P43 First Failure and I've Learned my Lesson

[Whitenuckler]

Hi All - Happy Spring. I had some guys working today on my heat pumps in the back. My pellet stove chimney is right there, so I shut it down so they could breath. I had not really intended to shut it down today, but I needed to get the heat pumps worked on. I knew I needed to do a clean this week as it was time. So, the heat pump work got done, and I decided to do the quickest clean I could and then relight. I cleaned the glass, and did 30 seconds of vacuuming in the burnpot. Guess what? Would not start up (and it had just been running for weeks). OK I said, good time for me to learn how to light it manually. Played around with that - no go.
So I got the vacuum out again and cleaned the igniter cavity. A bunch of ash ect fell out. I assume the ash was acting as a thermal barrier. Emptied the ashes. Was half full. That's all I decided to do today and got it restarted. Clean Clean Clean and I might have to buy a proper vacuum.

 

[shtrdave]

Usually about once a month or when the ash pan gets full, I shut mine down. For cleaning, I brush most of the stuff on the sides into the pan, I use a Lisle 14000 parts cleaner brush for the heat exchanger, brush out the burn pot and I used sharpened pry bars from harbor freight, the two smaller ones out of the set, to scrape the pot. pull the ash pan out and remove the plate under the pot and clean this out. All this is done with the stove in test so the fan pulls air in and helps keep the ash down outside the stove. Then turn it off of test and vacuum it all out, take the cover off the combustion fan and run the long brush that came with the stove out the exhaust, this doesn't bother the ESP or it hasn't for me. Empty the pan, and put the plate back on under the pot, put pan in and clean glass. close doors and use Pledge spray on the outside of the stove and wipe it down. Takes me maybe 20 minutes, I don't move as fast as I used to. About every other clean I take the control board out and clean out the fines box. Unplug the stove before removing the board. I only clean out the pipe once a year.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Usually about once a month or when the ash pan gets full, I shut mine down. For cleaning, I brush most of the stuff on the sides into the pan, I use a Lisle 14000 parts cleaner brush for the heat exchanger, brush out the burn pot and I used sharpened pry bars from harbor freight, the two smaller ones out of the set, to scrape the pot. pull the ash pan out and remove the plate under the pot and clean this out. All this is done with the stove in test so the fan pulls air in and helps keep the ash down outside the stove. Then turn it off of test and vacuum it all out, take the cover off the combustion fan and run the long brush that came with the stove out the exhaust, this doesn't bother the ESP or it hasn't for me. Empty the pan, and put the plate back on under the pot, put pan in and clean glass. close doors and use Pledge spray on the outside of the stove and wipe it down. Takes me maybe 20 minutes, I don't move as fast as I used to. About every other clean I take the control board out and clean out the fines box. Unplug the stove before removing the board. I only clean out the pipe once a year.

Wow...you are a few levels above me for sure. Thanks for the reply. Right now I am using basic tools and an old broom vac I butchered. Very basic attachments. I can see that a guy should make some custom tools. I had a idea earlier that if I make a "gasket" that fits the igniter hole, and the other side for my vacuum pipe, I could draw some huge suction and not have to stick my finger up the hole. Could use wood or I have some rigid foam pieces. Also, I don't know if I should carry on with my hand-me-down vacuum or buy a proper HEPA with washable filter?

 

[Ssyko]

A 5gal shop vac with a drywall bag is more than enough. As long as you let the stove cool down. All ive used for 20+ years

 

[Whitenuckler]

A 5gal shop vac with a drywall bag is more than enough. As long as you let the stove cool down. All ive used for 20+ years

Thanks! I did not even know they exist. That make sense to me. There will be no hot ashes if you let the stove run out of pellets or wait an hour. Much better than cleaning filters. I picked up a throw-out by the side of the road shopvac this week. The guy must have been vacuuming a dirty sump pump hole or something as when you turn it on it sounds like the fan or bearing is wrecked. If I can fix it and get these drywall bags I just need some attachments for it

 

[bogieb]

Usually about once a month or when the ash pan gets full, I shut mine down. For cleaning, I brush most of the stuff on the sides into the pan, I use a Lisle 14000 parts cleaner brush for the heat exchanger, brush out the burn pot and I used sharpened pry bars from harbor freight, the two smaller ones out of the set, to scrape the pot. pull the ash pan out and remove the plate under the pot and clean this out. All this is done with the stove in test so the fan pulls air in and helps keep the ash down outside the stove. Then turn it off of test and vacuum it all out, take the cover off the combustion fan and run the long brush that came with the stove out the exhaust, this doesn't bother the ESP or it hasn't for me. Empty the pan, and put the plate back on under the pot, put pan in and clean glass. close doors and use Pledge spray on the outside of the stove and wipe it down. Takes me maybe 20 minutes, I don't move as fast as I used to. About every other clean I take the control board out and clean out the fines box. Unplug the stove before removing the board. I only clean out the pipe once a year.

You take the control board out to clean the fines box? That is interesting. I take off the bottom shield, to get to the fines box. Yes, the first time or two is awkward as you try to see what is going on, but after that, it is easy enough to do everything by feel. Or at least for me that works.

 

[bogieb]

Hi All - Happy Spring. I had some guys working today on my heat pumps in the back. My pellet stove chimney is right there, so I shut it down so they could breath. I had not really intended to shut it down today, but I needed to get the heat pumps worked on. I knew I needed to do a clean this week as it was time. So, the heat pump work got done, and I decided to do the quickest clean I could and then relight. I cleaned the glass, and did 30 seconds of vacuuming in the burnpot. Guess what? Would not start up (and it had just been running for weeks). OK I said, good time for me to learn how to light it manually. Played around with that - no go.
So I got the vacuum out again and cleaned the igniter cavity. A bunch of ash ect fell out. I assume the ash was acting as a thermal barrier. Emptied the ashes. Was half full. That's all I decided to do today and got it restarted. Clean Clean Clean and I might have to buy a proper vacuum.

Hmmm, I remember someone saying that the igniter area of the P43 tends to ash up fairly quickly and needs cleaned on a regular basis on one of your other threads

I clean out the igniter area every 7-10 days, just using my fingers to swipe out any ash (even between actual cleanings) because the airflow will be disturbed enough to make the flame a bit lazier (not really lazy, just not as crisp as I would like). Actual cleanings are done every 3-4 weeks and takes 20-25 minutes. I don't use any special tools, just place the nozzle of the crevice tool from my Craftsman ash vac in front of the igniter opening to get anything my fingers didn't sweep out (it does not go inside, or even cover the entire opening).

I will confess that sometimes I just do a quick empty of the ash pan and cleaning of the igniter area and call it good, so about 5 minutes. Neither stove complains about that either.

 

[shtrdave]

This is the vacuum I have been using since I bought the stove, I picked up some extra generic bags I found on amazon, that actually seem better made than the rigid ones. I change them once a year and use the air compressor to blow everything out at that time also.

RIDGID 4 Gallon 5.0 Peak HP Portable Shop Vacuum Wet Dry Vac with Fine Dust Filter, Dust Bags, Hose and Accessory Attachments WD4070D - The Home Depot

Do your cleaning application effortlessly and quickly with the help of this RIDGID HP Portable Wet Dry Shop Vacuum with Filter Dust Bags Hose and Accessories.

www.homedepot.com

 

[Whitenuckler]

This is the vacuum I have been using since I bought the stove, I picked up some extra generic bags I found on amazon, that actually seem better made than the rigid ones. I change them once a year and use the air compressor to blow everything out at that time also.

RIDGID 4 Gallon 5.0 Peak HP Portable Shop Vacuum Wet Dry Vac with Fine Dust Filter, Dust Bags, Hose and Accessory Attachments WD4070D - The Home Depot

Do your cleaning application effortlessly and quickly with the help of this RIDGID HP Portable Wet Dry Shop Vacuum with Filter Dust Bags Hose and Accessories.

www.homedepot.com

I actually have a rigid one similar to that, maybe one size up in my garage. It's less than a year old. I think I will buy one just for the basement
and use it in the house for ash and drywall dust. My Canadian Tire has 2 models on sale. One is 4 gal and one is 8 gal. I can't decide if I want the extra size? I guess the bigger size would be better if I have water in the basement, but the larger size is overkill for an ash vac.I can get aftermarket filter bags on Amazon for both. Shop Vac brand seems to come with a bag and quite a few accessories. Also it says it has a 5 year replacement warranty at Crappy Tire

 

[Whitenuckler]

You take the control board out to clean the fines box? That is interesting. I take off the bottom shield, to get to the fines box. Yes, the first time or two is awkward as you try to see what is going on, but after that, it is easy enough to do everything by feel. Or at least for me that works.

Oh I thought he removed the card to clean the card. I must admit the first time you clean the fines box it's hard. After that it's easy as you know how to clip the cover on first. I can't see up in there but no problem vacuuming there if you have the correct attachment. I think I will rig up some small diameter flexible hose for there and the igniter box. Might be good to slide up the exhaust too (although carefully!)

 

[Whitenuckler]

This is the vacuum I have been using since I bought the stove, I picked up some extra generic bags I found on amazon, that actually seem better made than the rigid ones. I change them once a year and use the air compressor to blow everything out at that time also.

RIDGID 4 Gallon 5.0 Peak HP Portable Shop Vacuum Wet Dry Vac with Fine Dust Filter, Dust Bags, Hose and Accessory Attachments WD4070D - The Home Depot

Do your cleaning application effortlessly and quickly with the help of this RIDGID HP Portable Wet Dry Shop Vacuum with Filter Dust Bags Hose and Accessories.

www.homedepot.com

Just got back from Canadian Tire. Bought the 4 Gallon

The Shop-Vac® 4 Gallon* 5.5 Peak HP** Wet/Dry Vacuum features the SVX2 Motor Technology

The Shop-Vac® 4 Gallon* 5.5 Peak HP** Wet/Dry Vacuum features the SVX2 Motor Technology. This motor has more power and longer motor life when compared to the Shop-Vac® standard 5.5 peak HP** motor. This powerful, compact vacuum is ideal for cleaning up your worst household mess. The hose...

www.shopvac.com

Clearance price 109.99save $20
Limited Lifetime Warranty
In store 5 year exchange

Comes with tools and filters including a dust bag. I like the size and design. The hose size is small which is good.