UNVENTED (VENT-FREE) GAS FIREPLACE OWNER’S OPERATION AND INSTALLATION MANUAL Shown with optional cabinet mantel and hearth base accessory. VTGF33NRA AND VTGF33PRA GAS FIREPLACE WITH TOTAL CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS) WARNING: If the information in this manual is not followed exactly, a fire or explosion may result causing property damage, personal injury or loss of life. — Do not store or use gasoline or other flammable vapors and liquids in the vicinity of this or any other appliance.
WARNING: Improper installation, adjustment, alteration, service or maintenance can cause injury or property damage. Refer to this manual for correct installation and operational procedures. For assistance or additional information consult a qualified installer, service agency or the gas supplier. WARNING: This is an unvented gas-fired heater. It uses air (oxygen) from the room in which it is installed. Provisions for adequate combustion and ventilation air must be provided.
SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING: This product contains and/or generates chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. IMPORTANT: Read this owner’s manual carefully and completely before trying to assemble, operate or service this log set. Improper use of this log set can cause serious injury or death from burns, fire, explosion, electrical shock and carbon monoxide poisoning.
SAFETY INFORMATION Continued 1. This appliance is only for use with the type of gas indicated on the rating plate. This appliance is not convertible for use with other gases. 2. Do not place propane/LP supply tank(s) inside any structure. Locate propane/LP supply tank(s) outdoors (propane/LP units only). 3.
LOCAL CODES PIEZO IGNITION SYSTEM Install and use fireplace with care. Follow all local codes. In the absence of local codes, use the latest edition of The National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54*. *Available from: American National Standards Institute, Inc. 1430 Broadway New York, NY 10018 National Fire Protection Association, Inc. Batterymarch Park Quincy, MA 02269 UNPACKING CAUTION: Do not remove the data plates attached to the heater base assembly.
AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION Continued PROVIDING ADEQUATE VENTILATION The following are excerpts from National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54, Section 5.3, Air for Combustion and Ventilation. All spaces in homes fall into one of the three following ventilation classifications: 1. Unusually Tight Construction 2. Unconfined Space 3. Confined Space The information on pages 5 through 8 will help you classify your space and provide adequate ventilation.
AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION Continued 3. Add the Btu/Hr of all fuel burning appliances in the space. Vent-free heater _______ Btu/Hr Gas water heater* _______ Btu/Hr Gas furnace _______ Btu/Hr Vented gas heater _______ Btu/Hr Gas fireplace logs _______ Btu/Hr Other gas appliances* + _______ Btu/Hr Total = _______ Btu/Hr * Do not include direct-vent gas appliances. Direct-vent draws combustion air from the outdoors and vents to the outdoors.
AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION Continued IMPORTANT: Do not provide openings for inlet or outlet air into attic if attic has a thermostatcontrolled power vent. Heated air entering the attic will activate the power vent. Outlet Air Outlet Air Ventilated Attic To Attic To Crawl Space Inlet Air Inlet Air Ventilated Crawl Space Figure 4 - Ventilation Air from Outdoors INSTALLATION NOTICE: This heater is intended for use as supplemental heat. Use this heater along with your primary heating system.
INSTALLATION INSTALLATION SEQUENCE Continued INSTALLATION CLEARANCES WARNING: Maintain the minimum clearances. If you can, provide greater clearances from floor, ceiling, and adjoining wall. MINIMUM CLEARANCE TO COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS Left and Right Bottom and Top Sides Rear 0" 16" 0" Carefully follow the instructions below. This will ensure safe installation. Minimum Clearances For Side Combustible Material, Side Wall, and Ceiling A.
INSTALLATION 4. Push first plastic bushing completely through hole. Squeeze bushing as needed to do this. 5. Install the second plastic bushing into the hole in the floor support bracket by snapping into place. 6. Route the 3-prong plug through the 1.5" hole in fireplace outer casing. 7. Install the first plastic bushing into this hole by snapping into place. 8.
INSTALLATION Continued For Recessed Installation If fireplace is to be recessed into a wall (see Built-In Fireplace Installation, page 17), we recommend mounting wall switch assembly to left side of fireplace. The wall switch assembly should be mounted approximately 12" from left edge of fireplace, and less than 60" from the floor. IMPORTANT: Do not locate wall switch assembly directly in front of wall stud - there must be room behind wall board for wires from switch.
INSTALLATION Opening in Wall or Mantel Wall Wall Switch Assembly Continued 12. From inside the recessed opening for the fireplace, carefully pass wall switch assembly through the rectangular opening to the outside of the wall. 13. Using wall anchors supplied in hardware package, fold wall anchor as shown in Figure 11. 14. Insert wall anchor, wings first, into hole. Tap anchor flush to wall. 15. For thin walls (1/2" or less), insert red key into wall anchor. Push red key to “pop” open anchor wings.
INSTALLATION Continued INSTALLING GAS PIPING TO FIREPLACE LOCATION WARNING: A qualified service person must connect fireplace to gas supply. Follow all local codes. WARNING: For propane/LP units, never connect fireplace directly to propane/LP supply. This fireplace requires an external regulator (not supplied). Install the external regulator between the heater and propane/LP supply. WARNING: For natural gas units, never connect fireplace to private (non-utility) gas wells.
INSTALLATION Continued We recommend that you install a sediment trap in supply line as shown in Figure 15. Locate sediment trap where it is within reach for cleaning. Install in piping system between fuel supply and fireplace. Locate sediment trap where trapped matter is not likely to freeze. A sediment trap traps moisture and contaminants. This keeps them from going into fireplace gas controls. If sediment trap is not installed or is installed wrong, fireplace may not run properly.
INSTALLATION Equipment Shutoff Valve Continued WARNING: For propane/LP units, make sure external regulator has been installed between propane/LP supply and heater. See guidelines under Installing Gas Piping to Fireplace Location, page 13. Closed Figure 17 - Equipment Shutoff Valve Equipment Shutoff Valve Gas Meter PRESSURE TESTING GAS SUPPLY PIPING SYSTEM Test Pressures In Excess Of 1/2 PSIG (3.5 kPa) 1.
INSTALLATION Continued CONVENTIONAL FIREPLACE INSTALLATION Conventional installation of fireplace involves installing fireplace along with corner, face, or cabinet mantel with hearth base accessories against a wall in your home. Follow instructions below to install fireplace in this manner. Note: The instructions below show installation using a cabinet mantel and hearth base accessory (see Accessories, page 37). Installation instructions are included with each mantel and base accessory. 1.
INSTALLATION 7. Carefully insert fireplace into rough opening. 8. Attach fireplace to wall studs using nails or wood screws through holes in nailing flange (see Figure 26). 9. Check all gas connections for leaks. See Checking Gas Connections, pages 14. 10. Install brass trim. See Assembling and Attaching Optional Brass Trim, page 18.
INSTALLATION Continued Mantel Clearances for Built-In Installation If placing mantel above built-in fireplace, you must meet minimum clearance between mantel shelf and top of fireplace opening. NOTICE: Surface temperatures of adjacent walls and mantels become hot during operation. Walls and mantels above the firebox may become hot to the touch. If installed properly, these temperatures meet the requirement of the national product standard. Follow all minimum clearances shown in this manual.
INSTALLATION Continued INSTALLING HOOD Install hood to top of firebox as shown in Figure 30. Use 3 Phillips screws provided. 3. Place log #3 on left side of base and onto alignment screw to right of rear burner (see Figure 32). Log #3 will wrap around left end of rear burner. 4. Place log #4 onto two alignment screws to rear of base (see Figure 33).
INSTALLATION INSTALLING BATTERY INTO REMOTE Continued 5. Locate hole on bottom of log #5 and place over pin on log #2. Log #5 will rest on back of log #1 (ember bed). See Figure 34. 6. Place log #6 onto two pins on log #1 (ember bed) and rest back of log #6 on back log #4 (see Figure 34). Log #4 1. Locate slot at bottom of remote control (see Figure 35). Firmly insert tool such as a small screwdriver, butter knife, or dime into the slot and lift up to remove cover. 2.
OPERATING FIREPLACE FOR YOUR SAFETY READ BEFORE LIGHTING WARNING: If you do not follow these instructions exactly, a fire or explosion may result causing property damage, personal injury or loss of life. A. This appliance has a pilot which lights automatically when using the supplied wall switch or remote control. If you have a power outage, the pilot may be lighted by hand with push-button piezo ignitor. When lighting the pilot, the following warnings must be followed. B.
OPERATING FIREPLACE Continued HI/LO Button ON/OFF Button Wall Switch Assembly Manual Ignition Bypass LED Switch (Up is for Remote Control) Figure 37 - Control Locations Thermocouple Manual Ignitor Electrode Automatic Ignitor Electrode Pilot Burner Figure 38 - Pilot (Propane/LP Gas Shown) B. Using Hand-Held Wireless Remote Control 1. Set manual ignition bypass switch on control panel to OFF position (automatic ignition position). 2. Wait five (5) minutes to clear out any gas.
OPERATING FIREPLACE OPTIONAL BLOWER OPERATION Continued 4. Place the magnetic manual override handle, provided with this unit, on the end of the gas valve stem (see Figure 39). 5. Turn the override handle fully counterclockwise to the PILOT position. The handle will not stop but will begin to slip when you have fully turned to the PILOT position. 6. While holding the valve handle in the PILOT position, press and release piezo ignitor button (see Figure 39). This will light the pilot.
INSPECTING BURNERS Check pilot flame pattern and burner flame patterns often. PILOT FLAME PATTERN Figure 41 shows a correct pilot flame pattern. Figure 42 shows an incorrect pilot flame pattern. The incorrect pilot flame is not touching the thermocouple. This will cause the thermocouple to cool. When the thermocouple cools, the heater will shut down.
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE WARNING: Turn off heater and let cool before cleaning. CAUTION: You must keep control areas, burners, and circulating air passageways of heater clean. Inspect these areas of heater before each use. Have heater inspected yearly by a qualified service person. Heater may need more frequent cleaning due to excessive lint from carpeting, pet hair, bedding material, etc. WARNING: Failure to keep the primary air opening(s) of the burner(s) clean may result in sooting and property damage.
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE Continued Pilot Bracket Pilot Air Inlet Hole LOGS • If you remove logs for cleaning, refer to Installing Logs, page 18, to properly replace logs. • Replace log(s) if broken or chipped (dime-sized or larger). SPECIFICATIONS Btu (Variable) Type Gas Pilot Assembly Access Hole For Cleaning PIlot Figure 47 - Cleaning Pilot Air Inlet Hole 20,000/33,000 Natural: VTGF33NRA Propane/LP: VTGF33PRA Ignition Electronic (Automatic)/ Piezo (Manual) Natural Propane/LP Manifold Pressure 3.
TROUBLESHOOTING Continued OBSERVED PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE REMEDY When wall switch button is 1. No power available to firepressed, there is no response place from fireplace 2. Manual ignition bypass switch not in OFF position 3. Wall switch wire harness is disconnected 1. Make sure power cord is plugged into an electrical outlet and outlet has power 2. Place manual ignition bypass switch in OFF position 3. Check continuity of wall switch wire harness.
TROUBLESHOOTING Continued OBSERVED PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE When ignitor button is pressed, 1. Ignitor electrode not conthere is no spark at ODS/pilot nected to ignitor cable (manual ignition mode) 2. Ignitor cable pinched or wet 3. Piezo ignitor nut is loose 4. 5. 6. 7. Broken ignitor cable Bad piezo ignitor Ignitor electrode broken Ignitor electrode positioned wrong When ignitor button is pressed, 1.
TROUBLESHOOTING Continued WARNING: If you smell gas • Shut off gas supply. • Do not try to light any appliance. • Do not touch any electrical switch; do not use any phone in your building. • Immediately call your gas supplier from a neighbor’s phone. Follow the gas supplier’s instructions. • If you cannot reach your gas supplier, call the fire department. IMPORTANT: Operating fireplace where impurities in air exist may create odors.
ILLUSTRATED PARTS BREAKDOWN REMOTE CONTROL LOG BASE ASSEMBLY MODELS VTGF33PRA VTGF33NRA (SHOWN) 59 60 30 www.desatech.
PARTS LIST REMOTE CONTROL LOG BASE ASSEMBLY MODELS VTGF33PRA AND VTGF33NRA This list contains replaceable parts used in your fireplace. When ordering parts, follow the instructions listed under Replacement Parts on page 34 of this manual.
ILLUSTRATED PARTS BREAKDOWN FIREPLACE MODELS VTGF33NRA AND VTGF33PRA 9 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 9 22 6 7 10 11 10 9 8 12 13 15 16 18 21 9 14 15 19 20 18 17 32 www.desatech.
PARTS LIST FIREPLACE MODELS VTGF33NRA AND VTGF33PRA This list contains replaceable parts used in your fireplace. When ordering parts, follow the instructions listed under Replacement Parts on page 34 of this manual. KEY NO. PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION QTY.
REPLACEMENT PARTS SERVICE HINTS Note: Use only original replacement parts. This will protect your warranty coverage for parts replaced under warranty. When Gas Pressure Is Too Low • pilot will not stay lit • burners will have delayed ignition • heater will not produce specified heat • for propane/LP units, propane/LP gas supply may be low You may feel your gas pressure is too low. If so, contact your local natural or propane/LP gas supplier.
TEMPLATES 3/8" Diameter 2 Holes 1/8" Diameter 2 Holes 3/4" 3/4" CUT HERE 4 3/4" 4 3/4" 3 3/4" 3 3/4" 3/8" 3/8" 3/16" 35
THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 36 www.desatech.
ACCESSORIES NOTICE: All accessories may not be available for all fireplace models. Purchase these fireplace accessories from your local dealer. If they can not supply these accessories, call DESA Heating Productsʼ Sales Department at 1-866-672-6040 for information. You can also write to the address listed on the back page of this manual. EQUIPMENT SHUTOFF VALVE GA5010 For all models. Equipment shutoff valve with 1/8" NPT tap. Fits 1/2" NPT pipe. DUPLEX OUTLET KIT - GA3555 (NOT SHOWN) For all models.
NOTES ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ __________
NOTES ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ __________
WARRANTY INFORMATION KEEP THIS WARRANTY Model Serial No. Date Purchased Always specify model and serial numbers when communicating with the factory. We reserve the right to amend these specifications at any time without notice. The only warranty applicable is our standard written warranty. We make no other warranty, expressed or implied.
