Harman Acentra 2 FS first lights on left side?

[Don2222]

Hello

Harman Acentra 2 FS.

Is this normal with No OAK. The venting goes up 3 feet and out thru the thimble. The stove is approx 5 years old.

There is no OAK, but a round hole in the sheet metal for it. The hole is blocked with OEM insulation on the inside. Half was opened up on the left side.

Should this insulation cover the OAK hole?

The ignitor is closer to the left side of the burn pot? Is the ignitor weak? I did cleanout under the burn pot just before lighting. See pis below.

What is your experience?

 

[smwilliamson]

Harman stoves always ignite from the left. That fabric covering the hole is breathable so it can obstruct the hole plus it can derive air from the bottom, shouldn't you know this "master"?

 

[Don2222]

Harman stoves always ignite from the left. That fabric covering the hole is breathable so it can obstruct the hole plus it can derive air from the bottom, shouldn't you know this "master"?

Thanks Scott. I do not assume anything and I always ask and double check.

It just seems to me that the Harman Advanced lights more evenly and is not nearly this prominent in lighting on the left side as the Accentra 2. Do you know why?

Also do you know what may cause the slide plate to make a banging sound sometimes?

 

[smwilliamson]

Slide plate banging...feed plate up-side-down, something caught in the feed system under the left side feed opening, carbon built up in the burn pot, stripped gear in the auger motor, worn teeth on the sprockets, worn grommets on the auger mount, cink in the chain, expanded auger flighting, misaligned chain, gooves in the tensioner, all of the above....you gotta watch it all and figure it out.

All of the burn pots are slightly different from model to model some some light different...but all generally from the left.

 

[Don2222]

Slide plate banging...feed plate up-side-down, something caught in the feed system under the left side feed opening, carbon built up in the burn pot, stripped gear in the auger motor, worn teeth on the sprockets, worn grommets on the auger mount, cink in the chain, expanded auger flighting, misaligned chain, gooves in the tensioner, all of the above....you gotta watch it all and figure it out.

All of the burn pots are slightly different from model to model some some light different...but all generally from the left.

Thanks Scott
Yes, The Accentra 2 FS burn pot seems a tad more thin and a touch wider than the Advanced, so I guess that would explain it better.

The tensioner was dirty and worn on the top. So I loosened the bolt and turned it a quarter turn to a fresh new spot. The chain drive seemed fine, and I did chip out some big hunks of carbon in the burn pot. I replaced the auger motor and yanked the auger and did my super service on it. After all that was done it quieted right down. Thanks again, good to be sure because one of my Harman Dealers said too many fines in the fine box could cause the banging and did not mention anything else. There was very little fines so I knew there may be more too it. LOL. See

 

[dhall28]

was the fire slow to ignite? after the initial "charge" feed did it feed in again before lighting? from the picture of the flame almost all but the last row of air holes is covered in pellets, personally i have had the quickest and best lights come with the pellets just kissing or over top of the first row of air holes.

 

[smwilliamson]

Hey...who's doing these services? Me or you? My Invicible is squeaking every 10 minutes or so, think its the auger slide arm...could you "Molly" it for me?

I like that new trademark you got going on there with "Auger Super Service"

 

[Don2222]

Hey...who's doing these services? Me or you? My Invicible is squeaking every 10 minutes or so, think its the auger slide arm...could you "Molly" it for me?

I like that new trademark you got going on there with "Auger Super Service"

Thanks Scott. I have found that the Auger Super Service lasts as long as 3-4 years on a basic stove like the Englander and 4-5 years on a Harman. Therefore it does not need to be part on the Annual cleaning. This way the annual cleaning can focus on all the other parts. There is no need to try and do alot and not give enough professional attention in the area that is needed at the time! Also I advise customers that I do the "Auger Super Service" when I do the annual cleaning so they understand that they may need it done soon.

I am finding that the dry moly works well on the Exhaust Impellers, Auger and Auger Chute, and baffle plates in the fire box.
The auger slider arm may be another good place for it. Try it there and please let us know how it works!

 

[DexterDay]

What is the Auger Super Service?? I gotta know.

 

[Don2222]

What is the Auger Super Service?? I gotta know.

When your older auger has slowed down and dirty with carbon and not feeding pellets so well
Do not blame your timing module or control panel, You need the Auger Super Service before your stove goes to hell!

Even on newer stoves those sloppy welds that leave pimples that look like auger pox!

Those horrible burrs and ruff edges that make your auger lumpy and pellets harder to feed!
Pimping your auger is not just for looks but a real operational need!

See the blog (broken link removed to http://www.eastcoasthearth.com/1_108_Pimp-Up-Your-Auger.html) for pics and details!

LOL, I am a Poet and do not Noet ! LOL

 

[smwilliamson]

I'm gonna just go out on a limb here and guess that your OCD approach to "superfying" an auger has little to no effect on the overall performance, especially on newer name brand equipment, but I love the effort. To what evidence do you base your claims on 4-5 years if you just started doing this year. Careful, you wouldnt want to assume anything.

 

[Don2222]

I'm gonna just go out on a limb here and guess that your OCD approach to "superfying" an auger has little to no effect on the overall performance, especially on newer name brand equipment, but I love the effort. To what evidence do you base your claims on 4-5 years if you just started doing this year. Careful, you wouldnt want to assume anything.

I got quite a few stoves working this way, but you need the tools and the patience to do it.

 

[Defiant]

this prominent in lighting on the left side as the Accentra 2. Do you know why?

You must have a Left Sided Predominant Lighting Harman Accentra 2, they are common on this side of the Walligolloopy Ravine

 

[Don2222]

Slide plate banging...feed plate up-side-down, something caught in the feed system under the left side feed opening, carbon built up in the burn pot, stripped gear in the auger motor, worn teeth on the sprockets, worn grommets on the auger mount, cink in the chain, expanded auger flighting, misaligned chain, gooves in the tensioner, all of the above....you gotta watch it all and figure it out.

All of the burn pots are slightly different from model to model some some light different...but all generally from the left.

Hey Scott

I had to go back today because the banging came back. I finally found the problem! ! !
The small guide mounted on top of the white round tension pulley was rubbing the chain. Worked ok when the stove was cool. However when the stove warmed up the chain expanded with the heat and caught causing the bang! So I loosened the gear on the auger shaft and moved it out so the chain was not touching the back guide and Bingo no more Banging! You did not mention that problem!

See yellow arrow below. Click to enlarge!