Harman Accentra FS dropped dead - HELP!!!

[RKS130]

Our Harman FS stove, stopped dead in its tracks last night. Since the dealer gave me his earliest service appointment - on January 17 - I am hoping that the wiser more experienced folks here can give me some ideas.

The stove was installed 14 months ago and has performed flawlessly until last night. I run it on stove temp, burning Greene Supreme pellets so far this season, which have performed well for me. The stove is cleaned once a week and received a dealer performed annual service during the off season.

Last night the house got chilly and I went down to check the stove. There were ample pellets. The power light was on, the status light was steady and the combustion motor light was illuminated as well.

Neither the feed motor indicator nor ignitor indicator were lit; the fire pot was dark and there was no sound of pellets dropping or of the auger turning.

I tried to reset by turning the stove to the off position, waiting 10 minutes, and then turning the knob to its usual stove temp position. The control panel looked the same and I could hear only the combustion motor running.

I then tried what I have seen (here) called a 'hard reset' by unplugging the stove, waiting a few minutes and then replugging. Now even the combustion motor was silent and its indicator light dark.

At the wife's insistence I reluctantly cranked up the oil burner and called the dealer in the morning. When I finally reached them (got a tape several times and a busy signal many times more) I was told it sounded like a dirty stove. This stove is not dirty and was in fact cleaned last Sunday. I have the service appointment for Jan. 17 but, frankly, don't want to pay for oil between now and then.

This afternoon, for the heck of it, I tried restarting the stove on room temp and while the ignition blower and feed motor remained silent, this time the combustion motor started up again.

Alas - no pellets in the fire pot, obviously no ignition and, sadly, no heat. The status light has remained burning steadily throughout, so there is no information I can get from that source.

Any ideas? All will be gratefully received and appreciated.

 

[CladMaster]

No error codes ?

Is it feeding pellets ?

(Sounds like it's not to me based on the info above.) Check that the pellet feed system is working and not jammed, yes, it means that you got to empty the hopper to do this, and then pull out the auger motor and it's shaft to check all is well. Once you have done that and put it all back together, retest and see what happens.

As for cleaning ...... should really do it every 3 - 4 days.

 

[RKS130]

No error codes ?

Is it feeding pellets ?

(Sounds like it's not to me based on the info above.) Check that the pellet feed system is working and not jammed, yes, it means that you got to empty the hopper to do this, and then pull out the auger motor and it's shaft to check all is well. Once you have done that and put it all back together, retest and see what happens.

As for cleaning ...... should really do it every 3 - 4 days.

No error codes. No pellets being fed. Many thanks. Will try that avenue tonight.

 

[Labrat]

It could be a plugged vent. It would do something like that. I would think that you must be getting a 6 blink error. If you have the ability to clean out your venting. If you venting is clear there might be a leak somewhere around the door or hopper lid. Your OAK could have a plug as well but not likely to prevent your stove from firing up. This is only a suggestion and by no way should you ever run your stove like this as a long term solution just as a diagnostic method, try jumping out your vacuum switch and see if she fires back up. That would lead me to either a plug in the vent system or a leak around a door, hopper, or fines box. I have had problems this year with Green Supreme this year. They seem really ashey in my Harman and did plug up my venting causing the same kind of problem you are having.

 

[fmsm]

you may also want to try starting it in room temp/auto.

 

[newf lover]

What happens when you run it in test mode? Could be the feed motor is dead. I don't think the Harmans usually get jammed augers, and while a clogged vent would keep pellets from being fed, you usually get a 6-blink code.

 

[mikesj]

You might have a bad esp probe. Did you remove it when you cleaned your vent? I would think that the auger would still feed with a bad probe, but maybe not. I've had to replace mine a couple of times over the years and each time my stove was acting screwy.

 

[RKS130]

You might have a bad esp probe. Did you remove it when you cleaned your vent? I would think that the auger would still feed with a bad probe, but maybe not. I've had to replace mine a couple of times over the years and each time my stove was acting screwy.

Thanks for the ideas so far. I will try them all today and report back.

 

[kinsmanstoves]

Our Harman FS stove, stopped dead in its tracks last night. Since the dealer gave me his earliest service appointment - on January 17 - I am hoping that the wiser more experienced folks here can give me some ideas.

The stove was installed 14 months ago and has performed flawlessly until last night. I run it on stove temp, burning Greene Supreme pellets so far this season, which have performed well for me. The stove is cleaned once a week and received a dealer performed annual service during the off season.

Last night the house got chilly and I went down to check the stove. There were ample pellets. The power light was on, the status light was steady and the combustion motor light was illuminated as well.

Neither the feed motor indicator nor ignitor indicator were lit; the fire pot was dark and there was no sound of pellets dropping or of the auger turning.

I tried to reset by turning the stove to the off position, waiting 10 minutes, and then turning the knob to its usual stove temp position. The control panel looked the same and I could hear only the combustion motor running.

I then tried what I have seen (here) called a 'hard reset' by unplugging the stove, waiting a few minutes and then replugging. Now even the combustion motor was silent and its indicator light dark.

At the wife's insistence I reluctantly cranked up the oil burner and called the dealer in the morning. When I finally reached them (got a tape several times and a busy signal many times more) I was told it sounded like a dirty stove. This stove is not dirty and was in fact cleaned last Sunday. I have the service appointment for Jan. 17 but, frankly, don't want to pay for oil between now and then.

This afternoon, for the heck of it, I tried restarting the stove on room temp and while the ignition blower and feed motor remained silent, this time the combustion motor started up again.

Alas - no pellets in the fire pot, obviously no ignition and, sadly, no heat. The status light has remained burning steadily throughout, so there is no information I can get from that source.

Any ideas? All will be gratefully received and appreciated.

Clean the stove and the venting by running a brush through it. I am sure you tripped the negative pressure switch. The way to reset it is to clean it. I did not read the other replies cause I bet you $5.00 it is dirty. Pete do you wanna hold the money?

Eric

 

[kinsmanstoves]

You might have a bad esp probe. Did you remove it when you cleaned your vent? I would think that the auger would still feed with a bad probe, but maybe not. I've had to replace mine a couple of times over the years and each time my stove was acting screwy.

Nope

 

[RKS130]

Clean the stove and the venting by running a brush through it. I am sure you tripped the negative pressure switch. The way to reset it is to clean it. I did not read the other replies cause I bet you $5.00 it is dirty. Pete do you wanna hold the money?

Eric

Eric -

I know better than to take the bet. We will clean again this morning and report back.

Thanks.

 

[Lousyweather]

I am not betting against Eric either, as your issue is almost certainly in your feed/air delivery system, generally, but not always, caused by a plug or dirty system somewhere, As monetioned above the most likely rectification of the issue is to reclean the stove and the pipe......also check the intake system as well, just for fun.
Failing that, pigtail all motors to line voltage to ensure none have failed. Now, if they all work, check your vac switch....especially the clear-ish tube going to it. Make sure ts plugged in and intact. Check your hopper lid switch.....is the hopper being held partially open due to pellet spillage? This will cause your feeder not to feed.

please note that the lights on your board are 'dummy" lights....they only tell you if that particular item is being powered, NOT that it is working. For instance, a feed light might be on, but if the feeder is kaput, it wont be running.

 

[Delta-T]

just for kicks, make sure you didn't accidentally switch the auto/manual switch to manual...it happens when we least expect it.....blasted stove gremlins.

 

[Lousyweather]

just for kicks, make sure you didn't accidentally switch the auto/manual switch to manual...it happens when we least expect it.....blasted stove gremlins.

hmm...good point, but the stove was out.........

 

[Delta-T]

...It's happened to me a few times that I clean out stove, put back together, go to turn it on and hit switch, you hear the comb. blower and assume everything is gonna go so you walk away only to return a few minutes later and see nothing. Strange things occur....and then there's always those gremlins....

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Gremlins fer sure, you likely both fed and watered them after midnight as well, so now there is a whole herd running loose.

 

[RKS130]

Gremlins fer sure, you likely both fed and watered them after midnight as well, so now there is a whole herd running loose.

Did I mention that there is a gremlin breeding facility just up the block?

In any event I took most ALL the advice I received here (that was within my ability to execute) and am thrilled to report that I have just turned off the damned oil burner thanks to the reappearance of flame in the stove.

I still don't understand why I never got any error codes but the snow is falling, the stove is lit and the beer is cold and never tasted better!

Many thanks for sharing insight, wisdom, experience and how to!

 

[will711]

the stove is lit and the beer is cold and never tasted better!

Way to go It's a good feeling when you fix it yourself , cold beer sounds good I'll drink to your success .

 

[CladMaster]

Did I mention that there is a gremlin breeding facility just up the block?

In any event I took most ALL the advice I received here (that was within my ability to execute) and am thrilled to report that I have just turned off the damned oil burner thanks to the reappearance of flame in the stove.

I still don't understand why I never got any error codes but the snow is falling, the stove is lit and the beer is cold and never tasted better!

Many thanks for sharing insight, wisdom, experience and how to!

LOL .... Keep us all in the dark eh ?

What was the problem in the end ?

Glad you got it running again.

 

[RKS130]

LOL .... Keep us all in the dark eh ?

What was the problem in the end ?

Glad you got it running again.

Unfortunately, I have no idea what the problem really was as I tried to execute all the suggested fixes and then went to fire her up. But, I suspect that my son has been doing a less than complete job of cleaning the stove each week, with resultant buildup of ash/soot/crap.

Two good things came out of this episode. Another chance to link up with all the great folks on here AND the (rare) chance to hear Madame DeFarge say "Good work -- have another beer" !

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

And how is the dear lady doing these days?

 

[will711]

have another beer" !

OK I can do that!!

 

[RKS130]

OK I can do that!!

Luckily, Madame DeFarge has regained her usual good spirits, as she too is not keen on burning oil with little bits of sand in it from far off deserts. I think I am good till after New Years before a new project is assigned. Which reminds me . . .

Have a Happy and Warm New Year!!

P.S.: She is quite fond of the new Guiness "Foreign Extra" and "Generous Ale", so I think that accounts for some of her good spirits!

 

[Phil Do's fire.]

Unfortunately, I have no idea what the problem really was as I tried to execute all the suggested fixes and then went to fire her up. But, I suspect that my son has been doing a less than complete job of cleaning the stove each week, with resultant buildup of ash/soot/crap.

Two good things came out of this episode. Another chance to link up with all the great folks on here AND the (rare) chance to hear Madame DeFarge say "Good work -- have another beer" !

I found Green Supreme not to be Supreme at all, very dirty Pellet, Try Somersets or even Stove Chow

 

[RKS130]

I found Green Supreme not to be Supreme at all, very dirty Pellet, Try Somersets or even Stove Chow

My experience has been the opposite. Green Supreme burns clean for me with good heat. Both last year (my first) and this, the balance of good heat, clean burn/very low ash/clean glass and low price has kept me burning this pellet.

I will keep on trying a few bags of every brand of pellet I can get my hands on, but for my stove in my application, these work for me. Just proves the old adage that every stove, every house and every install is different!