Testing the hopper seal

[mikkeeh]

I know the "dollar bill" trick for checking the seals on the door and ash door....but does anyone have an effective way to check the hopper seal. The piano hinge in the back eliminates the dollar bill test. Maybe a smoke test???? Just looking for ideas.

 

[DneprDave]

The hopper doesn't have to seal, no need to test it.

Dave

 

[MaryH]

The hopper doesn't have to seal, no need to test it.

Dave

Perhaps on some stoves, it seems more important, that the hopper "is" sealed.

"Leaving hopper lid open/unlatched, when hopper is not sealed down tight air can be pulled through the hopper and feed system reducing the amount of air through the fire. It is extremely important that the hopper lid be latched down tight while the stove is in operation. Airflow may occur through the auger system and in the event of a power failure or error shutdown smoke can travel back into the hopper if the lid is not sealed down tight!"

http://www.englanderstoves.com/help/PelletStove/dirty_burn.html

 

[JoeS]

Mt. Vernon AE has a hopper door seal but not much of one, just a small rubber seal about 3/8" wide and 1/8" thick.

Not really sure it does much of anything.

 

[Bioburner]

Have had two Harmans on theforum with hopper issues this week. One the owner removed the extention, the other was did a temp fix with tape.

 

[mepellet]

Yup. Even with the hopper lid switch depressed with my finger sometimes my stove will not feed pellets. And the flame is real lazy. Until I close the hopper that is.

 

[mikkeeh]

So...back to my original question. How do the pro's test the hopper seal? especially in the hinge area?

 

[Harvey Schneider]

You might try a candle flame. If there is a leak, even at the hinge, you should see the flame disturbed. Try it at a free edge and intentionally compromise the seal to see if there is enough air pulled in to detect with a candle.

 

[seacarlson]

I have never had a seal problem, but if I was in your situation, I would lay a thin "line" of cornstarch along and around the whole questioned area, close hopper, run for a few minutes, open up hopper and any place the cornstarch is missing is the leaky area. Just an idea, not sure if it works. Thats how we detected leaks on a canopy of F15's in the airforce. /shrug

 

[mikkeeh]

I have never had a seal problem, but if I was in your situation, I would lay a thin "line" of cornstarch along and around the whole questioned area, close hopper, run for a few minutes, open up hopper and any place the cornstarch is missing is the leaky area. Just an idea, not sure if it works. Thats how we detected leaks on a canopy of F15's in the airforce. /shrug

Hmmm interesting idea. Ive never had a seal problem till recently. My wife said she could hear the air "hiss" when the combustion fan was running. BTW the hopper was near empty...not sure if that made a difference.. I was thinking maybe one of those "smoke pencil" things Ive seen would work. Kinda cost prohibitive tho.