P61a Clunk

[rico7684]

I have a 2010 P61a which has worked flawlessly for the past four years. Recently when the auger feeds there is a noticeable clunk. It does this only when the auger is feeding pellets, but does so every time.

Besides the clunk, the stove is operating well.

Any ideas as to the issue?

A forward thank you!

Rico

 

[alternativeheat]

I have a 2010 P61a which has worked flawlessly for the past four years. Recently when the auger feeds there is a noticeable clunk. It does this only when the auger is feeding pellets, but does so every time.

Besides the clunk, the stove is operating well.

Any ideas as to the issue?

A forward thank you!

Rico

Are you burning different pellets and or are there extra long looking pellets in the mix ? Sounds like the Harman clunk if so.

 

[JDenyer236]

Mine does this once in a while with regular pellets, does it more often if I get a batch with long pellets in it. When was the last time you cleaned out the fines box?

 

[fmsm]

checked for a carbon buildup on the auger? normally a squeal but if it is flat and the clunk is happening with every revolution.....

 

[rico7684]

Thanks for the replies. JDenyer - No long pellets.

fmsm - No squealing, just the clunk. Cleaned the stove today & didn't notice anything out of the ordinary as far as carbon on the end of the auger, but can't see it all.

 

[JDenyer236]

Check the fines box.

 

[rico7684]

Where is that located?

 

[rico7684]

Disregard, I found it

 

[JDenyer236]

Cool. I would clean it out if you haven't done so in a while. Make sure you put the cover on properly or you will have other issues.

 

[rico7684]

Cleaned it out & was full of pellets & fines, but unfortunately, it didn't cure my problem.

 

[fmsm]

Cleaned it out & was full of pellets & fines, but unfortunately, it didn't cure my problem.

Does it happen with every revolution?

 

[rico7684]

It seems to happen when it gets to a specific point on the auger as it revolves

 

[fmsm]

Take out the auger ans clean it, bet it is carbon build up

 

[P38X2]

When you had the fines box cover off, did you disengage the slide plate from the actuator and check that the plate slides freely? If it's binding, it'll cause the roller bearing to sort of "cam over" on the pusher arm as it rolls off of it. It'll make the clunk every time the auger feeds until that slide plate is freed up.

Before you go full contortionist, try shining a flashlight on the pusher arm area and see if the bearing is causing the clunk.

 

[wildwildwest]

Check the fines box.

What is the fines box? Is that different than an ash pan?

 

[bogieb]

What is the fines box? Is that different than an ash pan?

The fines box is behind the right side cover toward the back of the stove (as you are looking at the stove). You have to take off the cover, then loosen the big wingnut that is inside to remove the fines box cover. You will find collected sawdust that needs to be cleaned out once a month or so (depending on your pellets and burning style).

Word of caution, make sure you get it on correctly when you replace the cover. I've heard it can do some funky things to the way the stove runs if it is off a little.

 

[bmanMA]

I only have experienced the clunk with golf pencil pellets historically, but I think I am hearing it with my 'good' pellets also.
Interested in the slide plate binding issue. Need to read more on that as I've never really assessed it's operation while cleaning the fines, which I do at every cleaning now.

 

[LuvMyPellets]

Clean the fines box every month?? I cleaned mother in laws this summer. It was 4yrs untouched burning any kind of pellet she could find!

 

[bmanMA]

Clean the fines box every month?? I cleaned mother in laws this summer. It was 4yrs untouched burning any kind of pellet she could find!

Wow. I used to clean mine only at the end of season shut down, and of course it was full. Turns out it fills up between tons also. Not sure it matters... I can't actually say that cleaning that thing out has ever 'fixed' anything for me... squeals or clunks.

 

[Twinturbo6.4]

Is the fines box in the same location for every harman? I have a XXV

 

[Bioburner]

Shot at one on a PC45 with room fan remotely mounted

 

[bogieb]

Is the fines box in the same location for every harman? I have a XXV

Your manual should show you where it is at.

 

[bogieb]

Clean the fines box every month?? I cleaned mother in laws this summer. It was 4yrs untouched burning any kind of pellet she could find!

I didn't say the stove would stop, just the manufacturer recommends to clean it at intervals. Also I put in the qualifier as to what pellets you use and the style you use them in (If I burned 1 ton a year, I would definitely clean it a lot less than 1x per month). Hey, if you burn 20 tons a year, and want to clean it once every 4 years - doesn't affect me at all.

 

[F4jock]

I clean my fines box about once a year. Not much in it. Wonder how fines migrate there. Would l large amount of fines indicate a problem other than crummy pellets?

 

[bogieb]

I clean my fines box about once a year. Not much in it. Wonder how fines migrate there. Would l large amount of fines indicate a problem other than crummy pellets?

Probably not. The Currans do have a bit of dust, and if you are one of those that sifts the pellets, or gets pellets that don't have dust, then I would not expect you to get much in the way of fines.

The fines box is actually part of the feeder chamber (according to my manual), and the manual says to clean it once a year. I just do it as part of my more thorough maintenance cleanings as it is easy to do and that way I am unlikely to forget at year end if it is part of my routine.