Harman Advance feed auger not working

[chris5150]

Hello,

I have an older Harman Advance pellet stove that the auger stopped working. I took the feed motor off, tested it and it was good. Hooked it back up and wired it direct to an outlet and it turns the auger so that is not jammed. Called the stove shop, they said start with replacing the ESP probe. Did that and it still does not work. Next they want me to replace the computer board. Those are not cheap so I wanted to see if there is something else I can do first.

Also, during test mode the auger does not turn but the light comes on saying it’s turning.

Thanks in advance,

Chris

 

[Washed-Up]

Sorry, sounds like the board, hopefully someone chimes in and may know how to fix the board, could be as easy as a quick solder job

 

[chris5150]

The stove shop said they can test the board for $36 and if it is bad they will apply that money towards a new board.

 

[Ssyko]

that's a fair price.

 

[gfreek]

So looking at a diagram there are no vacuum switches on this stove that would prevent the auger from working, just a hopper lid switch ?

 

[chris5150]

So looking at a diagram there are no vacuum switches on this stove that would prevent the auger from working, just a hopper lid switch ?

I am not sure that there is a hopper lid switch. I know the stove will operate with the hopper open, not well but it does.

 

[rickwai]

Your vac switch is not closing. Auger and igniter are interrupted by the vac switch on the neutral side. Clean your exhaust, pull the panels out of the back and clean heatexchanger along with the combustion fan. The circuit board sends power out hence the light, but if vac switch dont close there is no Neutral to complete the circuit. The board does not know what the vac switch is doing
Have you had this stove awhile? are you familiar on how to clean it? Outside chance the vac switch is bad, but 99%of the time it is just doing its job.

 

[gfreek]

Your vac switch is not closing. Auger and igniter are interrupted by the vac switch on the neutral side. Clean your exhaust, pull the panels out of the back and clean heatexchanger along with the combustion fan. The circuit board sends power out hence the light, but if vac switch dont close there is no Neutral to complete the circuit. The board does not know what the vac switch is doing
Have you had this stove awhile? are you familiar on how to clean it? Outside chance the vac switch is bad, but 99%of the time it is just doing its job.

rickwai, you are probably correct on this. I missed it on the diagram, "differential switch #3-20-6866 " . A good cleaning per manual as he says. Then if still not working then check the hose feeding that sensor/switch, or bad sensor/switch.

 

[rickwai]

It is almost always a cleaning issue. I replace maybe 1 vac switch per year. Normally the heat exchanger area on the older style Advance.

 

[chris5150]

I have had the stove since it was new. just looked it up, I purchased it in January of 2006. Ran it as our only heat source until 2012 when I moved. Since then it has been in my shop. Since 2012 it has burned less than a ton of pellets. I did clean everything real well yesterday including all the heat exchangers and combustion fan and the exhaust.

Where is this vac switch located? Is there anyway I can bypass the vac switch to rule that out?

Thanks in advance. Chris

 

[gfreek]

On that not sure where , but should have hose connected to it, and search part number for pic.. To Bypass vac switch- make a jumper wire with Male spade ends. Unplug unit, take a pic of wires on vac switch, note location, use jumper or something to connect 2 wires together . Restart. This is for trouble shooting only.....

 

[chris5150]

I bypassed that vac switch and when I plugged it in the feed motor took right off. So do I need a new vac switch?

 

[gfreek]

Check the hose that connects to it for cracks or breaks. if the hose has a leak then it won't activate the vac switch.. May be a good idea to replace that too if need be

 

[chris5150]

Hoses look good. I blew it out with the compressor as well.

 

[gfreek]

Hoses look good. I blew it out with the compressor as well

Hope the other end was disconnected...

 

[chris5150]

No the other end was not disconnected.

 

[johneh]

Did you blow toward the stoves firebox or toward the switch?

 

[gfreek]

Did you blow toward the stoves firebox or toward the switch?

 

[chris5150]

Towards the firebox

 

[gfreek]

Check your door gaskets for proper seal with a dollar bill test, meaning open and close the door with a dollar bill between the door and the stove , pull on the bill and there should be drag all around the doors. If you have a fines box cover ( feeder cover) be sure that's securely attached. If the stove is not properly sealed then the vacuum switch will not work, if everything is sealed, hose good, then most likely is the vac switch..

 

[rickwai]

Double check that a bird did not make a nest in the end of you exhaust pipe and you have a clear exhaust path. If all that looks good replace the vac switch. The stove runs at about .6 inwc cold and clean and the switch closes at .05-.1. With that said you would have to have something pretty obvious on the door or gaskets to cause a vac leak. Check your ash pan latches and be sure something is not caught in the gasket area causing in not to properly seat.

 

[chris5150]

I installed a new vac switch today. No go. I did do the dollar bill test and there’s 1 area that is not real tight. I pulled the board out and will have that checked Tuesday. Will also buy a new door gasket at that time.
There is no obstructions in the exhaust. It is a simple install, through a wall with about 2’ of pipe.

 

[Washed-Up]

Out of curiosity, do you have an outside air intake hooked up?

 

[gfreek]

I re read your posts. After jumping the vac switch did the stove fire up and run OK ??

 

[gfreek]

Out of curiosity, do you have an outside air intake hooked up?