Esp probe question

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Jason845845

Feeling the Heat
Aug 11, 2014
364
Kingston, Ny
Hey all, the flame on my p43 in stove temp mode has always been awful small. The heat output seems good. The flames will barely get outside of the flame spreader. I've adjusted the feed rate a little and it doesn't change much.

There are no blinks on the status light, so does this mean my esp probe is working properly?

I'm probably not going to use room temp much this year and just want to figure out if everything is normal. Thanks!
 
If the stove is close to room temp that the you have it set for the flames should not be very high, its when there is a large call for heat that you will get more flame. Room temp is a great feature and when you put the igniter to manual after starting will force the stove to idle staying warm till heat is called for and is a great feature when the weather is pretty cold and no real need for the stove to cycle.
 
You say you have adjusted feed rate, but have you changed the temp dial? Change that sucker up to 7, and I'll bet you will see some flame.
 
When I go to stove temp or constant burn the flame reduces to a small one here but it will idle and flame up to reach the set temp. It can be more of an idle burn going on most of the time once you figure out where you want the temp. I am of the thought that consistency wins. The stove runs more equally in stove temp and doesn't fluctuate and ramp up & down, off & on. Just my preference. Like throwing it in cruise control instead of on and off the go faster pedal. I think a small flame is where it should be especially now in these warmer temps. Your ESP is fine. Have you cleaned it? Your P43 is still new Jason so I seriously doubt you are having any issues.

I really prefer stove/ constant burn operation w/ igniter in manual overall vs. room temp. The shoulder season warrants operating in room temp a lot though. Otherwise while it is not cold outside you can toast yourself out with it running at all times even with a very small flame.

You could still roll in constant mode and just turn it off once you are warm enough and turn it back on as needed to knock off the chill having more control of it firing but that really wouldn't be much different than room temp mode and your stove doing it on its own. People get way over worked up on the igniter use issue IMO.

These things are designed for that. Set it and forget it. Igniters last for many years and are a quick and easy replacement especially on a free standing P Series. It pulls right out pretty easily. Disconnect the wires and reverse this process with a new igniter. Many here have gotten 8 - 10 years (possibly more) and they always run in room temp mode.
 
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Depending on outside temps when I go to stove temp AKA: constant burn many times I set at feed rate 3 - 4 when it is cold. Less when not so cold. You can set the feed all the way down also as the stove will automatically take what it needs and over ride those settings anyway.

Mainly just get the inside temp you want to maintain or are comfortable at while in igniter manual constant burn and the stove will still run itself regardless of how the feed rate, etc. are set. It will simply maintain that set temp on the temp dial no matter what else you have set where.

The only difference is that there will always be a fire present instead of the stove being off and then calling for heat, firing up (auto ignite) and ramping up to set room temp, and then idling down and back up or possibly shutting down and repeating later when it calls for heat again.

Stove temp or constant burn just takes out some of this fluctuation from balls to the wall hot flame to the cold shoulder. In stove / constant there will always be a flame present no matter how small.
 
Depending on outside temps when I go to stove temp AKA: constant burn many times I set at feed rate 3 - 4 when it is cold. Less when not so cold. You can set the feed all the way down also as the stove will automatically take what it needs and over ride those settings anyway.

Mainly just get the inside temp you want to maintain or are comfortable at while in igniter manual constant burn and the stove will still run itself regardless of how the feed rate, etc. are set. It will simply maintain that set temp on the temp dial no matter what else you have set where.

The only difference is that there will always be a fire present instead of the stove being off and then calling for heat, firing up (auto ignite) and ramping up to set room temp, and then idling down and back up or possibly shutting down and repeating later when it calls for heat again.

Stove temp or constant burn just takes out some of this fluctuation from balls to the wall hot flame to the cold shoulder. In stove / constant there will always be a flame present no matter how small.
agree with your explanations...
question: do you see a difference between room temp/manual or stove mode[constant]..
both seem to be the same results AND do you see a difference in pellet consumption as opposed to the on/off mode of room auto..
 
Biggest difference I see is the stove while in Room Auto shuts off and ramps up after it re-ignites however many times it needs to do that to maintain the temp* you have it set at. Varies between outside temps & what temp you expect inside.

Stove temp Constant Burn is the way to fly IMO once it gets colder and stays like that. Another point is averaging inside temps accordingly. The stove does not know what is in the forecast so think it out a bit. Half ass plan it out and just roll with it.

One of the BEST features running on Constant Burn Mode or Stove Temp is that temps do not fluctuate much. I'll say it like this....... You shoot a hole in one on the first two holes and then you shoot crazy...... Constant Burn is more like a steady 3 on every hole..

Another words Just keep putting well instead of T'ing off super hard for a long hole and then breaking out clubs that usually collect dust trying to figure it out.

Hit the ball consistently getting it close and then settle in and GO HOME! As Adam Sandler says.
 
Biggest difference I see is the stove while in Room Auto shuts off and ramps up after it re-ignites however many times it needs to do that to maintain the temp* you have it set at. Varies between outside temps & what temp you expect inside.

Stove temp Constant Burn is the way to fly IMO once it gets colder and stays like that. Another point is averaging inside temps accordingly. The stove does not know what is in the forecast so think it out a bit. Half ass plan it out and just roll with it.

One of the BEST features running on Constant Burn Mode or Stove Temp is that temps do not fluctuate much. I'll say it like this....... You shoot a hole in one on the first two holes and then you shoot crazy...... Constant Burn is more like a steady 3 on every hole..

Another words Just keep putting well instead of T'ing off super hard for a long hole and then breaking out clubs that usually collect dust trying to figure it out.

Hit the ball consistently getting it close and then settle in and GO HOME! As Adam Sandler says.
Interesting Golf comparrisons...
btw:
had asked about Room/Manual vrs Constant...Not Room Auto.
room manual doesn't shut off and goes into a maint burn same as Constant or stove mode..correct?
 
....You can set the feed all the way down also as the stove will automatically take what it needs and over ride those settings anyway....

That is not correct. As stated here many times, the feed rate adjustment on a Harman is, for the most part, a "set it and forget it" adjustment. Most have success with a setting between 3 and 4. If it is set on 1 and the given stove setting calls for heat, the stove will not be able to perform to it's full capability. The ESP and the Control Board cannot "override" a feed rate setting of 1. I'll use the analogy that I use here often.....if the feed rate is set too low, it's like putting a brick under the accelerator pedal of your car. You'll get up to speed eventually (maybe) but it will take quite a while to get there...
 
That is not correct. As stated here many times, the feed rate adjustment on a Harman is, for the most part, a "set it and forget it" adjustment. Most have success with a setting between 3 and 4. If it is set on 1 and the given stove setting calls for heat, the stove will not be able to perform to it's full capability. The ESP and the Control Board cannot "override" a feed rate setting of 1. I'll use the analogy that I use here often.....if the feed rate is set too low, it's like putting a brick under the accelerator pedal of your car. You'll get up to speed eventually (maybe) but it will take quite a while to get there...
Yes. correct...
sooo, I'll ask you same guestion:
had asked about Room/Manual vrs Constant...Not Room Auto.
room manual doesn't shut off and goes into a maint burn same as Constant or stove mode..correct? so what is the difference if any...

Actually I think the way it goes is the room/manual uses the inside probe and the stove or constant uses the outside temp or the stove temperature....?
 
Room temp manual will ramp up to your set temp then go into a maintenance burn until heat is called for again. Stove temp keeps the stove at a constant temp either ramping up or down depending on what the esp sees.
 
Room temp manual will ramp up to your set temp then go into a maintenance burn until heat is called for again. Stove temp keeps the stove at a constant temp either ramping up or down depending on what the esp sees.
Ok..
That sounds right.. [forgot about the ESP Input].....
read many posts in the past comparing the 2 modes and seems that most agree that Stove or Constant uses more pellets but too many variables such as tight or not well insulated dwellings etc...
anyone care to open that ole one again for newbees?
 
No
 
I don't want to be a old fart and say no because have seen this every couple months, its that there is a very good sticky at the top of the page. "How your Harman works-what your manual doesn't tell you"
 
I don't want to be a old fart and say no because have seen this every couple months, its that there is a very good sticky at the top of the page. "How your Harman works-what your manual doesn't tell you"
I put the link in my signature a few years ago in the hopes that more Harman newbies would see it there.....

I said no...does that make me an old fart?
 
I'm not sure that the OP's question was stove temp versus room temp, but seemed to me he was concerned that his flame height never got much out of the burn pot, so was wondering if it was an issue with the ESP. In my mind, what needs to be established is whether the flame can ever get higher (regardless of the mode - my thought is it is easiest to establish in room temp mode by putting the desired setting at like 85*). If Jason wants to keep it in room temp mode, the only way to check if the flame can get higher is if he ups the feed to 3.5-4 (or higher), and the "temp" dial to something like 7.

If he can establish a good flame in room temp, but not in stove temp (using big settings), then that might mean he has an issue with the ESP. If he can't establish a big flame in room temp, then maybe there is something else going on (could be the ESP still).

If it he can't get a good flame in either mode then just for giggles, check that the probe connection at the back of the stove hasn't jiggled loose - don't look at it, physically see if it has unseated itself. That shouldn't affect stove temp mode, but others have stated that it was an issue with their particular stove.

Maybe I read his initial post incorrectly, so am talking gibberish. If so, carry on :cool:
 
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The post just got side tracked. IMO. Happens here all the time.I forget about the sticky and should have referred to it way sooner.
 
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Admittedly, I am an old fart. But new guy here.
I'm one of those guys that feels "so what" if there is a post repeated, or on a sticky bun..
Come on.. it's a forum on stoves an pellets.
Every comment/question can't be brand new. Never before seen or asked.
I know having just got a new Harman, it's nice to see "new" comments, tips etc.
Sometimes newer models of anything can be different from just a year or two earlier.
Or a newer member can offer something not on an old sticky bun.
I for one, looking at some of this stuff, appreciate seeing it.
With so many options on a Harman, it's nice to see what different
opinions people have on them. And from what I have seen there are plenty!
If there is a thread going on that I do not have an interest in,
I simply do not open it.......
;)

Dan
 
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I set the stove to "hell" and the flame was kissing the heat exchanger. /thread


Room temp manual will ramp up to your set temp then go into a maintenance burn until heat is called for again. Stove temp keeps the stove at a constant temp either ramping up or down depending on what the esp sees.
I'm not sure that the OP's question was stove temp versus room temp, but seemed to me he was concerned that his flame height never got much out of the burn pot, so was wondering if it was an issue with the ESP. In my mind, what needs to be established is whether the flame can ever get higher (regardless of the mode - my thought is it is easiest to establish in room temp mode by putting the desired setting at like 85*). If Jason wants to keep it in room temp mode, the only way to check if the flame can get higher is if he ups the feed to 3.5-4 (or higher), and the "temp" dial to something like 7.

If he can establish a good flame in room temp, but not in stove temp (using big settings), then that might mean he has an issue with the ESP. If he can't establish a big flame in room temp, then maybe there is something else going on (could be the ESP still).

If it he can't get a good flame in either mode then just for giggles, check that the probe connection at the back of the stove hasn't jiggled loose - don't look at it, physically see if it has unseated itself. That shouldn't affect stove temp mode, but others have stated that it was an issue with their particular stove.

Maybe I read his initial post incorrectly, so am talking givverish. If so, carry on :cool:
 
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Admittedly, I am an old fart. But new guy here.
I'm one of those guys that feels "so what" if there is a post repeated, or on a sticky bun..
Come on.. it's a forum on stoves an pellets.
Every comment/question can't be brand new. Never before seen or asked.
I know having just got a new Harman, it's nice to see "new" comments, tips etc.
Sometimes newer models of anything can be different from just a year or two earlier.
Or a newer member can offer something not on an old sticky bun.
I for one, looking at some of this stuff, appreciate seeing it.
With so many options on a Harman, it's nice to see what different
opinions people have on them. And from what I have seen there are plenty!
If there is a thread going on that I do not have an interest in,
I simply do not open it.......
;)

Dan
I agree Dan..
if there are only so many questions that can asked about pellet stoves,[admittedly that would be many concidering the different stoves out there] but point is,
if we put the Kabash on questions that have already been asked, there would be no point in coming here anymore...
I for one don't mind same questions being asked by newbees........ some I respond to/some I don't...
The Sticky on" How your Harmans works" is great info but with all said, stove temp vrs room temp still comes up and not all agree 100%..
for every room temp guy, there is a stove or constant temp guy regardless... I think this keep it interesting and I do like to read why someone would disagree when the Information [or Sticky]
says otherwise/////
 
I only jumped in to clarify what bags said about the ESP overriding the feed rate setting. The Stove Temp/Room Temp debate will always be there........
 
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The PC45 is a bit different in its feed rate controls. What it is set at is what determines the fuel on startup and has been found that it will feed itself up to 8 lbs an hour. This was found by the designer for the Crosslink that I have installed in my Harman.
This should stir the pot.
We all thankfully don't have the same stove in the same envelope being fed the same fuel in the same climate so armed with some knowledge we can adjust and maximize each stove to our comforts.
 
The PC45 is a bit different in its feed rate controls. What it is set at is what determines the fuel on startup and has been found that it will feed itself up to 8 lbs an hour. This was found by the designer for the Crosslink that I have installed in my Harman.
This should stir the pot.
We all thankfully don't have the same stove in the same envelope being fed the same fuel in the same climate so armed with some knowledge we can adjust and maximize each stove to our comforts.
First rule of thumb..don't argue with a Mod. Having said that, I had a PC 45 for a while and didn't find that to be the case. In the situation above, the OP has a P43 so I was confident in my statement.
 
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