best thing about the Princess is its ability to throw out steady heat for an easy 12 hours and until yours is doing something near that, however it happens, I don't think you can say for sure the stove is to small. Though it still may be.

Maybe your dealer doesn't realize the urgency of your situation and hopefully a talk with Chris can fix things but it would be nice I think, if someone knowledgable could come to your door. You have definately put time, effort, and money into trying to make this thing work.

 

[Tenn Dave]

I would check with the dealer to see if he has a used Princess (maybe a trade-in) in the shop that you could borrow to temporarily swap with your stove. That way you could eliminate the stove as being the problem. I agree with Tarzan that you should not rush out and upgrade to a larger stove until you are certain what the problem is. Upgrading prematurely might end up being 'throwing good money after bad'.

 

[Illinois burner]

I hear you guys. My dealer is a brochure dealer only for the most part. He mostly sell gas inserts. I think he has 2 wood stoves and they are small. Going to wait until tomorrow and talk to Chris. I did get a 6 hour burn last night but it was 64° in the house when I reloaded it. There was still a chunk of wood in there but it was charcoal. Just need more heat then that

 

[bobdog2o02]

Your heat load mist be insane.... Have you done the flashlight test. I think you might want to have an experienced sweep come out and look.

 

[Tenn Dave]

I hear you guys. My dealer is a brochure dealer only for the most part. He mostly sell gas inserts. I think he has 2 wood stoves and they are small. Going to wait until tomorrow and talk to Chris. I did get a 6 hour burn last night but it was 64° in the house when I reloaded it. There was still a chunk of wood in there but it was charcoal. Just need more heat then that

Well in that case, it looks like you will have to rely mostly on BK's customer service for further assistance. You have gone above and beyond what the average consumer can be expected to do. This is an open wound and needs immediate attention. Good luck my friend. We feel your pain.

 

[deejam]

Ill burner, i wish you the best of luck with this situation. I also have a brand new BK princess ultra sitting in my living room along with some DVL stove pipe and a Duratech SS chimney waiting to be installed (pic below). Even though the stove only requires spark protection the wife still would like a stone hearth pad, so im in the process of planning that out. I'm also in Illinois and could not find a decent BK dealer, let alone any that had stoves in stock. Looking to avoid the long lead time and shipping costs I ended driving almost 3 hours to Indiana to pick up my gear from a great dealer. Its unfortunate they will be not be able to do a home visit if i have any issues.

Wish you the best

 

[Illinois burner]

I wish you the best. P M your number once you get it going. I'm curious. Glad you're going through the roof

 

[Illinois burner]

Dee jam I am close to the Quad City area. Where are you at?