Year 4 with a DVC-500 not off to a good start.... Help!

Surge Supressor makes sense as this is an electronic device...
The rep also confirmed this...
Power spikes and generators cause issues when the storms come to town...
Push to speak with a MFG rep, be nice to the rep and magic may happen...
If the dealer fails to give you decent service...

ablumny wrote:

SMITTY wrote:Electronics suck. They don't belong on stoves or in cars/trucks. They're great when they work .... but WHEN they break, ......

So true! My hand fed buning pals don't have these problems.....

Harmans are absolutely beautfiul looking , a stove that any woman would like in their home as a centerpiece. Big time. Though think, as a maintainer of that 3-6 year old centerpiece, the differences between a Harman and most other stokers.

*Complex internal electronics /sensors/factory only replacement hardware vs most other stokers, simple with fan's, etc availiable at Graingers, etc.
*Integrated factory electronics vs external Coaltrol.
*complex troubleshooting process vs two small external boxes to interrigate.
* complex (?) return to factory process (and associated cost) vs Coaltrol return,a small company that can turn the assessment in 1-2 days with web support.

I hope these thoughts are pretty much factually presented, as someone infamous said, its not personal, its business . The business is what you, the alpha male gets to deal with among the 12 other things you need to do while the alpha female is out shopping with her girlfriends, then comes home and says, it's cold in the house, when is the stove going to be fixed ?

Ug

I have been considering a stoker for my shop. The DVC-500 is one of the few that would be safe because of the direct venting. I believe the new Hitzer stoker may qualify. But I'm not sure on that. So I have to ask; would you buy this stove again? I've been keeping track of your progress and can't believe what you have been through. Hats off to you for your patience!

Charlie,

I have read your posts and you know the coal scene well. If you need a direct vent then it is hard to find a better, prettier stove. Hopefully, these posts give you knowledge. I think with a little more poking around we will get to the bottom of how to care for this stove. My personal choice for my living room - a DVC. However, the control systems are becoming archaic compared to the coaltrol. That's the frustration, if it was just as lousy stove it would be easy, but when they are working well.....

I bought the DVC for a couple of reasons:
- i was new to coal and I liked the automation
- manual feed stoves scared the heck it of me
- other automatic rice burning stoves seemed far more complicated then the DVc for a newbie
- I liked the functionality and easy day to day maintenance...good for the wife
- mine was going in a main living area so it had to look as pleasing as possible

Would I buy another Harman ? Another DVC?
- knowing what I know now about coal burning , no
- knowing what I now know about Harman support , not likely
- if I were in an area where coal was popular and there were plenty of service choices , probably
- if I were new to coal, with little understanding of draft mechanics, had chimney option and/or i had penty of service options, I'd still stick with the DVc unless you have a smart friend willing to help then buy a simpler stoker stove.

Yep, this thing seems overly complicated but when it's working it works great and I've had 3 great years so far till now.

My opinion......

Ok, new pressure switch is on the way with the new control board. Dealer confirmed with Harman that I can use ECP probe that I bought for the old board as long as the dip switch bank was set correctly for which the dealer did so. Hopefully this ends it and I can get back to the business of heating with coal.

Side note, big shout out to Hoffman Stoves in Hallifax PA. Dave and crew there are top notch. The do what they say, parts are stocked, prices are good.,....and they know Harman products.

ablumny wrote:Side note, big shout out to Hoffman Stoves in Hallifax PA. Dave and crew there are top notch. The do what they say, parts are stocked, prices are good.,....and they know Harman products.

Good to hear!
Ok, post their phone number or email, for those of us that may have an issue with the DVC500 in the future

http://www.hoffmansoutdoor.com/
2280 Armstrong Valley Road
Halifax PA 17032
Phone: 717-362-1941
Phone: 888-354-2455

I'm pretty sure they were recomended to me by another member here.

I don't know this dealer personally but they are located in the same town as Harman. I would bet this dealer has a better than normal relationship with them.

coalkirk wrote:I don't know this dealer personally but they are located in the same town as Harman. I would bet this dealer has a better than normal relationship with them.

They did get quick answers from Harman ....

With the arrival of a new pressure switch, I hope to finally end my problems with this stove. I will have literally replaced every motor, probe and device in the unit. The new pressure switch is NOTHING like the old one. Even the connecvity is differnet but it came with instructions that seem to make sense. Cross your fingers, Ill be putting it back together tonight....

8pm UPDATE
FAILURE. 2 blink code.
Hoffman gave me a contact at Harman. I've sent them an email stating I now need Regional MAnagement support. I've put $1100 into this stove.

ouch...

what a sucky result...I was hoping to read about how warm you were sitting in front of the fire tonight.

what you are going through is why i keep a 1987 beater ford f150.....

so I could load the stove into the back of the truck and drive it to Halifax, PA where I would drive through their front door smashing into the reception area, shift into first and fishtail/drive through cubicle land until i reached their tech support and engineering group where I would get out of the truck and politely ask them to grab their ears and pull their collective heads out of their arse's so they could assist me with my minor customer support issue! Anybody wanna ride shotgun!?

Then I would suggest they find someone that gives a schtink about customers in their lousy company and have them get a user id for the bestest coal forum in the world so they could try to do some damage control!

Yep. I've been calm till now but I'm right there with ya.....