P-38 Computer

My brother has a older P-38. We have swapped out the combustion and distribution blowers in last 2 years.

He has had a few " Glitches" recently, as in late spring. The unit shut down once or twice. It doesn't have any lights to tell us whats up. We are thinking of changing out the computer board, since he really doesn't have the $$$ for a new P-43.

Any advice ? I remember a member here, or more likely the other forum that had parts and such for these stoves, but figured to post here first.

 

Hello
I do not have any p38 circuit boards with the knob controls but maybe Lousyweather does?
You can update the P38 to the new control panel by installing a new wire harness, control panel and burnpot with igniter and cradle.

 

That sounds like a lot of work, and $$ .

 

Sent him a PM. We have time till the cold hits. Im going to do the pre season PM on the stove in next few weeks. Not a lot on the stove that could cause the issue.

 

Just searched it, and see plenty of the kits, that's great. Thinking a bit more, it actually doesn't look that complicated.

 

Once again this place helping people out

 

That retrofit kit is manual start. If I were to do all that I would get the Auto Lite CB and the burnpot with igniter , just my 2 cents.

 

How much for the " Deluxe " kit ? Also, I heard switching a burn pot can be difficult, frozen bolts.

 

I have switched quite a few burn pots on Harmams with no trouble. A squirt of PB Blaster does not hurt.
Not sure if there is a deluxe kit, you may have to buy the parts seperately.

 

sorry, guys, into the heat of the season now (get it?!)

The original p-38 boards were discontinued a couple years ago....only the brightest, best-looking, and dedicated dealers still have them, if you can find them at all. The old part number was 1-00-03769 is ya wanna help your dealer out......the retrofit kit, if you cant get the old board has been mentioned above (correctly), by Jay. Its a bit of work to do the retrofit.....you have to cut the bin, do a bit of wiring.....that kit will cost ya $225-$250 from most dealers. If you can find the old style p38 boards still, they'll run you $199 or so.

As for making the ole P38 an auto-lighter, yea, youve got a fair amount of work ahead. New burnpot, igniter cradle, igniter, burnpot gaskets, wiring harness, circuit board.....and you'll have to modify the side of the hopper to accept the new board as well....doable, just not cheap....add the part values up sometime....disregarding labor, Im guessing it'd run $500-$600.

 

Hi LW
Great Info!

What do u mean by?
1. Cut the bin
2. Modify the side of the hopper

Just trying to follow you?
You are best-looking, and dedicated dealer and of course the smartest!

 

Great info

Ill send you a message when I get a few minutes.

 

yea, Don....since the "new" retrofit board is actually the "old" P61 board, the form factor is larger. Also, remember the older p38 boards were small, and mounted inside the metalwork of the stove....whereas, the bigger board requires modification of the side of the stove, therefore, cutting of the side of the sheet metal is necessary. I don't believe that the document is online in "how to" do it, but its with the retrofit kit......but still, a bit of work.....

as far as cut the bin, well, in the P38, that kinda is the side of the hopper, but no, you aren't modifying the hopper itself, just the sheet metal surrounding the right side of the stove.

 

Is don2222 a parts dealer?

 

Hello

Jay is correct.

We now ship parts from approx 6 warehouses around the country and we just finished building approx 500 sqft of more warehouse/workshop space at the home front.
Thanks Jay!