No Ash dump while burning

[Cargo]

Good Morning fellow burners. Long time reader, first post. I am into my second year with my 115. Old software. Last week it developed a severe case of constipation. It will dump on startup and shut down, will do a hot dump but will not dump on its own. Otherwise burning well. The ignitors are working. Obviously the burn drive functions. What to check next? Advice is appreciated.

[rox5488]

Hello and Welcome Cargo!

My question would be when you say it will not dump do you mean that the ash dump function never happens while burning?

In other words it keeps going until the pot just fills up?

this is a new one if that is the case.

or do you mean you get jambs when it is dumping or trying to dump?

I would say if it is not dumping on its own it sounds like a software issue.. wheres as if it is jambing of course an adjustment needed maybe?

I would also implore you to get the latest software. It will do a world of good... (provided your board is ok!)
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Bixby Maxfire 115
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[Corny]

Welcome aboard, Cargo.

I agree with Rox, but can you tell us more? If it's not dumping on its own, then it's obviously overfilling then shutting down, right? How long from startup does it take that to happen? At what heat level? I'm wondering if it might just be a trim pot adjustment problem that causes an overflow/shutdown before your stove has a chance to dump. Your answers might help to determine if that's the case. For heat level #1, you'd need to wait upwards of 15 hours for a dump. At #8, it would be in the order of 6 h per dump.

Do you have Bixcheck? If so, what is the ashdump setting?

What kind of fuel are you burning? What is the fuel switch set at?

What are your trim pot settings?

What is your vent config?

When was your stove last working correctly? Anything change since then?

Have you seen the WIKI at http://forum.iburncorn.com/wiki/index.php/BixbyFAQ#Ash_Dump_Irregularities for info on ashdump irregularities?

There's also the WIKI section at http://forum.iburncorn.com/wiki/index.php/BixbyFAQ#Bixby_Adjustment_.28Trim_Pot.29_Knobs_.28from_iburncorn_forum.29 for tips on trim pot adjustments.
_________________
Bixby 115 MaxFire.
My motto: "If it doesn't fit, make it fit."
My mantra: It's in the WIKI!: http://forum.iburncorn.com/wiki/index.php/Bixby

[02indigoblue]

Hello Cargo. I'm in Westminster and probably having the same problem. You can look at my other post farther down on the list if you'd like. Unfortunately I've still not fixed my problem. The most plausible theory thus far is that the corn we've got here in the Mid-Atlantic region is drought-starved and chemically different than the corn we had last year. As a result, the stoves require significantly more adjustment than before.

I've visiting a dealer in south-central PA tomorrow to get the software (and hopefully a cable) to see if that helps any. I'm hoping it calms the old girl down a bit.

In the mean time, there are alot of maintenance thingys that you can do just to check. Read through the forums, there are alot of great and very smart people here.

Welcome!

[Cargo]

The stove will not dump and fills up with fuel after 10-12 hours. This is NOT a trim pot issue. I have not changed fuels and no matter what I try, and I am very good with adjusting the pots, the stove overfills. the stove is well maintained. It just quit dumping about a week ago. Could this be related to the 100K resistor on the mother board?

[Corny]

Cargo, the resistor governs sensitivity of feed motor current detection as explained in the following thread related to false overheat detection errors.
http://forum.iburncorn.com/viewtopic.php?t=5663&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=7
If you aren't getting shutdowns with #3 light flashing, I don't think that's your problem.

Ashdump frequency can indeed exceed 12 hours at low heat level settings, especially if feed trim pot is on the minus side. I'm sure you're skilled at setting trim pots -- you sound like a long time user and you must have been doing something right in all that time. Nevertheless, can you bear with me by answering all my questions; especially heat level and trim pot settings? The more we know, the better we can help. Even if it's not what you think, your answers might trigger another line of investigation that leads to the solution.

Thanks -- Corny
_________________
Bixby 115 MaxFire.
My motto: "If it doesn't fit, make it fit."
My mantra: It's in the WIKI!: http://forum.iburncorn.com/wiki/index.php/Bixby

[Cargo]

Ok Burners. I spent some quality time with my stove this afternoon. Everything checks out mechanically. I did a thorough cleaning with special attention to venting. I attempted to open the fan box but was stymied by having a few screws break off. Thought I quit while I was ahead. However, based on what I found in the fan box and in my vent with last year's cleaning I considered a blocked flue to be unlikely. However, observation of the fire after startup leads me to wonder if my exhast fan is underperforming. With the air pump finished with its job, the flame seems limp and not very vigorous, unlike what I am used to.

Specs: Venting is a 90, up 8 feet, a 90, out 2 feet, cap
Fuel: Lignetics pellets, 1% ash, on wood setting
Trim pots, Fan +2, Fuel +2

I have an empty shotgun shell sitting on the burn drive cam, where it can fall off and alert me to a dump. That's how I know when it dumps (or not).
As always, the question could be what is making the pot fill.

[Corny]

What is the heat level setting when the pot overfills within 10 - 12 h?

Did you read JET's post about the challenges of cleaning vent configs with two 90s? To get around that, you're using a 3" brush on a very flexible rod, right? Other than that challenge, the config is within Bixby specs. You're using a Bixby cap & pipe, right?

Sorry about the busted fan cover screw. Careful with the gasket there, too, it's easily broken. Did you read the thread covering those screws and ways to get around the problem?

I'm no hotshot with pellet burning. I'll let others comment on the trim pot settings. For corn they might be a tad on the rich side but not necessarily out of whack.
_________________
Bixby 115 MaxFire.
My motto: "If it doesn't fit, make it fit."
My mantra: It's in the WIKI!: http://forum.iburncorn.com/wiki/index.php/Bixby

[Cargo]

Thanks for all your input. The heat levels I use the most are 1 & 2. I have not had any problems until a week ago. Will let it burn tonight and reassess.
As for vent cleaning, can't beat those flexible brushes. I'm not happy with mine. Does anyone have a source for these. Would be nice if you could attach it to a vauum.

[Corny]

Well, Cargo, if you're operating on heat level #1 and 2, I'm not so sure you've got a stove ash dumping problem. According to the following specs from the user guide for the previous version Bixcheck, ashdumping frequency is i nthe order of 15.2 h and 12.9 h at heat levels 1 and 2, respectively, depending on feed rate trim pot. So even at level 2, you'd need to burn over 13 h (OK, maybe 12% sooner if at trim pot setting +2) before you could conclude that the stove is not dumping.



Can you do a test for me? ...
Reduce feed rate by 1 stop, restart, then see if it takes longer for your burnpot to overfill.

Regarding flexible rods, I bought one from our local chimney sweep / stove installer. It's the same type that he uses. It's so flexible I can just about tie it in knots. Wasn't cheap but well worth it.
_________________
Bixby 115 MaxFire.
My motto: "If it doesn't fit, make it fit."
My mantra: It's in the WIKI!: http://forum.iburncorn.com/wiki/index.php/Bixby

[Cargo]

You guys are incredibly patient, tactful and kind. After laying in bed last night and mulling everything over, I think I agree with where your advice has been leading me. I need to REALLY clean out my vent. Here's the difference this year; last year I burned corn for half the season in a new vent system. Hence, less accumulation in and on the sides of the pipe. This year I am burning those filthy pellets(got em really cheap in the spring, corn is way up this year). Although the vent is not blocked the increased soot and fly ash accumlating on the sides of my not so new pipe is slowing the exhaust to the point the corn is not burning very well and piling up.
Forgive me for being stubborn and refusing to see the obvious. Assume that I have this fixed. Many thanks.

[Corny]

Thanks Cargo. Here's hoping that's all it is. If so, your lower elbow is prob'ly the worst culprit. Pity that Bixby doesn't make a tee for cleanout here, or that there's no easy access from the inside of the stove. Please do let us know how you make out, one way or the other, and don't be shy about contributing to the community here.

Corny
_________________
Bixby 115 MaxFire.
My motto: "If it doesn't fit, make it fit."
My mantra: It's in the WIKI!: http://forum.iburncorn.com/wiki/index.php/Bixby

[Cargo]

Corny, Where's that thread about the studs. I can't find it. I recall reading it and it had the size for the studs and a source to order them. But, Can't find it.

[Corny]

Ya, that was a good thread. i put a link to it in the WIKI at http://forum.iburncorn.com/wiki/index.php/BixbyFAQ#Convection_Fan_Removal . Just scroll down a bit from there to Exhaust Fan Cover & Gasket.

(JET suggests that you just insert the screws from the backside, then use nuts to hold the cover on.)

Enjoy!
Corny
_________________
Bixby 115 MaxFire.
My motto: "If it doesn't fit, make it fit."
My mantra: It's in the WIKI!: http://forum.iburncorn.com/wiki/index.php/Bixby

[blume98]

another thing that can cause fill up and no dump could be junk under feed wheel raising it to where it does not sense magnets
, also it takes air from hopper instead of bottom of pot,
had one last nigt like this, remove feed wheel gasget(2 5/16 screws )make sure wheel down tight, if not take off and clean under it