Harman p38 distribution fan is shutting off

[BREED]

Hi,

My Harman p38 distribution or blower fan is shutting on and off when I set my feed rate at 3.5 or higher. I usually don't have the feed rate that high but with the cold snap here in Northern NJ I have to. It's blowing now but every now and then it shuts off for a few minutes. Any clue?

Thanks!

 

[john193]

The distribution blower can speed up or slow down depending on the temperature of the stove. Rather than turning up the feed rate, turn up the temp if in room temp mode or the heat level if on stove temp.

 

[BREED]

My p38 only has a feed rate knob and a blower knob. Thanks.

 

[mepellet]

Set the feed rate to 4 and leave it alone. Control the heat output by adjusting the temp dial.

 

[BREED]

Set the feed rate to 4 and leave it alone. Control the heat output by adjusting the temp dial.

 

[P38X2]

OK, on guessing you have an older unit. It should have a temp knob and a blower knob, correct? When set on Max temp it's in the "turbo" area on the dial?

Those style stoves(boards) only activate the distribution fan once the temp of the stove, as determined by the ESP, reaches s certain point. On mine it's usually around 2 using NEWP.

My first suggestion is to THOROUGHLY clean the ENTIRE stove and your venting. There are plenty of posts to be found, using the "search" feature, regarding the procedures.

I'm not gonna suggest faulty anything at this point as it's likely dirty stove syndrome.

 

[BREED]

Yes I have a 5 yr old p38 with two knobs. Just gave it a very good cleaning two weeks ago. I will admit I did not pull the ESP and inspect. Will do that ASAP. Thanks for all the replies!

 

[P38X2]

There's probably no need to pull the ESP. Remove the ash pan and take the metal cover off the fan. Clean the fan and surrounding area thoroughly, taking care not to bend the fan blades. Now, look down the tunnel above and to the right of the fan. The ESP is down that tube. It's not made of tissue paper but be very careful cleaning it off. Your local hardware store should have the necessary brushes to clean these 2 areas, assuming you don't already own some.

If the ESP still looks gunked up a bit, try running your stove on Turbo for a couple hours.

Get cleanin

 

[BREED]

There's probably no need to pull the ESP. Remove the ash pan and take the metal cover off the fan. Clean the fan and surrounding area thoroughly, taking care not to bend the fan blades. Now, look down the tunnel above and to the right of the fan. The ESP is down that tube. It's not made of tissue paper but be very careful cleaning it off. Your local hardware store should have the necessary brushes to clean these 2 areas, assuming you don't already own some.

If the ESP still looks gunked up a bit, try running your stove on Turbo for a couple hours.

Get cleanin

 

[BREED]

Done all that. Seems to be working fine now. Thanks for the tips!

 

[P38X2]

Done all that. Seems to be working fine now. Thanks for the tips!

Wow, that was fast Glad it's up and running.