Harman Accentra 6 blinks

[DNL]

I have a Harman Accentra FS that was purchased new in fall of 2012. I burn about 2-3 tons each winter and lately have been burning softwood pellets. Has worked great until approx 3 weeks ago when it started shutting down and displaying 6 blinks on status light. I read the manual and checked for obstructions in flue or intake but looked fine. Cleaned stove including the area where fines build up and also looked good. What I have noticed is that I can restart it and it will burn sometimes for a few hours or sometimes overnight but it is very inconsistent. It have also noticed usually a low flame and not producing the usual amount of heat. To keep it running I have had to increase the feed rate to 5 or 6 and it still shuts down sometimes. It seemed to me that it is not getting enough pellets so I called my dealer and he advised
1. Clean thoroughly.
2. Remove and clean ESP probe
3. Try on stove mode set at 9.
4. run in auto mode
I have tried all of these and still no luck. Not sur what the auto or stove mode suggestions were about. He is going to send out a technician but I was wondering if anyone here has suggestions. Thanks
2012 Harman Accentra FS
MWP softwood, Lacrete, Spruce Point and New england Pellets

 

[Murph]

The feed rate you set determines how many seconds out of a minute the stove feeds. Start the stove and time the feeding if you have it set on four and only getting twenty seconds of feeding the it could be the probe or the control board. Make sure all connections in wiring are tight also makes sure all doors are secure- fine box, igniter cover, gaskets, hoses, etc.

 

[DNL]

On feed rate 4 it runs the feed motor approx 30-35 seconds per minute. Does that sound about right?

At the suggestion of my wife I reattached the remote Skytech thermostat instead of the room sensor probe. I had disconnected it a few weeks ago when the problem started. I have feed rate at 4 and obviously on room mode. It seems to be running better ( higher flame and more heat output but have only tried this for an hour so I guess time will tell. So I am still puzzled why it didnt work well in stove mode or while hooked up to Harman room sensor. I am concerned that the ESP may be bad and am hoping if the technician comes he has some way to test it.

 

[DNL]

that was short lived. Started to cycle down after an hour and got 6 blinks again. The auger motor seems to turn the right amount of time but it doesn't seem to turn every minute even though it is calling for heat. Seems to me an electronic issue i.e. Esp or control board.

 

[Delta-T]

check the cover to the fines box, its not uncommon to replace it a bit askew and assume its on correctly. causes exactly what you describe. blocked venting, longish pellets "log jamming", piece of debris down at bottom of hopper, igniter cover plate not on tight or straight.

 

[Lineman30]

It happens to me quite often. Usually its always a bridged pellets. I actually had one last night I have been burning Greenways' ( which are small) and a new brand I have now are long...

 

[Bioburner]

Could be something stuck in the auger flights not allowing a full charge of pellets to be delivered. With pellet suppliers scraping the bottom you may have gotten something extra.

 

[heat seeker]

Run your auger motor for a full minute and see how many turns the auger makes. If it's a 2 RPM motor, you obviously should get 2 turns per minute. My auger motor got sluggish and was only putting out 1.5 RPM. That made a big difference in pellet delivery.

A new motor that actually does 2 RPM made a world of difference, and the old motor is cleaned, oiled, and on the shelf as a spare.

 

[Murph]

Tech should have a ddm to test the esp probe if the prob is telling the board it is approaching the set temp it will back off on the feed rate. If you did time the feedings and they seemed reasonable then perhaps a problem with the auger or the motor. Have you emptied the hopper yet