Harman P61A Problem

[dylskee]

I had my Harman P61A installed a couple of months ago. I already burned through a ton of pellets so I figured I would give it a good cleaning today. I have already cleaned it a few times but I wanted to check the feed mechanism like the manual suggested. It was full of fines, a lot more than I would have thought. I thought you guys were being anal about screening the fines but man, I'm going to start doing that as soon as I get something built! The stove was working perfectly, I shut it down this morning and started my cleaning a few hours ago. I scraped everything and cleaned it all out, I removed the cover for the feed mechanism and cleaned that out as well. Put it all back together and fired it up.

I noticed that the flame was real low after a half hour or so, I looked at the lights and the feed light was out. I shut it down and pulled the plug and then started from scratch again. Same thing, it will run for a few minutes and then the feed will stop. I emptied the hopper and cleaned everything out and it looks fine. I filled it half way and started it up and I get the same thing, it will run for a bit and then stop feeding. It will feed every once and a while but it shuts off every few minutes. I have it set to room temp, blower on high and the temp cranked and it still does the same thing, I also tried stove temp with the same results. The status light is light as well and not blinking so I'm not sure what's going on here, any suggestions?

 

[P38X2]

Fines box cover on properly and securely?

See the little lip on the top of the box? Make sure the cover is installed properly over that.

 

[dylskee]

Fines box cover on properly and securely?

I will double check to make sure, is there a switch on that cover? I couldn't see up there to well..... Strange how it will feed for a bit and then just stop.
It will feed a little and the igniter will turn on for a minute and then they both shut off again. But all the other lights stay light. It's just burning at a low flame, feeds a little pellets and stops..... I have the setting set to 90° and the feed at 4 with the blower on high, this is strange!

 

[silverfox103]

By any chance, did the mechanisms get disturbed in the fines box? Atleast on my P68, there is a shaft and a mechanism that have to fit together. The cover won't go on correctly unless the pieces are fit together. It happened to me, when I rotated the shaft with the cover off.

Tom C.

 

[dylskee]

By any chance, did the mechanisms get disturbed in the fines box? Atleast on my P68, there is a shaft and a mechanism that have to fit together. The cover won't go on correctly unless the pieces are fit together. It happened to me, when I rotated the shaft with the cover off.

Tom C.

No, everything was off when I was working on it. All I did was vacuum the fines out, I just took the cover off and put it back on and it seems to be burning much better now. Doesn't make sense but it's got a nice flame now and the feed is working. I'll update in a little while, thanks for the replies! Very much appreciated.

 

[P38X2]

Glad you got it straightened out. I'm sure that was it. That cover can be a pain to get at.

If it's not secure, you'll have a giant vacuum leak.

 

[dylskee]

Glad you got it straightened out. I'm sure that was it. That cover can be a pain to get at.

If it's not secure, you'll have a giant vacuum leak.

Oh I see, that makes a lot more sense. It was sitting a little higher, after resetting it all seems to be normal again. Thanks again for the quick reply!

 

[scajjr2]

Did you watch the DVD that comes with stove? In the section showing you how to clean it, it does say to make sure that cover is seated well before you tighten the screws. If it's not on right it'll cause a leak so there isn't the correct vacuum and it won't burn correctly.

Sam

 

[dylskee]

Did you watch the DVD that comes with stove? In the section showing you how to clean it, it does say to make sure that cover is seated well before you tighten the screws. If it's not on right it'll cause a leak so there isn't the correct vacuum and it won't burn correctly.

Sam

No I didn't watch the dvd, I was reading the manual and it didn't mention anything in detail about the cover. It just said to remove and clean out the fines...... But I know now!

 

[Harman Lover 007]

Good diagnosis P38X2!! Got him straightened out and running good again! Sorry I didn't chime in sooner. Busy, busy, busy....