Harman Magnum Stoker - Water in Hopper and Draft Problems

It's possible that the maintenance you perform as prescribed by the owner's manual will rectify the problems. But even so, install the manometer

Let us know how it goes.

Not sure where you are located, but it is doubtful that a local hardware store will have a manometer in stock. If you happen to have a Grainger store nearby they sometimes have them in stock, their part number is 2T650, I suggest you call and ask before making the trip Their price of $49.90 is higher than you will find on eBay but you won't have to wait for it to arrive.

Where are you located - general area, not specific?

Any horizontal sections of pipe between the stoker and the chimney that may need the fly ash to be cleaned out?

Definitely put foil on the baro. I have mine covered since yesterday morning since we hit about 55*. I don't get CO like you experienced in those warm temps but the draft number on the manometer will fall to -.01 on those warmer days if I don't cover it which is too close for comfort for me. Covered it will climb to about -.025.

Bob, it's important to understand the purpose that the barometric damper serves. It's purpose is to reduce the draft of a chimney and keep as close to a desired draft setting as possible. I'm not as familiar with the super mags but the regular mag wants the draft at .04-.06 during the maintenance cycle. That's the time the stove runs only to maintain the fire, not during a heat demand per the thermostat. The weight on the barometric damper is adjustable to achieve the desired setting. The only purpose of the manometer is as a tool to set the dampers weight.

And no unless you have the coolest hardware store ever, they are not going to have a manometer. Order the one folks here have suggested. In the mean time cover the damper with foil or just adjust it so far that the damper doesn't open at all until you have the tool to properly adjust it.

Just keep reading and learning,my friend ! Oh,the asking questions part of Your journey helps,too ! These Folks are very good here,so always make sure You are clear on a move before You make it. Welcome to the Coal Board !

DENNIS BAUER wrote:

bobmarvin wrote:It's a Super Mag Stoker. I've been reading about the monometer on both this site and through Google searches, as I didn't previously know what one was, but I am not understanding and seeing the importance of it.

The cleanout door on the chimney is closed and sealed and the chimney appears to be (looking up with a mirror) clear.

The restrictor plate question is something else I am unfamiliar with and will look that up next.

Thank you for all of the replies. The monometer is something that I believe I could buy and figure out but it also sounds like a qualified tech might be needed this time for safetys sake.

I didn't see the point of the monometer last year either. I moved into the house and fired the stove up and let her rip. This year, new stove, install a monometer, and it's amazing house much you can fine tune a stove and get real heat out of the stove and also know when your having any issues. After having one installed i'll never go without one.

Other reason the wood stove worked so well is the high flue temps you'd put out with the wood stove. The stoker will put out MUCH less flue temps which in theory will lower draft.

I ordered the manometer from Amazon and although it hasn't arrived yet, I believe I may have solved the problem. I actually ordered it after believing I solved the problem based on this comment. I'd rather be safe but in addition, the comment about fine tuning the stove intrigues me. Now for what I found: Although I checked the chimney outside, the clean-out, etc., I did not check inside. I took the pipe off and vacuumed everything out, put it back together and fired it up. It runs great now. No more water in the hopper, no more CO, and the damper is actually making noise as if its working. I use the scraper periodically but obviously not often enough to prevent the ash buildup. The manual says every time you load the hopper but I wasn't using it nearly that much. This issue might have been self-inflicted but it won't happen again. I'm looking forward to the arrival of my order however.

Glad to hear it's up and running again. Let us know what your draft reads after installing the manometer.

My SuperMag when new gave off wicked smells until it broke in.. Set me alarms off..lucky for me it was in the fall and I left the widows open and ran it hard for the first days..
Now no smells running at full steam. I must say I'm impressed.... Been 3 yrs of running 24/7 from Oct 1st to May 15th usually here in Northern NH. No issues at all..Keeps my living area within a degree even with the temp changes here..We get to or near below zero alot..(not so much this winter Ha.) ...but amazing tech.....don't touch any knobs or settings on the stove..since well a couple of years ago. We keep the home 70 deg 24/7... we don't bother to turn it down during the day..
My manometer show's Harman's specs only when it's cold out and the stove is running hot...other then that it's lower...I never have the alarms go off unless I leave the ash door open when servicing the stove. Had to paint the inside hopper due to showing signs of wear and some surface rust..best to be save.