Operating Instructions; Draft Control; First Fire - FPI CI2700 Manual

Catalytic wood-fired fireplace insert
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operating instructions

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30
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 Inserts 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 insert 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 to close. The CI2700/HI500 Wood Insert
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.
In - Closed
Out - Open
Catalyst Bypass Control
Primary Air Damper
Left - Open
Right - Closed
WARNING: To build a fire in ignorance
or to disregard the information con-
tained in this section can cause serious
permanent damage to the unit and void
your warranty!!
30 | CI2700/HI500 Wood Insert

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, BRIQUETTES AND
ALL OTHERS LISTED ON PAGE 2 ARE NOT AP-
PROVED. SEASONED CORDWOOD SHOULD BE
LESS THAN 20% MOISTURE CONTENT.
START UP AND OPERATING PROCEDURES:
1. For the first few days, the wood insert 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 tempo-
rary condition exists. Burning the wood insert at
a very high temperature the first few times may
damage the paint. 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 wood insert at its maximum setting,
and only after the metal has been warmed.
2. Do not place anything on the wood insert top
during the curing process. This may result in
damage to your paint finish.
3. When starting the fire, ensure the bypass is
in the fully open position (pulled out) and air
control is in the fully open position (far left).
Crumble 2-5 pieces of newspaper and add ap-
prox. 1.8lbs of kindling stacked in a manner that
allows air flow on the firebrick hearth (Teepee
style or other). DO NOT USE A GRATE TO
ELEVATE THE FIRE.
Light the newspaper and adjust the door if it is
slightly ajar for less smoke roll out. Keep the
door in that position for 2-3 minutes to establish
a good fire.
4. Add additional 0.8lbs of kindling along with
1lb of start up cord wood (startup cordwood is
slightly larger than kindling but not full pieces of
cordwood). Close the door and establish flame
for 2-3 minutes.
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.
5. Once flame has been established, open the
door and add another 2lbs of start up cordwood.
Hold door slightly ajar for 30-60 sec to establish
flame, and then close the door and bypass.
6. After 5-7 minutes, go ahead and add another
2lbs of startup fuel and establish flame and
close the door.
NOTE: These steps are crucial to ensure proper
charcoalization and coal bed prior to loading
High, Med and Low fire loads.
Once this has burned down, open the door
7.
and the bypass, and rake the coals to create a
uniform charcoal bed. Load 5 pcs of 17" long
cordwood, East-West orientation, with the
heaviest pieces at the back of the firebox, and
ensure all pieces are behind the log retainers.
Once loaded, close the door right away and
bypass. Burn on high setting (air control to the
far left when facing the unit) for 10-15 minutes.
After the 10-15 minutes, adjust the air control
to your desired position.
High Fire: Air control to far left.
Low Fire: Air control to far right.
Med Fire: Air control slightly left of low fire set-
ting.
8. IMPORTANT: The temperature in the wood
insert and the gases entering the combustor
must reach between 500 0 F - 700 0 F for catalytic
activity to start. From the start up of a cold wood
insert, a medium to high firing rate must be
maintained for 30 min. This ensures that the
wood insert, catalyst and fuel are all stabilized
at proper operating temperatures. Even though
it is possible to have temperatures at 600 0 F
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 work-
ing. 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 wood insert 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 wood insert. Always warm your
wood insert up slowly!
9. When re-fueling, always open by-pass control, and
primary air damper, 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 tem-
perature as well as the moisture within the wood
which is the first thing to be released. This will also
minimize any smoking (spilling) back into the room.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Some cracking and popping noises may be
experienced during the heating up process.
These noises will be minimal when your unit
reaches temperature.
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 another fireplace in
your home, a downdraft may be created by your
Regency wood insert causing a draft down your
chimney. If this occurs, slightly open a window
near your unit.
CAUTION: If the body of your wood insert,
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.

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