p61A Problem (Board?)

[mccabedoug]

Folks, I've encountered another problem with my p61A and I need some diagnostic help in nailing down the exact issue. Woke up this AM and my p61A was stone cold. Exhaust Motor was on. Hopper was full of pellets. Looked and saw that I had 5 lights flashing. Put unit into Test mode. Distribution Motor and Exhaust Motor both worked just fine. Feed Motor did not turn. Applied 120V via pig tail to Feed Motor and it came on and pellets started filling the burn pot. Also checked to see if 120V was being applied to Feed Motor and it was not.

So, how certain can I be that it is the board or do I need to check something/somewhere else?

 

[Don2222]

Folks, I've encountered another problem with my p61A and I need some diagnostic help in nailing down the exact issue. Woke up this AM and my p61A was stone cold. Exhaust Motor was on. Hopper was full of pellets. Looked and saw that I had 5 lights flashing. Put unit into Test mode. Distribution Motor and Exhaust Motor both worked just fine. Feed Motor did not turn. Applied 120V via pig tail to Feed Motor and it came on and pellets started filling the burn pot. Also checked to see if 120V was being applied to Feed Motor and it was not.

So, how certain can I be that it is the board or do I need to check something/somewhere else?

Check the vacuum switch and vacuum line next.

 

[lbcynya]

Check the vacuum switch and vacuum line next.

+1 you can jump the vacuum switch to see if that's the culprit. If so, DONT assume the switch is bad. Clean the stove thoroughly (including the horizontal section immediately after the combustion blower), clean the ESP since you have to remove it to clean the horizontal section anyway, remove the jumper and see if normal operation resumes. If not, then replace the vac switch. Can get them for 20 bucks on Ebay. Just don't run with the vac switch jumped for very long as it's there for your safety...

 

[mccabedoug]

+1 you can jump the vacuum switch to see if that's the culprit. If so, DONT assume the switch is bad. Clean the stove thoroughly (including the horizontal section immediately after the combustion blower), clean the ESP since you have to remove it to clean the horizontal section anyway, remove the jumper and see if normal operation resumes. If not, then replace the vac switch. Can get them for 20 bucks on Ebay. Just don't run with the vac switch jumped for very long as it's there for your safety...

At the risk of sounding quite dumb, how does one jump the vac switch?

 

[Delta-T]

there is also a chance your vac sensor is connected to the dreaded "hopper muffler" (yellow doodad-cylinder shaped, locatd in the hopper) and it has become clogged. If so, do not unscrew it without having an extra set of hands around to help you get it back in as the vac hose will drop out from under the hopper.