M55 FS burnpot and fire questions

[ohbix]

Hi all. Finally installed the M55. It's a dealer demo, original fan (not turbo) and original auger cover (not the adjustable). 4" vent; appliance adapter, 45, straight thru wall 3 ft to cap. Has 3" metal duct outside air connected. I did a test burn outdoors when I brought it home.

Question: should the burning pellets accumulate at the ends of the pot, outside the firebox grate? I started it up and let it run approx. 20 min on heat level 1. Flame looks very good but seems large for the setting. Pellets were nearly contacting the agitator rod at both ends. Should I trim the feed down, or is this normal? I don't know how much fuel should be in the pot. Pellet level as best I could see, was lower in the center of the pot. Would appreciate any info regarding normal levels of pellets in the pot for this stove. It's different from the Bixby, but boy is it quiet!

 

[skinanbones]

That doesn't sound right and was one of the reason that the adjustable aguer cover was sent out as a warenty replacement part. It allows a great adjustment on feed rate than the board can give. The turbo fan was the other part of the warenty change out, the original fan while very quite just didn't move enough air to cool itself or the heat exchanger efficently. The new fan while it was more air noise has a longer life span.
If think i would be asking the dealer if you can get those parts changed out under the warrenty program they had for overheat problem that came about early on in the life of the M55 stove

 

[bostonfan49]

Hi Ohbix! I too have the M55 (insert) and can shed some life...although you will hear from some more experienced owners soon. It is normal for pellets to accumulate at both ends of the burn pot, even get pushed out by the agitator. The stove is famous for dropping too many pellets, that's why some folks use the auger cover. Assuming you are using a premium pellet, you can use the premium pellet setting (red light) this way the auger rotates at the lowest frequency. As far as the height of the flame, because the M55 has one of the widest burn pots around and a good dose of pellets you end up with a huge fame for the first 10-20 minutes....this is normal. I am under the impression from most owners that the default heat level is usually 3 with a feed rate of 1 or 2. Never really thought about the level of pellets in the pot but a lot of that has to do with the feed rate, the pellets themselves and the quality of the burn....making sure you do a Mag test to check your combustion (air damper) setting. As you can see by my profile, you will want to swap out your Convection blower for the new one...Under Warranty. Sorry, you will lose the quietness but you will move Aton more warm/hot air! Good Luck! Bill

 

[jgrz0610]

^^^agree with that guy. On heat level 1 however, I have a barely noticeable flame. If you're getting a tall flame putting out a ton of heat on 1 something is wrong. Make sure you set the airflow with the mag gauge but other than that bostonfan gave you some great info.

 

[vinny11950]

i agree with Bostonfan.

also on start up, with a cold stove, of the first pellets in the basket, not all will catch fire because there is not enough heat to capture them all. One hour later they are all turning to ashes.

i doubt you are not getting enough air in the stove because your setup is pretty simple. on the contrary, you are probably getting too much air and some of your heat is escaping out the vent.