Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

Outdoor Furnaces - Manufacturers with NON EPA-Certified Models Only => RidgeWood Stoves, defunct, support only => Topic started by: ffbare on January 03, 2015, 07:42:20 AM

Title: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: ffbare on January 03, 2015, 07:42:20 AM

Hey guys just wondering why I keep going through solenoids? After 2 months or so of my new stove I'm on my 3rd solenoid,  the only thing I can think of is maybe creosote is making the damper door stuck closed maybe? It seemed a little stuck but it could have done this because the Temps got so low it sealed it self shut. When I did pull it up manually it didn't seem to take much effort so I doubt that was the issue.   Anyone else have bad luck with the solenoids?  Boy am I glad I bought 2 extras now I'm down to 1 spare one the shelf.

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: automan77 on January 03, 2015, 07:47:24 AM

I keep it clean and spray lube on it once every couple weeks. On my second season with no issue.

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: fsuftball on January 03, 2015, 01:39:53 PM

i havent touched mine, no problems thus far.

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: Dawnpatrol on January 03, 2015, 06:58:20 PM

Where did u buy the spares from and how much are they?

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: automan77 on January 03, 2015, 07:11:32 PM

Ridgewoodstove has them for  28

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: ffbare on January 03, 2015, 09:38:53 PM

I picked mine up from grainger they had them in stock so I picked some up after my first one went out a month into my first burning season.  I'm very glad I did if I hadn't planned that one ahead I would be screwed. The price sounds close to what I paid.

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: Roscoe on January 04, 2015, 07:26:21 PM

I'm guessing your draft door is being glued shut by creosote. Clean up the area and put a paper clip on the bottom of each side of the draft door leaving a gap no larger than 1/16". That should fix your problem.

What temps are you running? Bump em up to keep a good coal base. I recommend 175 low - 185 high.

Message me if you have questions 

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: ffbare on January 05, 2015, 04:21:14 PM

RosCoe that is exactly what I am thinking I will try the paper clip idea for sure. I'm guessing that should do the trick. I'm running 180 high 170 low that was preset. I could bump it up.

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: automan77 on January 05, 2015, 06:43:28 PM

Bump it up to 185/175. That will cure it.

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: Chicken farmer on January 06, 2015, 04:04:13 PM

Something else to check. Depending on how far your stove is from the electrical connection (and the size of the conductor), you could be seeing a voltage drop. If the voltage is too low, it will cause the coil of the solenoid to heat up (excessively), which, in turn, could cause premature failure. I believe electrical devices are designed to handle a 10% fluctuation from the rated input voltage. Ex. 120 volt rating 10% of 120 is 12, acceptable voltage range - 108 to 132. I would say that anything above 105 volts ought to be fine, but if you get into the 90's, you could get excess heat.

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: hondaracer2oo4 on January 06, 2015, 05:59:48 PM

 :post:

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: automan77 on January 16, 2015, 03:06:06 PM

 I Clean the creosote off before I  load everyday  and have never had a issue. Don't let it get gummed up

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: jamesbodeis on January 16, 2015, 04:08:54 PM

I have been burning since september and have not had an issue with the solenoid yet. 190 on 195 off. Burning wet wood and i dont have hardly a drop of creosote on the door.

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: fireboss on January 16, 2015, 05:33:31 PM

I no I have a different stove but  I to burn wet green pine wood and my settings r 185/195  and have no problems !

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: Chas on January 16, 2015, 05:38:02 PM

My Ridgewood was built the same week as Automan77's and I haven't had any issues with mine either, 2nd season... still the original solenoid. I don't know if they switched brands or what but it seems odd that they're having issues with the ones on the newer stoves.

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: Roscoe on January 29, 2015, 07:40:52 PM

ffbare

How'd you make out?

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: wissel12 on January 30, 2015, 05:15:42 AM

I'm on my second season, with no problem. You got too run it hot to prevent creosote. I ran mine at 180 and had creosote on the door. Change it to 190 and no creosote.  Run them hot.

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: tinfoilhat2020 on January 30, 2015, 09:12:03 AM

im running 185-190. Spray WD-40 once a week on the rim of the inlet pipe and the solenoid itself. Keep the wood about 4 inches from the door and u will be good! BURN HOT, thats the key! low temps=more creosote=more carbonic acid (salt)=more corrosion and more tar mess

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: Roscoe on January 30, 2015, 03:51:16 PM

Way too much maintenance on these stoves....

I did bump my temps to 185-195

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: jamesbodeis on February 11, 2015, 12:27:39 PM

I run mine at 195 off 185 on and I have next to no creosote. And I have been burning green maple most of the year.

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: Roscoe on March 22, 2015, 02:24:43 PM

Lost ANOTHER solenoid late last night. Not sure why? Draft door was not glued shut with creosote.

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: golffanman on March 24, 2015, 04:01:54 AM

Roscoe.......have you contacted Craig or Tim at the Ridgewood shop? They are very helpful.

Title: Re: I'm on my 3rd solenoid
Post by: Roscoe on March 24, 2015, 07:56:36 AM

golffanman

I have....trying to diagnose the problem. If I keep this stove, I will probably modify the door draft system to resemble the old wood doctor set up where the solenoid and flapper are up away from the the firebox. Checked voltage and that is all good. I'm at a loss.....

Anyone interested in a 7500?