Installation, Operating and Maintenance Instructions MaxFireTM Multi-Fuel Room Heater WARNING! Please read this entire manual before installation and use of the Bixby MaxFireTM Multi-Fuel Room Heater. Failure to follow these instructions could result in property damage, bodily injury or even death. Contact local building officials, fire officials or the authority having jurisdiction about restrictions, permits and installation inspection requirements in your area. Save these instructions for future reference.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Safety Information Minimum Clearances to Combustible Materials 2 Specifications 4 Planning the Installation Performing the Installation Optional Thermostat Operation Leveling the Room Heater 6 Venting Installation and Instructions Vent System Approvals Venting Components Inspections Permits Vent Maintenance Vent Location Location of Exhaust General Vent Installation Instructions 9 Log Placement Instructions 20 Operating Instructions 21 Fuel Start Up Flashing Indicator Light Sys
SAFETY INFORMATION 1. Install and use only in accordance with these installation and operating instructions, page 9. Contact local building officials, fire officials, or the authority having jurisdiction about restrictions, permits, and inspection requirements in your area. 2. Refer to instructions and local codes for precautions required for passing the vent pipe through a combustible wall or ceiling. Inspect and clean vent system frequently in accordance with manufacture’s instructions. 3.
MINIMUM CLEARANCES TO COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS C B B B B B A Floor Protector E D Free Standing and Alcove (rear only) Installation Clearances: A B C 10.5” (267mm) 2” (50mm) 12” (305mm) NOTE: D E 6” 3” (150mm) (75mm) Minimum clearances are for temperature concerns and do not allow for enough room for maintenance. Please allow enough room on the sides for routine maintenance, 6” - 12” (150mm - 305mm) of clearance to non-movable objects (i.e. walls) is recommended.
SPECIFICATIONS Fuel: Multi-fuel System: Dry shelled corn, Wood Pellets (recommended maximum size approximately ¼ in. diameter x 1¼ in. long), or “BIXBY” certified Blue or Green Biomass pellets. The use of “cracked corn” is not recommended due to feed and burn issues. The use of lower quality corn with foreign material (cobs, stones, or other material) may cause feed issues. In addition, the use of seed corn is not recommended due to the coating interfering with the operation of the Room Heater.
IMPORTANT: Proper material handling equipment must be available to safely transport and position the Bixby Room Heater. 1. Remove the protective packaging, using appropriate tools, and detach the unit from its shipping pallet. The Room Heater is attached to the pallet with two bolts. Remove the side pannels to gain access to the bolts. 2. Using a suitable transporting device, move the unit to the desired location, centering it on the Bixby Hearth Pad or an alternate protective plate.
PLANNING THE INSTALLATION The Bixby Max-FireTM Room Heater is intended for use in buildings, manufactured homes or for mobile home installation (see previous page for mobile home installation instructions). CAUTION: The Max-FireTM Room Heater should not be installed at a location where it could come in contact with curtains, drapes, walls, carpeting or other combustible surfaces. The Room Heater must not be installed in a sleeping room.
OPTIONAL THERMOSTAT OPERATION The Room Heater is designed so that it can be operated by a wall mounted thermostat. This option is not provided directly from the factory, but can be purchased from your dealer or the Bixby website (www.bixbyenergy.com) or any other “on/off” 24V AC wall mounted thermostat can be used. Do not use a powered thermostat to avoid damage to the Room Heater. Follow the the thermostat installation instructions carefully.
LEVELING THE ROOM HEATER CAUTION: THE ROOM HEATER SHOULD BE LEVELED BEFORE ATTACHING THE VENT PIPE. The supplied bulls eye level can be used to level the Room Heater front-to-back and side-to-side, a 6 in. level may also be used. 1. Place the level centered side-to-side and about 4 in. (10cm) back from the front of the Room Heater on the top surface. The bubble should end up centered inside the middle circle on the level.
VENTING INSTALLATION AND INSTRUCTIONS WARNING: A MAJOR CAUSE OF VENT RELATED FIRES IS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN REQUIRED CLEARANCES (AIR SPACES) TO COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS. IT IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT THIS VENT SYSTEM BE INSTALLED ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS. VENT SYSTEM APPROVALS BIXBY DIRECT VENT PIPE is listed by OMNI-Test Laboratories, Inc. as a vent for BIXBY pellet and corn Room Heaters only. NO OTHER PIPE IS LISTED FOR USE WITH BIXBY ROOM HEATERS.
VENTING COMPONENTS 48 in. (122 cm) Vertical Vent Cap 36 in. (91 cm) 24 in. (61 cm) Vent Pipe 12 in. (30 cm) 6 in. (15 cm) Storm Collar Decorative Collar Roof Flashing Ceiling firestop support Ceiling Firestop Elbow Thimble Horizontal venting kit Starter Collar 45 deg 9.5 in (24 cm) 8 in. (20 cm) 7.4 in (19 cm) 5.5 in (14 cm) 7 in. (18 cm) 10.2 in (26 cm) Figure 5 Figure 6 INSPECTIONS The use of pelletized fuel does not eliminate the need for inspection and cleaning.
VENT LOCATION When exiting through walls, make sure NFPA rules are followed for distance from windows and openings. NOTE: The termination cap will be HOT during operation. Consider it’s proximity to doors or other traffic areas. W G 10ft 3 ft. 2 ft. 3 ft. 2 ft I Note: 3 ft. 12 in 12 in. 4 ft. 7 ft. Areas in red are not acceptable locations for venting the room heater. See below for more details D 4 ft.
VENT LOCATION (CONT.) Where passage through a wall, or partition of combustible construction is desired, the installation shall conform to CAN/CSA-B365. See specific venting instructions (page 9) for more information. The vent MUST NOT connect to any air distribution duct or system, or exhaust into an enclosed or semi-enclosed area, but directly to the outside. Termination in a garage, attic, crawl space or other location in which fumes can accumulate must be avoided.
VENTING CONFIGURATIONS The allowable venting configuration is to be 25 equivalent horizontal feet (7.5 m) or less as determined through the following table: Type of Pipe 90 deg elbow 45 deg elbow Horizontal Pipe Vertical Pipe Altitude (in thousands of feet) Qty x x x x x Factor (ft) 5 (1.5m) 3 (0.9m) 2 (0.6m) 0.5 (0.15m) 2.5 (0.
GENERAL VENT INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS Follow the Room Heater manufacturer’s instructions and safety manual for maximum efficiency and safety. Connect only BIXBY ENERGY SYSTEMS DIRECT VENT to BIXBY ROOM HEATERS. CAUTION: Connect only one flue per appliance. Do not install a flue damper in the exhaust venting system of this unit. Do not connect this unit to a chimney flue serving another appliance. Over firing (too much fuel) can damage the Room Heater, vent pipe, or surrounding structures.
VERTICAL INTERIOR INSTALLATION NOTE: NOTE: Vertical exterior installation is not recommended due to excessive condensation. Bixby recommends not installing a venting system in a pipe chase or permanent wall structure (other than to exit the room using the Wall Thimble). Vent pipe should be accessible for annual inspection and maintenance. Bixby is not responsible for damages to pipe chases, or other wall structure resulting from vent failures.
HORIZONTAL THROUGH-THE-WALL-INSTALLATION The flue exit is on back of the Room Heater, and if a horizontal through-thewall installation is desired: 1. Place the Room Heater according to installation instructions. See Figure 7 for vent locations. 2. Locate vent termination per the NFPA rules. See Figure 7 (page 11). 3. Cut and frame a 10 in. X 10 in. (25cm x 25cm) square opening in the wall (the hole in the wall board may need to be larger). See Figure 12 (page 15).
INSTALLATION IN A CATHEDRAL CEILING 1. Mark a line on the side of the Cathedral Ceiling Support Box to correspond to the line of the roof pitch. Allow for the Support Box to protrude below the finished ceiling a minimum of 2 in (5 cm). See Figure 18. 2. Position the appliance at its proper location on the floor. Pay close attention to the installation instructions as to distances from combustibles, etc.
INSTALLATION IN A CATHEDRAL CEILING (CONT.) 8. Place the Vertical Support Clamp (5000576), around the top of the hole in the bottom of the Support Box. See Figure 21. 9. Connect the necessary amount of pipe sections to reach the Room Heater at a point where the Vent Cap will extend a minimum of 36 in (91 cm) above the roof. Also, the cap must be 24 in (61 cm) higher than the highest part of the roof or structure that is within 10 ft (3 m) of the chimney, measured horizontally. See Figure 22. 10. 11.
CONNECTING TO EXISTING CLASS A CHIMNEY EITHER 6” OR 8” Due to cleaning, inspection and condensation issues, Bixby no longer recomends connecting the Room Heater to an existing Class A chimney. INSTALLATION THROUGH THE SIDE OF A MASONRY CHIMNEY Due to cleaning, inspection and condensation issues, Bixby no longer recomends connecting the Room Heater to an existing masonry chimney. The venting may pass though the chimney to the outside, see previous page for horizontal venting information.
LOG PLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS The use of the logs provided with the Room Heater is optional. 1. Locate the log box and remove the three logs. See Figure 23. 2. Place one of the “Y” logs on the right side of the burn pot with the small end pointing towards the back of the firebox. See Figure 24. 3. Place the second “Y” log parallel to the front of the Room Heater with the small end inside the first “Y” log. See Figure 25. 4.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FUEL It is strongly recommended that only Dry Shelled Corn (whole kernels), Wood Pellets (recommended maximum size approximately ¼ in (6mm) diameter x 1 ¼ in (32mm) long), Bixby Certified Corn or approved pelletized biomass fuel be used in this Room Heater (Up to 8,700 BTU’s per pound). When using Dry Shelled Corn, clean corn (free of foreign material like cobs, twigs, stones, etc.) with moisture level around 14% or less is recommended.
START UP NOTE: NOTE: CAUTION: It is recommended that all gold or silver plated surfaces of the Bixby Room Heater be cleaned with a mild glass cleaner before initial startup. Use of a surge protector is recommended but not required for heater operation. Operate the Bixby Room Heater only with the Fuel Hopper Door closed. Failure to do so may result in emission of products of combustion from the Fuel Hopper under certain conditions. Do not overfill or extend this hopper. 1.
FLASHING INDICATOR LIGHT SYSTEM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 The 8 heat level indicator lights on the Bixby Room Heater are also designed to act as potential problem indicators. Whenever one of these lights begins to flash, consult the chart below for reason and recommended solution. Light #1 Power failure during Room Heater operation: Push the “Off” button and then the “On” button to restart. Light #2 Operating temperature not reached: Push the “Off” button and then the “On” button to restart.
MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING PROCEDURES The Bixby Room Heater has been designed to reduce the frequency of cleaning. However, if the simple maintenance tasks detailed below are not performed - the Room Heater will not run properly and will lead to reduced heating efficiency, increased operational problems and potential harm to its components. Reading and following the maintenance instructions will keep the Room Heater running at optimal efficiency and will help to reduce problems over the long run.
The ash drawer should be checked / emptied after burning approximately 100-200 lbs. (1 - 2 full hoppers) of fuel. Actual frequency will vary with usage, check every few days. Ashes should be placed in a metal container with a tightfitting lid. The closed container of ashes should be placed on a non-combustible floor or on the ground, well away from all combustible materials, pending final disposal.
EXHAUST FAN CAUTION: Unplug the Room Heater from its power source before cleaning the impeller. To access this component, open Right Side Panel, and remove the fan cover. Using a brush and a vacuum, clean the impeller. Inspect gasket. If it is torn, replace gasket before placing unit in service. Fan Cover This cleaning should be performed once a year. Figure 31 CLEANING THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD The Exhaust Manifold should be cleared on a yearly basis to ensure proper air flow in the Room Heater. 1.
FUEL HOPPER The Fuel Hopper should be cleaned out on a regular basis (monthly) to remove fines and ensure proper fuel delivery. 1. Remove the hopper cover and set aside. 2. Empty the hopper of as much fuel as possible by either running the Room Heater, shop vac, or by hand. 3. Vacuum the base of the feeder wheel to remove small particles and other debris. 4. Remove the feed wheel access plate and vacuum around the feed wheel.
CLEANING THE LOWER PADDLE The Lower Paddle needs to be cleaned once a month in order to operate efficiently. The ash dumping process causes the holes in the lower paddle to eventually clog with ash. 1. Make sure the Room Heater is off and cool. 2. On the control panel, push the “ON” and then the “OFF” button immediately to clear the burn pot and to place the lower paddle in the correct position for cleaning. 3. Unplug the Room Heater. 4.
TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES When experiencing a malfunction, please read through the following list of possible problems to determine which of them most closely approximates the trouble you are encountering. This will reduce troubleshooting time and effort. CAUTION: Always be sure to unplug electrical connection to Bixby Room Heater before any service procedures are performed.
TROUBLESHOOTING CONT. PROBLEM Fire fails to start POSSIBLE CAUSE/REMEDY Be sure enough fuel is in the burn pot. Fuel should cover the bottom to a level of approximately 1/2’’. Check bottom of burn pot for built-up ash or deposits and remove. Check for flashing light #6, exhaust fan failure (contact your dealer). Push the “Off” button on the control panel. Wait three minutes and push the “On” button to attempt a new startup.
2020866 REV A Fan Convection J12 J4 GREEN BLACK BLACK J13 Connection for External Thermostat Air Compressor SPEED SENSOR Exhaust Fan BLACK BROWN BLUE Fuse - 5x20mm 4 amp GREEN/YELLOW Figure 37 BLACK J14 J6 RED J8 TAN ORANGE J15 Trim POTs Up Burner Motor Feeder Motor J11 J10 J7 NC - Hopper Temperature Safety Switch J2 Bixby Circuit Board Down IGNITER IGNITER Fuse - 5X20mm 6.3A Fuse - 5X20mm 6.
SERVICE PARTS LIST 32 Item Number Description 4000080 Igniter 4000121 Air pump 4000113 Burner drive motor assembly 4000006 Feeder wheel 4000098 Feeder wheel motor assembly 4000014 Convection fan capacitor Part Location 2020866 REV A
Item Number Description 4000022 Heat exchanger cover plate - Right Heat exchanger cover plate - Left 4000048 Air Filter 4000072 Control pad 4000064 Main control board 4000105 Exhaust fan 4000056 Exhaust fan gasket 2020866 REV A Part Location 33
Item Number Description 4000353 Burner top plate 4000361 Feed wheel sensor 4000379 Fuel deflector 4000329 Thermocouple 4000337 Door Hinge 4000345 Door Latch 4000147 4000155 4000163 Door, Gold Door, Nickel Door, Black Part Location OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES Item Number 2013332 2012219 34 Description Kit, Vacuum Cleaning Accessory Thermostat, Remote 2020866 REV A
VENTING PARTS LIST Description Color / Size Part # Black 5001368 Wall Thimble Aluminized Steel 5000526 Storm Collar Stainless Steel/Galvanized 5000534 0/12 – 6/12 6/12 - 12/12 5000542 5000550 Stainless Steel 5001037 Wall Strap Galvanized Steel 5000568 Vertical Support Clamp Galvanized Steel 5000576 Firestop Support – Flat Galvanized Steel 5000584 Vertical Termination Cap Roof Flashing Horizontal Flashing Kit * Special order only 2020866 REV A 35
VENTING PARTS LIST (CONT.
VENTING PARTS LIST (CONT.
MAINTENANCE LOG Date 38 Service Performed Notes 2020866 REV A
