Oiled coal in DVC-500?

Has anyone used oiled coal in their Harman DVC-500? Any problems? Harman told me that they won't recommend it as they have done no testing with the oiled coal. They had concerns of the sensors and oil residues. I'm happy with the stove, I just want to keep the dust down in the house. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

I have no experience with the Harman, however oiled coal is used in every other application with absolutely no issues. Harman may think they have a Nukie Sub there, but my news flash is: Just because they want the price of a Nukie Sub for a stoker stove, the instrumentation it uses AIN'T that sensitive. My vote says Go For IT!

Welcome to the FORUM my friend. You'v got a whole forum here of people that use oiled coal for just that reason. Can't imagine Harman saying anything that dumb. Oh well, yes I can.

What the heck R U doin' up so late? I was doing taxes and looking at all the cool pics from Reading Days....Class Act!

Trying to figure out which one of them old bumpkins you were in those pix, only to find out you weren't there at all. Taxes??? OH CRAP--thanx for that reminder.

The only thing I can think of, is there might be a 'bridging' issue with the coal feeding down the hopper. Its a fairly small opening going to the pusher-bar and if I fill the hopper with damp coal, it will stick together and form a 'bridge' at the throat, and not fall down to the pusher-bar until I push a poker down thru the coal and it collapses the bridge. Oil will make the rice sticky, so you may experience this bridging issue.
It does measure air pressure/vacuum and exhaust heat temp.
If the oil residue were to clog/cover a sensor, it might have an issue operating correctly.... Dunno That would take an 'ell of of alot of oil....

Chris, I guess some of these dealers/ breakers get crazy w/ their oiling. I know with my guy (Blaschack) they/he do a real good uniform job w/ it. But, I have a hopper handfired not one of them thar girly-guy stoves.

I have used oil, heavily oiled and no oiled in my DVC at least that is what I suspect. The cheap, crappy Chinese junk Harman used for the circuitry seems to take it all in it's stride. Make sure you look carefully at the fines draw as heavily oiled coal may collect there also replace the little dust filter as that could clog with oily coal. Despite my reservations about the stove design, my stove actually works very well.

Thanks all for your thoughts on the oiled coal in my Harman. I was surprised at Harman's response, one would think with the common use of the oil that they would at least run a test. I guess as everyone says, they aren't the same as the old Harman was. I'm prettty new to this coal stuff, but learning. It sure beats fuel oil!

I was surprised at Harman's response, one would think with the common use of the oil that they would at least run a test.

Harman gave you a response at all? - consider yourself one of the very fortunate few. .... Harman might run a test for you....... hahahahahahahahaha... you have quite the sense of humor.... I think I broke a rib laughing here.

Oh stop it you old Limey Woodpecker! ---- Now I'm slaying myself

DAMN & double DAMN