Hello friends! I thought I would pop in & give an update on my stove for any future people that are in a similar situation & searching for answers. I hate when people have a problem & then we never hear the solution! Haha.
I finally had an opportunity to replace the top auger in my stove (again) with one that I ordered direct from England Stover Works. At this time, I also replaced the glass gasket that I had been putting off, but really didn't pertain to this issue. I am happy to report, my stove is now working MUCH better.
Right at the first start up, I realized that I probably need to adjust my feed because if this motor works as it should, a 1 is going to be too low to keep a flame. So I adjust it back to my stove's normal, which was "3-4-1" & I set my stove at "1 & 3" just as a test. It was burning very low & slow. Like practically just embers. But I could immediately see the difference in the amount of pellets it was pushing out... Like 3 or 4 each time they dropped instead of like 20~. After about an hour, it dawned on me that I had replaced the Control Board so whatever settings were "normal" for my stove probably do not apply anymore with a new brain operating it. So with that in mind, I told myself that I may need to adjust to a 4-4-1, but did not take that step. I bumped it to 2 & 4 because it was cold. I wanted to keep it low though so I had a base time to work with. After another hour, I was cold & just bumped it to 6 & 8.
The next day, I was able to actually time it out. With the stove at a 4 & 6 (still "3-4-1"), a hopper of pellets lasted 14 hours. Temps were in the upper 20's & the living room with the stove was 78 degrees & the thermostat in the kitchen read 68. This was perfect.
I know running a stove at 1 or 2 isn't the best for it, as it works the hardest at that setting. Knowing that, a 3 is kinda like my old 1 right now. Therefore, I am going to keep my "3-4-1" setting. If we have a cold snap & a 9 & 9 isn't enough, I can adjust to a "4-4-1". Also, I know it says to run the feed & blower at the same number (ie: 4 & 4, 6 & 6, etc), however 10 years ago my ex said to run the blower +2 from the feed so that's what I've always done (unless going above a 7 feed of course). If anyone can explain to me why I shouldn't do that, please do. Otherwise, I'm just gonna keep doing what I know I guess lol
So all in all, on my stove now.... brand new top auger motor from ESW, bottom auger motor is OEM purchased from Home Depot 2 seasons ago & runs TOO FAST, and new Control Board from Pellet Stove Parts 4 Less.
I have 2 spare auger motors from Pellet Stove Parts 4 Less that are also TOO fast (but will be fine in the lower auger position, or in a pinch if the top goes & I'm waiting on a replacement, I don't have to go 3-5 days without heat), a brand new spare auger OEM from ESW, and the stove's original 10 year old Control Board that had nothing wrong with it. I contemplated putting it back in the stove, but didn't. I can't return the new one anyway, and pulling wires all over again just makes me nervous lol
So.... that is my story. I've gone a couple days now & things are running smoothly again, thank heavens! Thank you EVERYONE who helped me with this journey!! This forum is heaven sent!
Thank you again for all of your help!