What is your harman feed rate setting?

[jslinger]

After buying 3 ton of VT wood pellets, I decided to try a few bags of okies. I noticed that with the okies, my glass wasn't getting nearly as dirty as with the VTWP.
I have always left the feed rate knob at 3.5, even though the manual suggests leaving it at 4.
After doing some research, it seemed that my stove might be running a little rich. So I decided to turn the knob down to 2.75.
Success! At 3.5 1/3 of the glass would be dark brown within 1/2 day. Now, at 2.75, there is very light graying in the same amount of time.
At first I thought I would have to switch to okanagan, but with a little tweaking, I am very happy that I can continue to buy local.
I was wondering what everyone else uses for a feed rate setting, with your respective pellets?
Since all pellets are different. They should theoretically require different settings.
I thought this might help some of the newbies out there, who might be frustrated with the performance of their stove.

 

[Bioburner]

May have to do some what with the draft of your venting. I have a little more draft than factory likes, but no worry about power interruption either.

 

[Harman Lover 007]

After buying 3 ton of VT wood pellets, I decided to try a few bags of okies. I noticed that with the okies, my glass wasn't getting nearly as dirty as with the VTWP.
I have always left the feed rate knob at 3.5, even though the manual suggests leaving it at 4.
After doing some research, it seemed that my stove might be running a little rich. So I decided to turn the knob down to 2.75.
Success! At 3.5 1/3 of the glass would be dark brown within 1/2 day. Now, at 2.75, there is very light graying in the same amount of time.
At first I thought I would have to switch to okanagan, but with a little tweaking, I am very happy that I can continue to buy local.
I was wondering what everyone else uses for a feed rate setting, with your respective pellets?
Since all pellets are different. They should theoretically require different settings.
I thought this might help some of the newbies out there, who might be frustrated with the performance of their stove.

That is the absolute incorrect way to operate any Harman stove. Don't expect your stove to perform worth a damn when it gets really cold out. You are adjusting the feed rate for all the wrong reasons and it has nothing to do with running "rich". Either click on the link in my signature or the sticky above to read how to properly operate your Harman.

 

[jslinger]

That is the absolute incorrect way to operate any Harman stove. Don't expect your stove to perform worth a damn when it gets really cold out. You are adjusting the feed rate for all the wrong reasons and it has nothing to do with running "rich". Either click on the link in my signature or the sticky above to read how to properly operate your Harman.

Not quite the response I was expecting. I guess everyone can disregard my original post as bad info.
I had already read your very informative post. I appreciated the info on running test mode while cleaning, instead of holding the vacuum in one hand, and working with the other.
I realize that I might have to turn the feed rate up, when the temps get colder. But I was just trying to diagnose a problem of dirty glass. I know there is something wrong if I have to clean it twice a day.
Based on what the manual says about pellet quality and feed rate, as well as piecing together info from other members with similar issues, this was my first step toward fixing the problem.
It does seem to have solved the dirty glass issue. But I also realize that A doesn't necessarily cause B. So I would love some other suggestions.
The stove was professionally installed in late Feb. I have only put half a ton through it. And I did a full cleaning after that 1st thousand pounds.
Everything seems pretty clean.

 

[Harman Lover 007]

While I agree you have some type of issue if you are cleaning the glass twice a day, I can tell you that the feed rate setting isn't the problem. I would continue to search for a solution.

 

[jslinger]

So do you recommend leaving the feed rate at 4? What do you typically have yours set on? Do you adjust it depending on the pellets you are burning?

 

[P38X2]

How hard, or not, are you running your stove? Some pellets will soot up the glass faster than others. The most likely culprit is lower level burning.

 

[P38X2]

And to answer your question, 4. As ibcynya's post states, it's an adjustment made at WOT to maximize the stoves output. It accommodates for poor quality pellets basically.

 

[P61 PelletPig]

I'm set @ 4 and it is happy at that setting. So am I.

 

[clkoontz3]

Running @ 4

 

[jslinger]

How hard, or not, are you running your stove? Some pellets will soot up the glass faster than others. The most likely culprit is lower level burning.

Right now, it's 35* out. So it is not running very hard. I just found it strange that I tried the okies and had more ash, but cleaner glass.
We had about 3 days of subzero temps right after I had it installed, and I would have to clean the glass every day. It was running at a pretty good rate then.
I just hear about people saying they can go a couple weeks without cleaning the glass. You wouldn't be able to see through mine after 3 days.

 

[Harman Lover 007]

So do you recommend leaving the feed rate at 4? What do you typically have yours set on? Do you adjust it depending on the pellets you are burning?

Mine is at 4. It is a set it and forget it adjustment. The circuit board and ESP do the adjusting for you. That's why you spent the money on a Harman!!

 

[jslinger]

Mine is at 4. It is a set it and forget it adjustment. The circuit board and ESP do the adjusting for you. That's why you spent the money on a Harman!!

Yeah. I know that the computer does make adjustments. But I figured that since they recommend turning the feed up with crappy pellets. It wouldn't be a terrible idea to try and turn it below the average setting, with super premium pellets.

 

[Harman Lover 007]

But I figured that since they recommend turning the feed up with crappy pellets.

Can you show me where it says this in your XXV manual?

 

[P38X2]

I think "not needing to clean" the glass for 2 weeks is a relative statement. I wouldn't assume the glass is still clean, but rather not totally skanked out. Maybe other stoves are different, but I've never seen a P series Harman with perfectly clean glass after 2 days, nevermind 2 weeks. If it's driving you nuts, give it a quick shot with a DRY paper towel first thing in the AM.

Black soot on the glass is another issue.

 

[BrotherBart]

Can you show me where it says this in your XXV manual?

Page 19?

"For most premium grade pellet fuels, the feed adjuster should
be set at #4. If high-ash fuel is used, the setting may need
to be adjusted to #5 or 6."

 

[jslinger]

Page 19?

That is what I was referring to. I realize there are a few leaps in logic there. That there many other variables than ash when evaluating pellet quality.
And I do agree that I am probably too uptight about how clean the glass is. My father said the glass on his wasn't too dirty. But when I saw it, I was shocked.

 

[BrotherBart]

My pellet puppy ain't a Harman but for the life of me I can't imagine how a pellet stove wouldn't haze the glass. Especially on a cold start.

 

[snikr]

I'm running my P68 at 4 and using VT Wood Pellets. Not much on the glass, but then I don't care if I have some dirty glass as long as I get HEAT.

 

[RCCARPS]

Running on 4 and haven't cleaned the glass yet this season. Maybe 10 bags through and the glass is still clear.

 

[Bioburner]

Lose about 1/3 of the upper glass and that's where it stops. Will clean the glass if have guests.

 

[shtrdave]

It puzzles me if they tell you or recommend you set it at 4, why not just have it set at the factory and not be adjustable. I also thought that the feed rate is a maximum rate that it will feed at the highest temp. I wasn't really aware that it effected anything otherwise.

 

[Harman Lover 007]

It puzzles me if they tell you or recommend you set it at 4, why not just have it set at the factory and not be adjustable. I also thought that the feed rate is a maximum rate that it will feed at the highest temp. I wasn't really aware that it effected anything otherwise.

It doesn't....that's my point....just not articulating it well I guess.

 

[Harman Lover 007]

Page 19?

"For most premium grade pellet fuels, the feed adjuster should
be set at #4. If high-ash fuel is used, the setting may need
to be adjusted to #5 or 6."

I'll take your word for it BB...but I don't see it on page 19 (or any other page) of the XXV owners manual on Harman's site.

 

[BrotherBart]

That is where I copied it from.

(broken link removed to http://hearthnhome.com/downloads/installManuals/XXV.pdf)