Total clean and weird burn on the right side of Harman p43

[D-mac02]

Hey guys I know Harmon's are known for having right ignition problems since the igniter is on the left. Got a call tonight saying the stove won't light and the pellets were just flowing over the edge. So I have had this problem before. Came home cleaned the carbon out of the firebox since I'm using a ton of fireside ultras I bought (seem to have a lot of clunkers and really hard ash). So I went at it. Cleaned all the holes, took out and cleaned the igniter. Vacuumed out everything., cleaned the distribution blower, combustion blower motor and fins on the fan, cleaned the fines box, took out the ESP and cleaned it. Pretty much did everything I could. So I started it up and got a really weird burn. It never seems to really work great after a full cleaning. Idk why. The pellets seem to dance around a lot and fly out of the firebox. After the initial burn and the pellets seem to burn back it burns nice but idk why it does this. Also sometimes I'm getting a low bass sounds. Here's some pics of start up and burn after like 10 min.

 

[D-mac02]

Sorry about the pics. Idk why it uploaded them sideways

 

[HarmanManP43]

Likely after you cleaned it, fines box cover isn't sitting flush. Give it a check.

 

[railfanron]

Mark the setting for the blower speed and then turn it down slightly a little at a time until the pellets stop jumping out of the pot. It sounds like you have to much draft. Counterclockwise turns the voltage down and clockwise turns it up. Turn the control down a little maybe 1/8 of a turn and then wait a few minutes to see if the pellets stop flying out, if not turn it a little more.
Ron

 

[D-mac02]

Ok thanks guys. I'm going to have to try that after my next cleaning. It seems to be running better and burning cleaner with blending fireside ultras and hamers 50/50 mix. The fsu are the ones that carboned it up in the first place,

 

[D-mac02]

I don't get it. Now the middle is burning really slow. It was doing the left side burn and not working it's was across so I took the tool and moved them around the firebox a little. The picture is what I was getting. Seems like the air isn't flowing thru the middle but I just cleaned it like 3 days ago. Never had problems like this before. Also do you have to make sure there is no flame before you check the fines cover?

 

[bags]

When I do the fines I unplug and the unit is shut down for a cleaning anyway. You could possibly check to see if it's seated while running. Lip clip on the top you should be able to feel. If you take it off I wouldn't stick fingers or anything it there. Best to have it off IMO.

Did you clean out the holes in the bottom of your burn pot by chance? They get plugged up.

 

[D-mac02]

I always make sure the holes are cleaned. I use a precision screw driver and a large flat head to scrape the pot. I take the igniter out and clean from the inside to.

 

[F4jock]

First, did you remove and clean the igniter? Second, sounds like the combustion blower could be turned down a bit. Check Railfanron's post above and consult your instructions for location. Finally, igniter could be going. Consider a replacement if all else fails.

 

[Delta-T]

is your flame guide sitting down on the burnpot correctly? could be sitting up, allowing for weird air current. when its running, open the hopper and see if the flame changes dramatically.

 

[D-mac02]

I open the hopper lid and it does nothing when fully going. I noticed if it's at the end of the cycle about to go out then if I open it it changes it drastically. Another pic of it.

 

[Delta-T]

I'm going to 2nd the idea of inspecting your fines box access cover to make sure its sitting on correctly. you can also go ahead and turn down the combustion blower trim all the way...after inspecting the fines box door. Also inspect the flapper on the air intake port. make sure it moves freely. If you've never done it, drop the igniter bracket down from its perch in the burnpot. the lack of airflow in the center points to an obstruction from underneath.

 

[D-mac02]

I checked the cover last night. Took it off and cleaned it. It felt like it was on right but idk if there is just enough of a gap to suck just a little air. Seemed to help a little. I take the igniter down like every week and clean it off and clean the holes. I have only had it off maybe a handful of times. I have only had the stove a little over 2 years. I am thinking of replacing the door gaskets. I'm thinking it's possibly the stove is starting to not like the fireside ultras. How do you turn down the combustion blower trim?

 

[HarmanManP43]

There is a little recessed POT to you right of the ignition led in the control board. Use a small flathead. Turn counter clockwise to lower draft. Ideally you want a draft meter to do this. It seems strange that after a good cleaning you would need to adjust the stove. Unless it was really blocked up when originally set.

 

[alternativeheat]

Fireside ultras can build carbon on your burn pot in just one overnight fairly low burn. A lot of other pellets too. Scrape under the fire with a good healthy scraper and dig that carbon off. That's just routine, Harman even suggests doing this. I scrape the pot twice daily at least in low burn situations.

I agree that if you have pulled the igniter you could have forced the holder too close to the burn pot hole. FWIW I have never pulled out my igniter, I give the burn pot a few good raps when I scrape the pot every day. In theory that shakes the ash off the igniter. Seems to work for me cause I've burned some mighty dirty pellets.

 

[Delta-T]

if/when you drop the igniter, feel up in the burnpot where it sits, sometimes stuff builds up on the underside of the pot.
rarely a gasket problem with a P series. Maybe the hopper lid gasket, or the hopper isn't sealing well....allows air through the feeder body, rather than pulling through the burnpot.

 

[D-mac02]

Thanks guys I'll have to try this this weekend when I clean it again.

 

[HarmanManP43]

Any update?

 

[D-mac02]

It seems to be the firesides. They burn but don't always ignite. Might buy a spare igniter just incase.

 

[D-mac02]

Might just bite the bullet and buy 3 ton. Prob 1 ton hamers and 2 ton curran softies. Any input on that? Anyone burn either of them this year?

 

[bogieb]

Might just bite the bullet and buy 3 ton. Prob 1 ton hamers and 2 ton curran softies. Any input on that? Anyone burn either of them this year?

I would get a couple of bags of Currans and burn them before committing. I ran Currans in the Harman last year and they were decent. Not so much this year (of course I bought 3 tons) - at least for me; wicked ashy and I have to clean/scrape the burn pot twice a day. Of course the FSU's have been burning pretty good in my St. Croix (I haven't tried them in the Harman), so YMMV.

If you have access to Maine's Choice, try a couple of bags. The Harman is liking those this year and I am down to cleaning/scraping the burnpot once every 24-36 hours running those. When I have to run the Currans, I mix them with the MC to get a cleaner burn.

 

[D-mac02]

What did you buy the softies, blend or hardwood?

 

[D-mac02]

I think I finally have my stove dialed in. I think I had the combustion blower up to high. I put it back to the factory setting and it was still way high. What exactly is the flame supposed to look like when it's running near perfect?

 

[F4jock]

I think I finally have my stove dialed in. I think I had the combustion blower up to high. I put it back to the factory setting and it was still way high. What exactly is the flame supposed to look like when it's running near perfect?

Interestingly enough some of the Harman instructions read that even at minimum setting the combustion blower may exceed the low fire draft requirements. I'm presently experimenting with mine and have it dialed back about 2/3 of the way. My low level flame is about an inch to an inch-and-a-half high and even across the firepot. Also of interest, the same instructions state that if the setting is too high all that is sacrificed is efficiency.

 

[D-mac02]

That's what mine looks like right now. The heat output now is crazy. I have a hopper with fsu in there now and the ash even looks a little different (as of so far). We have a small pot of water on top of the stove and I see some steam coming off of it so I guess that's a good sign. Lol