Just like IHP said.....don't see too much of an issue but I'd probably be disappointed a little too but I really think if you could turn the air up a bit (which I guess you can't) it might eliminate that.....but I'm no expert
he has a Harman XXV....can turn up the air, maybe, but increasing the voltage to the combustion blower via the potentiometer on the circuit board, but it's minimal, and likely wouldn't result in a change......don't mess with those settings without a draft guage
I can't beside the low draft adjustment but I have more draft then I need IMO. Embers will jump right out of the burnpot sometimes.
I'm on board with the batch variance theory as well. I've certainly had my fair share of this. As long as you are getting decent heat out of the Golds, I wouldn't worry too much about those mini-nuggets. Glad to hear you are getting different (sounds like better) results as you progress further into the stash.
well, more draft is better than too little, but, without a draft reading, its hard to tell if you have "too much" or "too little"....albeit, too little draft is often readily apparent with status light issues (most often 5 or 6 blink errors) and black soot on the glass
I have noticed with some pellet brands where un-burned pellets jump out of the burn pot to smolder in the ash pan. So I would think there is a limit on what constitutes a good draft. I recall the low draft was quite a bit over the recommended setting ( -.35 to -.45) in the XXV manual . The manual said in some cases the draft would not set that low so set it as low as possible and only efficiency is lost. Never gave it a second thought after that because the flame has always been good with pellet embers dancing around in the pot and leaving occasionally. I would surmise my vertical 12' venting contributes to a higher draft during a burn.
-.35 to -.45 isn't actually low......don't forget, your vac switch will cut off power to your feeder at about -.20, so, that doesn't leave a lot of leeway for a dirty stove, etc......and the best place, of course, is at the vac switch....if ya check there, you'll notice the draft at that point is lower....you need a Tee installed to check that...its a service guy thing, which also supports the "not having a nominal draft" issue. Many of the new units don't even have a draft port in the stove body anymore!
Sorry I don't get you on that point. If it wasn't clear the -.35 to -.45 range is the Harman xxv recommended low draft measurement.
hmmm....I think it says MINIMUM draft is -.35 to -.55 (Page 17 of your manual) ....., and that your -.35 to -.45 is actually in the LOW draft mode of the testing procedure for the appliance...so, if you're taking that reading (and getting the -35 reading in HIGH draft mode, you could very well have a too low reading in the LOW draft mode (see page 21 of your manual)....said again, HIGH draft mode should be HIGHER...again, page 21 of your manual here: http://hearthnhome.com/downloads/installManuals/XXV_I.pdf now, with 12' of vertical rise, one would think you should have a "pegged out" draft (which on an average magnehelic is -.50 or higher), so, if on a clean unit, youre only getting -.35, I wonder whats happening as it gets dirtier? The draft isn't increasing, that's for sure. I like a digital meter, it reads higher than a needle-type, and I like the draft readings taken where they really matter- the vac switch. You might check yours and note what the vacuum is at the port, then try taking a reading at the vac switch...you'll see that its lower at the switch. Now, if youre at -.35 at the port (in the firebox, especially if the stove is in HIGH draft mode on TEST), you WILL be less at the switch......don't forget, your vac switch cuts power at -.20 or so.....
damm Lousy....that was really impressive!! I have no idea what you are talking about, but it sure sounded like the hell you know what you are talking about. I guess you were actually paying attention in all those Harmon training classes.....well done.
dang Doug....... I spend too much time working with these things.....while following the manual is good in some cases, after tearing these things apart and then testing, re-testing, etc., you sometimes don't necessarily follow what the manual says...generally though, they are great.....its kinda like those Viagra commercials......"If you have an erection lasting more than 4 hours, call a doctor..." yea, sure, I'm gonna call the doctor....even if I did, they wouldn't have time to see me, they'd tell me to go to the emergency room, where I would have to fill out forms, talk to (and SHOW) the nurses, docs, anyone wandering by, EMT's, janitors, receptionists, xray techs.......blah...lasting 4 hours? no, I'm NOT following the directions....
Ok I think I see where are wires are getting crossed. I said was getting a much higher reading in low draft mode and if memory serves the high draft was pinned on my Magnehelic which goes from 0 to 1.0 . I also noted the manual you pointed out is not the same manual that came with my stove but page 21 of your link is about the same as page 17 on my physical except for the pic showing a measuring Tee. I have a Draft Meter bolt behind the left front leg. Anyway my manual states: If the low draft is between -.35 and -.45 record the reading . If the reading is higher , slowly turn the set screw counter clockwise until the draft lowers. If the reading is lower turn the set screw counter clockwise until the draft increases. So what I read there is to set the low draft measurement between -.35 and -.45. Am I not interpreting the manual correctly? I know the manuals are not always clear or tell the whole story. For instance page 17 of your manual states a Magnehelic which can measure 0 to 1 inches of water should be used. On page 21 it shows a Magnehelic with a range of 0 to 0.5. here is my mag (wasn't cheap)...
I have very little idea what you guys are talking about. Maybe tonight, after a few beers, I'll try to read this stuff again.
I've heard that the more you drink the smarter you become well that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
