help...too much draft

Res5cue said:

I have a Harmon P38, direct vented strait out for now. Started it up, no problem, however the flame looks like a blow torch. On feed rate 5, it will push enough pellets up the burn hopper, but the pellets look like popcorn jumping everywhere. If I turn down the feed rate to 1 thru 3 the pellets will burn down into the auger and have a torch affect.

I’m pretty sure this isn’t good. Is this to much draft? What if I turn back the Low draft Adjustment a hair?

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I have mine turned back all the way. My draft was strong so I had to compensate.
It starts easily and quickly and burns very well at all settings. And with much less of a blow torch effect than before . The glass stays as clean as usual too.

Forgot to mention that my P38 does burn down close to the auger (on #1 setting) and will actually burn back to 1 thread (behind the tip) on the auger at shutdown. I believe the owners manual or the in depth on line maintenance notes mentions this and recommend chipping the carbon build off the tip occasionally.

My XXV does to. Is this not right? After I turn it off and it is cooled down, the burn pot just has a small amount of ash. I can see the auger and all pellets are burned up.

kyburnr said:

My XXV does to. Is this not right? After I turn it off and it is cooled down, the burn pot just has a small amount of ash. I can see the auger and all pellets are burned up.

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That`s how my P38 looks after shut down. I can also see a few new pellets in the auger shaft , depending on the position of the auger.

Pellets blowing out of burnpot has way too much draft.
when the stove goes out you will see the auger and maybe a couple of pellets. they may even burn back to the second flight of the auger, it's normal...
Make sure the hopper lid is closed and secure at all times while running to prevent it from burning back any farther......

you could turn it down a bit but if you are gonna be adding pipe like your first post indicates then you're draft is gonna change again

Res5cue said:

On Feed Rate 1, I was under the impression the pellets would be built up in the hopper and be a lazy flame. Mine looks like a constant blown effect until it works its way into the auger. I thought that this was bad, but if its normal, then ok, I didnt want to damage my auger. On 3 the burn is about 2 inches up from the auger. None of the setting push pellets out to the vent holes on the lip of the burn pot.

I installed the stove, does it sound like I even have an issue?

Edit: @GVA I was typing when you posted. I have the "popcorn" effect on the highest setting. Can I eyeball the adjustment or do I need a tech to come here and do it?

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It does sound like your draft is too strong.
However, even on the lowest setting #1 the torch effect is present although reduced.
Combustion air is automatically adjusted to the feed rate.
I can hear the speed of the combustion fan increase/decrease as I adjust the feed rate up/down.
Turning the pot adjustment screw down (counter clockwise) will decrease the combustion air speed thus the strong draft and reduce the torch effect accordingly and in my findings it also reduces the amount of heat being wasted up into the flue with a overly strong draft allowing for a more efficient transfer of heat off the heat exchanger.
Another benefit is the ease and quickness to start a new fire with your choice of approved starting material.

Check the voltage at the stove use point. (outlet) It should be 120vac. If higher you should turn down the pot screw in the rear of your control panel.( see page 18 in your manual) This "could" very well be contributing to the problem of having too much draft.

Res5cue said:

The Draft adjustment was almost turned completely clockwise. I turned the low draft adjustment a 1/4 turn from all the way down and tested it. It still burned into the auger and the flame looked the same. The next test, I turned the trim pot completly counter clockwise. 30 min later the flame burns just to the top of the burnpot with just a little force from the combustion fan on setting 1 feed rate. So far I like the results. The feed rate seems to be keeping up much better.

Something else I noticed when I was working with the board. The thermostat connections already have wires attached to them. I thought they would be empty. Also my Blower adjustment fan, turns off and on by itself during the stoves operation. I thought this only happens if you have a thermostat attached.

Edit: 1 hour later were burning into the auger again and the flames seem to get more air the closer they get....Maybe I'm just gonna have to add stove pipe outside this year to add friction.

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I`m burning mine all the way down and having excellent results especially burning at #1 all night long..
OK, with regards to your distribution blower, it will cycle off and on when set at #1 setting. That`s a shame IMO, but normal for the P38.
If you really want to get the fan to run constantly on the lowest setting you would have to modify the stove wiring as I explained in this other recent thread .
https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/18178/#196677

Res5cue said:

Still way to much draft, Ive covered the air intake about 90% and the flame finally seems to be where it should. Not sure why there is so much draft with this install, its just horizontal.

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That maybe why due to the type of venting you have, not much and no elbows to constrict flow.

woodsman23 said:

Res5cue said:

Still way to much draft, Ive covered the air intake about 90% and the flame finally seems to be where it should. Not sure why there is so much draft with this install, its just horizontal.

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That maybe why due to the type of venting you have, not much and no elbows to constrict flow.

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Probably right.I have direct vent also and i barely have the damper out to get a good slow burning flame.Manual says 1/2-1" but i'll get that blow torch effect if i try that.