[dwilder]

I purchased a home with an Ashley wood furnace installed in the basement in tandem with the central heating system [a heat pump]. I was told the original owners build the house in the early 80’s and used the furnace regularly. The second owners [of 15 years] never used it. I cleaned the furnace and flue and tested the furnace out. It heats great. I have a 3000 sq ft home and the furnace will keep it at 75-79 degrees with no problem. My problem lies in the control system. The furnace has a large blower for circulating air into the heat ducts as well as a small blower forcing air into the firebox. The thermostat works well and will cycle the large blower as the thermostat demands [the furnace has its own thermostat installed on the main floor]. By reading the cautions on the doors the Furnace appears to be designed to be operated with both the load door and ash box door closed tightly; there are no manual dampers or other air intakes other than the small blower. When I first build a fire and set the thermostat the small blower immediately comes on as does the large blower [at first blowing cool air into my house]. When the fire dies out but the thermostat is still demanding heat both blowers will continue to blow, once again blowing cool air into my house. Basically, as long as the thermostat is demanding heat both blowers run, whenever the thermostat does not demand heat both blowers stop. My thoughts are that the small blower should start as soon as heat is demanded, once the fire box reaches temp it should slow or stop, or cycle as such as needed. The large blower should not start until the limit switch senses the heat rise in the plenum. Once the fire dies the small blower and the large blower should both stop regardless of what the thermostat is demanding.
There is a limit switch located in the plenum. I replaced the limit switch thinking this would solve the problem as an amp meter was showing a fault on the high limit side. Nothing changed. Does anyone have information on these furnaces? Ashley is no longer in business. I would like an installation/owners book or information as to how to run the furnace properly. The model numbers are: MODEL-CWF200, DATE CODE: 2084, I replaced the limit switch # HONEYWELL# L4064B1600.

[tndogguy]

A low limit thermostat can be installed to prevent either blower from coming on until the firebox has reached a high enough temperature to produce warm air. This will prevent the "cold air blowing in the house" problem. There are several thermostats available that can be programmed to run a "dual fuel" unit, i.e. your central unit and your wood heater. The easiest way would be to install a separate thermostat for your wood heater control that is set at a higher setting than your central unit. This will allow your wood heater to run to maintain your house temp. then when it runs out of wood, your house cools down and your cental heat kicks on at a lower temp to prevent the house from getting too cold.

[manzer]

I need a manual also for cwf 200 date code 0793 please help!!

[hacksaw6879]

Your furnace blower should not be controlled by the indoor thermostat. The thermostat inside the house controls the draft inducer motor only, and the furnace blower is controlled by the limit switch. They operate independent of each other, have someone wire them separate. That way the little draft inducer blower comes on when the thermostat calls for more heat, and when the temperature gets up in the furnace the big blower comes on. I have used this type of furnace for over 30 years, and that is how it works great. Sorry I never got on this site sooner, but I have been looking around to replace my furnace, and that why I just now found your problem. Hope you have got it fixed before now.