Pellet Stove Vacuum Switch Error – St. Croix Prescott EXL
Posted on November 24, 2008 – 8:59 pm by admin
As I mentioned earlier in the season, we had a St. Croix Prescott EXL pellet stove installed in the basement.
Before the Winter season really began, I had my doubts on whether or not the pellet stove would heat the entire house. I was worried that it’s location would hinder the airflow to all the rooms upstairs. Well, I am happy to inform you that the stove does heat the entire house. I mean, if we keep the master bedroom door shut, it does. The master bedroom is over the garage and the furthest room from the stove. It’s also the coldest room, which is why we keep the door shut. When the time hits 10:30PM, the new digital thermostat cranks the heat in that room up to 65 degrees. That’s good enough for me.
We have had some nights already where the temperature has been in the 20s. I think that’s Winter and enough to tell me that the heating situation is going to be okay. I did try burning a fire in the regular fireplace a few times while running the pellet stove. The fireplace actually made things worse. It sucked so much air out of the house, all the rooms dropped a few degrees. Fireplaces are remarkably inefficient and really shouldn’t be used, in my humble opinion. If you want to run something in your fireplace, run a free standing wood stove or a wood stove insert. Even burning a fireplace for aesthetics on a cold day will freeze out the rest of your house. Nuff said.
Okay, we are having a little issue with the pellet stove.
A few nights ago, I tried to start it up. The start up procedure really isn’t very difficult on the Prescott. It basically consists of pushing the “on” button. Once the “on” button is pushed, the room blower turns on for about 10 seconds and the auger turns until the burn pot is approximately half way full of pellets. As the auger is turning, the ignitor kicks on and the pellets light up. It’s fun to watch and I sit there almost every time I light the stove doing just that. I smile when I see that flame dancing around inside that pellet stove.
Back to a few nights ago…when I tried to light the stove this particular time, I pushed the button. The fan turned on for about 10 seconds and then the stove just shut off. I am not sure if the auger ever turned to drop pellets into the burn pot.
I tried to light the stove a few more times when I noticed the #2 light blinking on the control board. I thought this was a little strange, since I had never seen that light blink before. I pulled out the owner’s manual and looked up that error code. Apparently, a lack of negative pressure causes the stove not to light and the #2 light to blink.
What can cause a lack of negative pressure? Well, a really windy day can do it, an open pellet stove door, a fireplace burning upstairs perhaps, a clogged air feed pipe or a clogged exhaust vent pipe. I am sure there are others, but these are the ones I remember.
Since I had a fire already going upstairs in the fireplace, I chalked the whole thing up to that. I got the pellet stove going in this instance by pulling the rubber tube off the vacuum switch and lightly sucking on it. When I heard a little “click,” I pushed the on button again. From here, things were fine. I held the crimped hose for a few minutes and then I hooked it back up the proper way.
Well, I tried to light the stove again the next night. The same thing happened. Since we had no fire going in the fireplace, I thought perhaps there was a clogged area in the stove somewhere that is causing the lack of vacuum, or negative pressure.
Let’s make a really long and boring story a bit shorter and to the point.
I cleaned out the entire stove about 10 times and nothing has changed. Every night, I suck on that hose to get the stove up and running. I have been reading the owner’s manual as well as some websites that deal with this kind of situation, but nothing has helped. One website said that a clogged exhaust vent is the sure-fire problem. I got excited and took off the clean-out cap. A little pile of ashed dropped out, but nothing changed.
This afternoon, I called the pellet stove dealer. I told them that I had pretty much narrowed the problem down to a faulty pellet stove vacuum switch and that I would need the tech to come out and take a look. Before we swap out the switch, I want him to hook up a vacuum gauge to see if there is proper negative pressure. If there is, we can replace the switch…if not, we have to do a bit more digging.
I keep going downstairs to investigate this issue. It is in my blood that I try to diagnose this problem myself. The only things I don’t have are a vacuum gauge or a new vacuum switch. I guess I need those things to solve the problem.
If you have ever experienced something like this with your pellet stove, please let me know. I am racing against time here. I want to beat the repair guy and figure this out myself.
30 Responses to “Pellet Stove Vacuum Switch Error – St. Croix Prescott EXL”
By Drew on Nov 25, 2008 | Reply
I have a similar issue going on with my stove, but I have a St. Croix Hastings model – although I do not have a heat level light flashing on my unit, it still will not light on its own. Please let me know if you figure out what your issue is. Thanks.
By jayadmin on Nov 25, 2008 | Reply
Oh, you can count on it.
By Bill on Nov 26, 2008 | Reply
I’m having he same problem and I’m only in the second season of using my stove (only used it sparingly last year). I initially thought I might have a dead animal in the venting system, but that wasnt the case. Initially, the number 2 light flashes and the fan clicks off. After awhile and once the stove gets hot, the fan will continously run but the auger never drops pellets. I think its a defective vacuum switch? I have the dealer coming out on Dec 9th…
By jayadmin on Nov 26, 2008 | Reply
I have only burned about a half ton of pellets so far. It seems a little strange to be having this issue so early as well. In my case, I made sure there was nothing clogged, such as the exhaust vent screen or piping. I cleaned the stove throughout. Then, I just unhooked the two wires from the vacuum switch (right side of stove) and used a paper clip as a jumper. Now, I don’t have to worry about sucking that hose anymore, until the service tech comes out to do his thing and fix it the correct way.
I sure hope this isn’t going to be a regular occurrence with this St. Croix pellet stove. I never had this kind of issue in the 2 years I heavily used a Harman P38.
Please let me know what the problem was after the dealer comes out on Dec 9.
By Bill on Nov 29, 2008 | Reply
I thoroughly cleaned out my stove and tried sucking on the hose into the vacuum switch but nothing worked. Then I tapped gently on the vacuum switch with a small wrench and it clicked on..(similar to a car starter..) Next day had to do the same thing to get it started, but then today it worked without tapping on it? Not sure what fixed it, but it seems to be fine now. Might have had some dust or something stuck inside? Cancelled the tech and we’ll see how it goes.
By jayadmin on Nov 29, 2008 | Reply
I was actually thinking of the same thing. I believe that ash may have gotten into the vacuum switch. Since there is no filter, the ash may have traveled up the tube and contaminated the contacts in the switch.
By curt on Dec 17, 2008 | Reply
Not sure if im posting right but here goes,I have a Prescott also same troubles from time to time,I’ve had to turn the stove off then unplug for a couple mins.Also had to adjust door latch so door would close tighter ,the seal gasket around door gets a bit worn air flows abit i think and kicks switch off as if door was open too long,their are 2 allenhead screws for door adjusting.also there is a high heat switch that may be bad.
By tigh on Dec 26, 2008 | Reply
Jay – my # 2 light is blinking
I can light the stove – it always starts up and runs sometimes it runs for 4 days then turns off and the blinking #2 light goes on – I clean the stone start it up the the same thing happens ????
By John on Dec 27, 2008 | Reply
The issue we are having is the over feeding of pellets. We have cleaned and overhauled the stove, replacing burn pot, the wall, adjusting the flow, etc. Still having the same issue this whole season. We have not been able to get this stove working at all and because there is a long wait for service we have been trying to get this working ourselves.
By jayadmin on Dec 27, 2008 | Reply
Could it be the thermostat setting? Do you have it set to “manual?” If not, set it to manual on the control panel. It’s a little black switch at the top of the panel.
Also, the problem may be a faulty control board. For that, you would need a service tech to come out and look at it for you.
I would get on the phone and start screaming. It’s their responsibility to hire the necessary people to service these machines. What’s the sense of a warranty, if no one ever comes out to take care of the problem?
Have you ever noticed that these places are always fully stocked with sales people, but never enough service techs? Funny, it never takes a month and a half to sell the stove, only to service it.
By Debbie Lutch on Dec 29, 2008 | Reply
Hi, I have the same blinking #2 light and am trying, like all of you, to avoid the service call if possible. How do I find the vacuum switch to try what you all have tried? Behind right side panel and….? Thanks for helping me out – I have a prescott model too.
By Brian on Dec 30, 2008 | Reply
I have a Harmon P68 stove. I was worried it would not heat the whole house, but like yours it does! I have a ceiling fan with a heater on it which helps with the master bedroom. I love my pellet stove. I burn about a bag a day, and I keep 6 tons of pellets in the garage. Getting 6 tons of pellets into your garage is not fun. I think for the winter I use 5 tons. Much much cheaper than oil. You can read all about my pellet adventure: http://oshea12566.wordpress.com/2008/08/21/pellet-nightmare/
Read all me pellet stove repair adventure: http://oshea12566.wordpress.com/2008/11/22/harmon-pellet-stove-nightmare/
By Rich in MA on Jan 1, 2009 | Reply
I have a St Croix Prescott EXL, installed 11/17/06. So it’s out of warranty as of two months ago. The thing has run great, 2 tons of pellets the first year, 3 tons last year. I do regular cleaning and complete annual maintenance myself. Running good this year until today. Stove shut down with a flashing #2 light. I did a thorough cleaning. Still would not start – flashing #2. Based on the above and other similar stories, I jumped the vacuum switch. No luck – same problem. I pulled the vacuum hose to check for vacuum during start-up, no vacuum. I pulled out the combustion fan, and left it where I could see it and started the stove…the fan was turning at about 1 RPM. After unplugging the stove, I removed the fan – the shaft is very difficult to turn – it’s toast. I have to call the dealer tomorrow and see how much they cost. Since the freaking gasket cost $20.00 last time I was there, my guess the motor will be $200.00+. So if you are diagnosing a flashing #2, also check your combustion fan. HAPPY NEW YEAR.
By jayadmin on Jan 1, 2009 | Reply
Brian,
I’m not sure how far the walk was for you to get your 6 tons of pellets into your garage, but I feel your pain. I purchased 4 tons this year and had to put 6 bags at a time into a wheelbarrow to wheel around to the back of the house. Then, I had to hand lift each bag, walk it inside and stack them neatly in the basement. What is that…200 bags? 40lbs per bag?
If we had a three bay garage, the delivery guy could have simply wheeled the pallet jack into the garage. No problem.
By Brian on Jan 2, 2009 | Reply
If I had a nickle for everytime I said: ” If we had”…I hear ya pal.I keep telling my wife, we need another garage for the pellets and tractor. Fortunatly for me, she agrees. It is on the “to be constructed” list. For my pellets,we backed the truck up right to the garage door and with one guy in the truck and two of us on the ground, walked back and forth about a hundred times. Good times. Nothing like having 40 lbs dropped onto your arms than walking 15 feet and staking the bag, then rinse and repeat. Next year, I am having the pellets delived by a truck with liftgate. I will purchase a pallet jack for about 200 bucks from northerntool.com. If you have not visited that site yet, I suggest you do. Remember as a kid looking through the Toys R Us catalog circling what you wanted for Christmas? Remember that feeling? It is that feeling you get with this site. Toys for us big boys. Back to pellets…..I will use my new pallet jack and lift the whole pallet at a time into the garage. Hopefully, that will work.
By jayadmin on Jan 2, 2009 | Reply
Oh you should have seen the setup the guys had who delivered the pellets here. 4 pallets, shrink wrapped, lift gate, self propelled pallet jack. The whole delivery would have taken 5 minutes if I wanted them to be stored in the garage.
By tigh on Jan 2, 2009 | Reply
how do you jump the vacuum switch ?
By Brad on Jan 7, 2009 | Reply
Tigh,
Jumping out the vacuum switch is done by connecting the two wires that are attached to the switch itself. This test will basicly tell the control board that you have vacuum. The vacuum in the stove is created by the exhaust or combustion fan and is located in the left side panel. this switch is normally open and is set at .05 wc negative pressure. to test this switch i would check the combustion fan first if it is not running replace fan… if fan is running check to see if the gray wires are attached if they are use a multimeter with dc volts should have 5 volts if dont have 5 volts follow the gray wires back to the molex connector and check for loose connection. if you have voltage jump out the switch if stove runs with the vacuum jumped you should check your negative preasure but i dont expect you to have a vacuum gauge… you can use the multimeter and change to ohm’s and check for continuity. if you do not have continuity the switch is bad. make sure the door gasket and ash pan both are sealed properly. you can use a piece of paper stick it in the door, shut the door and pull on the paper it should have slit resistance. rotate the paper around the door to check the gasket in all area’s. hope this helps
By tigh on Jan 7, 2009 | Reply
BRAD – thanks – what about the stove pipe could it be clogged the t going into the flue – my stove always starts up – runs its five minutes and as soon as the fan goes on ( the one that pushes the hot air out) the stove shuts down and the #2 starts blinking ??
By Jamie on Jan 14, 2009 | Reply
I’ve read this entire blog several times as we are having #2 blinking light issues ourselves. I’ve gotten to know my stove very well in the process! Everything from cleaning , sucking on a hose and removing and checking the combustion fan. I just replaced the gasket and hope it was the issue as I THINK I’ve checked everything I can. Does anyone know how long I have to let the cement dry before I can safely try and fire up my St. Croix Hastings?
By Linda on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
Hi to all. I have figured out the cause of the that nasty #2 error light. Like all of you I clean my stove regularly. Once the issue started we basically ran thru everything physically possible to check (i.e. vacuum switch, auger, combustion fan, electronic control panel etc). Nothing was wrong with anything that we tested. We started believing it was the pellets, but found that a lot of people were using the same brand with no issues. Then I went into “deep think mode”. I believed there had to be an issue with the combustion fans. This is the fan that sends air to the burning chamger (fire pot). The solutions was simple: There was not issue with the fans. Now I had to figure how the fan air got into the stove. There are 2 small rectangular openings below the fire pot. (You have to open the ash pan door to see these). These are the combustion air feeds that adds air to the fire pot to assist in the burning cycle much like bellows. I had been using a shop vac regularly to clean these out. What I discovered is that is not enough. I grabbed an old bottle brush and stuck it up the openings as far as possible and totally cleaned them out. I could not believe the amount of ash that came out of those vent combustion air ducts. This solved the whole problem. Who knew?? This is not clearly defined in the Operation and Maintenance manual. If you don’t have a bottle brush you can get creative and use something else like a flexible straw. etc. Be careful that it does not get stuck in the duct.
Hope this helps someone. It took me 2 weeks to figure this out. I hope this info helps someone out and saves you an expensive service call.
By jayadmin on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
Wow. Not bad detective work. I am going to give this a shot. I have a few bottle cleaning brushes that I might be able to use. I’ll let you know how it works out.
Thank you so much.
By jayadmin on Jan 18, 2009 | Reply
I just want to let you know that I followed this post up over here:
http://www.kwaree.com/blog/2009/01/18/how-to-clean-out-a-st-croix-prescott-exl-pellet-stove/
By tigh on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
My #2 blinking light was fixed by closing the air intake valve to about 1/4 of an inch -the pipe that sticks out the back of the stove with the flapper on it with a set screw- as soon as I did that it worked fine – but It worked fine for 2 years at the factory setting until this winter – all the dealerships still can’t schedule appointments because they are so busy – but they are quick to sell you a new stove – what a joke
By tigh on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
Also I have been cleaning the stove as Linda is saying and still got the # 2 blinking light – so check your air in let tube also – back it down real low then you can increase it as needed just watch the flame until it looks real jumpy and clear
By wendy on Jan 22, 2009 | Reply
We had a Prescott EXP installed this past year; been working great, except last night the inside of the stove was all sooty. The flame was high and the burn pot was starting to overfill. The flame also has smoke coming off of it. This was installed by the place we bought it from (we’re not “do-it-yourselfers”), so they would have adjusted the damper, etc. Would the damper have to be re-adjusted (due to weather, temp, etc?)? Thanks!
By jayadmin on Jan 22, 2009 | Reply
The Owner’s manual says that the damper only needs to be adjusted once. I am pretty sure the damper would not cause what you experienced.
This same thing actually happened to me yesterday because I let the pellet stove run out of pellets. The stove shut off and the number 3 light was blinking. When I tried to restart the stove a while later, I noticed that the burn pot was way overfilled with pellets. I just scooped up some of the pellets, put them back in the hopper and hit the on button.
By Dave on Apr 12, 2009 | Reply
I am not sure if i have a vacuum switch problem…i have 2 prescott exls bought exact same time…. 1 downstairs never have had a problem…the upstairs stove turn it on blowers come on pellets feed but ignitor does not get hot??? and pellets just overflow pan?? cleaned everything retried 2x still no luck….any1 know what could cause ignitor not to work???ty in advance
By Tony on Jun 10, 2009 | Reply
I think they are all individuals and we need to take time to know our stoves, I swear I’m not a hippy