GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
THE COMBUSTION CONTROL SYSTEM
Since the door is sealed, all combustion air must come through a draft control. This control has a bimetal coil to
allow more air when the unit is cold and less when hot, guarding against overheating. It is controlled either
manually through the lever below the door handle or through an optional electric wall thermostat.
To achieve a low burn, close draft control completely by moving the control all the way to the left. For medium low
burn, set the control in the centre to the right. For maximum heat output, open the control all the way to the right.
For the first few days, it is best to operate the fireplace with the manual control fully on (moved to the right as far
as possible). Just control the fire like you would any ordinary fireplace using two or three logs at a time for a
smaller fire or more logs for more heat. Once you become familiar with operating the fireplace with the control
open, you can start experimenting with lower settings. Remember: when it is hot, the control will not need as much
movement to reduce the fire as it will when it is cold. The bimetal coil will have already shut the damper part way.
Control of your fire also depends largely upon the wood you burn. Drier wood burns hotter and faster. A heavier
species of wood increases your burn time. Using larger diameters of wood will increase the controllability of your
fireplace as well as the burn time.
We encourage you to experiment with the type and size of wood you use to find what best suits your wood
burning needs.
THE ASH PAN
The Onyx AP is equipped with an ash pan to easily remove ashes from the firebox. To remove the ashes; open
the doors and, with a poker, remove the ash pan plug from its hole. Push the ashes through the hole (making sure
that the ash pan is in proper position). When the ash pan is full, open the bottom louvers of the fireplace. The
louvers can be easily opened by pulling the right hand side of the louvers. It is held in place by a magnet. Remove
ash pan and dispose of ashes properly. Replace ash pan and louvers. Replace plug in hole, making sure it is
properly placed before starting a fire. Do not remove the ashes from the firebox while they are still hot. The ash
pan is not built to resist hot ashes or embers.
Under no circumstances should the fireplace be operated without the ash pan plug and pan in place.
THERMOSTAT
(option)
If you want constant heat day and night, you will be very surprised at what the wall thermostat option can do for
you. Once you have your fire burning, just set the manual control on "low" and let the automatic thermostat take
over. Your room temperature will keep as even as though you were heating with oil, gas or electricity - except you'll
find wood heat more comfortable (See Options: Wall Thermostat FDHC4).
NOTE: This thermostat controls the combustion air rate not the circulation blower.
INTERNAL CIRCULATING BLOWER
(option)
If you have the optional internal blower installed, adjust the speed of the blower to the output you require. The
blower speed control should be installed at a convenient place on the wall. When a fire is burning, the thermal
switch installed inside the fireplace will turn on at 110° F, allowing the blower to operate. When the Onyx AP cools
to 90° F, the switch deactivates the blower. The maximum heat output of the fireplace is greater with the blower
running (See Options: Circulating Blower FDHB5-N).
GRAVITY VENT SYSTEM
(option)
If there are areas in your home that you would like to heat either in an upper level or an adjacent room, the
gravity vent system can provide this heat without the use of a blower. A gravity vent damper controls it. The
handle is located between the top louvers of the fireplace. Simply turn the lever to adjust the air flow through the
gravity vent ducting. As the hot air rises, it will be distributed through the insulated ducting to the outlet (See
Options: The Gravity Vent System FDVO).
ONYX AP Owner's Manual
RSF Woodburning Fireplaces
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