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  1. fedtime Member

    joined: Sep 13, 2009
    113 posts
    Down East Canada
    A few days ago, I had a three flash code (ESP) and the distribution blower would not start on my Accentra insert - but it was "humming" like it was getting power but would not spin.

    I pulled the insert out and cleaned the whole thing from top to bottom. I pulled the distribution blower and cleaned it thoroughly. You could eat off it the thing it was so clean.

    I put it all back together and it worked fine until this morning, when the distribution blower would not spin again. Once again, it is humming like it has power, but will not spin. I shut the stove down and restarted it twice, and still the distribution blower will not spin.

    I suspect the ESP is bad, but there is no "three flash code". Maybe my distribution blower is dying? I hope not - they are $400 here in Canada.

    Before I start replacing parts, any thoughts are appreciated!
    #1

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  2. Defiant Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 5, 2007
    1,878 posts
    Old Lyme CT
    Start off by hooking the distribution blower up directly and let it run for awhile and observe:cool:
    kinsmanstoves likes this.
  3. ivanhoe Member

    X2
  4. smwilliamson Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 28, 2009
    2,725 posts
    Southcoast, MA
  5. Defiant Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 5, 2007
    1,878 posts
    Old Lyme CT
    Hey Scott, what's the price for a new Accentra Insert distribution blower?
  6. smwilliamson Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 28, 2009
    2,725 posts
    Southcoast, MA
    Look above, just posted a link on Amazon
  7. Defiant Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 5, 2007
    1,878 posts
    Old Lyme CT
    Thanks
  8. fedtime Member

    joined: Sep 13, 2009
    113 posts
    Down East Canada
    Gentlemen:

    I'm away for a few days, but will try the "test" test when I get back and let you know.

    And a HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you for the Amazon link. I'm not kidding - my local dealer quoted $400 for a new blower. And so did two other shops that I called.
  9. smwilliamson Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 28, 2009
    2,725 posts
    Southcoast, MA
    You're welcome
  10. Harman Lover 007 Minister of Fire

    I'd be willing to bet that the price you got was for the free standing Accentra blower motor.
  11. Lousyweather Minister of Fire

    joined: Feb 19, 2009
    2,433 posts
    America
    yep, most dealers sell the part from Harman for about $270 or so.......something not right at $400
  12. smwilliamson Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 28, 2009
    2,725 posts
    Southcoast, MA
    The freestanding Accentra blower isn't 400 either. I can post that one too when I get in front of the computer again
  13. ivanhoe Member

    people's republic of canada & our horse sh*t tax!:mad:
  14. Harvey Schneider Feeling the Heat

    joined: Oct 9, 2012
    467 posts
    Southbury, CT
    Check out the link.
    "Fasco B47120 is a 115 Volt 3 Speed 180 CFM Blower Assembly."
  15. Harman Lover 007 Minister of Fire

    My point was that the free standing blower motor is different than the insert motor and in some cases, more expensive. The retail on the Stove Parts Unlimited site was $335.
  16. fedtime Member

    joined: Sep 13, 2009
    113 posts
    Down East Canada
    Well, I did as Scott and others have suggested - I put the stove in "test" mode and all three motors did exactly what they are supposed to do. I ran the test for a few minutes and observed exactly what Scott said would happen.

    Scratching my head, I fired the stove up and all is working properly. To this I say, "Huh?"

    Do I have a bad (or going bad) ESP? Flat spot on the armature of my distribution blower?

    And on the price of the distribution blower, three different Harman shops quoted the same price. The shop I normally deal with (and like to support as they have decent service) had one in stock and apologized for the high price!

    And remember: this is Canada. Even stuff made in Canada (like wood pellets) costs less in the USA.
    Defiant likes this.
  17. smwilliamson Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 28, 2009
    2,725 posts
    Southcoast, MA
    The Harman retail is $327 for that insert blower and $284 for the freestanding, both of which are marked up almost 400%. I actually found the insert blower at a local hvac supply last year for $72. Remember, the manufacturer needs to make money too:)
    Lousyweather likes this.
  18. Lousyweather Minister of Fire

    joined: Feb 19, 2009
    2,433 posts
    America
    yes, the more convoluted the supply chain, with each step making some money, the more the unit will generally cost....most folks these days are in business to make money...cant fault them (or us) for that. Conversely, I cant also fault the stove owner from trying to save a few bucks either. Just dont expect more for a warranty that whats available from the original manufacturer. For instance, say you hire a stove guy to replace a motor, but you buy the motor from Grainger. You pay us to replace it (or do it yourself!)......now, if that motor $hits the bed in a few weeks, well, we can come out and replace it again, as another $ervice call. Some service guys wont replace parts you provide, some will.
  19. Harvey Schneider Feeling the Heat

    joined: Oct 9, 2012
    467 posts
    Southbury, CT
    Sorry, I ;misunderstood. I thought your were saying it was only the motor and not the blower assembly.
  20. smwilliamson Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 28, 2009
    2,725 posts
    Southcoast, MA
    Harman Lover 007 likes this.
  21. fedtime Member

    joined: Sep 13, 2009
    113 posts
    Down East Canada
    You really have to live in Canada to believe how disparate the prices are compared to the USA. That $400 blower was really not a huge shock to me, and the fact that I can get one off Amazon for less than $100 is just a reminder of how disparate prices are. Auto parts are another example. A rotor for my car from a local parts store is $180 (white box, made in China). But I can get a Raybestos, made in CANADA rotor from a major online parts supply in the USA for $42. I can go on, and on, and on.

    I want to support my local businesses - but that $400 blower motor would cost another $120 to install, plus taxes (%15). In total: $400+$120+$78=$598. To my mind, that is outrageous. Plus I grew up on a farm, so I could never allow myself to hire someone to install it!
    SmokeyTheBear likes this.
  22. SmokeyTheBear Minister of Fire

    joined: Nov 10, 2008
    11,441 posts
    Standish, ME
    They must have added a lot of value to that blower along the way.
    heat seeker likes this.

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