Harman P-series stove's hearth recommendations

PJPellet said:

Why are they different? The P43, P61, and P68 are basically the same stove except for size. I am confused why the P43 and P61 need a hearth pad with minimum r .45 protection, but the P68 manual says that a 20 gauge piece of sheet metal would be fine. The P68 is a bigger (hotter???) stove so shouldn't that stove naturally need more thermal hearth protection than it's smaller brother and sister, the P61 and P43? I have been researching hearth pads and the Harman P-series recently and discovered this difference between these similar models. Can someone enlighten me? Maybe I am just too stupid to figure it all out.

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I see why you are confused. It may be possible that the P68 manual has not been updated since Feb 1 2011 when UL changed heart pad ratings?

I'd also take a look at any physical differences between the stoves in addition to just heat input/output sometimes there are differences that are not apparent by just looking at a stove. For example if there is any mineral wool between the firebox and the base of a stove it changes the thermal characteristics of the stove that is in contact with the hearth or hearth pad. The distance from the burn pot or the bottom of the ash pan to the hearth or hearth pads would be another.

Now to just let you know I haven't even looked at the stoves you are talking about or their installation manuals, so what I'm pointing out is there are many things to consider in determining what the conditions are where the stove meets combustibles.

I have a P68 and a PP38 plus, which from what I understand the same as a P43, only manual start. Although they appear the same, they are not. The P68 is raised a good inch more off of the floor than the P38. Under my P68, I have the black board which meets the requirements. My PP38 used to belong to my friend. When he removed it from his house, you could see where the black board was. The hardwood floor under it now had a reddish color. I went to my Harmon dealer and they looked it up, the PP38 needed a higher value pad, which I know have.

Tom C.

68 has an airspace built in higher than that of the 38, 43, 61... I would only install any of them on a UL listed pad with some kind or R rating, however.... preferably not a cheapo black metal hardware store pad My old p38 left a nice discolored mark on the vinly floor thru the cheapo black "pebble" board pad I had it on.

summit said:

68 has an airspace built in higher than that of the 38, 43, 61... I would only install any of them on a UL listed pad with some kind or R rating, however.... preferably not a cheapo black metal hardware store pad My old p38 left a nice discolored mark on the vinly floor thru the cheapo black "pebble" board pad I had it on.

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Good advice!

Tom C.