Remote Cold starting of Pellet Stove - How to ensure starting

[Domino]

I have an Enviro Omega. Previously I had an Enviro Evolution and found it a little pellet fussy and I wanted something more tolerant and with better heat output. So far, the Omega is heating so much better and quicker with the same pellets.

I remote start the pellet stove hours ahead of arrival at our cottage by closing the thermostat circuit and letting the thermostat take it from there. It is often several degrees below freezing inside the cottage and much colder outside. This is when starting in advance is most important to me. The issue is that the Omega does not start on the first try. The omega seems to be worse at this than the Evolution was, although the Evolution had its failed attempts also.

I have cleaned the Low Limit Sensor and still the same. I'd like to make sure I have the ability to start it remotely when this occurs. I have the equipment to remotely open/close a circuit momentarily, permanently or for a specified duration (i.e. 5 minutes).

I see a few of ideas that I'd like to put out there:

1. Solder thin wires to the on/off switch of the control board to allow remote "pressing" of the on switch to retry the starting and get past the error 3 from the failure to start.

2. The fire is starting and burns on low for a while before shutdown, I'm thinking I can bypass the low limit switch remotely a minute before it would fail so that the stove goes into high mode and keeps running. Also, could I replace the low limit with a 110 instead of 120 without any ill effects?

3. Put a space heater behind the stove and run it for a time before attempting to restart.

4. Wire up a Hair Dryer Heater inside of the OAK to heat the incoming air to help the process.

P.s. I can tell if the stove is working from remote by the increase in temperature after 30 minutes. If the temp is going up, I know the stove is running. So I'd know if I needed to hit the start button again (have to figure out the timing)


Any suggestions? Warnings? Ideas?

 

[Bioburner]

I replaced the snap switch on a Whit that was having cold problems to as you suggested down to 110 and have had no more cold starting issues. One wouldn't think ten degrees would make that difference but it did.

 

[Domino]

I replaced the snap switch on a Whit that was having cold problems to as you suggested down to 110 and have had no more cold starting issues. One wouldn't think ten degrees would make that difference but it did.

Good to hear. I have a 110 switch on its way already. I didn't figure 10 degree could hurt, but didn't know if would make any difference either.

I would still like a back up plan....

 

[Domino]

Whilst waiting for my 110F POF sensor, I wired up the on/off switch of the control board to allow remote "pressing" of the on switch. I set the stove to Hi/Low and was able to remote start it, let it fail (error 3) and restart it again successfully.

Hopefully the 110F POF sensor that will be installed this weekend will get the stove to complete startup on the first try.

 

[Domino]

Update:

I should have done the remote ON/OFF years ago! Works great and I can leave the stove in HI/LO to reduce wear on the ignitor.

The 110F POF Sensor has been replaced. This morning the inside of the cottage was 24F (-4.5c). The outside temperature, where the OAK would be taking the air from, was -11F (-24c).

The stove started, first time!! 45 minutes after initial start, the inside temperature has increased by 6 degrees F (3.5c).

Thanks for the assistance. 10 degree on the POF sensor made all the difference.

 

[Bioburner]

Putts around with a dozen or so different stove models in extreme conditions has its advantages pays off again

 

[the cug]

hey domino, I don't understand your remote on off. u can start your stove from home before going out to the cottage? I assume u call from your phone to trigger the thermostat..

 

[Domino]

Yes, that is correct. I do not have Internet access at the cottage to I use a 2g relay device that allows me to sent a text message from an authorized phone and close the relay. It also has a temperature sensor allowing me to know the current temperature inside the cottage.

With this I was closing the thermostat loop and having the stove start. Which usually worked except when there had been a prolonged power outage (stove is on a UPS) or it failed to light on the first try. Now I have soldered wires on the control board that mimics the on/off button. I sent a command to close the really for 1 second. It's like pushing the button.

I use the temperature to know if the stove has started successfully. If it fails, then hitting "on" again resets and starts again.

 

[johnny1720]

For your situation I would get a cheap empire gas furnace. Pellet Stoves have come a long way. However you are still trying to light wood. It is almost a science but not yet.