New stove

could be, Ive only seen one ever, and that was years ago

 

The 45's are good stoves. I have a 45 and a 68. The 45 is older tech and not as quick to adjust on new inputs like the 68. You need the room probe if you want it to operate correctly. There are two different burn pot set ups. One for corn and one for pellets. You can run a 50% / 50% corn and pellet mix and still use the pellet burn pot setup. Ash lines being 1" is BS. Don't worry about it at all.

Just set the stove to the temp you like and run it. I promise the ash line cops won't gig you. Read the manual if you have it. If not download one because they are out there. Parts are not an issue at all. Easily found and priced much like other Harman parts. Better deals are found online so shop around.

The PC45 shares the same platform and firebox as the P61. The same body, box, doors, etc; The difference is the burn pots and 100% corn burning option. Basically some different innards and mechanics vs. the 61. I know others have already covered things above also. What shape are your door rope gaskets in? How does your flame look, etc? Check your vacuum and hoses. Give it a good cleaning throughout. Good Luck! They are tanks and pretty much the same as the P Series stoves.

The stirrer is only need with corn. There are some other tips and I will report back as I think of them. I mainly run my P68. The PC45 is in another area and not used much but also available should I have problems with the 68 as a back up stove. There is plenty of info on the net about the 45's and plenty of people using them still.

 

The small hole plate is for corn because it has to burn hotter. Pellets will still burn but the larger hole plate works better for pellets and that is what Harman recommends. I'll skim thru my manual and do a refresher. It's been awhile and once you figure out what works for you one tends to forget the rest that is not used. I have burned corn but always the 50 /50 corn pellet mix which any Harman will do anyhow. I primarily just burn pellets in both stoves.

 

The igniters are different in the 45's as mentioned. The corn burning setup is the small hole to keep heat in and a metal grate cap above the burn pot with the stirrer. The primary reason for this is once again the ability to burn 100% corn which has a higher ignition point than pellets. The igniters cost just a bit more but not much than the 15 fin. Especially if you shop them. My 2006 is still on the original as far as I know. I'm the second owner and bought it in October of 2014. I have a new backup. Now that I said that the damm thing will head south.

Burning 100% corn will wear parts out quicker because of higher heat and acid etc; Another words a pellet pot will last a long, long time vs. the corn pot set up. The stirrers go thru hell and corn gives them a beating but they last a long while too really. I still have the original stirrer but it is done. The original owner gave me everything including cashed out parts. The dude didn't clean the inside of the stove much. He ran it until it quit and threw new parts at it. Once I went thru the entire stove it ran like new. Slackers loss,,, My gain.

 

You will be way happier and have all kinds of temp control. Set it to the temp you want and forget it. The stove will keep it there. Get the room probe and hook it up. There is a plug on the right rear for it facing the stove towards the top. The plate we are speaking of is inside down low behind the ash pan. There is a latch you swing up and then just lift the plate with the exhaust hole out. Large = pellets Small = corn. Hopefully your stove came with two.... Honestly I do not know which I am running. I'll have to look but I think it's the larger holed exhaust plate. Pretty sure it is but I was playing around experimenting with everything and have not ran my 45 in a long while but it will start right now if I want.

That said stove temp is good to but I just rarely use it but have and it works too. Everyone's setup, house, and situation is different. What keeps one camper warm and happy might be bad results for the next camper. You need to get it working like it should, get a feel for it, try other ways, and then pick what works best for you and when. I won't get into the knobs, modes, and adjustments because it always turns into a pizzing match as to what's best. You'll figure it out.

 

yea....be sure to check the integrity of the flame guide, flame guide insulator, the baffle plates, and especially the burnpot

 

Not sure how to check out the first part of your comment but I did install a new up dated baffle plate

 

its in the manual, and if you dont have one, its available at harmanstoves.com