New PF 100 user with questions

[DGray]

Hello all.

I recently installed a Harman PF 100 and scrapped my oil burner. So far I'm happy with the heat output, but we haven't had any real cold weather yet.

I noticed that when there is just a little demand for heat, the PF 100 will continually feed pellets but takes a real long time (if ever) to get the distribution blower to come on. (low set point 100 degrees per the manual). It's acting like a pilot light, but I'd rather not burn any pellets if the dist. blower isn't going to come on in say 10 minutes tops.

When there is a demand for heat the thing goes like a jet engine and the distr. blower comes on quickly.

Any ideas?

Here are some particulars...

feed rate to 3 burning Energex Premium grade. The manual says 4, but I noticed a few un-burned pellets.
7' of vent pipe 1-90 deg., 1-45 deg.
homemade outside air: 3" galv. exiting furnace to 3"alum. flex-duct to 4" galv. to 4"diameter screen vent.
I will probably change-out the 3" alum. flex to galv. pipe because it probably creates too much resistance in the 20' run.

Other things that I've noticed...
t-stat not even close
the combustion blower goes on a long time. I thought the outside air pipe would fix that.
the little flapper in the door sometimes flaps like crazy. I think if I switch to a smooth wall outside air pipe this will be eliminated.

 

[Rattlesnake]

I've had some of the same concerns, with a recent dealer install, and am still learning. Dealer set furnace at 3 - Normal, said leave it there, even though the manual says to begin at 4. He inspected my outside air install and said it was fine. I was worried because the flex pipe was vibrating, but said it was normal. Noticed that even when the circulating fan is not working, heat still rises thru the registers, maintaining the temp in the house, so not a real loss. I took the screw out of the thermostat and moved the dial to adjust for the amount it was off...about 5 degrees. I have shut mine off for now to tie into the return air duct work of the oil furnace, hoping to minimize heat loss.

 

[DGray]

Thanks for the feedback. I will do the t-stat trick too. Even with the feed set at 3, I find some unburned pellets in the ash. I think it happens upon ignition.

 

[Rattlesnake]

I've never found unburned pellets, nothing but ash. With the price of pellets, I'd probably ask the dealer to take a look at it. Mine does like to eat pellets, one of the reasons I'm hooking into the cold air return system to see if I can reduce fuel somewhat. It will be interesting to see how these things work when it really gets cold. The warmth is unbeatable. Good luck.

 

[Iluvwinter]

where is your high limit switch probe located in your plenum??

 

[DGray]

I installed per the manual at 11" up and centered. Maybe 3 is too low a setting and I need to throw more pellets into the burn pot to hit the high limit??? I need to investigate when these un-burned pellets (about a handful every 3 bags) are coming. I might be making the wrong assumption that feedrate at 4 was causing it.

This forum is a great resource. Thanks for the responses. I'm wondering if a PF 100 owner has greated a FAQ or Wiki...

How often do PF 100 owners do a more thorough cleaning? I've only done a daily burnpot scraping and wonder if things at the bottom of the burnpot are getting crusty. It's impossible to see in there. I will invest in a mirror.

 

[Rattlesnake]

Yes, you need a mirror to see the burn pot that is mounted high and on the side, and I would also like to see a manual with a little more information about variable operating instructions. Other than installation specs, it says very little.

 

[hossthehermit]

I installed per the manual at 11" up and centered. Maybe 3 is too low a setting and I need to throw more pellets into the burn pot to hit the high limit??? I need to investigate when these un-burned pellets (about a handful every 3 bags) are coming. I might be making the wrong assumption that feedrate at 4 was causing it.

This forum is a great resource. Thanks for the responses. I'm wondering if a PF 100 owner has greated a FAQ or Wiki...

How often do PF 100 owners do a more thorough cleaning? I've only done a daily burnpot scraping and wonder if things at the bottom of the burnpot are getting crusty. It's impossible to see in there. I will invest in a mirror.

"Daily burnpot scraping"? Sure glad I didn't buy one of those. Looked at them, but dealer said I couldn't get one until the "Second Coming of Christ". so I went with St. Croix.Glad I did.

 

[DGray]

The daily burnpot scraping probably means I have nothing better to do. ;^> I don't think most PF 100 owners are doing that.

 

[Rattlesnake]

With NEWP hardwoods, once a week. With softwood pellets I initially purchased, I think I could do it once a month.