Checking those starting capacitors on the Enviro 55 and Hampton GC60 plellet stoves

Hello
The blower s in these stoves made in Italy are quieter because they have 2 separate windings, a low resistance start up winding and a higher resistance run winding. They also need a starting capacitor to smooth out the voltage and get it going! The technical manual in the troubleshooting section states as one of the last fixes of the blower does not spin to replace the starting capacitor. Of the Blower is bad then that may be a waste of time! So how is the capacitor tested? The new 11 function digital multi-meters are soversitile today it is a piece of cake!
Just remove the capacitor from the strap by loosening the screws and unclip the wires then test in the appropriate tester.
In this case the capacitor tested good and when the blower was removed the ash was so black and hard inside the lower housing the blades would not spin! Checking the capacitor first really helped to pinpoint the issue here. A new blower was needed!

See pics

Pic 1 - Regency Hampton GCI60 (same as M55 Insert) Exhaust Blower
Pic 2 - Exhaust Blower capacitor mounted on insert frame under auger motor
Pic 3 - stove diagram shows which wires are connected from the stove's wire harness to the cap.
Pic 4 - Capacitor removed from the stove.
Pic 5 & 6 - Meter used for testing this 2 uF (Micro Farad) Capacitor.
Pic 7 - 2 uF capacitor under test shows good at 1.96 uF
Replace blower if it does not spin when a 120 line voltage test cord is attached to the capacitor connected to the motor as shown in Pic 3 wire diagram

Harbor Freight Meter Item # 37772
11 Function Digital Multimeter with Audible Continuity
Pic 8 - Harbor Freight Meter used for testing Enviro pellet stove capacitors.

 

Interesting read! Did you use the service rails to get the stove out? Those have been invaluable to me on my GCI60.

 

I work on raised hearths that vary a lot in height. Also many different brand stoves.
Therefore this box with shims works every time!
See pics

 

Nice...But the rail kit is also adjustable!