Harman 52i Cleaning Questions

[stratocaster1422]

I asked some of these question in a larger thread and it didn't really get answered...

1.) Was a cleaning brush supposed to come with my Accentra 52i? Mine did not. I assume the brushes I see are for cleaning the tube above the combustion blower? I see the old insert design had 2 tubes leading to the combustion blower, but do I need a special brush for the new tube design? I have a 4" brush for cleaning the chimney liner, can I just use that brush?

2.) On a weekly basis, I remove my completely full ash pan, take out the heat exchanger plates and vac out everything. Is this more than the recommended amount of cleaning from a weekly perspective? Can I just empty out my ash pan and scrape off the compass medalion every week?

3.) After my first ton I opened up all the venting chambers and cleaned everything out. I didn't find a whole lot of stuff in there built up which was good. How often do you typically open up all the venting chambers?

4.) How often do you send a brush up the chimney liner? Do you have to pull the unit out into service position or can you send the brush up the liner with the chimney through that tube next to the combustion fan?

I feel like I am doing my "monthly" cleaning on a weekly basis and didn't know what others out there do.

 

[Delta-T]

not so much of any of the maintenance is time related, more quantity/quality of pellets consumed.
1- no brush included with 52i, only older Accentra Insert
2- this is good schedule, if you're gonna bother to shut it down and empty the ash pan, might as well pop of the exchanger covers, and clean the igniter area as well.
3- good schedule
4-usually once or twice a year, mostly depends on the pellets consumed but at least once a year.

the key to pellet stove longevity is "preventative maintenance"...then do less fixing.

 

[fmsm]

4.) How often do you send a brush up the chimney liner? Do you have to pull the unit out into service position or can you send the brush up the liner with the chimney through that tube next to the combustion fan? DO NOT PUT A BRUSH THROUGH THE TUBE NEXT TO THE COMBUSTION FAN TO CLEAN YOUR LINER! Your ESP is located in there and you may break it.I do not have your model but I believe I am correct in the above statement.You should also be cleaning your ESP and emptying the fine box when you pull the stove to clean the liner.

 

[stratocaster1422]

Thanks! That's why I was asking. I knew the probe was up there and felt that it may be wrong to send a brush up there.

 

[fmsm]

Glad I could be of service! Enjoy that P52i, it looks like a wonderful stove!

 

[stratocaster1422]

I finally pulled the insert out and checked where the probe was. It's actually tucked up and away in a place that looks like a brush wouldn't hit it.