Quadrafire Castile Lid Switch

[castilefun]

I have a Quadrafire Castile pellet insert (I've had it for a few years). I was just doing a cleaning of it and took off the side panels to see if there was anything to clean.

The right side panel's top bracket has a lid switch. The end of the wire was just dangling loose. I was pretty sure I didn't pull it loose but I wasn't positive. Regardless, I then tried to determine where to plug it in. I didn't see anything obvious so I looked closer at the wires and I saw something concerning…

There was a wire that with a protecting sheathing that was just loose not plugged into anything. I think this is the lid switch wire harness (SRV414-1220). The end that looks like it might be where the lid switch plugs into is quite melted. The other end looks fine but it's not plugged into anything and I don't see where it plugs in.

Questions:
1) Can anyone confirm how to lid switch connects into the system? Where does that lid switch wire harness plug into the system? The manual says the hopper switch connects to the vacuum switch and snap disc 2 but I don't know what I'm looking for.
2) Even though it was probably unplugged and melted for an unknown amount of time, I assume I shouldn't use the insert again until I fix this??
3) Is there a potential underlying issue besides the lid switch wire harness?

Thanks.

 

[Ssyko]

On page 46 is a complete wiring diagram. It should explain everything. Manual

 

[IanS]

IMO that switch is a bad design. It's carrying 120v to a little magnetic switch screwed to a flimsy piece of metal that too-easily gets bent if the lid isn't on properly. My CB1200 has no such nonsense. I wonder how many owners simply bypass it.

 

[Whitenuckler]

IMO that switch is a bad design. It's carrying 120v to a little magnetic switch screwed to a flimsy piece of metal that too-easily gets bent if the lid isn't on properly. My CB1200 has no such nonsense. I wonder how many owners simply bypass it.

I believe I was helping someone who had it bypassed. I'm not 100% sure what these lid switches really protect against? If it's a hopper that draws a vacuum I could understand I guess.

 

[stovelark]

The safety switch was added on pellet stoves, so when people opened the hopper, the auger was shut off from moving, so no one could get hurt by it. As slow as they turn and for the short duration of movement, all of us thought this was kind of ridiculous, I've never heard of anyone getting hurt by an auger. Anyway, some engineer convinced it to be a positive necessary safety issue, so it came to be.

 

[johneh]

Just like the old story about MaCc Donnalds coffee. The lady spilled it on herself sued
the Company and won They did not tell her it was HOT same deal can't fix stupid

 

[Whitenuckler]

The safety switch was added on pellet stoves, so when people opened the hopper, the auger was shut off from moving, so no one could get hurt by it. As slow as they turn and for the short duration of movement, all of us thought this was kind of ridiculous, I've never heard of anyone getting hurt by an auger. Anyway, some engineer convinced it to be a positive necessary safety issue, so it came to be.

That makes sense to me. It's been awhile since I looked down into my hopper, but I guess the Harman's have a sliding door that opens. I don't know if you can your stick your finger in there, but I not going to try.

 

[IanS]

The safety switch was added on pellet stoves, so when people opened the hopper, the auger was shut off from moving, so no one could get hurt by it. As slow as they turn and for the short duration of movement, all of us thought this was kind of ridiculous, I've never heard of anyone getting hurt by an auger. Anyway, some engineer convinced it to be a positive necessary safety issue, so it came to be.

Sounds reasonable, except.... the Castile auger does not turn unless there's vacuum, and there's no vacuum without pellets in the hopper. So the person would have to dig their hand through a clump of pellets. and somehow get fingers stuck on a tiny piece of auger that turning slower than a snail.

They are FAR more likely to cut their hand on the metal bracket holding the "safety" switch.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Sounds reasonable, except.... the Castile auger does not turn unless there's vacuum, and there's no vacuum without pellets in the hopper. So the person would have to dig their hand through a clump of pellets. and somehow get fingers stuck on a tiny piece of auger that turning slower than a snail.

They are FAR more likely to cut their hand on the metal bracket holding the "safety" switch.

Maybe half the reason is the stove won't run without it closed. The switch makes sure it's closed, so the stove draws a vacuum.
No, that does not matter, if the vacuum switch is not made it should give an error and not start...maybe the vacuum switch will close but the vacuum is lower than it should be with the lid open?

 

[IanS]

The switch makes sure it's closed, so the stove draws a vacuum.

FYI the Castile lid (certainly the ceramic) is not air-tight, so open or closed makes no difference to any vacuum inside the hopper. It's impossible to be air-tight because of where it hinges - there's a significant gap between the lid and housing. The auger will not turn without something (i.e. pellets) blocking the void at the auger.