OWB installed but with problems

[i'mstihlaguy]

You can also arc weld ss even though 10 gauge is thick dont let hin do it .Sorry to see you do a very nice job and then have a leak problem thats not your fault.

The conversation will be a short one if he shows up with an arc welder.

 

[i'mstihlaguy]

I did spray the inside with WD-40 in the spring when I shut it down though. I swear by that stuff. I think that off-season corrosion is a real potential for problems. Summer rains can leave a lot of water in the filebox if you do not cover the stack. I used a 5 gallon bucket to cover it in summer at first, then I got a rain cap for it.

I was thinking about using WD-40 for that purpose as well. What about running an extension cord under the bucket and down the smoke pipe to power a heat lamp or something to keep the fire box nice and dry. Just a thought.

 

[i'mstihlaguy]

Dealer just left. I will be getting a new unit. He took it apart and found what looked like just a flat plate welded to the end piece of the fire box halfway between the loading door and the top of the fire box. The leak was at one of the lower corners where the weld stopped. I looked at all of the other welds and didn't see anything that looked bad.

As with anything, you always get the priviledge of a learning experience when there is a problem. This guy is not just a dealer, he is the distributor for North America. Meaning central and part of the midwest when I asked how many states. The stove is his design and Pro Fab just makes them and provides the warranty.

He went to the truck to call Pro Fab. Said he was calling to see if they wanted him to repair it here or take it back to his shop. I took the opportunity to ask his helper if they have many problems like this. Helper says not really but they would probably fix it or just replace it. Helper says are you happy with it other than the leak. I said yes but was concerned about other potential problems. Told him stainless must be hard to weld if they couldn't even do it right in the factory. Missed the leak with a pressure test. What else could be wrong with this unit now? Told him I would rather just have my money back or have it replaced. Helper says I better go tell him and runs over to the truck. I think there was a little "good cop bad cop" or whatever you want to call it going on. After being on the phone for less than ten minutes he came back and offered repair or replace. I chose replace of course. He said he had to argue pretty hard with them because they (Pro Fab) never replace a unit. Supposedly they are giving him $1K back and he is going to fix it and sell as a reconditioned unit.

I guess it turned out well except for all the hassle. I am happy with the performance of the unit but still feeling uneasy about the warranty. Bottom line is I am getting a new one.

 

[Slick]

good deal, sounds like the best outcome you could hope for.

 

[Dok]

Good to hear they are going to do the right thing! I'm impressed with your installation, looks high quality and clean. It has to be a bummer having to replace the unit.
Dok

 

[windthrown]

I was thinking about using WD-40 for that purpose as well. What about running an extension cord under the bucket and down the smoke pipe to power a heat lamp or something to keep the fire box nice and dry. Just a thought.

No need. The WD-40 is good enough for the months that it is shut down.

Sorry to hear about the hassle, good to hear that they will replace it. Seems odd that they did not find the leak in a pressure test. Sounds like they are lacking on the quality assurance front at the factory. The fact that they never take them back bothers me though. Sounds like a company to avoid doing business with. They should know that for every failure, the buyer will tell at least 10 people of which those will each tell another 5. On the internet, you can really reach a lot of people fast with bad news like this.

 

[i'mstihlaguy]

I am giving them the benefit of the doubt. They have a good product from what I can see. I probably got a little jazzed up expecting the worst case scenario on fixing it. I didn't have to argue or anything to get the unit replaced so I feel pretty good about that. They can build a good reputation or they can build a bad reputation. I can only say they did the right thing for me in this case.

 

[windthrown]

Yah, but they also shipped a leaky OWB. And it was a PITA to get them to replace it. Both factors are not good in terms of a quality product.

 

[Slick]

This post should be titled....Why you need a good dealer when buying an OWB (or any major item you've invested in)
From what I can tell you dealer just made this all a go...like Windthrown just said I'm not so sold on the service you got from the manufacturer but your dealer sounds like a keeper.

 

[trialanderror]

wow, good thing i didn't spend thousands on my unit.

i got $130 into mine, and only ended up with a few pin holes. On top of that, they only show up with 30PSI and a soapsud test.

no water leaks when it's filled with no pressure. but i welded/peened them close just to be safe at mind....

for that kind of money, the dealer should of said 'yes sir' and no questions asked. Sounds like a questionable dealer if you ask me.