UPDATE....Harman PP38 Box fire update

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.
Actually this thing was burning hotter than ever...on just the #1 setting it was 96 in stove room with 10 deg outside.
 
A person with an M-55 spoke of this "Creeping" flame earlier this season also.

I thought it to be a Bad thing. But many (Many) people said they see this all the time? And its normal??

I own 4 different pellet stoves and Have Never seen the creeping Soot burn.

How is the flame? Active? Lively? Orange and slow? Got a vid?
 
Actually this thing was burning hotter than ever...on just the #1 setting it was 96 in stove room with 10 deg outside.
 
The flame is strong and active...Before replacing the exhaust blower we never saw the flames glow blue right where the pin holes are on the burn pot.
The burning creeping on the soot scares me..I am used to the pellets burning down to a grey ash..not charcoal like bits of pellets.
 
I have seen it it under certain flame conditions in every stove I've owned except a Bixby. Usually after burning on low for a long period.
 
That burning soot is probably creosote built up burning off created by the poor burn before the airflow fix. I would be very inclined to inspect the venting before burning further. You may find the black nightmare in there. If the stove was given a good hot run it may have just burned most of it off but if your concerned give it a check anyway. Won't hurt to clean the rest of the stove before running again with a repaired ash pan.
 
That burning soot is probably creosote built up burning off created by the poor burn before the airflow fix. I would be very inclined to inspect the venting before burning further. You may find the black nightmare in there. If the stove was given a good hot run it may have just burned most of it off but if your concerned give it a check anyway. Won't hurt to clean the rest of the stove before running again with a repaired ash pan.
I just finished paying 150 to a shop to clean it ...and extra 100 bucks for a new exhaust motor and 25 to install it...I am gonna try to fix the bend on the ash bin AND call the parts place for a price on a new ash bin..if they can find one.
 
The creosote was not cleaned out originally or caused by the leaky ash pan. Sounds like the latter.Just want to make sure your stove is safe and sound. Venting fires are very not cool.
 
Thanks for all the replies..I am onboard with the airflow still being the issue...All seems to now point towards the ash bin warping....AFter some more money comes in I will change the gaskets and if needed buy a new ash bin.
Again Thanks for all the replies.

joe t
 
The creosote was not cleaned out originally or caused by the leaky ash pan. Sounds like the latter.Just want to make sure your stove is safe and sound. Venting fires are very not cool.

I was able to straighten out the top edge of the ash pan pretty easily....Changed the gasket on the door and waiting for that to dry/cure...I think I will try and start it up for a couple hours before heading out for the day tomorrow...If it looks good I will restart it later in evening for a few to be sure..
I cleaned out the chimney vents and they all look really good..

Crossing finger for tomorrow.
Will video if possible.
 
Look forward to hearing how you make out!
 
As soon as I figure out how I will post a video of the latest firing up of my stove...set on 3 (Harman P38)
What I did notice is at about the 7 minute mark of video and of burning the stove I see a flame begin to form and it looks more like smoke at first but I notice it is a seperate flame that is burning under the burn pot and around the rest of the box and ash bin floating like it is smoke...still getting some soot build up on door but not as bad as before..
I straighten out both the top and bottom edge of ash bin...gasket is good on it..I changed the gasket on the door..its tight now...
Is there anything I might be missing?
Could the pressure switch be malfunctioning?
Very confused...
burning the last of a bag of barefoot and then Keystone pellets.

joe t
 
Look forward to hearing how you make out!
As soon as I figure out how I will post a video of the latest firing up of my stove...set on 3 (Harman P38)
What I did notice is at about the 7 minute mark of video and of burning the stove I see a flame begin to form and it looks more like smoke at first but I notice it is a seperate flame that is burning under the burn pot and around the rest of the box and ash bin floating like it is smoke...still getting some soot build up on door but not as bad as before..
I straighten out both the top and bottom edge of ash bin...gasket is good on it..I changed the gasket on the door..its tight now...
Is there anything I might be missing?
Could the pressure switch be malfunctioning?
Very confused...
burning the last of a bag of barefoot and then Keystone pellets.

joe t
 
Turned off stove before heading out...will give the stove a cleaning tonight after its cool and hopefully get all the soot out of it.

Not sure whats left to do to this thing.
 
Flames inside the box? But not from the pot? The flame in the pot isn't burning off all the nasties (gases) and it sounds as if there is some secondary combustion going on in your firebox? Smoke that is still Volitale and is scavenging the airwash air for combustion?

If its building up soot and smoke is burning, it still sounds like a Lazy flame?

Have you looked at the Harman flames on YouTube? To give you an idea what it would look like? If burning properly??
 
You will see some smoke during startup. Duno,That flame looks pretty good to me.
::edit :: we're you seeing smoke while taking the video?
 
Oh ok I saw it that time. I need to review the thread and refresh my mem on what's been done. There still appears to be an airflow issue. Have you tried another brand of pellets?
 
You will see some smoke during startup. Duno,That flame looks pretty good to me.
::edit :: we're you seeing smoke while taking the video?
actually at the 6 min mark you will see what looks like flames but its not its smoke i noticed that the seal i was using to try to seal the burn plot cover is not holding I have a broken thumb screw and cant get it out to replace
 
Oh ok I saw it that time. I need to review the thread and refresh my mem on what's been done. There still appears to be an airflow issue. Have you tried another brand of pellets?
yes we have tried 3 different brands of pellets
 
Your talking about the igniter access cover. That will need to be fixed. It may be possible to drill the center out of the broken stud and remove with an easy out. If it's too cramped you may need to remove the burn pot to fix.
 
Your talking about the igniter access cover. That will need to be fixed. It may be possible to drill the center out of the broken stud and remove with an easy out. If it's too cramped you may need to remove the burn pot to fix.

I think there is a straight line to access it from the ash bin entry..
I am going to reclean the stove and see what I can figure out to remove the screw...i might not have a choice but to bite the bullet and buy a screw removal kit...
That seems to be the only area where there is an air leak. straightened the ash bin top and bottom edges...gasket on ash bin is good...new door gasket...
paid one time already to have it cleaned...
cleaned chimney vents......new blower motor beginning of season....new exhaust motor this month..replaced fuse on control board....
tried 3 different pellets..Instant Heat...Keystone and Barefoot...
Got 2 or 3 days free and clear..will keep you posted..
By the way..this is the best flame we have ever seen in the 5 years we have had this stove..bought it used its a 1997 PP38+
Its kinda my baby and it bugs the hell out of me that it aint workin right.

Thanks
joe t
 
That access panel could be the last piece of the puzzle! If it's coming loose and not sealed properly that would affect air flow for sure. You might get luckily and just trying to drill it might turn it through. You'll fix her up. Good luck and let us know how you make out!
 
That access panel could be the last piece of the puzzle! If it's coming loose and not sealed properly that would affect air flow for sure. You might get luckily and just trying to drill it might turn it through. You'll fix her up. Good luck and let us know how you make out!

I agree. That plate needs sealed. Pellet stoves run a fine line of running great and running like Chit.

That little leak could make this stove or break it.. I would seal it / fix it / etc..
 
Status
Not open for further replies.