M55 Error #3

[mjlakers22]

Hoping to get some help on this issue that has just recently started happening in the last week..

I just bought my m55 in october (i live in ny) and have been running the stove on manual until last week when i installed/hooked up my thermostat..

I've been running the stove in the Auto/Off setting and after about 20-25 hours of use (sometimes less) my stove stops working and is flashing the #3 error..

A. There are pellets in the hopper
B. I cleaned the pot liner and made sure it was positioned correclty
*i'm hoping i don't have to clean this every day for it to work?

any ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated..

thanks

 

[stoveguy13]

did the air get set by the installer ?

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

What is the number 3 error on your stove is it a failure to start or out of pellets error if so when it happens are there unburned pellets in the burn pot?

 

[whlago]

If you check the technical manual that came with the stove or find it on-line, you will find this could be caused by a number of items. Flashing code three indicates that the "Exhaust Motor Not Functioning Properly". You indicated that the hopper is full of fuel and that eliminates one possibility. Other issues could be related to your draft, whether you have outside air kit installed (OAK), the configuration of your venting system, whether or not your auger is functioning, what type of pellets are you using (I added that one although may not be an indicator). You may want to include information related to your venting system installation and whether or not you have OAK installed, in order to receive some help with this issue.

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Plugged vacuum line, vacuum line not connected, plugged barb on stove end of the vacuum line, plugged venting, vacuum line connected to the wrong port on the vacuum switch, completely closed or otherwise blocked air intake.

 

[nailed_nailer]

On my M55C

A flashing #3 light indicates "The exhaust Temp. Switch contacts have opened" Pg 20 of Technical Manual.

This can be caused by several things.

1. Stove out of fuel
2. Bad fuel not burning hot enough
3. Adjust Feed trim/Air trim. Excessive Combustion air burning up the dropped fuel too quickly to sustain fire
Or not enough air to burn properly. What does your flame look like while burning.
Is your damper properly adjusted for your vent setup?
4. Combustion Blower failure. How clean is your vent path from Firebox to rain cap? Including your Exhaust blower.
5. Severe negative pressure in house if no OAK. Ensure the stove has good air supply. Ensure OAK not blocked.
If no OAK try opening a window near stove to feed it fresh air.
Could also be vent termination. Try adding height to vent.

Not sure how your stove is installed. The more info you can provide the better chance we have of solving your problem.

Good Luck,
---Nailer---

 

[mjlakers22]

Hi guy's,

thanks for the quick responses..

I had the dealer i purchased the stove from install my m55

Smokey, as whalgo said error #3 only states 2 possibilities
1. make sure the pellets are in the hopper (which they are)
2. make sure the burn pot line is positioned correctly and clean (i just cleaned my stove on wed night at 930 pm and my stove error light
came on last night around midnight, just over 24 hours)

I'm not sure on the venting system, i have an insert that was just placed into a prefab fire place (my house is only 6 years old) and it is placed into my chimney..hopefully
that is clear..i'm not very well versed in this area.

I'm using a brand of pellets from the Tractor Supply store..it says premium hardwood on the bag (i'm not sure of the brand off the top of my head) would the pellets
really effect the stove that much?

any more information that i could provide?

al

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Holy crap that is a failure to light error for just about any reason under and over the sun.

If there were unburned pellets in the burn pot it could also indicate a failing air pump, a failing igniter, or ash between the igniter and the tube it is in.

 

[stoveguy13]

Have the dealer come out and properly set the draft if they did not at time of install make sure they use the meter what fuel setting are you on?

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

I read the destructions for that stove and it basically is a catch all error depending upon what causes the problem. The reason the light is flashing is that the low limit proof of fire switch didn't see evidence of a fire in the stove.

We need a lot more information than you have provided to narrow it down.

It could even be caused by a non operational agitator.

 

[jtakeman]

Couple of questions.

What mode are you in? Premium or regular.

Are you getting a lot of carbon build up in the burnpot liner?

Does it start fine once you clean it only to not start again, once the stat calls for heat?

 

[mjlakers22]

I am running the stove in Premium setting

I have the stove set on setting #4 and the air trim #5 and feed trim at #2...(am i correct in assuming that the air trim and feed trim are auto in the automatic
setting depending on the thermostat calling for the stove to fire)

...also note i never had this problem when the stove was in manual mode...i ran the stove in manual mode at air trim #5, feed trim #1 for about 2 months before
going to my thermastat about a week ago....

 

[stoveguy13]

did you ever run it on 1 in manual mode? i would put both back to factory setting of 3 as well and start from that point

 

[jtakeman]

The feed trim and blower trim will be the same as when in manual. The only thing that changes is in auto you go to low fire(heat setting #1) for 30 minutes. Could be your too lean in low fire and the stove is going out. Increase the feed trim to 3 and reduce the blower trim to 4 and try it again.

One way to prove this is to run the stove on low(heat setting #1) in manual mode. Set your feed trim and blower trim to get a nice fire on that setting. Run the stove for an hour or 2. Then raise your heat setting to #4 and go back to auto. Probably won't see the #3 error again. ;-)

 

[jtakeman]

did you ever run it on 1 in manual mode? i would put both back to factory setting of 3 as well and start from that point

That's what I'm thinking. Stove is tweaked for high fire, But too lean and going out in low fire once the stat is satisfied.

 

[mjlakers22]

will try guys...so basically w/low feed trim the stove doesn't have enough fuel to restart..because basically i've noticed the stove when in auto/off will run fine for 20-25 hours then not work..so basically
it will go through the entire process..fire up hit the thermastat temp of 71, slow burn for 30, turn off, then restart over again..it will work for a bunch of cycles then error #3 comes back...

should i still try what you are suggesting j-takemen and stoveguy?

 

[Eatonpcat]

I would call the installer/technician and have him come out!!

 

[jtakeman]

should i still try what you are suggesting j-takemen and stoveguy?

I would as its free and won't hurt anything. I'd still call the dealer to set the stove with the mag.

 

[mjlakers22]

also i'm using Instant Heat Pellets from Tractor Supply..does anybody know anything about them, i.e. are the ok for my stove?

 

[stoveguy13]

The most common #3 error I see is related
To damper setting as J said can't hurt
But have it set with the mag.

 

[mjlakers22]

also to answer another question above, yes after i clean the stove thoroughly it works fine for a few cycles meaning (it will fire up hit my thermastat temp of 71, slow burn for 30, turn off, then restart over again..it will work for a bunch of cycles then error #3 comes back…) this has been happening ever since i switch to the TStat controlled Auto/Off feature..

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

also to answer another question above, yes after i clean the stove thoroughly it works fine for a few cycles meaning (it will fire up hit my thermastat temp of 71, slow burn for 30, turn off, then restart over again..it will work for a bunch of cycles then error #3 comes back…) this has been happening ever since i switch to the TStat controlled Auto/Off feature..

Tell us all about the agitator in that puppy is it keeping crud from building up enough to prevent reliable ignition?

Failure to ignite can have a large number of causes.

 

[jtakeman]

Again, The only thing different from manual to auto/off is the stove spends time on low. Please set the stove to factory defaults and try it again. With the feed rate set so low and the blower trim set so high, There is a good chance your starving the stove for fuel and getting burnouts.

Set the stove to manual. Shut the stove down. Once its off unplug it(better to shut the surge suppressor off). Wait a minute and plug it back in. Refire the stove and reset the heat setting to 4. Then set it back to auto/off. Report back if it still gives you the #3 error.

 

[mjlakers22]

mr bear,

i have nothing to compare the agitator to....what would i be looking for?..i'm watching the agitator and it's def turning and working..it doesn't appear as if there is much "crud" build up..but again i have nothing to compare it to..

i'm thinking its got something to do with the reignitation faze based on all the comments and questions everyone is making...basically it works fine from the perspective of:
* running until the TState temp is satisfied
* slows down it's burn over the next 30 min
* shuts off if no more heat is required...
* and it will reignite a couple of times....but evenutally after a certain period/number of times of running through this process it fails to reignite..

 

[jtakeman]

mr bear,

i have nothing to compare the agitator to....what would i be looking for?..i'm watching the agitator and it's def turning and working..it doesn't appear as if there is much "crud" build up..but again i have nothing to compare it to..

i'm thinking its got something to do with the reignitation faze based on all the comments and questions everyone is making...basically it works fine from the perspective of:
* running until the TState temp is satisfied
* slows down it's burn over the next 30 min
* shuts off if no more heat is required...
* and it will reignite a couple of times....but evenutally after a certain period/number of times of running through this process it fails to reignite..

If it is the reignite not catching? Going back to the factory defaults will help. If your lean on low heat setting then you will also be lean on the restart. These stove restart in low fire setting #1.