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Quadrafire CB1200 not starting - Control Box Amber light Blinks 3 times not feeding pellets

Discussion in 'Pellet Stoves, Pellet Fireplaces, Pellet Furnaces' started by don2222, Oct 1, 2016.

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  1. don2222

    don2222

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    Quadrafire CB1200 Classic Bay not starting - The Call for Heat red light comes on, when the T-Stat is turned up but the auger not feeding. The blue light blinks 2 times which means the control box is set to model CB1200 FS. The Amber light in the 3 speed control box blinks 3 times. What does that mean?
    Has anyone seen this issue? Thermocouple issue? What is the fix?
    See video


    The feed motor was working fine and the vacuum switch and hi limit snap disc tested good too.
    Pressing the Reset button does not do anything.
    Also see pics below:
     

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    Last edited: Oct 1, 2016
    don2222, Oct 1, 2016
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  2. jtakeman

    jtakeman Moderator

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    Should be easy peasy for the stove master................ :whistle:

    Edit:
    Ohh OK, I'll give ya a hint. Check the thermo-couple.
     
    jtakeman, Oct 1, 2016
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  3. slvrblkk

    slvrblkk

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    X2.....

    Double check vac switch and hose too
     
    slvrblkk, Oct 1, 2016
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  4. don2222

    don2222

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    Yes that is why I said Thermocouple issue. Which makes sense but it is just a wire and not much to go wrong. I do not see anything obvious but I did have to move it a lot to paint the stove. There is a way to test it with a meter and grill lighter to see the voltage rise with the heat. Maybe it is an open circuit?
     
    don2222, Oct 1, 2016
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  5. don2222

    don2222

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    Yes, before I saw the amber light flash, I did check the vacuum hose, bladder and electrical switch and all of that seemed to be in working order. I also tested the high limit switch which tested closed and I even crimped on new connectors because the original ones seemed to have some corrosion.
     
    don2222, Oct 1, 2016
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  6. slvrblkk

    slvrblkk

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    Yes, you should be able to test it that way.
     
    slvrblkk, Oct 1, 2016
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  7. jtakeman

    jtakeman Moderator

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    Its not just a wire don. You might wanna google thermocouple if your not sure how it works or what it does..........
     
    jtakeman, Oct 1, 2016
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  8. don2222

    don2222

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    Hi Jay
    Here is my definition. Is it close?
    Basically a thermocouple varies the electrical resistance at the connector end with the increase in heat at the sensor end for electronic controls.
    However the complexity range and scale of the resistance can vary greatly with the design of the thermocouple.
    The Quadrafire is a very simple design.
    See pics of a brand new Santa FE thermocouple I have laying around. It measures approx 0.22 ohms at the connector end where on this CB1200 I get approx 0.0 ohms at the connector end with no heat applied. I cleaned the ends with a wire brush. :) Which makes sense since it has longer wires.
    Maybe the control box has more circuitry to interpolate the small increments in voltage from the change in heat?
     

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  9. don2222

    don2222

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    Hey guys
    I think I just found the problem
    When I took the cover off the sensor end, I can see the wires are no longer twisted at the end!!!

    So the resistance will really be erratic when heat is applied! LOL
    Maybe a little trim and twist will fix this baby?
    See pic below:
     

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    don2222, Oct 2, 2016
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  10. jtakeman

    jtakeman Moderator

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    Doubt it, You might get a few cycles out of it. But likely will loose contact again. They need to be silver soldered together IIRC.

    IMHO its time for a new one!!
     
    jtakeman, Oct 2, 2016
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  11. don2222

    don2222

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    Hi Jay
    Thanks so much for your comments.
    I see a drop of solder on the end of the new Thermocouple!
    What about 60/40 rosin core solder used in electronic applications???
     

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  12. don2222

    don2222

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  13. jtakeman

    jtakeman Moderator

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    Only as a "to get you by" would I attempt! Typical solder "will" not stand the heat of the fire pot. As it can melt at a much lower temps. Silver solder is what is on the original Quad components. And you will need oxi/acetylene torch to get it hot enough to melt the silver to fuse them. Your quote is just low temp applications or temperature measuring. It does not apply to high temp fire pots!

    Cheaper in the long run and more reliable to just replace it IMHO................. Unless you want the new owner to have you on speed dial. :whistle:
     
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    jtakeman, Oct 2, 2016
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  14. badbob

    badbob

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    A thermocouple has nothing to do with resistance,it creates voltage,at a temperature set by the manufacturing process.Can be measured in millivolts.Looks like some of the sensor is now missing.Most hi temp thermocouples are actually spot welded together.Replace it.
     
    badbob, Oct 2, 2016
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  15. don2222

    don2222

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    Hello
    Thanks Jay, you are correct the Rosin Core solder has too low of a melting point for this application, but the silver solder is not needed for proper operation. However I think the reason for the silver solder is to keep the connection from oxidizing to prolong the operation.
    So I trimmed the end and twisted the leads together and the stove is working fine. No more flashing amber light in the control box. It looks like that light flashes when the resistance is high or there is an open circuit. In this case 3.0 ohms is too high! LOL. I will replace it or silver solder it, when I have a chance.
    Thanks guys, we learned alot here. :)
     

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  16. jtakeman

    jtakeman Moderator

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    Yes don, Oxidation and they will not conduct. AKA open circuit............ yellow blinky...........

    Glad you learned something.
     
    jtakeman, Oct 2, 2016
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  17. Russell

    Russell

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    Xs 2 it's definitely due :saw:
     
    Russell, Oct 2, 2016
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  18. slvrblkk

    slvrblkk

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    I stuck a new one in my stove this season, was $60 shipped.....cheap insurance imo.
     
    slvrblkk, Oct 2, 2016
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  19. don2222

    don2222

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    1st time I got it going since the new paint. :)

    The hopper is flat ultra high temp VHT black and the feed motor cover, flame adjuster and control box cover is flat aluminum.
    After Painting the flat black, it was coated with slip plate used in grain silos for better pellet feeding, :)
     

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    don2222, Oct 2, 2016
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  20. kappel15

    kappel15

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    I would replace it as soon as possible, cause as we all know, it will fail you at the worst possible moment,and no place open to get one. kap
     
    kappel15, Oct 3, 2016
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