Pellet Stove install questions

[bogieb]

Both my stoves terminate on the south wall of my house.

I have a jet termination on the P61a that is move on the east end of that wall. However, the jet termination is just a straight pipe. I does well and doesn't collect crap. I don't have any issues with snow entering - that I know of. I took apart the exhaust completely a couple of years ago when I moved the stove (same exhaust point, just moved the stove toe the opposite side of the window it sticks out of), and the pipe and stove connection were spotless, without any rust.

I now use a 45* elbow as a termination on the P43 that is on the west end of that wall. I have the angle set at about 4 or 5 o'clock so it is slightly away from the wind.. The P43 used to have one like at the top, but I did not like it at all since it collected crud.

But, they will both work

 

[escyr]

The P43 used to have one like at the top, but I did not like it at all since it collected crud.

What/where/how did it collect crud?

 

[bogieb]

It would collet ash that is in the exhaust and it would stick to the hood part. Sure, I still get some on the 45* elbow, but not nearly so bad and I just have to knock it out a couple of times during the heating season.

Not the biggest deal in the world, just my preference for that particular stove, in that particular place, in my particular circumstances.

 

[escyr]

Just wanted to update you all on my new Harman Absolute 43C.

I received it at the end of October and over the next few weeks, my wife and I got the raised hearth pad built and pellet stove installed. We started it for the first time on 11/23. I'll attach some pictures at a later date when I have them available.

We installed it in a corner and decided to go straight out the back and up the exterior wall as we didn't like the look of small diameter vent piping inside the house being visible. For venting parts we used the ICC Excel Pellet Harman Stove adapter, then 3-4" increaser, then a 45 elbow to run perpendicular to the wall for the penetration, then straight out about 20" in length because of our 11" thick walls, then outside to a cleanout tee, then up 8' (two 4' sections), then a 90 elbow and vent cap that points down.

We built a "movable" raised hearth for our pellet stove for two reasons;
*We made it movable to make it easier to place the pellet stove on the corner hearth. With the pellet stove being too heavy for my wife and I to lift it, we ran a 2x12 under the stove, with a jack on each end, jacked it up and slid the hearth under the stove and then lowered the stove. We then just pushed the entire assembly into the corner. It being movable also helped us get the vent piping installed.
*We made it raised to negate the issue of having the wall penetration at an elevation that could only be used by this specific pellet stove. If we ever buy a different pellet stove, all we have to do is change the height of our hearth. No future wall penetration work.

I used the ICC Excel Pellet venting with their thimble and outside air combo kit and it all worked great. It was easy to assemble and I had/have no leaks. I did not have to use any sealant on any joint in the entire vent assemble. Before installation, I test fitted the parts together, fixed any out-of-round ends, filed the ends/edges of the pipes to remove any sharp edges left from manufacturing and lubricated the seals with Silicone grease. Everything pushed together with low-to-moderate force. After a few days I went around with cold galvanizing compound and brushed it on all the exposed metal parts of the vent piping and brackets. I was going to use stainless steel hardware, but I did some research and found that stainless steel hardware would accelerate corrosion on my galvanized vent piping.

Apparently ICC changed the design of their seals 5+ years ago and that has helped installation. Even my stove shop commented on the new seals. They said they stopped using ICC Excel Pellet because of the issues they had ~10 years ago and they haven't used them since. He says now he's going to try them again.

On a 40degF day I tested the natural draft by running the stove as we normally do, in room temperature control mode set at 71degF, then around 3pm I unplugged the stove from the wall receptacle and used a flashlight and my nose to detect any leaks. There were no leaks, no smoke into the house. I was surprised that the pellets kept burning for 10-15 minutes. Once the flame went out and the smoke increased, I could see the smoke travel down to the vent. Outside I could see the smoke coming out of the vent cap. This too stayed smoldering for 5-10 minutes before I decided to plug the stove back in and the flame started back up within 1-2 minutes. This is good because I don't have to run out an get a UPS or Inverter/Charger setup straight away.

I've been testing different types and manufacturers of pellets and have settled on softwood pellets made here in Maine.

Thank you all for your help and contribution to selecting and installing our pellet stove.

One thing that I haven't gotten a straight answer on, meaning a fact based answer, is how to adjust the feed rate. There must be some procedure to follow that takes into account fire box or exhaust temperature and the amount of ash left at the edge of the burn pot. Does anyone have any good information on how to do this?

 

[Mt Bob]

You should have gotten this separate manual with your stove, but perhaps not. Page 12.

https://downloads.hearthnhome.com/installManuals/HAR-0026U_EASYTouchOwnersManual.pdf

 

[Washed-Up]

Feed rate of 4 and room temp 4(70degrees) is what I set mine at for daily operation. I run it at 4 and 4 a few times a week in stove temp mode just to heat up the stove to help keep it clean. The amount of ash at the lip of the burn pot is for ideal conditions. I don’t think I’ve ever seen 1” of ash in any of my stoves.
Enjoy the heat, I’d really like to see some photos

 

[escyr]

You should have gotten this separate manual with your stove, but perhaps not. Page 12.

https://downloads.hearthnhome.com/installManuals/HAR-0026U_EASYTouchOwnersManual.pdf

Yes, got the manual but didn't see those instructions, thank you.....but, isn't there a more technical/precise way to adjust feed rate, not just based on the width of the ash strip left on the burn pot? Maybe I'm over complicating things. I tend to do that if you couldn't already tell.

 

[Mt Bob]

Yes, got the manual but didn't see those instructions, thank you.....but, isn't there a more technical/precise way to adjust feed rate, not just based on the width of the ash strip left on the burn pot? Maybe I'm over complicating things. I tend to do that if you couldn't already tell


It is a separate manual. You might want to print it out. Too many people,this year seem deeply concerned about "the ash line", than I have ever seen, and for what reason I do not know. It is all explained even in the earliest manuals. and, most never would sit and watch it for some hours,as ti constantly changes!, it is a "Maximum Feed" setting. Your stove will work the best at max feed. The exhaust probe will take care of the rest. Max feed is "as high as you can run it, as long as no unburned pellets drop into the ash pan." People wrongly try to use it to lower pellet usage,which can have bad results. Simple,follow the manual.

Harman EASY Touch Control Owners Manual12
The Feed Limit screen allows you to adjust the amount of fuel being fed to the burn
pot.The factory default for this is 65% which is best for most pellets. Adjustment may
be needed based on fuel quality.
To Adjust:
• Move the slider bar by tapping or sliding it to the desired adjustment
• Decrease your feed limit if you see unburnt pellets falling into the ash pan
• Increase your feed limit to maintain approximately one inch of completely
burnt pellets on the burn pot

It is a separate manual. You might want to print it out. Too many people,this year seem deeply concerned about "the ash line", than I have ever seen, and for what reason I do not know. It is all explained even in the earliest manuals. and, most never would sit and watch it for some hours,as ti constantly changes!, it is a "Maximum Feed" setting. Your stove will work the best at max feed. The exhaust probe will take care of the rest. Max feed is "as high as you can run it, as long as no unburned pellets drop into the ash pan." People wrongly try to use it to lower pellet usage,which can have bad results. Simple,follow the manual.
Harman EASY Touch Control Owners Manual12
The Feed Limit screen allows you to adjust the amount of fuel being fed to the burn
pot.The factory default for this is 65% which is best for most pellets. Adjustment may
be needed based on fuel quality.
To Adjust:
• Move the slider bar by tapping or sliding it to the desired adjustment
• Decrease your feed limit if you see unburnt pellets falling into the ash pan
• Increase your feed limit to maintain approximately one inch of completely
burnt pellets on the burn pot

 

[escyr]

I'll experiment with the adjustments per the manual, but I'll also continue my search for "why".

Harman wasn't of any help as they just told me to ask my dealer. When I asked my dealer they told me that they used to adjust for a 1" ash line, but with the new EASY Touch, they leave it at the factory setting.

 

[Washed-Up]

The only reason for the 1 inch line is for ideal max heat. It’s not a necessity on every burn…as I said above, I’ve never seen that on any of my stoves….just find the heat that’s comfortable and make sure the ash line doesn’t go beyond 1 inch…here’s what mine typically runs at

 

[mtnbiker727]

Your stove takes care of the feed rate for you, all you're doing is setting the max feed rate. If the stove doesn't need setting 4's amount of pellets, it won't feed setting #4 amount of pellets.

I can tell you on setting 4, my P68 will cook you out of the room during the initial startup/warmup period. Once it reaches temp and goes into maintenance burn, the ash line is way down in the throat of it.

The only reason you want to mess with your feed rate is if for some reason it's dumping unburned pellets over into the ash pan below, then you would want to reduce your feed rate a little bit. Keep in mind it takes at least 15 minutes for the changes to take effect when you touch the dial, so be patient if you insist on fiddling with it.

 

[escyr]

I find that there's really no difference in the size of the ash line regardless of where I set the feed limit. I've tried it from 25% to 100%, leaving it at each setting for at least a day. The only difference I see is in the quality of the ash left in the burn pot. At a higher feed limit the ash left in the burn pot is very hard and brittle. At the lower feed limit the ash left in the burn pot is less so. I've left it at the factory setting of 65% for now until I can find a more detailed explanation. Maybe it's because I'm operating it in room temperature mode.

 

[escyr]

Here are pictures of the movable hearth that my wife & I built. It really came in handy for installing the stove.

 

[escyr]

Here are pictures of the ICC Excel Pellet venting installation. Great product. Went together easy and looks good. There customer support was excellent also. I asked them many many questions before and after purchasing it and they always responded quickly.

 

[Mt Bob]

I find that there's really no difference in the size of the ash line regardless of where I set the feed limit. I've tried it from 25% to 100%, leaving it at each setting for at least a day. The only difference I see is in the quality of the ash left in the burn pot. At a higher feed limit the ash left in the burn pot is very hard and brittle. At the lower feed limit the ash left in the burn pot is less so. I've left it at the factory setting of 65% for now until I can find a more detailed explanation. Maybe it's because I'm operating it in room temperature mode.

I think you do not understand. The "ash line" is not a constant thing. It will change almost constantly, depending on the exhaust probe and the room sensor. Sit in front of it and watch it for 6 hours.But nice pictures and work!

 

[mtnbiker727]

Nice work on that install. The hearth protection looks awesome!