Future Update

Paul, Is there anyway of including software that in case of a power outage, (one like a lot of us are in or just got through) the CoalTrol would know that it was a power outage, and not turn on when the power comes back until the user hits a reset or other button? The reason being the hopper getting emptied out into the ashpan. This is my biggest concern when not home. Thank you.

It's on the list for the next rev. Don't know when it will be available, but will let everyone know when it is.

pvolcko wrote:It's on the list for the next rev. Don't know when it will be available, but will let everyone know when it is.

That is great news!

Until a software fix comes along, some people do a hardware fix. Get a heat activated snap switch. Wire it with a bypass in such a way that if the snap switch goes cold it shuts off. It will stay off until you bypass it and start the fire.

Freddy wrote:Until a software fix comes along, some people do a hardware fix. Get a heat activated snap switch. Wire it with a bypass in such a way that if the snap switch goes cold it shuts off. It will stay off until you bypass it and start the fire.

Hey Freddie, Could you elaborate on the snap switch? I'm a pretty good do-it-yourselfer, but haven't heard of one yet. Is is available in a 110 wall receptable outlet that I can just change out? Thanks...

A simple way to address this problem is to purchase a special surge suppressor. Like the ones you get to protect your electronics, it looks like a power bar with multiple receptacles. However you want to make sure that the one you get, to supply all the AC power to the stove (your CoalTroal power box), has the option, where at least one of the receptacles will go OFF line and stay OFF line when the power comes back on. They give this option so that that the electronics are not subjected to multiple on and off cycles that sometimes happen when the power company is trying to restore the power. At any rate this is an inexpensive, non-technical way to achieve what you are looking for. The one I use is an older model (5719) from the Woods company (now part of coleman) and I did not see it for sale anywhere... So whichever one you purchase, just make sure there is a manual reset, that is required, after a power outage, to allow AC power back into that receptacle. This can be tested by flipping your ciruit breaker off and back on, to see what happens on the surge protector receptacle side.

Do a search on here for FLAME OUT SWITCH, EXHAUST THERMOSWITCH, etc...I would just interlock with the Stoker, so it doesn't push hot coals off, but could relight when the power comes back on, and continue on like nothing happened.

A couple good threads.

flue temperature sensor interlock device

Stoker Low Temp Shutdown Switch

This is what we are talking about.
http://www.thermodisc.com/productdetail.asp?ProductID=2