Auger problems

[RZE89]

We purchased a newer Pelpro PP300 that was a store return. This was our first Pellet stove as we've always used a wood burning stove. After putting it in, I put in a few Rocky Canyon Fir pellets. At first everything ran fine. Then I added more pellets. Within a few minutes, the auger began to bind. I'd check the auger and sure enough the auger was jammed on 1 pellet turned just right to jam the auger where it turns. After cleaning and checking everything. Again, I'd start the process of adding pellets and again it would bind again on another pellet. I noticed that if I only had a few pellets it would run fine but as soon as I'd put more pellets in, it would jam. I have been doing some research on the net but can't find anything on auger motors. Aren't the auger motors supposed to be powerful enough to cut into and break a pellet? We were told that the previous owners had used wet pellets. After they removed and cleaned the unit, it worked fine. Since it was a store return, we can't take the unit back for a refund. Would replacing the auger motor to a more powerful auger motor solve this problem?

 

[Bioburner]

Maybe the motor is not good period! Possible a bad gear in the reduction etc. Hopefully got a good deal as replacement is going to be around $100 Maybe able to get one of similar speed etc off ebay for cheap.

 

[Arti]

Check the connection where the auger attaches to the motor. some are a setscrew and it could be loose, if it's a pin it maybe sheared.

 

[RZE89]

Thanks, yeah I checked and it doesn't have a pin and the setscrew is fine. It makes a gear sound and the output shaft isn't running at all. I got a pretty good deal, paid 500 bucks so if I have to buy a new auger motor, I will. I'm guessing when the previous owners used the wet pellets and it got jammed, it probably stripped the teeth on the reduction gear.

 

[Bioburner]

I don't know the rpm of the motor etc but check www.surpluscenter.com as they have some pellet stove motor ass. for cheap

 

[smwilliamson]

I've found issues with the auger alignment in pelpro stoves. Counting 5 since I've been in the biz where the alignment of the upper and lower bushings are just $&#*'ed. Hope that's not your scenario, cause it can't be fixed as far as I've tried. Motor works like the dickens out of the unit, binds after a quarter turn in the unit. Try dropping the lower steel donut out of the hopper and flipping it reverse. Pain in the ass to get it out sometimes. Whack at it with a hammer and wooden dowel from inside the hopper until it falls out then flip it around and try again. If that doesn't work try flipping horizontal. Make a mark on it as it sits now so you know where outside and top is as it sits now then start flipping it until the problem is solved. Hopefully you didn't pick up a $500 paper weight

 

[smwilliamson]

We purchased a newer Pelpro PP300 that was a store return. This was our first Pellet stove as we've always used a wood burning stove. After putting it in, I put in a few Rocky Canyon Fir pellets. At first everything ran fine. Then I added more pellets. Within a few minutes, the auger began to bind. I'd check the auger and sure enough the auger was jammed on 1 pellet turned just right to jam the auger where it turns. After cleaning and checking everything. Again, I'd start the process of adding pellets and again it would bind again on another pellet. I noticed that if I only had a few pellets it would run fine but as soon as I'd put more pellets in, it would jam. I have been doing some research on the net but can't find anything on auger motors. Aren't the auger motors supposed to be powerful enough to cut into and break a pellet? We were told that the previous owners had used wet pellets. After they removed and cleaned the unit, it worked fine. Since it was a store return, we can't take the unit back for a refund. Would replacing the auger motor to a more powerful auger motor solve this problem?

Actually, yes you can return the unit. If they won't take it back call the attorney general. There are laws against selling broken or not as advertised merchandise is most states.