Extra part for vf3000

3 inch flat sheet metal piece left over after I installed my boiler, not shown on any instructions. Any one have same problem ?

YES. That little extra part, NOT SHOWN in themanual is the restrictor plate for the combustion fan. Not installing it filled my basement with coal gas and set off my CO alrms. It's used to regulate the air into the unit. Must be installed. I wrote,emailed and called Harman about the lack of mention in the manual...no response.

Coalkirk, can you post a photo of the part installed?? I know what you mean, but maybe Plumber 147 doesn't.

Thanks,, Greg L.

A picture would be greatly appreciated, I also contacted Harmon and no one replied back. Thanks

I'll post the pictures since my boiler is still apart and alot easier to get pictures.

plumber147 wrote:A picture would be greatly appreciated, I also contacted Harmon and no one replied back. Thanks

Don't hold your breath waiting for their reply, it's not coming.

Ignore that wire that seems to trace its shape. It's just coincidence.

I also contacted Harmon and no one replied back.

That irritates me, Coalkirk found out the hard way, fortunately no one died from CO poisoning. That little piece of steel is a vital part and yet the manual hasn't been corrected and the company ignores calls from the people who keep them in business?
Wouldn't that expose the company to legal action if someone died as a result of this? I think my Harman is a great stove, very well made, but I wouldn't buy another Harman product based on incidents like this.

Sorry Dane...time to wake up and smell the coffee.

I'm sure their defense would be we recommend installation by a Harman dealer. Smart attorneys response would be then you shouldn't sell your product to the public without installation included. It's inexcusable. I told them about this in 2005. There is no mention of installing or adjusting this part. It's not shown in any of the exploded parts pics. Zip, nada. Not to mention all of the spelling, gramatical errors and the general appearance of the manual is fourth grade level done with a crayola!

Here's an interesting little tidbit. I just downloaded the manual for the mag stoker (same stoker mechanism as the boiler) and they have at least have a picture of the part in there. Still not in the VF3K manual.

i tried it on and off and now iv'e got it off and ducted for out side air.

i also run my combustion blower off the aux blower port and have it set to run for 4 min after the stoker stops.

Coalkirk,
If that is your final setting you should drill a hole in the other side of the restrictor plate and install a self tapping screw so that plate can't slip down from vibration over time. But first check and make sure it hasn't already moved on you.

I think highlander dosen't use the restrictor plate, instead he put a reostat(dimmer switch) to slow the fan speed down to get the wanted amount of combustion air. Maybe he will chime in here .

AS far as the manual is concerned, since I just got my VF3000 I should have the latest version.
On the front of the blue cover it has a "R2" which might stand for revision 2
Page 6 shows the restrictor plate picture but I find no mention about installing the plate or adjusting it.

That's interresting. Their online version still doesn't show it. Mine is currently not where it belongs. I tried an experiment burnign buck a few weeks ago and was adjusting it during that test. I like the idea of the fan running on a low speed during off cycles. I hope highlander shows us how he did that. If I could do that, I think could burn buck. Also, it would be better if the Harman grates didn't have holes in the very beginning of the grates, apprentley like a keystoker has.

Yes, that is the restrictor plate for the combustion air blower, and no I don't use t. I have mine ducted to the outside air with a flexible duct, and vary the speed in idle mode with a paddle fan control, it works well for me.

The beauty of the variable speed approach is that you can have maximum air flow when stoking, and then cut the airflow back during idle periods. I helps maintain the fire during warm periods, but doesn't limit the amount of air when the boiler needs to make some serious heat. In this way it works similarly to the Keystoker with their large blower on the stoker motor, and the smaller one which runs all the time.

It can be easily installed with the standard controls, by using the distribution blower socket which isn't used with the boiler setup. You set the time for the distribution blower to the maximum and run this power from the distribution blower socket through a small paddle fan control to the combustion air blower. The power from the combusition air socket goes directly to the blower. When the unit stokes, the bower runs full speed, when it doesn't, it idles at what ever speed you set the control to.

highlander,
How much did the contoller SA-12 cost ?


Can you still keep your -.05 draft with the blower running full speed?

Thanks everyone, you guys are great ! Is there a common setting or will everyone be different ? If so how do I know when it is right and safe ?