VC Vigilant Thermostat Control

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Lakeland
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Posts: 3
Joined: Tue. Dec. 23, 2014 6:56 pm
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Vermont Castings Vigilant II Model# 2310
Coal Size/Type: Anthracite Pea / Nut

Post by Lakeland » Tue. Dec. 23, 2014 7:32 pm

I'm curious if anyone has had a similar experience with a Vermont Castings Vigilant II #2310:
The thermostat seems to have little or no ability to cut off air supply to the fire when closed fully. With thermostat closed the stove will continue to burn at a griddle temp of about 550 to 700 for nut and 400 for pea until the fuel supply begins to become depleted and then the temperature goes down slowly (24 hour burn @ about 650 for the last load of nut). This is a new stove and chimney installed to factory specs. All gaskets and doors appear to be installed correctly, I only found one slight gap in the flue collar which I plugged with gasket material. This is my first experience with coal, although I have heated exclusively with wood for the past 30 years, previously using an old Defiant side loading model and Defiant Encore w/ catalyst. In fact, the Encore allowed very precise control of the burn and would allow me to to suffocate the fire simply by using it's thermostat. I'm not sure if the Vigilant II is not functioning properly or this behavior is just characteristic of a coal burning stove. Any advice / input would be appreciated.

 
franco b
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Location: Kent CT
Hand Fed Coal Stove: V ermont Castings 2310, Franco Belge 262
Baseburners & Antiques: Glenwood Modern Oak 114
Coal Size/Type: nut and pea

Post by franco b » Tue. Dec. 23, 2014 7:40 pm

Do the dollar bill test on the ash door. Close the bill at all places on the door to see if it grips the bill. Pay special attention to the upper right top side of the door. The lower hinge is adjustable and if that door tilts down just a little, then the gasket no longer makes good contact.

You should get much better control than now.

 
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michaelanthony
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Joined: Sat. Nov. 22, 2008 10:42 pm
Location: millinocket,me.
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Vigilant 2310, gold marc box stove
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Gold Marc Independence
Baseburners & Antiques: Home Sparkle 12
Coal Size/Type: 'nut
Other Heating: Fujitsu mini split, FHA oil furnace

Post by michaelanthony » Tue. Dec. 23, 2014 7:51 pm

I can bring my stove down to hibernate status, about 225* and 94* on the pipe and she's been around the block a couple times. I have to ask, is the damper closed and are you running in indirect mode, most likely the ash door is the culprit.


 
Lakeland
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Posts: 3
Joined: Tue. Dec. 23, 2014 6:56 pm
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Vermont Castings Vigilant II Model# 2310
Coal Size/Type: Anthracite Pea / Nut

Post by Lakeland » Tue. Dec. 23, 2014 8:02 pm

I have lowered the griddle temp by keeping the internal damper closed, but the temps cited were mostly with it closed.
I agree that the ash door seems suspect; I looked at it earlier today and didn't see any compression marks on the gasket although it feel as as though it locks shut...I believe closer scrutiny is in order. I'm glad to hear that burning it lower temps should be possible, thanks for your response.

 
Lakeland
New Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue. Dec. 23, 2014 6:56 pm
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Vermont Castings Vigilant II Model# 2310
Coal Size/Type: Anthracite Pea / Nut

Post by Lakeland » Tue. Dec. 23, 2014 8:12 pm

I just tried the dollar bill test, locked in on the hinged side but slides out on the handle side...adjustment is probably required. Thank you.

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