American Energy Systems Harvester - Manual (Page 47)

Version 6.0d 47
APPENDIX D: HARVESTER THEORY OF OPERATION
STARTUP PHASE
Startup procedure assumes that proper electrical power is being provided from the grid and the stove is in
proper working order. Approaching the control panel two red lights should be illuminated. One is the
Country Flame logo located at the top of the board and the second red light is located at the bottom right
of the control board next to the on/off switch.
Upon pressing the on/off switch and holding it “on” for no less than 5 seconds and no more than 10
seconds will ensure that the red light next to the on/off switch turns from red to green and the igniter light
will begin flashing red about once per second.
The stove has now entered the “startup” phase and the operator can build a fire in the burn pot of the corn
stove. It is important to ensure a “hot” fire of pellets has been ignited to ensure that the corn will begin to
burn once the burn phase has been entered. Once the fire is burning properly and a bed of red coals can
be seen, the operator can press and hold the on/off control panel switch for another five seconds or less
than 10 seconds. The igniter red light should increase its flashing rate from about once per second to 5
times per second. It will be evident to the operator when the igniter begins this increased rate of flashing.
Once this occurs, the operator can release the on/off switch and the system will automatically begin
burning corn in the number 3-heat setting. NOTE: In the event that the operator releases the on/off
switch and the red igniter light returns to a slow flash rate, this is an indication that a fire has not reached
the proper minimum temperature. Allow more time to elapse and then repeat pressing the on/off switch
until rapid flashing, of the igniter light and release. Again the control system will switch to number 3-
heat setting and begin burning corn if proper minimum temperature of the system has been achieved with
the startup fire.
BURN PHASE
Multiple heat lights indicate the control panel burn phase. There are four yellow lights and one red light
used to indicate the relationship to the system’s heat settings. Using the up heat (red arrow) increases the
desired heat level from Heat 1 through Heat 5. Using the down heat (blue arrow) decreases the desired
heat level from Heat 5 through Heat 1. The operator controls the heat output of the stove by utilizing
Heat 1 through Heat 5 settings. Heat 1 setting provides the lowest heat output from the system and the
longest time between refills of the fuel hopper. Heat 5 provides the maximum heat output from the
system and the shortest time between refills of the fuel hopper. Changing any heat setting up or down by
one increment will cause an immediate increase or decrease in the heat output of the system. Changing
any heat setting up or down by two or more increments will cause the system heat output to immediately
change by one increment change followed by each additional increment needing ten minutes to complete
the change.
The control system automatically adjusts to the requested heat settings without further intervention of the
operator. NOTE: The control panel display immediately reflects the final heat setting requested by the
operator regardless of how many incremental changes occur.
During the burn phase the auger light (green) will routinely turn on and off as corn is fed into the system.
The igniter light (red) will always remain off once the operator has transitioned the system from startup to
burn phase assuming normal operation of the system.