Harman Accentra 52i TC extreme vibrations

[MBos]

Hey all,

I had a brand new Harman pellet insert installed 3 weeks ago. The install seemed to have gone well, but when the techs started her up she started making vibrating(?) extremely bad right before the distribution fan kicked on. It sounded like a subwoofer, horrible. The sound is immediately alleviated by opening the fire door on the front of the insert, and resumes again once it’s closed.

The distributor I bought it from has been out 4 times since and hasn’t been able to pinpoint the issue. They’ve replaced everything on the unit, removed and then reinstalled it. Issue persists. They say they’ve never seen something like it since they’ve been in business and are not being helpful with next steps.

For context, insert is in a cast firebox built in the 50’s. There are 4 ventilators on each corner of the opening. They installed a liner with it as well.

Any ideas as to what it might be?

 

[DAKSY]

Any way you can take a short video with sound & post it here? Did the installers try firing it up OUTSIDE of the fireplace?

 

[MBos]

Any way you can take a short video with sound & post it here? Did the installers try firing it up OUTSIDE of the fireplace?

Any way you can take a short video with sound & post it here? Did the installers try firing it up OUTSIDE of the th

Any way you can take a short video with sound & post it here? Did the installers try firing it up OUTSIDE of the fireplace?

They did start it up outside of the fireplace and the unit did not make the sound. The tech was able to get Harman on the line and was told it could be being caused poor caulking adhesion around the auger feed box. They replaced it with a brand new unit and it worked at first but the sound started again, definitely better than the first unit. It gets better and then worse, with periodic heavy vibrations. He’s coming back out tomorrow to try the sealant fix.

The sound is drowned out by the pellet stove running on video. I’ll keep trying to get one

 

[MBos]

They did start it up outside of the fireplace and the unit did not make the sound. The tech was able to get Harman on the line and was told it could be being caused poor caulking adhesion around the auger feed box. They replaced it with a brand new unit and it worked at first but the sound started again, definitely better than the first unit. It gets better and then worse, with periodic heavy vibrations. He’s coming back out tomorrow to try the sealant fix.

The sound is drowned out by the pellet stove running on video. I’ll keep trying to get one

I should also mention that the noise is only audible when you’re in front of the unit. Once you’re behind it or to the sides it dissapears