Bypass a wood stove thermostat
#1
01-13-23, 07:57 AM
Bypass a wood stove thermostat
My wood stove shut off this morning even though it had an adequate fire in the box to cause the thermostat to remain closed. After a few minutes it came back on and then shut off again. Thinking I could just connect the two wires going into the thermostat I used a pair of pliers to short across the wires to test if this would work. Caused a dead short and tripped the breaker.
How do I bypass the thermostat and how do I test the thermostat.
Thanks.
How do I bypass the thermostat and how do I test the thermostat.
Thanks.
#2
01-13-23, 09:47 AM
Group Moderator
We are going to need a lot more information about what you have.
"...I used a pair of pliers to short across the wires to test if this would work. Caused a dead short and tripped the breaker."
Most thermostats are low voltage and shorting the wires together will not trip a circuit breaker so you probably have a non-standard setup. Your thermostat sounds like a high voltage/AC type and not the usual type on the wall in most people's homes.
"My wood stove shut off..."
How does a wood stove shut off??? Did an air blower stop working? Do you have a hot water system and the circulation pump quit? Does it have a forced draft blower that quit working?
"...adequate fire in the box to cause the thermostat to remain closed..."
What thermostat??? Is this a thermostat in the house calling for heat? Is it a thermostat in the stove sensing firebox temperature? Is it a thermostat in the water system sensing the water temeprature?
"...I used a pair of pliers to short across the wires to test if this would work. Caused a dead short and tripped the breaker."
Most thermostats are low voltage and shorting the wires together will not trip a circuit breaker so you probably have a non-standard setup. Your thermostat sounds like a high voltage/AC type and not the usual type on the wall in most people's homes.
"My wood stove shut off..."
How does a wood stove shut off??? Did an air blower stop working? Do you have a hot water system and the circulation pump quit? Does it have a forced draft blower that quit working?
"...adequate fire in the box to cause the thermostat to remain closed..."
What thermostat??? Is this a thermostat in the house calling for heat? Is it a thermostat in the stove sensing firebox temperature? Is it a thermostat in the water system sensing the water temeprature?
#3
01-13-23, 10:22 AM
This is a wood stove insert into the fireplace. On the front right inside panel there is a disc shaped thermostat, about the size of a quarter and 1" deep that attaches to a metal piece welded to the firebox. When the fire gets the firebox warm enough the thermostat opens or closes (I do not know which) and the fan comes on. As the fire dies out and the firebox cools, the thermostat turns off the blower motor which is below the firebox There are two heavy gauge stranded wires going to the thermostat, one on each side. These come from the motor area.
#4
01-13-23, 11:36 AM
Group Moderator
That's a snap disc thermostat. It is switching 120v directly to the motor.
When you shorted the leads you hit the metal frame or thermostat.
Disconnect power to the fireplace, pull the wires off the thermostat and tape together.
That is replaceable. Held in with two screws. The temp is stamped on it.
Probably 115f to 130F.
If you can't find it post the numbers off it and I'll leave you a link for it.
When you shorted the leads you hit the metal frame or thermostat.
Disconnect power to the fireplace, pull the wires off the thermostat and tape together.
That is replaceable. Held in with two screws. The temp is stamped on it.
Probably 115f to 130F.
If you can't find it post the numbers off it and I'll leave you a link for it.
#5
01-13-23, 12:06 PM
Thanks, Pete. I will look online to find a replacement. I could not imagine why taping the wires together, as you said, would not work and was surprised by the arc.
