Troubleshooting guide

Page 23
Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance is important to maintain the life of any appliance you own. The
same is true with the St. Croix stoves. This stove has been designed in such a way to
minimize preventive maintenance, thus minimizing any corrective maintenance, while
maintaining a very user-friendly pellet stove. Just like the owner of a car would perform
preventive maintenance, the owner of a pellet stove must perform preventive
maintenance to maximize its performance. The interval of time for each maintenance
item will vary depending on the fuel used. Lack of preventive maintenance will result
in a poor operating stove, poor flame patterns, excessive smoke and possible stove
damage.
CAUTION: FAILURE TO KEEP YOUR STOVE CLEAN, AS DESCRIBED IN THIS
MANUAL, COULD RESULT IN POOR OPERATION, INEFFICIENT FUEL USAGE
AND A POSSIBLE SAFETY HAZARD! THE DEALER SHOULD INSTRUCT THE
CUSTOMER HOW TO MAINTAIN THE UNIT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. DO
NOT ASSUME THEY WILL UNDERSTAND HOW TO PERFORM THE
MAINTENANCE. IT IS THE CUSTOMER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO DETERMINE THE
MAINTENANCE FREQUENCY.
Types of Preventive Maintenance-Stoves with the Versa grate System
Daily Maintenance (as needed) - Performed by Customer.
a) Inspect the burn grate and burn pot. Clean as needed. To clean ashes below the burn
grate pull the ash Clean-Out Rod, in and out, see Fig. 22 on Page 51. Be sure to leave
the rod pushed in after this maintenance has been performed.
b) Clean out the ash pan.
c) Clean the window.
d) Clean/polish the plated surfaces with a soft cloth and a mild glass cleaner.
e) Inspect the flame for a sharp, white/yellow flame.
f) Clean the heat exchangers by pulling the Tube scraper back and forth.
Periodic Maintenance (Every month or as needed) - Performed by Customer or
Service Tech.
a) Clear the burn grate holes.
b) Clean out the ash traps in the lower corners of the back wall of the firebox and behind
the Ash Pan. Remove the covers and vacuum those areas. See Figure 19 on Page 46
for location of Ash Traps.
c) Clean the combustion chamber floor.
d) Clean the hopper.
e) Clean/dust the area under the hopper.
f) Inspect and clean, as needed, the PL vent tees and exhaust system.
g) Inspect and clean, as needed the combustion and convection (room air) fan blades.
Yearly Maintenance (Every 6 to 12 months or as needed) - We recommend this
service be performed by Service Tech.
a) Perform steps listed in the Daily and Periodic Maintenance above.
b) Remove all sawdust, pellets and ash from the stove after the burning season.
c) Inspect and clean the entire exhaust system.
d) Inspect and clear any obstructions from the air inlet piping.
e) Inspect door and ash pan gaskets.