6yr old Harmon XXV price

[jjk454ss]

I'm new to this, and trying to find a bargain. I was looking at a P43 from a dealer, around $3,000. I found a used, 6 yr old, XXV. If it's in good shape, is that worth $1800 with stove and pipes, instead of spending up to $3000 on a new P43?

I'm off to read these forums, but if anyone feels like helping me get started I'd appreciate it. I'm not sure what to get, where to look, really don't know anything yet. Except I keep my house about 60 degrees and still spend $2000/yr in LP, I stopped at a dealer and he recommended the smaller P43. Figured it would be $5,000 installed with stove, pipe, hearthpad, etc. stove was around $3000 if I figure right from his pricing on everything together.

 

[Bioburner]

Used stove prices area influenced by area. I can pick up nice used p series starting at $1000 here in MN. We need to know area your trying to buy in.

 

[jjk454ss]

Used stove prices area influenced by area. I can pick up nice used p series starting at $1000 here in MN. We need to know area your trying to buy in.

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm in SW Michigan. Didn't see much on craigslist that looked very good, but then again, I still don't really know what to look for.

 

[Bioburner]

Try differant search words. Pellet,pellets, Harman or other brand. Good luck

 

[tractoman]

I'm new to this, and trying to find a bargain. I was looking at a P43 from a dealer, around $3,000. I found a used, 6 yr old, XXV. If it's in good shape, is that worth $1800 with stove and pipes, instead of spending up to $3000 on a new P43?

I'm off to read these forums, but if anyone feels like helping me get started I'd appreciate it. I'm not sure what to get, where to look, really don't know anything yet. Except I keep my house about 60 degrees and still spend $2000/yr in LP, I stopped at a dealer and he recommended the smaller P43. Figured it would be $5,000 installed with stove, pipe, hearthpad, etc. stove was around $3000 if I figure right from his pricing on everything together.

That seems to be a fair price in this neck of the woods. The XXV is a great stove. The reported problems with them are 1) some were emitting a whine but I believe there is a fix for that and 2) the pots on the circuit board that control the temp, etc. developed hot spots. I replaced mine last year for a whopping $9 although I probably could have done it for less You would have to run the stove to see if these minor problem afflict this particular stove.

One thing to look for is the feed tube where the auger drops the pellets into the burn pot. Some earlier models, like the one you are looking at, developed a groove in the tube where the auger was contacting the tube. Eventually, the groove goes all of the way through the tube and the draft becomes compromised. Mine was replaced last year under warranty and I'm glad it was as it took the tech about 6 hours to do the job.

 

[jjk454ss]

That seems to be a fair price in this neck of the woods. The XXV is a great stove. The reported problems with them are 1) some were emitting a whine but I believe there is a fix for that and 2) the pots on the circuit board that control the temp, etc. developed hot spots. I replaced mine last year for a whopping $9 although I probably could have done it for less You would have to run the stove to see if these minor problem afflict this particular stove.

One thing to look for is the feed tube where the auger drops the pellets into the burn pot. Some earlier models, like the one you are looking at, developed a groove in the tube where the auger was contacting the tube. Eventually, the groove goes all of the way through the tube and the draft becomes compromised. Mine was replaced last year under warranty and I'm glad it was as it took the tech about 6 hours to do the job.

Thanks, I may go take a look at it, it's an hour away, maybe a little more, but if those things seem ok with it maybe I'll bite the bullet and pick it up. Thanks

I was looking at the refurbs on amfmenergy.com, they are much cheaper, are those at all comparable to what I'm looking at? Are those something I should just stay away from?

 

[jjk454ss]

Is there any new/better features or improvements in the last 6 years that I should be worried about if I buy a used one? What's the average life span for a Harmon stove?

Also, I'm trying to find other dealers in west michigan, I only know of the Harmon dealer, what are some other good brands to look at so I can try to locate some other dealers? Or anyone have recommendations for the Holland or Grand Rapids MI area?

 

[john193]

Harman did update the burnpot on the xxv but you would be able to retrofit yours. I'm not very well versed on the impact if this change, but it has been discussed on the forums in the past. Perhaps they can provide you with specifics.

 

[tractoman]

Harman did update the burnpot on the xxv but you would be able to retrofit yours. I'm not very well versed on the impact if this change, but it has been discussed on the forums in the past. Perhaps they can provide you with specifics.

I agree you could update it yourself if you were mechanically inclined. The feed tube replacement required a complete stove-ectomy though.

 

[Lousyweather]

Is there any new/better features or improvements in the last 6 years that I should be worried about if I buy a used one? What's the average life span for a Harmon stove?

Also, I'm trying to find other dealers in west michigan, I only know of the Harmon dealer, what are some other good brands to look at so I can try to locate some other dealers? Or anyone have recommendations for the Holland or Grand Rapids MI area?

yup....Harman also updated the feeder to what they call a UL feeder (Ultralight feeder), which means that they are no longer chain drive. Simpler system, less moving parts. Also, no longer a lid switch or a hopper sensor. No longer a hi/low switch. Nothing to really WORRY about tho.

 

[jjk454ss]

Thanks for the info on the used stove. I'm liking new, esp with the tax incentive. I stopped at the other dealer in the area and looked at a few stoves. The Quadra-Fire Classic Bay and Sante Fe, and also the Glo-Boy FGBC2 BD. The globoy they will sell me a floor model for only $1000, or I can go with the classic bay for 2400 or Sante Fe for 2050. I'm sort of at a loss because I dont know the real differences. Except cost.

 

[Lousyweather]

well. cost is certainly one of the items you should look at, but shouldn't necessarily be the only criterion used in determining what to buy....don't fixate solely on cost

 

[Bioburner]

The Santa Fe's convection fan is a little weak IMO. Had one and it went down the road for $600. Not a true OAK system either.

 

[jjk454ss]

I'm certainly not wanting just the cheapest, I just want a good value. I just don't know the differences yet, and I keep reading good and bad about all of them. I'm leaning towards the quadrafire right now though.

 

[Lousyweather]

Quad is a good unit......somewhat pricey, but pretty quiet

 

[jjk454ss]

Quad is a good unit......somewhat pricey, but pretty quiet

It's less than the Harmon, what would I be gaining with the Harmon over the quadrafire?

 

[Lousyweather]

well, less finicky on pellet quality, underfire feed, better autoejection of ash from the burnpot, for starters

 

[jjk454ss]

Anyone know about the Magnum Countryside 3500p? Found one one craigslist, might be able to get a good deal on it.

 

[Wooden Head]

The Santa Fe's convection fan is a little weak IMO. Had one and it went down the road for $600. Not a true OAK system either.

Not sure what you mean about not a true OAK system? You also say the convection fan is weak?

 

[jjk454ss]

Can anyone recommend a location for the stove? And I want to make sure I get the right size too. I'm not heating the upstairs, or basement, I just don't want pipes to freeze. It's happened under the bathroom before. Not worried too much about the bedroom or the 8x13 porch either, mainly living, family, and kitchen I guess. Thanks for all the help. I think right now I'm leaning towards the quadrafire classic bay, or the 6yr old Harmon XXV. Quadrafire is 3,000 with pipe, Harmon is 1800 with pipe. What's you guys thoughts between these?

 

[Lousyweather]

not enough info here for a recommendation....clearances, furniture, stuff outside, etc....download a manual?

 

[jjk454ss]

not enough info here for a recommendation....clearances, furniture, stuff outside, etc....download a manual?

I'm not worried about clearances, I'm thinking where at in the house. I can get you more info. But really anywhere there's not a window or door would be fine with furniture and anything outside. Except the chimney which I drew in the pic

 

[Bioburner]

Anyone know about the Magnum Countryside 3500p? Found one one craigslist, might be able to get a good deal on it.

Was one of the first made for corn stoves. The company never did any updates in its design. No igniter, ESP etc. A pain to keep clean with a false wall that fills with ash. Needs weekly cleaning and daily tending to keep running well. Exhaust fan a nightmare to replace and clean. I have two in the shed that are being used for parts to keep my Mothers stove alive as she wont have a new stove if I can still keep it going. If we had to have someone come in for repairs it would be gone as it needs at least two hours of pro level service per season. Now this stove is 10 years old. I'd give someone a two for one deal if they asked.

 

[Bioburner]

Not sure what you mean about not a true OAK system? You also say the convection fan is weak?

The burn pot takes in air from over the ash bin and the stove is not sealed so if hooked up for fresh air it could pour cold air into home or smoke into home if you do a hot pot dump and not run the stove. The convection fan is tied to feed setting, low feed-low fan etc. May need a bit more cfm to keep a good sized area circulating enough.

 

[jjk454ss]

Thanks for the help, I ordered a quadrafire classic bay today, hopefully I can pick it up and install it Tuesday.