Maintaining Catalytic Light-Off - Travis Industries Flex-95 Owner's Manual

OPERATING YOUR APPLIANCE (Continued)

Maintaining Catalytic Light-Off

Your Lopi Flex-95 is equipped with a catalytic combustor which increases the efficiency of your appliance.
It is located along the roof of the firebox and is accessed from within. Its purpose is to re-ignite the flue
gases before they exit up the chimney. This process, called catalytic light-off, increases the heat output of
your fireplace and reduces the amount of emissions.
While starting a fire the catalytic combustor is bypassed to allow the fire to get up to temperature. Once
the fire is up to temperature the bypass camper control can be pushed in to allow the flue gases to be
routed through the catalytic combustor.
When to Push in the Damper Bypass
The temperature in the appliance and the flue gases entering the combustor must be raised to between
500 and 700 degrees F. for the catalytic combustor to work correctly. During the start up of a cold
appliance a medium to high heat range setting must be maintained for a minimum of 20 minutes. This
ensures that the appliance, catalyst and fuel are all stabilized at their proper operating temperature. Even
though it is possible to have gas temperatures reach 600 degrees F. within 2 to 3 minutes after a fire is
started, if the fire is allowed to die down immediately it may go out and the combustor may stop working.
Once the combustor starts working, the heat generated in it by burning the smoke will keep it working.
The catalytic combustor temperature gage should be checked to insure that the catalytic combustor is
working at 500 degrees F. or above ten minutes after the bypass damper is pushed in. It should also
remain above 500 degrees F. after it has reached operating temperature.
What to do after Refueling Your Fireplace
During the refueling and rekindling of a cool fire or a fire that is in the charcoal phase, operate the
appliance at a medium to high firing rate for about 10 minutes to insure that the catalyst reaches at least
500 degrees F. This will insure catalytic light-off.
Flue Gases Re-Ignite
Inside the Catalytic
Combustor, Cutting
Emissions
Catalytic Combustor
(Heated to between 500
and 700 degrees F.)
CATALYTIC LIGHT-OFF
Page 43
Flue Gases
from Fireplace