englander / summers head PDV-c low output

[sickss]

For some reason this year my stove is running 20-25 degrees colder than normal. My normal cleaning is behind the baffle plate, clean the exhaust vent and OAK. It is a VERY noticeable difference from last year to this year. Same pellets, I have also tried splitting bags of pellets between the 2 stoves to verify that they are infact the exact same pellets. I have to run the feed on 6 to equal what used to be 2 on the other stove. Pellet consumption seems to equal what the feed setting is (ie, on #6 the stove burns over twice as much as the other stove on #2).

To me it seems like I almost have a heat transfer issue? Did I forget to clean something?

Dennis

 

[rap69ri]

Did you clean the convection fan squirrel cage, and the exhaust fan blades?

 

[sickss]

yes on the exhaust fan blades. Where is the convection fan though?

 

[rap69ri]

It's on the opposite side of the stove of the exhaust fan. This is what gives you your room air.

 

[sickss]

the room air blower? yes that is clean also, I did not have to clean either of the blowers. This stove only has 2.5 tons through it.

 

[rap69ri]

Did you inspect the squirrel cage on the room air blower? This will get dust bunnies, hair, dust, etc... in it and will not run efficiently.

How is the flame? Is it lazy?

 

[sickss]

yes, it is clean.

I would say the flame has more color too it than normal... and maybe not as spirited as it should be... Thought the exhaust / combustion blower seems to be working fine, and I make it a habit of vacumming the ashes out of the combustion blower tube underneath the wear plate.

 

[rap69ri]

The burn pot has holes under the wear plate on the right and left sides that is about the size of a nickel. Is that area all built up with ash? It's difficult to clean it without making mods to your vac attachments.

 

[sickss]

The burn pot has holes under the wear plate on the right and left sides that is about the size of a nickel. Is that area all built up with ash? It's difficult to clean it without making mods to your vac attachments.

yes, I clean these along with everything else twice a week. A little trick I have found is to cut a 45 degree vacuum attachment back to 60 or so degree's, that way you can get a seal between the vac and the side plate where the hole is. I also use a thick paper clip to push the ash in the top little holes down to the big hole where the vac is.

I am stumped! The low air adjustment only affects feed rates 1/2 correct?

 

[webbie]

What exactly does "20-25 degrees colder than normal" mean?
What measurement is that?

 

[sickss]

Sorry... I treat everything like AC... That is the discharge temp difference between 2 identical stoves, Identical setups, identical pellets, Identical flues @ 71 degrees ambient. Thermometer installed in fifth slot from the left. one is ~116 degrees, other runs 130-135 depending on the fire.

 

[Panhandler]

I noticed you mentioned something about your flame color. Try cleaning the outside of your air intake to make sure air flow isn't restricted.

 

[sickss]

if you mean the screen on the outside? It is clean. I have disassembled the the entire OAK.

 

[sickss]

well guys... I might have missed something I tore the stove completely apart tonight... found nothing. Figured I would brush the flue since it has been awhile. Low and behold I had a combination birds nest / fly ash china wall on the bend to the end cap. I would figure this to make the stove burn hotter... but I might be wrong as it seems its old self again! This explains the low colored fire part atleast!

Thoughts?