Hello to the Forum, my first post.
I've owned an Advantage + for about 14 years and for the most part, it has worked pretty well. I replaced the controller (all button type) about five years ago. Two years ago, I did a fix on the infamous leaking pellet drive which has fixed a real design problem between the auger and the gear box. Now, I have a new problem and need some advice. I searched the archives and found some great information about the control and combustion motor in general.
We usually run on heat setting 2 or 3 for several days at a time and after a cool down, vacuum out anything we can get to. Presently the stove starts up and runs normally for some period of time, usually an hour or so. Then, the flame goes wonky, the combustion fan slows, and all the controller lights blink for a minute or so. The system then comes out of its torpor, and resumes normal operation for a few minutes or more, then repeats with the sag routine. If I crank the pellet rate up to 4-5, things run normally with no weirdness.
When this started recently, I did a very thorough cleaning and combustion motor lube, and the symptoms disappeared for a few days, but have now returned. I am going to lube the motor one more time and futz about before I consider replacement of either the motor or controller.
Obviously there is a voltage drop from the controller, or the motor is dragging. What are the blinking controller lights telling me if anything? Is there troubleshooting info on the blinking lights?
Is there a resistance reading for the combustion motor?
What is running voltage range for the combustion motor? I assume if the motor is failing, that a low voltage condition would exist due to increased draw, so would read lower than normal?
Thanks in advance for any wisdom on this.
Grant
I've owned an Advantage + for about 14 years and for the most part, it has worked pretty well. I replaced the controller (all button type) about five years ago. Two years ago, I did a fix on the infamous leaking pellet drive which has fixed a real design problem between the auger and the gear box. Now, I have a new problem and need some advice. I searched the archives and found some great information about the control and combustion motor in general.
We usually run on heat setting 2 or 3 for several days at a time and after a cool down, vacuum out anything we can get to. Presently the stove starts up and runs normally for some period of time, usually an hour or so. Then, the flame goes wonky, the combustion fan slows, and all the controller lights blink for a minute or so. The system then comes out of its torpor, and resumes normal operation for a few minutes or more, then repeats with the sag routine. If I crank the pellet rate up to 4-5, things run normally with no weirdness.
When this started recently, I did a very thorough cleaning and combustion motor lube, and the symptoms disappeared for a few days, but have now returned. I am going to lube the motor one more time and futz about before I consider replacement of either the motor or controller.
Obviously there is a voltage drop from the controller, or the motor is dragging. What are the blinking controller lights telling me if anything? Is there troubleshooting info on the blinking lights?
Is there a resistance reading for the combustion motor?
What is running voltage range for the combustion motor? I assume if the motor is failing, that a low voltage condition would exist due to increased draw, so would read lower than normal?
Thanks in advance for any wisdom on this.
Grant