Leaf Blower Trick, Accentra FS won't start

[frankie]

Started leaf blower trick this morning. Blower ran for 15-20 seconds then I realized the door was shut. I read open the door or disconnect the vacuum line when doing this. I shut blower off, went in and opened the door. Restarted the blower after opening the door. Did a cleaning with the blower on.

When all done stove started, fed pellets to just below the igniter then it stopped feeding and can't get it to feed no more. Seems like something is telling the stove not to feed pellets.

Could this be a vacuum problem?

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Started leaf blower trick this morning. Blower ran for 15-20 seconds then I realized the door was shut. I read open the door or disconnect the vacuum line when doing this. I shut blower off, went in and opened the door. Restarted the blower after opening the door. Did a cleaning with the blower on.

When all done stove started, fed pellets to just below the igniter then it stopped feeding and can't get it to feed no more. Seems like something is telling the stove not to feed pellets.

Could this be a vacuum problem?

Did the stove ignite?

 

[frankie]

No, it did not feed enough pellets so they did not quite reach the level of igniter.

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Clean out your fines box, and the area around your igniter, then locate your vacuum switch and jump it. Retry starting your stove.

 

[frankie]

How do you jump the vacuum switch?

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

By removing the two wires going to it and inserting a jumper wire made from a piece of wire from a length of Romex that you strip off about a quarter inch of insulation from each end. Do this with the stove off, cold, and unplugged.

 

[frankie]

Insert one end of the Romex on one and the other on other. What happens when the stove is turned on like that?

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Insert one end of the Romex on one and the other on other. What happens when the stove is turned on like that?

One end goes to one of the wires you removed and the other end goes to the other wire you removed, you are lying to the controller and telling it it has vacuum in the fire box.

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

This is only for a test you do not run this way.

 

[frankie]

Will try that. Be back on in about 45 min. Thanks.

 

[frankie]

Smokey, that did it. Everything is working. Looks as if I wrecked the vacuum switch.

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Smokey, that did it. Everything is working. Looks as if I wrecked the vacuum switch.

You may have plugged it, you might want to test it before just getting a new one, those units are quite rugged.

Is there a tube attached to that unit? If so remove it at the switch end and blow trough the tube if it feels plugged remove the other end and use a paper clip at the barb on the stove.

ETA: I've never had a chance to locate the vacuum switch on a Harman.

 

[frankie]

It can be blown through. It is not like blowing through a straw, you can feel slight resistance as if there is something on the other end but can blow through it.

 

[imacman]

The vacuum switch can be tested if you have a ohmmeter. Connect ohmmeter leads to the connections on the switch, put the rubber tube back on, and suck on the tube gently....if it's good, the meter will go to infinite resistance, or "0" .

 

[3650]

I usually take a little can of compressed air that you would use to clean a computer and give a few puffs into the vacum switch.

 

[Harvey Schneider]

I usually take a little can of compressed air that you would use to clean a computer and give a few puffs into the vacum switch.

Bad idea!!
Compressed gas can easily rupture a vacuum switch. A few puffs going towards the fire box would be helpful.

 

[frankie]

Thanks for all the help guys. I ran out and got the pressure switch, put it on and it works.
You guys are the best. Thanks again.

 

[gfreek]

Thanks for the solution... another success story and filed for future reference