Harman P43 - New user, No Distro Blow, Weak Flame

[Redrum3]

Hi everyone! I fired up my stove today for the first time since I bought the house in April. I started out with feed at 3, ignition on auto, mode on room temp, and temp to 75. I got a great fire but then it started to die down and I noticed that the distribution blower wasn't blowing nor was the light on. I played with the settings going to stove mode (still on auto) and all dials on full blast. No joy. I called Harman. Woman told me to call a servicer. I called a servicer and he suggested test mode to make sure the blower actually works. I chit it diwn and let it cool. Ran the test. Test ran successfully. I set the stove to stove mode, feed at 5, and temp at 6. No distro blow. I toggled the ignition switch. Nothing. It still periodically kicks on the feed motor and the igniter but the flame is consistently weak. If I shut it down, the distro blower comes on. I've read through these forms but haven't seen an issue like mine. I have a feeling the ESP may need to be replaced but wanted to get other opinions. I'm waiting on a call back from the servicer for a service appointment. I've attached some pics to give you a better idea of what I'm seeing. Thanks for any opinions or guidance you all can offer.

 

[miteclipse]

Flame looks like there could be a vacuum leak somewhere. Check your doors and hopper lid for tightness. Have you also cleaned the stove and vent pipe?

 

[MtDew]

Is your room temperature probe properly attached to the stove? Where is the probe placed?
When the P43 starts to reduce it's flame, are you seeing any flashing leds/lights on the control panel?

 

[Redrum3]

Flame looks like there could be a vacuum leak somewhere. Check your doors and hopper lid for tightness. Have you also cleaned the stove and vent pipe?

Everything's closed up well and tight.

 

[Redrum3]

Is your room temperature probe properly attached to the stove? Where is the probe placed?
When the P43 starts to reduce it's flame, are you seeing any flashing leds/lights on the control panel?

I've included pics for reference. The room temp cable is 4ft 10.5in. I've got it sitting on the floor. I thought about running it up the wall being the stove but it's an external wall and I thought the radiant heat from the stove would give a poor reading. I doubt get any status errors. The status light status on and steady. But I do hear pellets drop and the igniter will light will come on.

 

[Redrum3]

Sorry about all the typos

 

[miteclipse]

Picture is showing stove mode and not on room mode so the room temp sensor would not be a factor. How about cleaning the esp sensor.

Did you clean the vent pipe?

 

[Redrum3]

Picture is showing stove mode and not on room mode so the room temp sensor would not be a factor. How about cleaning the esp sensor.

Did you clean the vent pipe?

The unit had maintenance and cleaning performed in March before we bought the house. This was my first time turning it on so I didn't feel the need to clean it. I will research how to clean it and try that. Thank you!

 

[Redrum3]

The unit had maintenance and cleaning performed in March before we bought the house. This was my first time turning it on so I didn't feel the need to clean it. I will research how to clean it and try that. Thank you!

It's pretty clean now. I just turned it on after making sure all the connections were good. It's now not feeding or igniting.

 

[MtDew]

It's pretty clean now. I just turned it on after making sure all the connections were good. It's now not feeding or igniting.

OK try unplugging the power cord from the wall,scrape out any ash or pellets from the burn pot area. Wait a few minutes and replug in the cord. Make sure ignition switch is in Auto. Set feed rate to around 4. Set the blower to stove temp "High". Does the stove try and feed pellets and ignite?

 

[MtDew]

Also make sure the hopper lid area is completely free of any pellets or debris and that it closes completely. Does your stove have a push button switch inside the hopper lid area? The lid needs to be closed to allow the stove to feed pellets.

 

[miteclipse]

What did you clean? Something was not put back on correctly.

 

[Redrum3]

OK try unplugging the power cord from the wall,scrape out any ash or pellets from the burn pot area. Wait a few minutes and replug in the cord. Make sure ignition switch is in Auto. Set feed rate to around 4. Set the blower to stove temp "High". Does the stove try and feed pellets and ignite?

Ok, I started your instructions at 2105. It started up like a champ with all lights in except for the distro blower. The first small flame pic is a couple minutes after I turned it on. The second high flame was at about 10 minutes later. I've got that same strong fire right now but the distro blower is still not lit and all other lights are on. Does it take a certain amount of time for the distro blower to activate? It's now 14 minutes since I started the processes and the only light left on is the combustion blower. There's no air movement from the vent in the front. And the fire is starting to die.

 

[Redrum3]

What did you clean? Something was not put back on correctly.

I didn't clean anything. I checked and everything is all clean.

 

[Redrum3]

Also make sure the hopper lid area is completely free of any pellets or debris and that it closes completely. Does your stove have a push button switch inside the hopper lid area? The lid needs to be closed to allow the stove to feed pellets.

Yes it does. It's all clear and shut tight.

 

[MtDew]

If the stove is still running, what happens is you turn the knob from room temperature to stove temp high?

 

[MtDew]

How mechanical are you? It almost sounds like the ESP probe in the exhaust port is either dirty or faulty.

 

[miteclipse]

How mechanical are you? It almost sounds like the ESP probe in the exhaust port is either dirty or faulty.

I'm leaning towards that and maybe partial vent pipe blockage.

Can you remove the ash pan, lift the latch and remove the combustion blower cover. Shine a light and if possible take a picture of what it looks like. You should see the esp probe.

 

[gfreek]

Be sure complete exhaust and intake are clear. As mentioned clean or check the ESP . Try replacing it. The blower comes on when a certain temp is reached by the ESP., I believe..

 

[mikkeeh]

ESP

 

[Harmanizer]

That flame looks lazy as hell.Potential air leak in one of the gaskets?Also check the trap door under the burn pot and make sure it is attached correctly.

 

[Redrum3]

How mechanical are you? It almost sounds like the ESP probe in the exhaust port is either dirty or faulty.

Not very much. I only checked the back of the unit. I just pulled out the ash pan and pulled up that ran but nothing else budged.

 

[Harmanizer]

If you can't get that plate off then the unit hasn't been maintained at all.It might be time to call a professional.All that rust is a bad sign.

 

[Redrum3]

Not very much. I only checked the back of the unit. I just pulled out the ash pan and pulled up that ran but nothing else budged.

I just pulled it off. It's filthy. I'm so pissed. Even the exhaust pipe entrance where I'm shining my light was blocked by a thick layer of ash. I found an earlier post on here about cleaning it. Going to start now.

 

[Redrum3]

If you can't get that plate off then the unit hasn't been maintained at all.It might be time to call a professional.All that rust is a bad sign.

I got it off. My blood is boiling. I cleaned it as best I could attaching a bottle brush to a screwdriver. The esp probe was caked with ash. I'm gonna fire it up now and see if that did the job. If not, I think you're right. It's time for a pro.