Operating Instructions; Draft Control; First Fire - Regency Alterra Pro i3000A Owners & Installation Manual

operating instructions

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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.
Load wood in the area between the
andirons and the back of the firebox.
Do not load in front, between the
andirons and the door glass.

Draft Control

Both the primary and air wash drafts are controlled
by the control slide located on the front right side of
the unit (when facing the unit). To increase your draft
- slide to the right to open, and to decrease - slide
to the left to close. The i3000A/i3000R 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 appliance
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
In - Closed Out - Open
Catalyst Bypass Control
Primary Air Damper
Primary Air Damper
Left - Closed Right - Open
WARNING: To build a fire in ignorance
or to disregard the information
contained in this section can cause
serious permanent damage to the unit
and void your warranty!!
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Regency i3000A/i3000R

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
APPROVED. 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 temporary
condition exists. Burning the wood insert at a very
high temperature the first few times may dam-
age 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. Prepare 3 batches
of kindling. Split the batches of kindling as
follows:
Batch 1: Fine split, pieces roughly ¾" x ¾"
(around 7lbs)
Batch 2: Medium split 1 - 1.5 in. (around 7lbs)
Batch 3: Course split 2 - 2.5 in. (around 7lbs)
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 right).
Crumble 2-5 pieces of newspaper and add
approx. 7lbs of kindling (first batch) 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 4-5 minutes to establish
a good fire.
4. When ~2lb remains (roughly 20-30min), rake
the coals so any unburnt pieces are left on top,
and then add Batch 2 of kindling on top in a
crisscross pattern. Close the door immediately
after loading, and then close the bypass 5
minutes later or when the combustor is active.
It shows a temperature above 500
C A U T I O N : N e v e r l e a v e u n i t
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. When ~2lb – 2.5lb remains (roughly another
20-30min), open the by-pass, then open the
door to rake the coals so any unburnt pieces
are left on top, and then add Batch 3 on top in
a crisscross pattern. Close the door and by-pass
immediately after loading.
NOTE: These steps are crucial to ensure proper
charcoalization and coal bed prior to loading the
main wood loads for Low, medium low, medium
high or high burn fire loads.
6. Once this has burned down, open the door
and the bypass, and rake the coals to create
a uniform charcoal bed. The load consists of 5
logs 17 in. to 20 in. long: Load in an East West
orientation 2 pieces 17" long in the back one on
top of each other, 2 pieces 18.5" long stacked
in the middle and 2 logs 20" long in front one
on top of each other, and ensure all pieces are
behind the log retainers. Once loaded, close the
door and the bypass right away. Burn on high
setting (air control to the far right 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 right
Low fire: Air control to far left
Medium low fire: air control 1/4" or less to the
right of the low fire setting
Medium high fire: approx 0.5" or more to the
right of the low fire setting.
7. IMPORTANT: The temperature in the wood insert
and the gases entering the combustor must
reach between 500
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 o F (315
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
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!
8. 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 temperature 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.
9. During the first few days it may be more difficult
F.
o
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. 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
o F - 700 o F (260 o C - 371 o C) for
o C) within minutes after a fire has