Burn pot was replaced with no change, currently working to move it near a door to vent it straight out the door with minimal piping. I did notice the appliance adapter to tee didn't seal super well so that could have been part of the problem. Issue persists, though not as bad, with stove vented straight out door.
Harman Absolute 63 whomp, whoop, flicker, or flutter
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Okay, to wrap up the saga, the dealer installed a new stove, all piping, and did a quick test burn, like as much as you can do in 85 degree weather. There is nothing out of the ordinary at this point but the proof will be in the pudding when winter returns.
While I'm not thrilled it took this long I'm happy to be on the other side. Thanks all!
While I'm not thrilled it took this long I'm happy to be on the other side. Thanks all!
From what I've seen, the strobe flame and thumping/whomping sound is something that has been happening with some Harman stoves for many years. I don't think an actual cause and solution has ever been found. I absolutely love my Harman P43, but it gets it occasionally also. My P43 is my 3rd brand of stove over many years and it's by far the best and wouldn't want a different one.
Luckily for me, mine is mostly the strobe effect with little to no whomping sound.
When mine does the strobe thing, I can put my hand on the hopper lid and feel it fluttering. Or if I release the hopper latch and crack the lid open, I can actually feel the lid pulsing up and down. Scraping the burn pot stops it temporarily.
From what I've seen in discussions over the years, it almost seems like some sort of resonance between the air intake and exhaust. It appears to be like a similar effect in cars when one window is opened called buffeting which is also known as Helmholtz Resonance.
I'd love to find a lasting solution, but there have been many discussions and it often comes back after solutions that seem to work for a while. Why it only seems to effect a percentage of Harmans is also a mystery.
Here's a few old discussions using the search term "Harman Strobe Flame" Many of the discussions are for older Harmans that had a different burn pot/air configuration, but it shows it's been going on with some for a long time.
www.hearth.com
Ray
Luckily for me, mine is mostly the strobe effect with little to no whomping sound.
When mine does the strobe thing, I can put my hand on the hopper lid and feel it fluttering. Or if I release the hopper latch and crack the lid open, I can actually feel the lid pulsing up and down. Scraping the burn pot stops it temporarily.
From what I've seen in discussions over the years, it almost seems like some sort of resonance between the air intake and exhaust. It appears to be like a similar effect in cars when one window is opened called buffeting which is also known as Helmholtz Resonance.
I'd love to find a lasting solution, but there have been many discussions and it often comes back after solutions that seem to work for a while. Why it only seems to effect a percentage of Harmans is also a mystery.
Here's a few old discussions using the search term "Harman Strobe Flame" Many of the discussions are for older Harmans that had a different burn pot/air configuration, but it shows it's been going on with some for a long time.
Search results for query: harman strobe flame
www.hearth.com
Ray
Also to add:
When I mentioned the hopper lid, I also noticed that in my case, the thumping/whomping sound seems to happen when during the feed cycle when the sliding pellet feed plate is open. I'm also pretty sure that when the flame is strobing, if I open the hopper lid, the strobing stops. This fits with the resonating theory like a moving car, because when it happens in a car, opening a second window often stops it.
Ray
When I mentioned the hopper lid, I also noticed that in my case, the thumping/whomping sound seems to happen when during the feed cycle when the sliding pellet feed plate is open. I'm also pretty sure that when the flame is strobing, if I open the hopper lid, the strobing stops. This fits with the resonating theory like a moving car, because when it happens in a car, opening a second window often stops it.
Ray
ABusWrench
Feeling the Heat
My P61a has done the flicker/strobe flame, but it seems to only do it with certain pellets. I generally run Somersets and it doesn't do it with them. Or at least I haven't noticed it.
Have had the Sound when I had Wood Stove and Left the Door Cracked open for more Air. How is the Gasket?
Well, I'm back! And not just because I just wanted to say hi either.
The second stove does the same thing albeit, much less. I've tracked down the problem to the seal on the clean-out tee.
My theory is that the foam seal let's by just enough air to act like a drum head. Currently I'm waiting for the shmoo I pumped into the clean-out cover to dry to test my theory.
This is a brand new tee and as I was tracking down some smoke leakage, which was from everywhere, I noticed a jet coming out of the cover. Hopefully this puts any leakage to bed AND resolves the issue. If I was the dealer I'd be pretty perturbed having sunk so much time into 3 bad tees, but nothing definitive just yet.
Thanks @Ocelot that is all helpful information.
The second stove does the same thing albeit, much less. I've tracked down the problem to the seal on the clean-out tee.
My theory is that the foam seal let's by just enough air to act like a drum head. Currently I'm waiting for the shmoo I pumped into the clean-out cover to dry to test my theory.
This is a brand new tee and as I was tracking down some smoke leakage, which was from everywhere, I noticed a jet coming out of the cover. Hopefully this puts any leakage to bed AND resolves the issue. If I was the dealer I'd be pretty perturbed having sunk so much time into 3 bad tees, but nothing definitive just yet.
Thanks @Ocelot that is all helpful information.
Oh no kidding, you calls always cut a silicone seal the thickness you think it moves and set it in the cap…just a thought
Tiggar61
Member
Not really, I've taped all the joints which seems to help. I've even had an electrician out to take a look at supply. I'm completely out of ideas at this point but it's definitely not as frequent now.
new absolute 63 last year with no issues. now this year the flutter has started when running at about 40%. straight thru wall pipe, just installed an OAK with no change. flutter changes with auger movement. flutter is totally random and mostly just visual but has started making more noise. seems like I'm not the only one having this issue, but I guess if it doesn't get worse I'll consider it normal.
I guess you could call it normal but the sound can be hella annoying. I've noticed it much more on first start at about 40% feed, about 2350-2450 rpm on the exhaust. It happens more frequently and more loudly when the hopper is about half or lower.
I've found it's not nearly as bad now that I've tracked down every little bit of air leakage from the exhaust. At this point it's livable but not fixed 100%. I do have to say that bdm pipe is absolute rubbish, every seam leaks and even the slips don't seal well either.
I've found it's not nearly as bad now that I've tracked down every little bit of air leakage from the exhaust. At this point it's livable but not fixed 100%. I do have to say that bdm pipe is absolute rubbish, every seam leaks and even the slips don't seal well either.
when I was having the flutter issue, I was using box store pellets until my supplier was able to deliver the Barefoot pellets that I used last year. I have not experienced the flutter since. possibly related to pellet quality, I have found the Barefoot pellets to burn hot with little ash and a steady flame.
@DFC I'm using the same pellets as you. The box store pellets are no better or worse. I've exhausted every possible cause and I'm thinking it could even be related to a leak or improper fastening of the internal hopper. I'm not chomping at the bit to do that much disassembly.
I'll be looking to talk to the dealer again pretty soon though.
I'll be looking to talk to the dealer again pretty soon though.
Have you done the Dollar Bill test on front Door Seal. I have had this happen on Wood Stove when I left the door open to get it started. Sounds like too much air getting in. Also is the Air Intake flap free? Not hung up?
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