Operating Instructions; Draft Control; First Fire - Regency F3500 Owners And Installation Manual

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS
With your unit now correctly installed and safety
inspected by your local authority, you are now
ready to start a fire. Before establishing your
first fire, it is important that you fully understand
the operation of your Catalytic combustor and

draft control.

WARNING
Fireplace Stoves equipped with doors
should be operated only with doors
fully closed. If doors are left partly open,
gas and flame may be drawn out of the
fireplace stove opening, creating risks
from both fire and smoke.
DRAFT CONTROL
Both the primary and air wash drafts are controlled
by the control slide located on the front left side of
the unit (when facing the unit). To increase your draft
- slide to the left to open, and to decrease - slide to
the right closed. The F3500 unit has a secondary
draft system that continually allows combustion air
to the induction ports at the top of the firebox, just
in front of the catalytic combustor.
Draft is the force which moves air from the appli-
ance up through the chimney. The amount of draft
in your chimney depends on the length of the
chimney, local geography, nearby obstructions and
other factors. Too much draft may cause excessive
temperatures in the appliance and may damage the
catalytic combustor. Inadequate draft may cause
back puffing into the room and plugging of the
chimney or catalyst.
Catalyst Bypass Control
Back - Closed Front - Open
Primary Air Damper
Left - Open Right - Closed
WARNING: To build a fire in igno-
rance or to disregard the information
contained in this section can cause
serious permanent damage to the unit
and void your warranty!!
22 22

FIRST FIRE

When your installation is completed and inspected
you are ready for your first fire.
THIS UNIT IS DESIGNED TO BURN SEASONED
CORDWOOD ONLY. COAL AND BRIQUETTES
ARE NOT APPROVED.
1. Open the catalytic by-pass control fully.
(Handle facing forward)
2. Open firebox door and build a small fire using
paper and dry kindling on the firebrick hearth,
DO NOT USE A GRATE. CAUTION: DO NOT
BUILD FIRE TOO CLOSE TO GLASS. Secure
door on the firebox and wait a few minutes for
a good updraft in the flue to establish the fire.
(Leaving the door slightly open will help your
fire start more rapidly.)
CAUTION: Never leave unit unattended
if door is left open. This procedure
is for fire start-up only, as unit may
overheat if door is left open for too
long.
3. With the catalytic by-pass damper still in the
fully open position, add two or three seasoned
logs to your fire. Form a trench in the ash bed
to allow air to reach the rear of the firebox prior
to closing the door.
4. The temperature in the stove and the gases
entering the combustor must reach between
500F - 700F for catalytic activity to start. From
the start up of a cold stove, a medium to high
firing rate must be maintained for 30min. This
ensures that the stove, catalyst and fuel are all
stabilized at proper operating temperatures.
Even though it is possible to have tempera-
tures at 600F within minutes after a fire has
been started, if the fire is allowed to die down
immediately it may go out or the combustor
may stop working. Once the combustor starts
working, heat generated in it by burning the
smoke will keep it working. During re-fueling
and rekindling of the cool fire, or a fire that has
burned down to the charcoal phase, operate
the stove at a medium to high firing rate for
about 10 minutes to ensure that the catalyst
reaches operating temperatures
WARNING: Never build a roaring fire
in a cold stove. Always warm your
stove up slowly!
5. When re-fueling, always open by-pass, load
fuel, then wait for at least 10-15 minutes
before closing the by-pass. Reason for the
10-15 min. is the fresh fuel and the opening
of the door will cause the catalyst to drop in
temperature as well as the moisture within the
wood which is the first thing to be released.
6. During the first few fires, keep the combustion
rate at a moderate level and avoid a large fire.
Only after 5 or 6 such fires can you operate
the stove at its maximum setting, and only
after the metal has been warmed.
7. For the first few days, the stove will give off an
odour from the paint. This is to be expected as
the high temperature paint becomes seasoned.
Windows and/or doors should be left open to
provide adequate ventilation while this tem-
porary condition exists. Burning the stove at a
very high temperature the first few times may
damage the paint. Burn fires at a moderate level
the first few days.
8. Do not place anything on the stove top during
the curing process. This may result in damage
to your paint finish.
9. During the first few days it may be more difficult
to start the fire. As you dry out your firebrick and
your masonry flue, your draft will increase.
10. For those units installed at higher elevations or
into sub-standard masonry fireplaces, drafting
problems may occur. Consult an experienced
dealer or mason on methods of increasing your
draft.
11. Some cracking and popping noises may be
experienced during the heating up process.
These noises will be minimal when your unit
reaches temperature.
12. Before opening your door to reload, open the
by-pass damper fully for approximately 10 to 15
seconds until the fire has been re-established.
This will minimize any smoking (spilling) back
into the room. After loading wood and front door
closed, close the by-pass damper
13. All fuel burning appliances consume oxygen
during operation. It is important that you
supply a source of fresh air to your unit while
burning. A slightly opened window is sufficient
for the purpose. If you also have a fireplace
in your home, a downdraft may be created by
your Regency Stove causing a draft down your
chimney. If this occurs, slightly open a window
near your unit.
WARNING: If the body of your unit,
or any part of the chimney connector
starts to glow, you are over firing. Stop
loading fuel immediately and close
the draft control until the glow has
completely subsided.
14. Green or wet wood is not recommended for
your unit. If you must add wet or green fuel,
open the draft control fully until all moisture has
been dispersed by the intense fire. Once all
moisture has been removed, the draft control
may be adjusted to maintain the fire.
15. If you have been burning your stove on a low
draft, use caution when opening the door. After
opening the damper, open the door a crack, and
allow the fire to adjust before fully opening the
door.
How to Light and
Maintain a Wood Stove Fire
F3500 Regency Freestanding Woodstove