Need Some Advice on Harman DVC 500

Tristinb · Post by **Tristinb** » Thu. Mar. 13, 2014 2:27 pm

Just installed last Saturday & only (1) 5 gallon bucket of coal so far. The pipes were clean when I installed it and I tried to go over everything without taking too much of the firebox apart. Just wondered if there was a gasket, or something simple that anyone else has run into before. I didn't want to tear it all apart before at least checking. Thanks

titleist1 · Post by **titleist1** » Thu. Mar. 13, 2014 2:31 pm

ahh...so 'recently' really is recent. sometimes 'recently' means a couple months ago to some folks!

It could just be the paint fumes coming off the stove as it 'burns in'. Did you/installer set the combustion fan setting with a manometer to be sure you are not pressurizing the firebox? (too much combustion fan air versus what you are exhausting out = pressurized firebox)

Do you have a couple CO monitors? They should be mandatory for you before lighting up the stove.

Tristinb · Post by **Tristinb** » Thu. Mar. 13, 2014 3:07 pm

I do have a CO monitor and I am glad I picked one up.

I bought this unit used and I think it may have been a mistake setting it up myself.

I didn't realize it was possible to adjust the combustion fan, maybe I should call a pro. After all, I already broke down and read the manual.

Thanks

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Thu. Mar. 13, 2014 3:14 pm

Do you have a barometric draft damper? Do you have a manometer?

titleist1 · Post by **titleist1** » Thu. Mar. 13, 2014 3:38 pm

I read through the manual for the stove - page 28 - 29 have some trouble shooting to check your firebox pressure, did you go through those steps and check off those indicators? I really like that you are supposed to compare a dim led versus a bright led on the draft motor to know it is time to clean the vent pipes....

Was the coal you used wet by any chance?

There are a few DVC-500 users on here that can probably offer more help as they find this thread.

th77 · Post by **th77** » Thu. Mar. 13, 2014 3:49 pm

The dvc-500 is a direct vent unit there are no adjustments for exhaust. The only controls are feed rate,distribution rate,and stove temp(combustion air). I would make sure the stove and vent pipe were cleaned and completely sound.

Tristinb · Post by **Tristinb** » Thu. Mar. 13, 2014 4:00 pm

Thanks for the heads up TH77. I am sure the exhaust piping is clear as I just installed it on Saturday. Is there anything else inside of the stove that I could check between the firebox and the flange that connects to the exhaust pipe?

I don't know about the barometric draft damper so I don't think I have one. I definitely don't have a manometer.

Thanks for the help.

th77 · Post by **th77** » Thu. Mar. 13, 2014 4:06 pm

How long did you burn the stove? Are all the indicators light functioning? The dvc uses negative pressure and draft motor pulls exhaust from ash pan area. Exhaust should not be able to come up thru the hopper. Make sue the draft motor is turning something similar happened to me when I started up in the beginning of the year. The draft motor was stuck I had to clean it and physically spin it to get it started.

th77 · Post by **th77** » Thu. Mar. 13, 2014 4:19 pm

The dvc500 does not like wet coal damp is ok but not ideal. I am confused about smoke coming from distribution vents. Did you clean behind the blower cover that is behind the ash shield? The exhaust outlet fills with fly ash .Be careful that you do not damage the ESP probe at the back of the outlet. Also make sure the combustion blower motor is working.

titleist1 · Post by **titleist1** » Thu. Mar. 13, 2014 4:20 pm

you mentioned buying this stove used, did you clean off the fan blades before starting it up?

The squirrel cage fins can get some gunk built up on them and not move as much air as designed. If the fins on the exhaust are gunked up maybe it isn't sending out as much air as intended.

Also, what are your dials set at?

Nevercold · Post by **Nevercold** » Thu. Mar. 13, 2014 7:02 pm

Tristinb wrote:Hi,
Not to hijack the thread or anything, but I have recently purchased a DVC-500 and could use some help trouble shooting a problem with smoke in the hopper/room blower. If anyone has any advice I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks

Was this stove purchased off Craigslist, In the Allentown area?? Around mid January??

Tristinb · Post by **Tristinb** » Thu. Mar. 13, 2014 9:18 pm

Just figured it out. Thanks to everyone for the help.

I cleaned the fan blades, checked the flue, made sure it was sealed... and discovered the hopper lid could be tightened. I am happy to report after tightening the nut the smoke no longer escapes. I feel dumb, but luckily it was a free fix.

titleist1 · Post by **titleist1** » Thu. Mar. 13, 2014 10:10 pm

I'm glad you aren't getting any smoke out into your room now, but I gotta ask the other DVC users out there if it is normal for these stoves to send exhaust out the hopper?

I would think the direct vent should keep that from happening. I can't think of a reason the exhaust would go out the hopper unless there is a positive pressure in the firebox but shouldn't the FSS shut it down if that is the case?

th77 · Post by **th77** » Fri. Mar. 14, 2014 12:09 pm

In any case you should not be getting any smoke in the hopper. If the hopper seal was loose you would get two blink status light code and the unit would eventually shut down.

Tristinb · Post by **Tristinb** » Fri. Mar. 14, 2014 1:16 pm

Another question... should there be a gasket between the hopper and the lid? Is that the hopper seal, or is that a different part?

My CO alarm did go off at about 4 AM 8 ft away from the stove.