Getting Started With a Harman DVC-500

Got my stove installed and inspected this weekend. I loaded the hopper and started the fire. Initially I had trouble with the fire dying out completely, but found that the wire to the room temperature sensor was broken at the crimp on terminal. I fixed that this morning and lit another fire. The coal was damp, but not dripping wet. I can get the coal ignited just fine using lump charcoal, but after the initial burn the ashes stay on the grate and the red coals to the rear of the grate. As I understand, the ash line should be 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches from the front of the grate. I have the feed rate set to 4, the stove is on room temperature mode. I can hear the feed motor kick on and see the indicator light. The fire has been running since 6:00AM this AM, it is now about 12:30PM. How long does it take for the fire to move across the grate?

Depends on the feed rate and what the room temp vs. set temp is.

What is your thermostat set at vs. the actual room temp.? You may have to turn it up above the setpoint to get more flame/heat.

The ash line of 1" is for a good MAX burn rate. otherwise, it will auto adjust depending on your settings. Might take a good hour or so to get a good full burn to start equalizing to room temp. setpoint once you raise it up.

Thermostat is set for 75 degrees, room temperature was 67 degrees at the other side of the room. I just called home and had my wife turn the thermostat up to 85 degrees.

Thermostat is now at 90 degrees. Fire is advancing slowly across the grate, but room temp is only 68 degrees. What am I missing? Just brought the distribution fan up to high.

My Harman hates damp coal. Try cranking up the feed rate as high as it'll go. Then leave the thermostat up high too so it's never be satisfied. You just need to keep an eye on it, so it won't be overfiring. Mine usually takes a while to get going. Then adjust with the feed accordingly. As time goes on and the coal dries you'll have to keep adjusting the feed down. Once you get the desired room temp bring the thermostat back down and just keep an eye on it. You may need to give it more OR less coal depending.

If you can,start prepping more coal so it'll dry out. Opening bags? Once it's all dry no more major adjustments should have to take place. Good luck! -Ryan

Ryan,

You nailed it! I cranked the settings, took out and dried as much coal from the hopper as I could and put it back. It's like a sauna in here now!

Thanks for your help.

Scott

Have my dvc for 2 years. Completely satisfied with the stove . Never change my settings.
Burn on feed rate of 1, burn in temperature mode burning at 68'. Keeps house around 70'., 2 story
1900 sq. ft. Try these settings. I started my fire back in Nov. using 3 coal mice . Takes around 45 minutes to
get a good fire going.
When I want extra heat I only change temp. by moving to 70-75'. You should never have to change the feed rate
higher then one.

"Feed adjuster" should be at "3" This is the factory setting for 1 1/2" to 2" ash in front of the fire @ maximum burn. When in room temp mode, your thermostat setting determines how much coal to feed. If your "feed adjuster" setting is "1" your stove still maintain room temp fine - up to a point - you just won't get maximum burn out of the stove when it is called for. "Feed adjuster" settings over "3" allow it to overburn. That knob should really be called "maximum feed limit adjustment"

When in "stove temp mode" the numbers on "stove temp dial" (1-7) correspond to 7K to 75K BTU of output - I.E. Feed Rate. - with the maximum @ 7 determined by the "feed adjuster"

Thanks for the explanation, coalbin. That makes things very clear to me. I have the feed rate set between 2 and 3 right about in the middle (2 1/2). At this setting I get approximately 1 1/2" to 2" of ash up front. At 3 was overburning.

I backed down the feed rate over the last few days to TCOAL's suggestion of 1 - works fantastic! Coal usage is down, no trouble keeping the temperature in the low 70's (lows at night outside in the low to mid teens) , and ash sheeting/fusing is zero. On max. burn the ash line is right at the 1 to 1 1/2 inch mark. At the higher feed rates I got much more sheeting and fusing of ash. It is a much more efficient burn - thanks TCOAL!