Feed Motor Revolutions on a Pioneer LE

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tmbm50
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Post by tmbm50 » Tue. Dec. 09, 2014 7:29 pm

When the feed motor kicks on, should it make one complete revolution? I've had my stove for years but cant recall as it always worked.

My stove has died 2 times over the last week for unknown reasons. The flame looks good and the last time it died, I made sure the holes where nice and clean and the pan under the grate was clean.

So now I suspect the feed motor. Sometimes when the feed motor kicks on, it will make only a 90 degree turn or sometimes as much as 180 degree. One time it only made 1/4 turn. I know the feed rate affects this too.

If I plug the feed motor right into the wall it will rotate the full 360 degrees and the pusher will move in and out too.

It seems slow even when plugged into the wall. It took 34 seconds to make a full turn when plugged in and running full out.
Can someone time it takes for the feed motor to rotate 360 degrees when plugged into the wall?

Thanks

 
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Flyer5
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Post by Flyer5 » Tue. Dec. 09, 2014 7:45 pm

1.5 rpm . The amount of time it runs is determined by the thermostat. Is does not relate to position or distance.

 
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Uglysquirrel
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Post by Uglysquirrel » Tue. Dec. 09, 2014 8:06 pm

Normal for the arm to move small distances depending on the feed rate the coaltrol demands.

You can put the coaltrol into a constant max feed rate, the max feed rate you see on the display will be the # of seconds the feed motor is actuated out of every 100 seconds. Hideous as it is I've timed it and its spot on.

Have you checked the combustion fins to ensure no dust accumulated on the fins, the dust especially hangs more near the inner disk support for the fins.

Make sure you have ample coal in the bin. I have found that with a few inches left in the bin the fed rate may vary a bit but not much.

Another variable is wet coal, if the coaltrol demands a very low feed during warm weather I would imagine that wet coal does not sustain combustion. My coal is dry so I don't have that much experience. BTW, what is your min feed rate set at ?

You sound quite savvy, I'm expecting you'll soon find the issue.


 
tmbm50
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Post by tmbm50 » Wed. Dec. 10, 2014 9:08 pm

Thanks for the replies, my motor seems to be turning at the right rate. I'll keep looking.

 
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Flyer5
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Post by Flyer5 » Wed. Dec. 10, 2014 9:11 pm

Look for signs of the carpet binding. The back of the carpet will usually be bent out where the feed arm hits.

 
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Uglysquirrel
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Post by Uglysquirrel » Wed. Dec. 10, 2014 10:46 pm

Flyer5 wrote:Look for signs of the carpet binding. The back of the carpet will usually be bent out where the feed arm hits.
Never had this yet. What is the cause ?


 
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Flyer5
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Post by Flyer5 » Thu. Dec. 11, 2014 8:51 am

Uglysquirrel wrote:
Flyer5 wrote:Look for signs of the carpet binding. The back of the carpet will usually be bent out where the feed arm hits.
Never had this yet. What is the cause ?
Rust over time and lack of maintenance in the spring. Fines can also accumulate under it.

 
Matthaus
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Post by Matthaus » Mon. Dec. 15, 2014 4:53 am

What is your min set on in the Coal-Trol? Might need to bump it up to a higher number.

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