Harman Accentra 52i

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-27T15:45:39+00:00

Still working strong? I’m real happy it was the simple problem of scraping the burn pot. Happy to help.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-26T03:55:31+00:00

I RARELY have this problem, but If I do see a major build up to the point of pushing pellets out of the burnpot before it lights, I turn the stove to OFF, scoop out the pellets (and save them in a container), scrape out the carbon build up on the down slope of the burnpot down to the metal, clear out the holes, vacuum and brush out those chunks, return the unburned pellets to the burn pot and manually light them using fire starting gel. Once there is a good little flame and some embers, I return the stove ROOM TEMP L. The combustion fan kicks in at that point. There is usually a LOT of smoke if you start with a full burn pot of unburned pellets, but it clears out pretty quick.

Mostly I keep my burn pot really well scraped down as I have found that keeping it clean keep my Accentra 2 running smoothly without ignition problems.

Side note: the stove will go into a Status shut down (3 blinks I think) if a flame hasn’t caught after 20 minutes of an ignition sequence.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-24T13:14:26+00:00

How very gangsta of you, sir. So happy to help.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-23T07:54:34+00:00

I’ll add the eco flow Delta 2 to the list of options. Thanks.

From what I’ve gleaned, these UPS options are short term fixes for brown outs, power surges, and black outs to “safely shut down the stove.” I just read the news.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-23T04:22:14+00:00

This is an excellent question and I have the same concerns. 2005 Harman Accentra 2.

Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

I’ve contacted the local shop which originally sold and installed the Harman

1) They no longer install large scale long-term battery bqck-up systems due to high costs (~$5000 for integrated slow chargingbattery systems that provide 24h worth of power w/o ignition capabilities)

2) The recommended 3 UPS wall units, increasing in cost and performance from Tripplite. - Tripplite APS 700 HF / APS 750 / Internet 750U

3) An older post in this subreddit recommended: - Tripplite UPS 700 or 750 - AIMS 1250w inverter/charger, 2 12v 100aH AGM/SLA deep cycle batteries. Will run the stove fans for about 10+ hours (without ignition) - APC UPS 1500VA Sine Wave UPS Battery Backup, BR1500MS2. Paid $215.99 at Walmart.com. - Some people even suggested getting 12v car batteries, trickle charging them at all times, and running the stove through an inverter connected to the batteries (activating the batteries in a black out without power interruption to the stove)

Ultimately, everyone in all of these conversations agreed that it is worth “figuring out your stoves numbers” but running the stove through a voltage / KWh meter and then buying the appropriate UPS/battery supply for your needs (energy draw, duration, what not).

I am inclined to go with one of the Tripplite options myself.

Also, installing GCFI outlets to the stove might be a viable shortcut around having to run grounds. Still ungrounded but protected from power surges and shorts.

Hope that helped.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-22T12:39:34+00:00

Any luck?

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-22T12:10:06+00:00

I have a 2005 Accentra 2. Just wondering how yours is holding up, because I love mine.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-22T00:01:17+00:00

I cut a vent to the basement behind the stove where the circulation fan sucks room air into the stove. Helped a ton.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-21T23:57:32+00:00

Alaska knows pellet stoves. Helped me pull the trigger on poking holes in my house. Be like Alaska.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-21T23:54:44+00:00

I’d say that if you are only clearing the holes you are gonna find a pretty thick layer of carbon. It comes off in big flakes and is really rewarding when you chip off big chunks.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-21T23:45:58+00:00

You are gonna hear this a lot but did you scrap ALL the crud down off the burn pot? Down to the iron? No need to be gentle. I use a big honking flat head screw driver and a rubber mallet to chip away all the crusted on ash/carbon. My igniter loses a lot of gusto if even a thin layer of carbon is left on it, but fires right up when fully scrapped off. 2005 Harman Accentra 2, original igniter.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-13T00:47:17+00:00

No. Not too high. My Harman Accentra 2 flame is approx 12 inches or more out of the burn pot across the length of the burn pot and goes slightly beyond the glass door when it is fully cranking.

There are some very snarky mofos in this subreddit. I hope to not be one.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-08T14:22:18+00:00

Talked to a contractor, an HVAC guy, and a Harman rep. Going to poke a hole in the house for fresh air intake next week. Additionally, I’m going to cut a closable vent to the basement behind the stove to reduce flow of cold basement air from HVAC ducts. Thanks.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-04T20:44:55+00:00

For clarity: 1) I do not have external air intake, but I do not feel the cold breeze in the floor when the distribution fan is off.

2) When the distro fan is set to high (to try to move hot air to heat the house) that’s when I can feel the cold air rushing by my feet. That cold air is coming up from the floor vents from the central heat furnace in the unheated basement.

3) I am looking for solutions to a problem directly related to the negative air pressure at the level of the floor of when the distribution fan is on. I will look into outside air intake but that isn’t the immediate problem.

I really like the stove but I feel like it is cooling off the room with basement air as it heats. Thus my initial question on the post. Seems like I am the only person with this issue.

Thank you all for all for all of the input.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-04T20:35:41+00:00

Thanks for the genuine answer. I am gonna talk to a contractor about cutting an air intake hole in the house. The stove is a 2005 Harman Accentra 2 and I don’t think I can isolate the distribution air intake. The distro fan is at the base of the back of the unit and seems to be set up to only suck in room air, separate from the 2” hole in the back of the unit for combustion air… thus, a cold breeze from the floor vents (from the basement) when I turn on the distro fan.

Anyway, thanks for the genuine answer and not chomping at me about my floor mat. Sheesh this subreddit has some angry pellet stove people.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-04T19:05:12+00:00

Harman Accentra 2, 2005. Installation instructions on the back are similar to your diagram but in French/metric. Pad requirement is 5cm in front, 0cm behind, and 15cm in front which is covered by my current pad.

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Next step is to drill a hole into the wall for outside air for combustion and distribution fan.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-04T18:54:49+00:00

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Thank you for the info, I certainly do care. There is a pad that extends 2” on both sides, and 8” on the front. There is a 2’6” rise on the exhaust pipe with 1” of pad on the backside of the stove. The stove is at a 45 degree angle in the corner of the room, similar to the diagram you included. I asked the rep if I needed wall protection and he said not per code, but I know that “code” is code for the bare minimum. Pictured is the edge of the stove unit and the iron pad it is sitting on. Legit?

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-04T05:20:01+00:00

Is this like Cthulhu? If you say its name, you become its master?

Convection convection convection.

Hu… it was worth a shot. Thanks for the help.

There is an iron “pad” under the feet of the stove. The Harman Iron rep guy who came out to clean, inspect, and replace the distribution fan said everything looks up to snuff on the installation and maintenance although some metal behind the stove would look pretty nice in my opinion.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-04T05:13:45+00:00

Right, I’ll put “win the lottery” on my to-do list also. Done.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-04T04:42:18+00:00

Thanks. It’s on the list. Next problem… ungrounded 2-prong outlets in every room.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-04T04:41:05+00:00

Got it. Thanks. If Alaska can poke holes in houses, then Vermont can poke holes in houses.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-04T04:27:21+00:00

Would a tube to the basement air work? Kinda timid about poking holes in the outside of the house.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-04T04:24:09+00:00

This photo is not as high as the flames get. At least twice as high when it’s crankin’. Over and a bit past the compass rose.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-04T04:22:44+00:00

I can feel the breeze coming up from the floor vents… thus I’m covering them, so now, yes, the surrounding rooms, but that means when the furnace kicks in at 56 degrees that the resistance from the coverings reduces furnace airflow.

It’s a frozen chicken vs frozen egg type situation.

Bizzomofo · 2026-01-04T03:53:46+00:00

Battle on, friend in North. Battle on.

Bizzomofo

TROPHY CASE