Isle Royale Smoking... a lot

[js156]

I spoke with the service tech from another approved Quadra fire dealer in my area and he thought that my temps were with in range. He also thought that the only time I should be using my primary was at start up and that throughout the burn it should remain closed-universally. He spoke to me for maybe 20, 25 minutes. I did ask if he would take a look at my two recent videos and he reluctantly agreed. He didn't think he should come out based on what I was telling him.
He didn't really think that my wood splits were too small (although I may) but he did think that I should be sure to really fill it up and be able to get 6 to 8 hours out of it. I do hope he looks at my two videos because there is no way I'm going to get that but I wish I did.
As far as getting another stove, I hear you all but I would also have to redo my tile work which isn't cheap.
Rideau, it would have been nice if my Quad dealer mentioned to me that I would likely have over firing problems. I did not buy this thing off of craiglist. " They really ought not to be an approved dealer. This has been a loss of credibility for both the dealer and Quad; Quad for letting them be an approved, trusted, dealer. That they ain't.
Jags, Had" was a typo. Don't worry I have a damper. . I would have to take my stove apart to really check the start up air the way you want me to but when I have it open I can hear the whistle and I also don't see my fires burning from the back forward. It seems to me to be from the front to the back or the top down.
Maybe something is up with my primary that can be fixed and reduce the way it blows the flame around I don't know. I will let you know what that tech says. Jags, can you point me to the thread that talks of modifying the primary? Thx.
Again, thank you all for your helpful ideas, I will keep you posted.

 

[Jags]

So you DO have a pipe damper?

This post explains the general theory:

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/slightly-modified-insert-secondaries-ablaze.61653/#post-61653

There are still several questions from my previous post unanswered.
Fuel load?
Where are you taking temps at? and for a baseline, try taking them from the top left corner of the griddle. This would be so that I can compare to my own, known readings.

 

[northwinds]

I spoke with the service tech from another approved Quadra fire dealer in my area and he thought that my temps were with in range. He also thought that the only time I should be using my primary was at start up and that throughout the burn it should remain closed-universally. He spoke to me for maybe 20, 25 minutes. I did ask if he would take a look at my two recent videos and he reluctantly agreed. He didn't think he should come out based on what I was telling him.

What is the temp range that you discussed with the service tech? Are you still experiencing temps above 700, and how long do the temps stay above 700?

 

[js156]

Jags, I have been posting videos and pictures of my set up for a long time. Yes, I have a damper! .

The way I have loaded. I previously loaded the stove by putting maybe 3 logs across the bottom and then load logs across the top of those logs. After talking with the tech yesterday I have been loading the rear bottom, then the rear top, then the middle bottom and the middle top, ect. This is better for me to get tighter loads because I was always trying to get them between the bottom logs and the baffle and that doesn't work as good. The temps I was posting are not in the center like Kobemans and Northwinds are on page 7 but they are close. My stove pipe numbers are 12" above the stove as per Chimgards recommendations. I did contact Chimgard about a probe thermometer, and for the forums sake, they told me not to do it. They said the readings would not be accurate.

Northwinds, I am still getting temps above 700 every time I use the stove. But now there seems to be debate as to where to take the temps at. Center, off center, or edge. The tech I spoke with yesterday seemed to blow off stove temps and was curious about stove pipe temps. Right now my stove pipe is 475 @ 12" up, center of griddle 735, edge of griddle 650. My draft was at -.05 and I lowered it to -.03. This may darken my windows but I want longer burn times with less high heat. As to how long, that is hard me to answer. As long as there is wood in the stove to burn is my answer. After the logs have burnt out and are still maintaining their shape the temp will drop to 400. At that time I can break them with a poker and I'll be left with large chunks of red hot ash.
If you want hours and minutes I can probably get you that information but probably not tomorrow.

Also, I have yet to hear back from the tech as to my 2 videos and coming out for a service call...I sent them yesterday so hopefully I hear from him.

As always thank you. And if I don't answer your question please ask me again as Jags did....I miss some of them sometimes. Thx!

 

[northwinds]

I am surprised that the tech "seemed to blow off stove temps." That's not consistent with the conversations that I've had with Quad service techs who have all told me that 650 is the upper limit guidance although the manual is silent on that subject. Having said that, most of us with the stoves on the forum have hit 700 from time to time for brief periods. (minutes not hours)

Loading all of the logs east/west and tightly packed together and bigger logs will slow down and extend your burn.

Are you getting dark windows? You shouldn't be if the stove is running that hot.

We used to have a Quad service rep from Madison WI who was a regular poster here, jtp, but I haven't seen him around for a very long time. It's always a big plus when manufacturers or their reps contribute to the forum (like Englander).

Edit: There's lots of heat left in those coals. Leave them alone and let them burn on their own from 400 on down. You should be happy with those lower temps and not reload until you have just enough coals left for easy relighting. Especially in your situation.

 

[js156]

Thanks for the tip about leaving them there as that is where I'm at now...the flames are gone but the logs are there and I'm 470 center of griddle and my windows are clear.

 

[MattFoley772]

Months ago he said his gaskets failed the dollar bill test. I've yet to read that they were fixed. Until those leaks are fixed he will get hot burns no matter what else he does.

 

[js156]

Matt,
As far as the doors, I thought that the gaskets looked okay. Meaning I didn't see any frayed edges where the ends come together and I did remove all the washers to make the door close tighter; and it is tight, very tight. With that and it being oem I decided to leave it alone. Thanks for asking.

 

[js156]

I mentioned before that the flames seem concentrated on the rear right side of my stove. Tonight, I saw flames coming out of the inside, side of my stove where the vertical brick butt into a vertical piece of steel that is on each side of the stove behind the cast iron side panels. I looked for the name of the piece of steel in the exploded drawing in my manual but it is not mentioned.
It's takes some looking to see what I am talking about since it doesn't video record with the same depth that I had looking at. But I think you will still see it. The flame comes out sideways and is noticeable at different times but at 28 seconds in I think it is pretty clear.
Thank you for looking.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/73330363@N05/16248171851/

more of the same here

https://www.flickr.com/photos/73330363@N05/16062510188/lightbox/

that damn flame from the log in front blocks it too much.

What do you think?

 

[MattFoley772]

Could be just the way the air flows around the logs. Did you try moving the logs to see what happens? Does it happen every time?

 

[js156]

I'm going to start calling this stove Christine, from Stephen King. I really do not like this stove at all.

I finally heard back from Quad regarding the two videos that I posted on page 7 where I asked for assistance to what may be going on. Their input? It's getting too much air. A kindergartner could have told me that. How did I end up with this stove. I hope they don't want any recommendations. Their system of passing everything of to their dealers and just hoping everything will go fine is ludicrous. The second dealer I contacted disappeared. Now onto the third. Thanks Quad.

 

[rideau]

I'd really recommend selling this stove and buying one that likes or at least tolerates a strong draft. And buy from a dealer or a company that you can talk with, so you can get help if you have issues. You can honestly tell a buyer that you have too tall a chimney for this stove. Many people need a stove that will work well with a shorter chimney. You could start keeping your eye open for a good fairly new stove that is used..in which case you might not loose too much in the exchange.

 

[QuadraFire]

Hey JS,

This is Chris from QuadraFire. I have read through your post, so sorry to hear you are experiencing issues with your appliance! Seems like this great community has helped you very well so far. With your outstanding issues could you please send me an email so I can work with our Tech teams to troubleshoot your appliance and determine the root cause? I will let you know their response, as well as the corrective actions that need to be taken.

I can assure you, we are committed to every single appliance out there, and want to ensure that all Quad units are running smoothly and without issue. Although it has not been apparent to you, we are most definitely willing, and I am sorry for the frustrations you have had so far.

Please send me an email at [email protected] with the serial number of your appliance, as well as the outstanding issues with your unit, and the dealer you would prefer to work with in your area.

 

[Chuck the Canuck]

Way to step up Quad.

 

[Kobeman]

This is awesome that Quad is on here now,please post what the fix is. There has to be a restricter plate or something for taller chimney installs. I think it's important to be able to eliminate the middle man, (dealer) and talk to the source. I know when I got mine and called the dealer as I thought it was running too hot they said stove was fine and advised me to lower the chimney, which I dismissed as it would then violate code. Then billed me for the call. The owners manual is horrid and the parts breakdown only shows 25% of the parts. Round here dealers of any product are a dying breed, (furniture, appliances, small engines, wood stoves/fireplaces) It's an online era, alot of products you buy have a paper in them that says Stop, do not return product to store, then lists a legit phone number to call. Guess I'm old skool

 

[QuadraFire]

This is awesome that Quad is on here now,please post what the fix is. There has to be a restricter plate or something for taller chimney installs. I think it's important to be able to eliminate the middle man, (dealer) and talk to the source. I know when I got mine and called the dealer as I thought it was running too hot they said stove was fine and advised me to lower the chimney, which I dismissed as it would then violate code. Then billed me for the call. The owners manual is horrid and the parts breakdown only shows 25% of the parts. Round here dealers of any product are a dying breed, (furniture, appliances, small engines, wood stoves/fireplaces) It's an online era, alot of products you buy have a paper in them that says Stop, do not return product to store, then lists a legit phone number to call. Guess I'm old skool

We will definitely be able to look into the issue, just want to hear from JS first to clarify what exactly the current problems are that he is experiencing. In some cases, only hands on trouble shooting can truly resolve a problem; being on the other end of the computer can we can only use hypothesis. If need be, I can also assist in scheduling a Quad Factory Trained Technician out to assist and properly troubleshoot and diagnose the issue.

 

[rideau]

Chris,
A suggestion.
We have seen a number of QuadraFire owners post that they have been unable to get a service response from their dealer/distributor or from QuadraFire. A strong commitment to customer satisfaction might include in the manual a directive to seek assistance with issues first from one's dealer/distributor; if the issues were unable to be satisfactorily resolved, then fax the details of the issues and steps taken with/by the dealer distributor( with name and contact info on both owner and dealer), to resolve issues, and remaining problems to : [then give a fax # at QuadraFire].
This would give the purchaser access to assistance in all situations, Quadrafire the opportunity to provide customer support and satisfaction, and QuadraFire a heads up if a dealer/distributor was consistently failing to provide service up to Quadra Fire's standards.

 

[Tenn Dave]

Good customer service is worth its weight in gold and one of the major considerations I look at when purchasing a long term asset. Very nice to see QuadraFire taking a proactive role here.

 

[QuadraFire]

Chris,
A suggestion.
We have seen a number of QuadraFire owners post that they have been unable to get a service response from their dealer/distributor or from QuadraFire. A strong commitment to customer satisfaction might include in the manual a directive to seek assistance with issues first from one's dealer/distributor; if the issues were unable to be satisfactorily resolved, then fax the details of the issues and steps taken with/by the dealer distributor( with name and contact info on both owner and dealer), to resolve issues, and remaining problems to : [then give a fax # at QuadraFire].
This would give the purchaser access to assistance in all situations, Quadrafire the opportunity to provide customer support and satisfaction, and QuadraFire a heads up if a dealer/distributor was consistently failing to provide service up to Quadra Fire's standards.

Thanks for your feedback. I will forward this on to our Director of Consumer Care for immediate action

 

[js156]

I did reply to Chris this morning and thanked him for stepping up to the plate.
I will say that I had very few, if any, kind words for my Platinum dealer and I look forward to finally being able to enjoy my stove and not be working on it.
If it was someone from this board who tapped Quad on the shoulder to look at this forum, thank you. Who knows when I would have stopped typing!

 

[js156]

One way to fix crummy installs would be to have mandatory install guidelines. If someone has vinyl siding, dealers, you do it this way, if they have brick, you have to do like this, ect. This would prevent the leaking chimney that I have.(yes it leaks too)

 

[MattFoley772]

What exactly is a leaking chimney?

 

[js156]

When it rains water lands on the chimney outside, of course, and follows the seam of the horizontal piece to the inside and drips.

 

[Chuck the Canuck]

Boy oh boy, seems like ya just can't win sometimes..... But chin up, help's on the way and there's brighter days ahead (I'm serious, things will get better).

Cheers

 

[Toploader]

When it rains water lands on the chimney outside, of course, and follows the seam of the horizontal piece to the inside and drips.

I fixed a leak like this for a friend once by removing the drip collar [just above the roof] and reapplying the bead of heat resistant caulking that seals the joint between the collar and the pipe. It's not hard to do.