P68/ hotter fire when hopper lid is open?

[jbmaine]

Hi all, Don't know why I didn't notice this before but when I open the hopper lid to add more pellets the flame increases and the stove burns hotter. I assume this is normal but thought I'd check. Any safety issues with filling the hopper while the stove running? Any chance my stove would run better with the lid left open? My stove is not hooked up to an OAK and I am running in stove temp mode. Your thoughts please.
Thanks
JB

 

[newf lover]

I never noticed it on mine, but the feed motor won't run with the hopper open. I'm sure it's fine to fill the hopper when the stove is running, but it's definitely not meant to stay open.

 

[HEMI]

takes less then a minute to fill hopper so no issue there filling while burning, but if you left it open maybe smoke back would be an issue, plus i'm sure that yellow thing in the corner of your hopper is the vacuum switch that detects the lid being open to long and the stove stops feeding....leave the lid secured.

 

[jbmaine]

Never thought about the feed motor not running. Guess that answers that question. Thanks
JB

 

[Lousyweather]

takes less then a minute to fill hopper so no issue there filling while burning, but if you left it open maybe smoke back would be an issue, plus i'm sure that yellow thing in the corner of your hopper is the vacuum switch that detects the lid being open to long and the stove stops feeding....leave the lid secured.

absolutely right Hemi, but the newest stove dont have the little yellow thingy, instead have a electro-mechanical switch which contacts the lid, stopping feeding if the lid is left open. the little yellow 'muffler" in the hopper was found to be somewhat problematic- it clogged with fines, causing the stove not to feed....thats why the new switch. With either mechanism, dont forget, if an errant pellet ends up on the hopper edge, it will also stop the stove from feeding! Now THATS embarrassing for the homeowner...calling the tech out for a no-feed stove, he opens the lid, removes one pellet, and the stove feeds! Can you say "non-warrantee service charge" anyone? FWIW, harman also has a retrofit kit to upgrade the muffler to the new switch......the part number is 1-00-232108 (bet alot of you dealers didnt know THAT one!)

 

[gbreda]

FWIW, harman also has a retrofit kit to upgrade the muffler to the new switch......the part number is 1-00-232108 (bet alot of you dealers didnt know THAT one!)

Hey LW, is that replacement a warranty upgrade item? I just bought my stove in Sept, but the manufacture date is Feb 2009. I'd like to hve that changed over especially if I add the hopper extension (I was told by the dealer that the hopper extension is problematic due to the old vac switch).

If not warranty upgrade, how much is the part? It cant be that hard to replace myself.

Thanks !!

Geno

 

[deepwds]

jbmaine,

The P68 auger opening from the pellet hopper to the combustion chamber is also a path for combustion air when the hopper door is open. That is why there is a silicone gasket around the top of the hopper door. The firebox is under negative pressure from the combustion blower, so when you open the lid extra air is drawn into the combustion chamber.

It's similar to blowing on the coals of a campfire to make it burn hotter.

I don't think you would want to leave the hopper door open. You would be bypassing some of the stove controls. The current models have a switch attached to the door that disables the feed auger when the hopper door is open.

deepwds

 

[gbreda]

jbmaine,

The P68 auger opening from the pellet hopper to the combustion chamber is also a path for combustion air when the hopper door is open. That is why there is a silicone gasket around the top of the hopper door. The firebox is under negative pressure from the combustion blower, so when you open the lid extra air is drawn into the combustion chamber.

It's similar to blowing on the coals of a campfire to make it burn hotter.

I don't think you would want to leave the hopper door open. You would be bypassing some of the stove controls. The current models have a switch attached to the door that disables the feed auger when the hopper door is open.

deepwds

very well explained

 

[BJN644]

FWIW, harman also has a retrofit kit to upgrade the muffler to the new switch......the part number is 1-00-232108 (bet alot of you dealers didnt know THAT one!)

Hey LW, is that replacement a warranty upgrade item? I just bought my stove in Sept, but the manufacture date is Feb 2009. I'd like to hve that changed over especially if I add the hopper extension (I was told by the dealer that the hopper extension is problematic due to the old vac switch).

If not warranty upgrade, how much is the part? It cant be that hard to replace myself.

Thanks !!

Geno

Same here, my 43 has a 2009 build date and has the "muffler" in the hopper.

 

[gbreda]

Dont think it is a warranty replacement and have been told the kit is about 100.

 

[imacman]

......but the newest stove dont have the little yellow thingy, instead have a electro-mechanical switch which contacts the lid, stopping feeding if the lid is left open. the little yellow 'muffler" in the hopper was found to be somewhat problematic- it clogged with fines, causing the stove not to feed........FWIW, harman also has a retrofit kit to upgrade the muffler to the new switch......the part number is 1-00-232108 (bet alot of you dealers didnt know THAT one!)

Lousy, seeing that a few members here obviously purchased "new" stoves not too long ago, when did Harman change to the newer design?

For example, I know Hemi bought his within the last month or so....shouldn't any upgrades be included as part of selling a "new" stove?

 

[cantman]

Any possibility of a picture of the "updated" hopper lid switch uninstalled and installed?

 

[Lousyweather]

......but the newest stove dont have the little yellow thingy, instead have a electro-mechanical switch which contacts the lid, stopping feeding if the lid is left open. the little yellow 'muffler" in the hopper was found to be somewhat problematic- it clogged with fines, causing the stove not to feed........FWIW, harman also has a retrofit kit to upgrade the muffler to the new switch......the part number is 1-00-232108 (bet alot of you dealers didnt know THAT one!)

Lousy, seeing that a few members here obviously purchased "new" stoves not too long ago, when did Harman change to the newer design?

For example, I know Hemi bought his within the last month or so....shouldn't any upgrades be included as part of selling a "new" stove?

the new system is VERY new...the kits only were listed in the past couple of weeks......as for stoves, I havent seen many at all with the lid switch, most are "mufflered" still......Hemi might have bought his within the last month, but thats irrelevant....the build date is relevant. And yes, the kits are about $100, and will not be a warranteeable upgrade. I cant tell you exactly when Harman started producing stoves with the "new" switch, only that is pretty recent.

 

[timjk69]

Why is the switch kit needed?

 

[Lousyweather]

because the muffler was problematic...it would clog if you used a pellet with alot of fines/dust....thent he stove wouldnt feeed.......

 

[gbreda]

because the muffler was problematic...it would clog if you used a pellet with alot of fines/dust....thent he stove wouldnt feeed.......

Shouldnt that mean warrantee upgrade. Especially on new purchases. Harman sells accessories (hopper extension) that are even more problematic with the "muffler" type. Why dont they at least include the upgrade switch with accessories that need it the most.

 

[Lousyweather]

hopper extensions are only useable on the "P-series" stoves, and with most quality pellets, the fines just arent that bad.....it seems to only be an issue where there are inordinate fines in the hopper.......