Harman p61 is a pain to start

[Warrenc123]

I have a Harman p61. It's a 1991 model and came with my house last winter towards end of year my combustion motor bearings went and were making a lot of noise. I replaced the motor and ever since then when I go to start the stove I have a great deal of trouble getting it lit. It seems like it times out and I the motor slows down to an idle. And I have to put the stove into test mode for it to kick back on to full speed. If I don't do this it will burn out. Once lit everything is normal and works fine. When I changed motor I also changed impeller

 

[Washed-Up]

Make sure your ESP is clean...what are you using to light it? The gel shoud do th trick.

 

[Warrenc123]

Yes I use the starting gel

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[Washed-Up]

Any chance you could post a video?

 

[Warrenc123]

Yes for sure I can do that when I get home from work today.

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[thatguy69]

I have an older version like yours, the esp has to see 100 degrees f before the stove will start feeding pellets. Here's my startup procedure, get a small plastic container and put a large handful of pellets in it, put 3 or 4 squirts of hand sanitizer on the pellets and then stir it quick and then dump on burn pot. Light them and let it burn for 30-45 seconds and then close the door and turn the stove on. Put the stove into test mode and let it feed pellets for a minute. After that it should be up to 100f and you'll here the convection blower start running.

 

[Warrenc123]

I never had to put it in test mode before I put this new combustion blower in and I keep having to put it in test mode 2 or 3 times

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[m159267]

I used to use gel to light my P38 and half the time the fire would die out before it would get going.
I don't know if this will help but this is how I now light my P38 - I use a hand blow torch.
1. Fill the pot with 3 handfulls of pellets.
2. I turn the dial to 'Turbo' (yeah this is a vintage P38) to get the fans going.
3. I nuke the pellets with a sweeping motion of the torch until I get a good continous flame going (1-2 minutes).
4. I then take the Harman tool and mix the pellets (yup, the flame will likely go out).
5. Another minute or less of the torch and the flame will be going strong.
6. I crack the door to the point where most of the combustion air is coming through the burn pot (about an inch from closure).
- After 1 - 2 minutes the fire is really going strong.
7. I shut the door and the resulting flame is 'torch-like' (about 2" high).
8. A couple of auger cycles later the distribution fan kicks on and the flame is soon maximized (still in turbo).
9. I usually let it run like this for about 5-10 minutes then I adjust the setting down.
Sounds complicated - it's not. It has never failed.

 

[Warrenc123]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I have not abandoned this post just been very busy. I stopped yesterday to get more starting gel at home Depot to find they do not have any in yet I will try to get some and show everyone what is going on. I just find it weird that last year I would fill the burn put with pellets and throw some starting gel on top and mix it very lightly with the back side of the match and would have no problem every time. But now it's being more finicky... We shall see what you guys think when I take the video

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[Ssyko]

Hand sanitizer works great also

 

[Warrenc123]

Haha I've heard that we live in the woods and only have 2 small stores that don't have any checked this morning on my way to worj