XXV troubles!!

[canuck_22]

Here we go, been running the new XXV since mid-October, it has been performing just fine all this time. I'm fanatical about cleaning, it is done weekly and very thoroughly. I run my stove in room temp using a Honeywell thermostat, last evening it started as I was working in another room and after a while I said to myself this thing is taking a while to get going so I went to take a peek. To my dismay the glass was very very black, very lazy flame, the exhaust pipe was cold to the feel, pellets dropping off the burn pot half burnt. So I go outside and disconnect the vent at the T to look inside, no obstructions whatsoever. I shut her down, and when she was cold I inspected inside, black everywhere, black goo here and there, and smelly like hell (see pics). This morning I conducted an inspection of all the passages with my Rigid camera scope and the air inlet tunnel is clean, the exhaust tunnel is clean all the way to the fan, and from last night's inspection I know the vent is clean, so what gives here??? I connected my draft gauge(Dwyer 2302) and recorded the readings with and without the OAK, here are the readings:

without OAK, .75 on startup and .70 on low
with OAK, .90 on startup and .85 on low

My OAK is from 3 inch to 2 as the thimble supplied has a 2 inch hole I purchased an automotive exhaust reducer 3 to 2. Is this the source of my problem? if so why now? Draft on a Harman stove is supposed to be between .35 and .45

Should I increase my OAK size? and then adjust the draft correctly. What else should I look at?

 

[canuck_22]

more pics.....

 

[Bioburner]

Clear the hopper of pellets and start a new bag? Have been several cases of damp-bad pellets gumming up the works like your problem presents. Only have the loss of some time to possibly rule out a worse problem.

 

[bogieb]

That is really goobered up! Hard to believe it happened that fast (not saying I don't believe you clean like you said). What kind of pellets> have you inspected your hopper contents to see if some foreign stuff got in there?

If your exhaust pipe wasn't at least a little warm, it would seem to me that your blower wasn't working, but still can't see why it would goop up that fast. Hey, and I'm no expert, so hopefully Smoky or someone like that to show up pretty soon.

 

[canuck_22]

I'm thinking it happened gradually throughout the day, I work but the wife is at home but as it starts only a few times in the day due to south windows and when sunny outside, she may have missed the signs of something in the making as she's busy with her hobby. No comments on the draft reading anyone?

 

[Bioburner]

If you think so strongly about the OAK being a problem, disconnect it for awhile and crack a window. Both responders to your post ? the fuel quality. Empty the hopper and feed it to the P61 and start with some other pellets.

 

[DAKSY]

Have you cleaned the fines box recently? Is the cover re-installed correctly?

 

[canuck_22]

Yes I can do that and will, but again the reading of -.85 on low

 

[Bioburner]

Draft at least according to the manuals on the two Harmans I have is to read after running for some time.

 

[canuck_22]

Draft at least according to the manuals on the two Harmans I have is to read after running for some time.

Not sure I get it, the stove has been on since October

 

[canuck_22]

The P61A is burning the same pellets by the way, I always top off my 2 stoves from the same bag 50/50.

 

[Bioburner]

Not sure I get it, the stove has been on since October

XXV draft is done cold. Page 21 of the online manual goes into the details. Test should get .5 to .60 then come down to .35 to .45
Same bag does not mean that a corner of it didn't have a damp spot or two. Fed several stoves for over thirty years and I have seen lots of fuel issues. If you have more ?s ask your dealer as the stove has a warranty.

 

[ironpony]

the only time mine did this the ESP had a coating of ash on it. I think it acted as an insulator and it was trying to feed pellets to keep up.

 

[Golfeur]

The draft with a -.35 -.45 harman is minimum and the maximum is -.50 -.60 so the draft is ok with or without oak.
Even with oak draft pick is high.
Your problem is elsewhere perhaps very wet pellets.

 

[canuck_22]

The draft with a -.35 -.45 harman is minimum and the maximum is -.50 -.60 so the draft is ok with or without oak.
Even with oak draft pick is high.
Your problem is elsewhere perhaps very wet pellets.

Did you miss my post where I say the draft is -.85? Pellets are dry as can be, snap them with my fingers, no harm done replacing them by I'm not convinced.

 

[Golfeur]

The draft is strong enough on your stove and even a bit higher which means that your stove is a little less energy efficient but here can not cause your problem.
Seek not the side of the draft is something else

 

[Golfeur]

is that there is water that has infiltrated your oak
Ice that melted in the oak

 

[canuck_22]

is that there is water that has infiltrated your oak
Ice that melted in the oak

The OAK flex pipe is very frosty!! all white when the stove runs, you think there would be ice/water inside the flex?? If so how do we prevent that?

 

[Golfeur]

try insulation and check if it's a moisture problem or water inside the oak

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

For crying out load folks https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/20150128_071336-jpg.151919/ should tell you all you need to know.

 

[canuck_22]

For crying out load folks https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/20150128_071336-jpg.151919/ should tell you all you need to know.

Advice?

 

[DAKSY]

Replace or re-adhere the gasket. I noticed the separation when I first saw your pix, but I couldn't tell how it was supposed to look. Maybe a shot from farther back might help.

 

[canuck_22]

Replace or re-adhere the gasket. I noticed the separation when I first saw your pix, but I couldn't tell how it was supposed to look. Maybe a shot from farther back might help.

Ok, which gasket you think is not right? seperation?

 

[kinsmanstoves]

once the exhaust enters the wall thimble what happens? What is after this? No mention of anything about the exhaust.

Eric

 

[kinsmanstoves]

For crying out load folks https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/20150128_071336-jpg.151919/ should tell you all you need to know.

That is where the ashpan is covered. The door seals tight against that. I will be playing my bet on what happens after the pipe goes through the wall thimble. No one has said anything about the vent being plugged at the cap or liner or whatever since we do not know. GI Joe said, "Knowing is half the battle!". We don't know.

Eric