My TL 300 is Running funny

[Ziprich]

Hello everyone. My Harman TL 300 is acting a little off. When I set it as usual it runs a little colder than I like it. it is still in the burn zone, just a lot lower. And when I adjust the air up it goes to high. However if I wait and don't adjust it will eventually creep back to normal. I'm not sure if its a clogged air hole or what. I would shut it down and clean it, but with all this snow. I am still afraid of power outages. Any thoughts would be great. Thanks in advance!

 

[bholler]

When was the last time you had the combustion chamber apart and cleaned it?

 

[Ziprich]

well i had it replaced 2 years ago... but other than that i am to afraid to mess with it.

 

[bholler]

well i had it replaced 2 years ago... but other than that i am to afraid to mess with it.

Well it needs cleaned periodically so you either have to do it yourself or pay to have it done.

 

[begreen]

That could be the issue, but also check the cap screen for buildup and plugging if there is one.

 

[Ziprich]

Well it needs cleaned periodically so you either have to do it yourself or pay to have it done.

Is it difficult? Im pretty handy. But i have no experience. Also how often? I was looking online for a video found nothing so far.

 

[bholler]

Is it difficult?

Not really but it is delicate so you have to be careful. I would check the cap like begreen said first. As far as how often. That will depend on lots of variables. On the ones we service we do it yearly but some of those could easily go another year

 

[Ziprich]

I dont have a screen. And visually from the ground my cap looks good. But i can check it out as well. My roof is covered in 3 feet of snow. I will have to take care of that first.

 

[Ziprich]

Is there any risk in using my stove?

 

[MishMouse]

There shouldn't be a risk.

I would say its your wood as unseasoned wood would cause the symptoms that you are having.
As once you add the wood it causes the temps to crash and it takes a longer time for it to get burning normally.
When you adjust the air higher it would cause what's dry to burn more rapidly causing a increase in temp.
And if you just let it sit, eventually it will dry and start to burn properly.

How much ash is covering the blow holes in the AB chamber, all 9 holes on the shoe brick should be visible.
If not take an ash vac and gently suck them out.

As for cleaning the AB chamber itself I would leave it to the professionals, (if you have some available) as breaking one of the ceramic while trying to get to the AB would be very expensive.

 

[Ziprich]

It can't be the wood. Its oak that has been split and stacked for 4 years plus. Also i have been using this batch of wood for 2 years now, with no problems.

 

[Ziprich]

(broken image removed)
Ok so i was cleaning the stove. And is that deterioration behind the brick normal?

 

[matt1@]

I'm just thinking out loud here so take this for what it's worth, but didn't Maryland just get a good amount of snow from that storm? I'm in PA and ever since the snow storm, my wood got snow on it even though it was covered, it just blew in with the winds we saw. Right after the storm, the temps got up to where the snow melted. My wood, even though it's seasoned, has not burned as well or as hot as it did before this storm because of the melting so might be something to look at. Again, just thinking what you're problem might be

 

[matt1@]

I'm just thinking out loud here so take this for what it's worth, but didn't Maryland just get a good amount of snow from that storm? I'm in PA and ever since the snow storm, my wood got snow on it even though it was covered, it just blew in with the winds we saw. Right after the storm, the temps got up to where the snow melted. My wood, even though it's seasoned, has not burned as well or as hot as it did before this storm because of the melting so might be something to look at. Again, just thinking what you're problem might be

 

[Ziprich]

Maybe. I'm hoping it will be back to normal when i fire it up tomorrow. I have it pretty clean now.