'14 52i feeder box cleaning

[stratocaster1422]

All the video and cleaning documentation I see shows an easy to access feeder box for cleaning. It doesn't look like it's so easy to access on the newer design of the 52i. Where and how are we supposed to access that for cleaning?

Also, does anybody clean the fins of their room blowers?

 

[Lake Girl]

Not sure about your feeder box but I clean the fins of my room blower. Some used compressed air; I use a brush (paint or toothbrush, whatever works) and gently brush the fins making sure I don't bend any while running the vacuum to catch the dust.

 

[stratocaster1422]

Nobody with a newer 52i cleans their feeder box?

 

[mr47930]

I havent pulled mine out to clean it yet. Only working on bag #4 at the moment. I did see a youtube video and the guy basically just had to reach his hand in and using his fingertips take off the feeder box cover.

 

[stratocaster1422]

Yeah, the youtube videos are of the older design where it's out in the open. I didn't know if Harman moved it to an impossible position because it no longer needs to be serviced.

 

[mr47930]

I found 1 video of our newer version. Ill try to find it and post the link. The guy was able to get it open and there were fines in it so I assume it still needs serviced.

 

[mr47930]

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check out about the 4 minute mark.

 

[mr47930]

Looks like taking the blower off would make it much easier to reach.

 

[stratocaster1422]

So still no replies on anybody (outside of the dude in this video) who has actually cleaned their newer 52i feeder box?

 

[Superglyde]

So still no replies on anybody (outside of the dude in this video) who has actually cleaned their newer 52i feeder box?

Like the video above shows, you have to take the stove out. I did it at end of season. It was hard to reach in there but not impossible. Put an extension on the vacuum and reached in there and sucked all the fines and pellet chunks. No biggie. I think Harmon says clean it once per year and seems about right after I burned 3 1/2 tons last winter.
Hope that helps.

 

[stratocaster1422]

Thanks! My next cleaning I might pull the stove out and try and get in there. I have probably 4 tons through my stove life time and haven't done that yet since I didn't realize it was even accessible.

 

[bbfarm]

I clean the fins on room fan when I do the yearly cleaning. I pull it out of the stove, use the air compressor, then use a Qtip with rubbing alcohol on it and do each fin one by one. It's tedious but really gets the dust off. I also oil. Photo so of our fan before cleaning after a full season. Yes I do have 3 big shedding dogs, why do you ask?

 

[stratocaster1422]

Holy crap! Mine don't even look dirty after having the stove for a year.

By the way, I pulled the stove out today, and reaching in behind the stove is SOOO much easier to get that feeder box door off than how the guy in the video does it. Kind of a pain to get in there but definitely fines trapped in there. Not sure it was affecting anything but felt better having cleaned it.

 

[bbfarm]

Yeah. That's all dog fur.

We have a golden retriever, an Australian shepherd and an Aussie border collie mix.

Big shedders

 

[Husky]

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check out about the 4 minute mark.

When I was viewing video I noticed the burn pot has holes on the side (time 11:20) does any of your units have these holes. Mine only has the holes on the front bottom? My stove is new this year, did they change the design of the burn pot?

 

[mr47930]

When I was viewing video I noticed the burn pot has holes on the side (time 11:20) does any of your units have these holes. Mine only has the holes on the front bottom? My stove is new this year, did they change the design of the burn pot?

Mine doesn't have holes on the side either.

 

[stratocaster1422]

They changed again this year. Mine had holes on the side, but it scorched my mirror glass. The changed my burn pot out to the new one without side holes on warranty.

 

[NHbrewer]

They changed again this year. Mine had holes on the side, but it scorched my mirror glass. The changed my burn pot out to the new one without side holes on warranty.

That's interesting about it scorching your glass. Mine was installed mid-September this year and I have the holes in the side of the pot. What I noticed is the holes seem to cause the flame on the sides of the pot to blow right against the glass. It doesn't do it all the time but definitely more than I'd like. I just might be giving my dealer a call.

 

[stratocaster1422]

Mine was installed in Jan '14...it had holes on the side. My buddy got his in Nov of '14...no holes.

My glass has been great so far the 1 month I have had the pot without the side holes.

 

[NHbrewer]

Have you noticed a difference in the time it takes for the glass gets dirty with the new pot?

 

[stratocaster1422]

No difference to me. I've also only used one brand of pellet this year. Last year I tried a zillion different types. The flame doesn't seem to impinge on the glass, the flame looks less chaotic I guess, but no real difference other than no more scorched glass. So when the stove is off, the unit looks a HECK of a lot better.

 

[NHbrewer]

Well, I'm going to call the dealer and see what they say about the redesign. I knew there was something not right with how the flame would touch the glass like that. Thanks for all the info.

 

[Peterfield]

Well, I'm going to call the dealer and see what they say about the redesign. I knew there was something not right with how the flame would touch the glass like that. Thanks for all the info.

Just had a Harman tech at my home for a harmonic noise in one of the distro motors. During his visit, I asked him about the burn pots with the side holes and he said that Harman sent out an advisory for the new burn pot design (no side holes) and that they will swap them out per this advisory.

 

[Husky]

Just had a Harman tech at my home for a harmonic noise in one of the distro motors. During his visit, I asked him about the burn pots with the side holes and he said that Harman sent out an advisory for the new burn pot design (no side holes) and that they will swap them out per this advisory.

Good thing you were reading this post. It seems like the dealer should know about this and make sure you have the update before they do the install.

 

[NHbrewer]

I called the dealer on Monday and they finally got back to me today. They are going to replace it with the updated version under warranty. According to the tech, Harman added the holes to try to optimize burn but they ended up causing more issues. He said the holes in the side not only cause an erratic flame that can kiss the glass but also weaken the air flow across the igniter. He's been getting calls weekly for over flowing pellets on ignition and failure to ignite.