Help with a chirping noise!!

[MrJitters]

My Harman P43 is still running fine currently on it's 17th Vermont winter. A few weeks ago I noticed what I can best describe as a "chirping" noise coming from the stove only during the feed cycle. I pulled the auger and replaced it with a new one I had in stock as spare. Cleaned the auger tube with a 1 1/2" wire wheel. Pulled the sliding feed plate and cleaned the carbon buildup on it which was minimal. Replaced both rubber grommets on the feed motor mounting plate. Of course during that process the fines box was emptied and cleaned.

The chirping noise remains. With a vengeance.

Next up would be replacing the feed motor, but I hate trying to fix something by using the parts cannon and shooting parts at the problem but I am at my wits end to solve this issue. On the other hand, the motor is one of the last original parts on this stove and really the last moving part in this process that I have not replaced or cleaned. The good feed motors are 150 bucks as I refuse to use one of the 50 dollar chinese knockoff POS.

I ran the motor not hooked to the auger and it ran good and totally quiet but of course this was not under load condition so still not sure if the noise is coming from the gear reduction.

This issue is totally different to the so called auger squeal I used to get because the original auger only had two welds on it and produced a harmonic when carbon would build up. A well known Harman issue. Always temporarily fixed that issue with a bit of graphite until I could pull the auger and wire wheel the tube.

I am handy working on this stove have replaced over time the combustion blower, distribution blower, auger, ignitor, control board pots, door gasket, burn pot gasket, esp probe and hopper lid latch.

Any help or feedback would be appreciated. Thanx!!

 

[bogieb]

The only thing I can think of is something is interfering with the little post on the feeder motor that sticks thru the cam block. I clean that every spring or so. But, at the same time, I would think you cleaned that up while you had the auger out. Did you lubricate that part with anything? IIRC, that has some sort of grease on there (that really clings to cat hair that drifts up there). I remember thinking on one of my last cleanings of that I should figure out how to lubricate it.

Hmmm, now looking at the dwg, 2.2 is the cam bearing for the cam block (2.16) and maybe that has gotten worn.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Do you pull your stove out to work on it? Mine is in a corner, and I can't imagine doing the kind of work you do like that.
I have see some basement installs on line where the person seems to have mounted it away from the wall which would be great if you have the space.

 

[MrJitters]

Thanx for the replies.

Cam block bearing was checked and oiled and spins quietly and freely. I keep the whole cam block assembly including the little bearing in a light coat of machine oil.

No need to pull the stove out as it is on our lower level and I installed it planning on enough room to get behind it for servicing.

I shall keep plugging along. Thinking next up would be chasing the chirp before the distribution blower starts up on start up as that is less noise.

 

[Don2222]

Hello
I would pull the auger and clean off any black hardened ash and corrosion with a wire wheel on a drill driver. Then check the bearing to see if it spins freely. If if does not spin freely or if does and makes a tick sound, then add high temp grease to the bearing by pulling off the black ring seal or just replace the bearing with snap ring pliers. See pics below.

 

[MrJitters]

I am happy to report that the problem has been found and solved. 😁 The issue was within the gear reduction unit connected to the motor.

Specifically, the needle bearing in the housing where the output shaft goes through and connects to the auger. Very dry. After 17 years and 101 tons of pellets it should be. Packed some high temp grease for the bearing. The reduction gears all looked great and well lubed.

The unit as a whole is very well built. All metal gears. I was very pleasantly surprised to see a needle bearing on the output shaft. I was hoping like hell there would be no bushing there instead. Harman came through.

Anyone attempting this fix, it is easy. Just be very careful when splitting the case. Simply remove the 3 screws for the mounting bracket and the 6 recessed screws that hold the case together. It takes a little careful effort to get it apart but it comes apart with no issues. Just make sure parts don't go flying. Make sure the rubber gasket is aligned properly when putting back together.

These stoves are built like a tank with quality components throughout, but maintainence is required annually and nothing lasts forever.

Thank you all.

 

[Whitenuckler]

I am happy to report that the problem has been found and solved. 😁 The issue was within the gear reduction unit connected to the motor.

Specifically, the needle bearing in the housing where the output shaft goes through and connects to the auger. Very dry. After 17 years and 101 tons of pellets it should be. Packed some high temp grease for the bearing. The reduction gears all looked great and well lubed.

The unit as a whole is very well built. All metal gears. I was very pleasantly surprised to see a needle bearing on the output shaft. I was hoping like hell there would be no bushing there instead. Harman came through.

Anyone attempting this fix, it is easy. Just be very careful when splitting the case. Simply remove the 3 screws for the mounting bracket and the 6 recessed screws that hold the case together. It takes a little careful effort to get it apart but it comes apart with no issues. Just make sure parts don't go flying. Make sure the rubber gasket is aligned properly when putting back together.

These stoves are built like a tank with quality components throughout, but maintainence is required annually and nothing lasts forever.

Thank you all.

Would a new stove be built like a tank too? Sounds like yours was built by Dane Harman himself in PA.

 

[Don2222]

I am happy to report that the problem has been found and solved. 😁 The issue was within the gear reduction unit connected to the motor.

Specifically, the needle bearing in the housing where the output shaft goes through and connects to the auger. Very dry. After 17 years and 101 tons of pellets it should be. Packed some high temp grease for the bearing. The reduction gears all looked great and well lubed.

The unit as a whole is very well built. All metal gears. I was very pleasantly surprised to see a needle bearing on the output shaft. I was hoping like hell there would be no bushing there instead. Harman came through.

Anyone attempting this fix, it is easy. Just be very careful when splitting the case. Simply remove the 3 screws for the mounting bracket and the 6 recessed screws that hold the case together. It takes a little careful effort to get it apart but it comes apart with no issues. Just make sure parts don't go flying. Make sure the rubber gasket is aligned properly when putting back together.

These stoves are built like a tank with quality components throughout, but maintainence is required annually and nothing lasts forever.

Thank you all.

Excellent job! The Harman augers do make a few noises but it looks like we have them all covered here now in this one thread! All the fixes are cheap and easy too!
Thanks so much for your analysis and fix!
I also have a post on adding high temperature grease to a St Croix gearbox motor to quiet down a noisey motor making a squeaky or chirping noise. See pics and video with noise here.

Thread 'Adding High Temperature Red Grease to a gearbox motor. - Amazing!'

Jun 9, 2020

Hello
The St Croix gearbox versa motor very similar to an auger motor but a more compact gearbox has always came from the factory with a high quality grease fitting. This used one I have hear was making quite a noise. Therefore I added the grease and it quieted right down! Amazing!

See vids below. Should all gearbox motors have a zerk grease fitting?
Part 1 - of 2 - Noise before adding grease

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Part 2 of 2 - Now see how quiet it is after adding grease - Amazing

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• Don2222
• Replies: 17
• Forum: The Pellet Mill - Pellet and Multifuel Stoves

• 

 

[MrJitters]

Would a new stove be built like a tank too? Sounds like yours was built by Dane Harman himself in PA.

I hope so. I would hope Harman would never sacrifice their legendary quality to make an extra buck. Now mind you, one of my earlier posts outlines all the parts that have been replaced over the years, so things have gone wrong certainly. What has never gone wrong is the overall build quality of the construction and how dependable it is with proper scheduled maintenance.

 

[MrJitters]

Excellent job! The Harman augers do make a few noises but it looks like we have them all covered here now in this one thread! All the fixes are cheap and easy too!
Thanks so much for your analysis and fix!

Thank you Don. Yes they do make noises which bother my wife and dog much more due to the fact I am very hard of hearing, especially the high pitches. All of them can be overcome with maintenance. As you say, cheap and easy too. This last fix was very cheap and easy once I found my way to it.

Over the years I have gleaned much from this forum, the potentiometer retro saving me a good bit of money is noteworthy. I am glad to give back any way I can.

 

[Don2222]

Hello
Please Note: The UL Feeder Cam bearing shown in the picture for $10 part # 3-31-3014 is the one shown in Bogib’s diagram 2.2 is 1” in Diameter. The auger bearing is much larger.
Does anyone know where to purchase the larger auger bearing?

 

[MrJitters]

I believe this is it. There's a part number too. Read down on the listing for a list of stoves. Your 61A is listed as compatible.

Harman Feeder Cam Bearing: 3-31-3014 | eBay

This bearing is part of the Harman feed system. It goes on the armature that turns the auger. DuraVent 3" PelletVent Pro Harman Appliance Adapter: 3PVP-ADH-SC1. Products from us compatible with the Harman Accentra Insert.

www.ebay.com

Harman Feeder Cam Bearing: 3-31-3014

This bearing is part of the Harman feed system. It goes on the armature that turns the auger. OEM Original Manufacturers Part, Extremely Durable, Made In The USA. Check out our huge selection of hard-to-find Harman pellet stove parts, same-day shipping!

pellet-stove-parts-4less.com

 

[johneh]

Does anyone know where to purchase the larger auger bearing?

Offhand Don I know of no stove dealer that lists that bearing
Here In Ontario, I would take the old bearing to GBS General Bearing Service
They would do the measurements and supply you with the correct bearing
If there is a number on the bearing, it is even easier to find replacement
Good Luck

 

[Whitenuckler]

Hello
Please Note: The UL Feeder Cam bearing shown in the picture for $10 part # 3-31-3014 is the one shown in Bogib’s diagram 2.2 is 1” in Diameter. The auger bearing is much larger.
Does anyone know where to purchase the larger auger bearing?

This may help. I actually wanted to have this for myself too. I recently ordered some metric bearings for my shop vac, and these are imperial.