Issue with old Breckwell P24

[Jon R]

Auger/ feed issue with on old P24 fs (believe it’s the pre 1991 with analog controls, it’s dated as a 1988 model) damn old stove has always worked great with normal maintenance, but it decided to act up.

Issue is with the auger, it keeps locking up after about 10 minutes of getting it unstuck.

Checked the motor while it’s running, the motor and auger shaft spins but actual auger fins do not, I wasn’t sure that was possible as I figured the it was one piece? but not sure because I’ve never had to mess with it.

Attempted to remove the assembly to see what’s going on but the collar with set screws is really seized to the motor and auger shaft, and I was short on time to fight with it.

There’s not much slop in the assembly and I don’t understand what the auger blades are getting stuck on. With the hopper empty and the auger unstuck I can grab the fin while it spins and I can’t get it to lock up so the mother seems to still be making good torque.

Keeping In mind it’s really old and it’s all wear items I’m thinking I should replace the auger assembly. But I can’t seem to find the parts needed available.

Hoping someone familiar with the model can shed some light with any ideas or on where I can get all the correct parts needed.

Thanks

 

[zrock]

I just went and looked at yours and it used the same auger and motor setup as on my Big e.. Are u sure you have not sheared the pin out that holds the motor and auger together? Their is no coupler and if that pin sheared and the shaft spun inside the auger its a real PIA to get it to spin again and get it back into place. It took me forever on my big e to get it back and then getting the broken pc of pin out was real fun as well.

 

[Jon R]

I just went and looked at yours and it used the same auger and motor setup as on my Big e.. Are u sure you have not sheared the pin out that holds the motor and auger together? Their is no coupler and if that pin sheared and the shaft spun inside the auger its a real PIA to get it to spin again and get it back into place. It took me forever on my big e to get it back and then getting the broken pc of pin out was real fun as well.

Thanks for the response. Yes it seems the shaft is spinning inside the auger. When the auger fins are stuck the motor is still spinning the shaft and I can pull the burn pot to look up the chute where the pellets drop, and see the other end of the auger shaft spinning as well.

Its not exactly have a color connecting the motor to the shaft but it’s a coupling rather with 2 set screws that join the motor shaft and auger shaft together. Gonna attempt to get everything loosened up tomorrow when I have more time and pull the whole auger assembly to see what the heck is going on.

 

[zrock]

Found some pic's online and dam that looks like a PIA to get that set screw..

 

[Jon R]

Found some pic's online and dam that looks like a PIA to get that set screw..

Yeah this old stove is a real PIA to work on and not much room to get behind it and crouch down enough to comfortably work on. After a real fight today I finally got the auger out. Unfortunately I couldn’t get the coupling off of the auger shaft end, and without removing it there’s not enough room to clear the bottom of the stove to drop it out. So after much frustration I snuck in the angle grinder and cut the shaft.

But just as suspected, the slippage was between the auger shaft and auger blades. A real weak skimpy weld broke that locks the two together, surprised it didn’t crap our years ago!

But I might have really screwed myself bu cutting it because mine measures 10.5 inches long, and all I can find online is 10” long auger assemblies. I did see on a listing that if yours measures 10.5” long then you need part number A-AUG-28 but when I search I can’t find any available, I might just be screwed.

This is my elderly mom’s primary heat source and I’m trying hard to get this resolved, as next weeks temps are about to drop, but it’s not looking good.

 

[zrock]

I would bet you could use one out of a big E or the newer versions for your stove that use the shear pin. Would just have to change the motor as well..

 

[Ssyko]

I’ll look in the shop I may have one out of an old big e

 

[Jon R]

I’ll look in the shop I may have one out of an old big e

Thank you sir, that is very kind! I found the specs on the big e auger and it’s measurements are pretty different then this old P24 so I had to keep thinking.

I was able to tap the original shaft out of the auger piece. It’s a 1/2 inch diameter so I was able to get a new piece of 1/2 inch steel round rod from Home Depot. I cut it to length and drove it Into the auger piece. In a pinch to get it back to blowing heat and I don’t have a welder so I drilled 4 small holes spread out through the auger piece and into the round rod a little ways, then I was able to use some short screws that bit pretty well to serve as set screws so there wouldn’t be any slippage. Got it back together and dropping pellets again just fine, I think the bush fix will hold up just fine but time will tell. Moms house is warm again so glad to scratch this one off the list

 

[Ssyko]

It’s great you have a mechanical mind, what ever it takes. Make it work. I scrapped all the old Blackwell parts, so its just as well you had a fix👍