Englander PAH terrible performance

What pellets are you burning right now? Perhaps you have a small dense pellet and it is feeding too fast.

 

I stand by my earlier comments.....IMO, there is a serious issue with the exhaust set-up. I would try also unhooking that "way too long" OAK at the back of the stove (maybe the OP tried this already??) and see if anything improves.

The fact that it runs so well after everything is cleaned would seem to confirm this.

 

Don't think so. Shouldn't be needed, as it burns great in the beginning as per my post above.

 

Nope, not in this model.

Somersets. But I notice similar feed rate with any pellet I tried last year - I never got a full 24hrs on a bag.

Way too long? Sure I could try unhooking it, but then everyone would freak out since it is required lol. That is one thing I haven't tried so might be worth a shot. Contrary to popular belief, it didn't keep my house noticeably warmer or reduce by pellet usage in half

I'm half tempted to disconnect the combustion blower from the control board and hook it up to a variac and set it manually. Perhaps if its not getting quite enough air with the trim maxed out I can push it just a little more. But before I try anything like that I'll see what ESW has to say - especially if it might still be under warranty (not really sure since it was a refurb unit).

 

My past experience with Somersets are that they are smaller and denser than some others. If you can, see if there are any hardwood, softwood blends around you and give a bag or three a try. Generally, I have found them to be less dense and feed somewhat slower. May help.

 

Refurbs are usually covered by the same 1 yr. warranty as new units.....I know, I had one.

 

Yup they are.

 

If the stove front is back to flat and door seals correctly, I'll be curious to see how it runs after the OP disconnects that OAK.

 

That does appear to be a long oak run. Could be restricting it just enough.

 

Wonder if the OP checked to see if outside screen is really clean & clear.

 

Absolutely, not only that, but a run that long could have other things that have made it their home.

 

I tried American Wood Fiber Ultra White Pines, and while they smelled nice they didn't help my problem. Actually made a few things worse. And much more expensive that Sets. Also tried TSC Equine Bedding Pellets, also pine. Perhaps a little better than AWF, but very similar. Sets have worked the best.

It's only like 10'. Plenty of folks have run longer. I also up sized to 3" according to the manual, despite how much of a pita it was due to no 2"-3" adapters I could find anywhere. The intake is a couple feet from my front door so I see it every time I come and go, not clogged or dirty. And I used a fine enough screen that nothing should have got inside other than dust.

Stove has been down a couple days since it is so warm. But I'll pull the OAK before I fire it back up. Worth a shot.

Well I am past a year now, but I thought they had a 5 yr warranty on some of the parts.

 

Too fine of a screen will choke the stove.....don't ask me how I know. Mesh shouldn't be anything finer than about 1/4".

As for the warranty, this from Englander website:

"The manufacturer extends the following warranties: Five Year Period:
1. Carbon steel and welded seams in the Firebox are covered for 5 years against splitting.
2. The cast iron door and hinges are covered for 5 years against cracking."

 

I am using regular window screen mesh. You think that could be the issue? Hard to believe this would reduce air flow significantly, especially considering a 3" hole is 229% more surface area than the stock 2" hole is. I guess we'll find out, I'm unhooking the OAK today and firing the stove back up tonight probably.

 

My Fahrenheit furnace has a 2 1/4 ID air inlet and the manual says no longer than 10' with a 3" piping. Also no smaller than 1/4" x 1/4" holed screen mesh.

 

Not saying that 100% sure it's a problem, but I tried the same EXACT stuff and the stove suddenly was lazy.......even turning the burn air up all the way couldn't overcome it.....it was choked. As soon as I took it off, the flame jumped 3" and got it's normal lively self. Can't imagine what it would have been if the screen had gotten even a little dirty.

 

I was getting a headache reading all this woe. Ive a question.....after the pipe goes into the chimney, where does it terminate? Have you checked the chimney cap? Critter in there? Spark arrestor on cap partially plugged? Sorry if this has been asked/answered b4! Just a coupla idears.

 

No clogs, I just brushed it. Easiest way to answer that is with a picture.



That pic was taken with the 5.5" liner still, and has been replaced by 4" Simpson Pelletvent, but the appearance is the same. The same clamp holds the pelletvent, it ends inside the raincap.

 

cool- just dotting the I's and crossing the T's.....often issues are pretty simple.....I can kinda see the screen in the cap, looks pretty clean!
I am not familiar with those units....any way to get a draft reading?

 

Any update T-Stew ?