Is this going to cost me $400?

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fedtime

Feeling the Heat
Hearth Supporter
Sep 13, 2009
272
Down East Canada
A few days ago, I had a three flash code (ESP) and the distribution blower would not start on my Accentra insert - but it was "humming" like it was getting power but would not spin.

I pulled the insert out and cleaned the whole thing from top to bottom. I pulled the distribution blower and cleaned it thoroughly. You could eat off it the thing it was so clean.

I put it all back together and it worked fine until this morning, when the distribution blower would not spin again. Once again, it is humming like it has power, but will not spin. I shut the stove down and restarted it twice, and still the distribution blower will not spin.

I suspect the ESP is bad, but there is no "three flash code". Maybe my distribution blower is dying? I hope not - they are $400 here in Canada.

Before I start replacing parts, any thoughts are appreciated!
 
Start off by hooking the distribution blower up directly and let it run for awhile and observe:cool:
 
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rotate the feed rate to TEST and all blowers will come on high, after a minute they will all come on low, then a minute later will rotate combustion, feed, distribution on high then low low then back to the top again...so you can test it individually.

$93.00

[Hearth.com] Is this going to cost me $400?

link: http://www.amazon.com/Fasco-B47120-...8&qid=1363005337&sr=8-1&keywords=fasco+B47120
 
Hey Scott, what's the price for a new Accentra Insert distribution blower?
 
Gentlemen:

I'm away for a few days, but will try the "test" test when I get back and let you know.

And a HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you for the Amazon link. I'm not kidding - my local dealer quoted $400 for a new blower. And so did two other shops that I called.
 
Gentlemen:

I'm away for a few days, but will try the "test" test when I get back and let you know.

And a HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you for the Amazon link. I'm not kidding - my local dealer quoted $400 for a new blower. And so did two other shops that I called.

I'd be willing to bet that the price you got was for the free standing Accentra blower motor.
 
yep, most dealers sell the part from Harman for about $270 or so.......something not right at $400

people's republic of canada & our horse sh*t tax!:mad:
 
I'd be willing to bet that the price you got was for the free standing Accentra blower motor.
Check out the link.
"Fasco B47120 is a 115 Volt 3 Speed 180 CFM Blower Assembly."
 
Check out the link.
"Fasco B47120 is a 115 Volt 3 Speed 180 CFM Blower Assembly."
My point was that the free standing blower motor is different than the insert motor and in some cases, more expensive. The retail on the Stove Parts Unlimited site was $335.
 
Well, I did as Scott and others have suggested - I put the stove in "test" mode and all three motors did exactly what they are supposed to do. I ran the test for a few minutes and observed exactly what Scott said would happen.

Scratching my head, I fired the stove up and all is working properly. To this I say, "Huh?"

Do I have a bad (or going bad) ESP? Flat spot on the armature of my distribution blower?

And on the price of the distribution blower, three different Harman shops quoted the same price. The shop I normally deal with (and like to support as they have decent service) had one in stock and apologized for the high price!

And remember: this is Canada. Even stuff made in Canada (like wood pellets) costs less in the USA.
 
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The Harman retail is $327 for that insert blower and $284 for the freestanding, both of which are marked up almost 400%. I actually found the insert blower at a local hvac supply last year for $72. Remember, the manufacturer needs to make money too:)
 
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The Harman retail is $327 for that insert blower and $284 for the freestanding, both of which are marked up almost 400%. I actually found the insert blower at a local hvac supply last year for $72. Remember, the manufacturer needs to make money too:)

yes, the more convoluted the supply chain, with each step making some money, the more the unit will generally cost....most folks these days are in business to make money...cant fault them (or us) for that. Conversely, I cant also fault the stove owner from trying to save a few bucks either. Just dont expect more for a warranty that whats available from the original manufacturer. For instance, say you hire a stove guy to replace a motor, but you buy the motor from Grainger. You pay us to replace it (or do it yourself!)......now, if that motor $hits the bed in a few weeks, well, we can come out and replace it again, as another $ervice call. Some service guys wont replace parts you provide, some will.
 
You really have to live in Canada to believe how disparate the prices are compared to the USA. That $400 blower was really not a huge shock to me, and the fact that I can get one off Amazon for less than $100 is just a reminder of how disparate prices are. Auto parts are another example. A rotor for my car from a local parts store is $180 (white box, made in China). But I can get a Raybestos, made in CANADA rotor from a major online parts supply in the USA for $42. I can go on, and on, and on.

I want to support my local businesses - but that $400 blower motor would cost another $120 to install, plus taxes (%15). In total: $400+$120+$78=$598. To my mind, that is outrageous. Plus I grew up on a farm, so I could never allow myself to hire someone to install it!
 
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