having trouble with my Harman TL300

Should've seen the writing on the wall when I purchased it....on clearance from $2500 down to $1250 with the stainless steel cooking grate

 

On the bright side, you didn't pay $2500.

 

Well its hard to blame yourself for getting a good deal on something. Maybe it is something simple and it will work out well for you, if not there are plenty willing to take on a stove that needs work on craigslist.

 

http://www.hechlers.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=692

Take a look at this link and you can see the holes in and ports in the combustion package, they sell the gaskets and new combustors.

 

These temp pics were taken around 1130 pm (as soon as I got home from work)....approx 1" of coals left in the firebox after filling it up before I left for work at 1030am......currently trying to get a bigger base of coals as I just filled firebox up with oak split into 1" x 2" pieces and air intake fully opened

 

Sometimes you have to sacrafice a 1/4 load of wood to get that 3 to 4" coal bed. I used to rake a pile of coals near the shoe brick at the back of the stove, seemed to help light it off.

 

An OAK??

 

outside air kit

 

I have the option for outside air on the back of the stove but really don't feel like punching another hole in the block foundation plus I'm another step closer to buying my first house and it has a fire place which is a bonus so the TL300 will probably be for sale and an insert is in the future. .....

For now I picked up a moisture meter and a magnetic flue thermometer....the majority of my wood is between 9% and 18% (hopefully this is ok) and my flue temp is not quite 500°....so it looks to be good for now. ..fingers crossed

 

My buddy has a Harman and he has to burn it HOT to get and keep the secondary to light and stay lit.

 

I almost bought one of those stoves.... until the guy behind the counter told me not to? Haha anyway glad I dodged that bullet.

 

Too bad they're so finicky, its a good concept and gets long burn times when running properly, the only problem is getting it to run properly.

 

UPDATE........my TL300 is working fine. ...I've been burning really hot in fact the magnetic burn indicator on the pipe is reading in the red (over fire) Around 600°...this is the only way I can get the secondary to light and stay lit, burn, and put off heat....all of my wood is between 8% & 19% moisture. ..which I'm thinking is decent.....still going to unload it come spring and look for a coal/wood stove

 

Did you find a problem or just change your burning habits?

Most people consider anything in the teens as optimal.

Glad the stove is working for you now. A good stove is a pleasure to run, hopefully next winter goes much better for you.

 

Are you sure the thermometer is readind true?