F5102 Regency Freestanding Wood Fire
19
MAINTENANCE
CATALYTIC COMBUSTOR
ACHIEVING AND MAINTAINING CATALYST LIGHT-OFF
:
The temperature in the stove and the gases entering the combustor must
be raised to between 260˚
C
to 370˚
C
for catalytic activity to be initiated.
During the start up of a cold stove a medium to high firing rate must be
maintained for about 30 minutes. This ensures that the stove, catalyst and
fuel are all stabilized at proper operating temperatures. Even though it is
possible to have temperatures at 315˚
C
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 char-
coal phase, operate the stove at a medium to high firing rate for about 10
minutes to ensure that he catalyst reaches operating temperatures.
There are some obvious signs of trouble that your inspection may reveal.
The temperature in the stove and the gases entering the combustor must
be raised to between 260˚
C
to 315˚
C
for catalytic activity to be initiated.
During the start up of a cold stove a medium to high firing rate must be
maintained for about 30 minutes. This ensures that the stove, catalyst and
fuel are all stabilized at proper operating temperatures. Even though hit
is possible to have temperatures at 315˚
C
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 char-
coal phase, operate the stove at a medium to high firing rate for about 10
minutes to ensure that he catalyst reaches operating temperatures.
CATALYST MONITORING
: It is important to periodically monitor the
operation of the catalytic combustor to ensure that it is functioning properly
and to determine when it needs to be replaced. A non-functioning combus-
tor will result in a loss of heating efficiency, and an increase in creosote
and emissions. Following is a list of items that should be checked on a
periodic basis.
• Combustors should be visually inspected at least three times during the
heating season to determine if physical degradation has occurred. Actual
removal of the combustor is not recommended unless more detailed
inspection is warranted because of decreased performance. If any of
these conditions exist, refer to Catalyst trouble shooting section of this
owner’s manual.
• A good combustor is designed to withstand approximately 12,000 hours
of continuous use. This will translate into five to ten years of use, depend-
ing on the length of your heating season and how often you use your
stove. Proper maintenance will increase the combustor’s effectiveness
and prevent many problems. Inspect your combustor before each heating
season, and during the season if your stove’s performance seems to
change.
• This catalytic heater is equipped with a temperature probe to monitor
catalyst operation. Properly functioning combustors typically maintain
temperatures in excess of 260˚
C
and often reach temperatures in excess
of 538˚
C
. If catalyst temperatures are not in within, refer to Catalyst
trouble shooting section of this manual.
• You can get an indication of whether the catalyst is working by comparing
the amount of smoke leaving the flue when the smoke is going through
the combustor and catalyst light – off has been achieved, to the amount
of smoke leaving the flue when the smoke is not routed (by-pass open)
through the combustor.
CATALYTIC COMBUSTOR CLEANING:
Method #1
A vacuum cleaner may be used, but
never use high pressured air
to
blow the cells free of any build-up. This can damage the cell walls. Any
cell blockage can be removed with the use of a pipe cleaner or a cotton
swab as well.
Method #2
Should the combustor’s cells become covered with fly-ash, use a paint-
brush or soft-bristled brush and dust the combustor gently.
Never use anything abrasive to clean the combustor.
Method #3
Normally the catalytic combustor requires little or no maintenance, it
generates such high temperatures and therefore is basically self-cleaning.
However, should the combustor become covered with soot or creosote, it
is possible to burn the accumulation off by opening the bypass and build-
ing a hot fire.
Once the hot fire is created, close the bypass halfway and burn for 30
to 60 minutes with the bypass left in this position.
Never use cleaning
solvents to clean it.
Check and clean the combustor, if necessary, before each burning sea-
son and inspect the flue system for any signs of creosote buildup.
A clean flue helps prevent flue flue fires.
CHK
PROCESS :
SCALE:
DWN
BLANK SIZE :
SIGN
C.N.
DATE
THIS DRAWING IS THE PROPERTY OF FPI LTD., IT MAY NOT BE COPIED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OR DISCLOSED TO A THIRD PARTY WITHOUT OUR PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT.
CURRENT REVISION
PREVIOUS REVISION
PART :
MAT'L :
ANGULAR =
INSIDE BEND RADII =
UNITS IN INCHES
DIMENSIONS =
TOLERANCES UNLESS
OTHERWISE STATED
SCALE
DO NOT
PROJECTION
3RD ANGLE
MODEL #
QTY.
REV.
±1°
±0.031
PART
NO.
FIREPLACE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL
04 JAN 2012
N/A
ASSEMBLY
A
A
WT
16 MAY 2012
051-530
WAYNE THURBER
051-530
COMBUSTOR ASSY 3.5 x 14 x 3 DEEP
N/A
F5100
1
1:4
4.125
16.259
14.000
3.500
15.200
14.197
0.875
3.067
3.942
2
3
1
4
Mass = 4.649 pounds
TOTAL AREA FOR AIR FLOW = 37.396
NOTE: SCREW METAL WRAP
TOGETHER CAREFULLY BY HAND
TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO CATALYST.
AVOID USING POWER TOOL.
4
904-149
2
SMS #8-18 x 3/8 LG
3
051-066
1
GASKET WRAP
2
051-065
2
COMBUSTOR 3.5" x 7" x 3" (16 CELL)
1
051-072
1
METAL WRAP 3"
ITEM
NO.
PART NUMBER QTY.
DESCRIPTION
Step 1
: Light the stove in accordance with instructions within this
manual.
Step 2
: With smoke routed through the catalyst (by-pass closed)
go outside and observe the emissions leaving the flue.
Step 3
: Engage the bypass mechanism and move to by-pass open
position. And again observe the emission leaving the flue.
Significantly more smoke should be seen when the smoke
is not routed through the combustor (by-pass open). Be
careful not to confuse smoke with steam.
ACHIEVING PROPER DRAFT
: Draft is the force which moves air from the
appliance up through the flue. The amount of draft in your flue depends on
the length of the flue, 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 flue or catalyst.
F5102 Flamegaurd & Catalyst
