BLUE FLAME VENT-FREE PROPANE GAS HEATER OWNER’S OPERATION AND INSTALLATION MANUAL ® 18,000 and 28,000 Btu/Hr Thermostatically-Controlled Models 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. — WHAT TO DO IF YOU SMELL GAS • Do not try to light any appliance.
CONTENTS SECTION PAGE Safety Information ......................................................................... 2 Product Identification .................................................................... 4 Local Codes ................................................................................... 4 Unpacking ...................................................................................... 4 Product Features ............................................................................
SAFETY INFORMATION Continued WARNING ICON G 001 WARNINGS Continued WARNING: Any change to this heater or its controls can be dangerous. 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 supply tank(s) inside any structure. Locate propane supply tank(s) outdoors. 3.
Ignitor Button Control Knob PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION Grill Guard Glass Panel Front Panel Heater Cabinet Figure 1 - Vent-Free Propane Gas Heater (Models VP2800BTB and CFP2800BTB Shown) LOCAL CODES Install and use heater with care. Follow all local codes. In the absence of local codes, use the latest edition of National Fuel Gas Code ANSI Z223.1, also known as NFPA 54*. *Available from: American National Standards Institute, Inc.
AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION WARNING ICON G 001 WARNING This heater shall not be installed in a confined space unless provisions are provided for adequate combustion and ventilation air. Read the following instructions to insure proper fresh air for this and other fuel-burning appliances in your home. Today’s homes are built more energy efficient than ever. New materials, increased insulation, and new construction methods help reduce heat loss in homes.
AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION Continued DETERMINING AIR FLOW FOR HEATER LOCATION Determining if You Have a Confined or Unconfined Space Use this worksheet to determine if you have a confined or unconfined space. Space: Includes the room in which you will install heater plus any adjoining rooms with doorless passageways or ventilation grills between the rooms. 1. Determine the volume of the space (length x width x height). Length x Width x Height = ___________________ cu. ft.
AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION Continued WARNING ICON G 001 WARNING If the area in which the heater may be operated is smaller than that defined as an unconfined space, provide adequate combustion and ventilation air by one of the methods described in the National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1, 1992, Section 5.3. VENTILATION AIR Ventilation Air From Inside Building This fresh air would come from an adjoining unconfined space.
AIR FOR COMBUSTION AND VENTILATION Continued Ventilation Air From Outdoors Provide extra fresh air by using ventilation grills or ducts. You must provide two permanent openings: one within 12" of the ceiling and one within 12" of the floor. Connect these items directly to the outdoors or spaces open to the outdoors. These spaces include attics and crawl spaces. Follow the National Fuel Gas Code NFPA 54/ANSI Z223.1, Section 5.
INSTALLING TO WALL NOTICE A qualified service person must install heater. Follow all local codes. CHECK GAS TYPE Use only propane/LP gas. If your gas supply is not propane/LP, do not install heater. Call dealer where you bought heater for proper type heater. INSTALLATION ITEMS Before installing heater, make sure you have the items listed below.
INSTALLING TO WALL Continued For convenience and efficiency, install heater • where there is easy access for operation, inspection, and service • in coldest part of room An optional fan kit is available from your dealer. See Accessories, page 30. If planning to use fan, locate heater near an electrical outlet.
INSTALLING TO WALL Continued INSTALLING HEATER TO WALL Mounting Bracket The mounting bracket is located on back panel of heater. It has been taped there for shipping. Remove mounting bracket from back panel. Mounting Bracket Figure 6 - Mounting Bracket Removing Front Panel Of Heater 1. Remove two screws near bottom corners of front panel. 2. Lift straight up on grill guard until it stops. Grill guard will slide up about 1/4". 3. Pull bottom of front panel forward, then down. 4.
INSTALLING TO WALL Marking Screw Locations 1. Tape mounting bracket to wall where heater will be located. Make sure mounting bracket is level. Continued WARNING ICON G 001 WARNING Maintain minimum clearances shown in Figure 8. If you can, provide greater clearances from floor and joining wall. 2. Mark screw locations on wall (see Figure 8). Note: Only mark last hole on each end of mounting bracket. Insert mounting screws through these holes only. 3. Remove tape and mounting bracket from wall.
INSTALLING TO WALL 4. For thin walls (1/2" or less), insert red key into wall anchor. Push red key to “pop” open anchor wings. IMPORTANT: Do not hammer key! For thick walls (over 1/2" thick) or solid walls, do not pop open wings. Continued Figure 10 - Popping Open Anchor Wings For Thin Walls 5. Place mounting bracket onto wall. Line up last hole on each end of bracket with wall anchors. 6. Insert mounting screws through bracket and into wall anchors. 7.
CONNECTING TO GAS SUPPLY NOTICE A qualified service person must connect heater to gas supply. Follow all local codes. WARNING ICON G 001 CAUTION Never connect heater directly to the propane supply. This heater requires an external regulator (not supplied). Install the external regulator between the heater and propane supply. The installer must supply an external regulator. The external regulator will reduce incoming gas pressure.
CONNECTING TO GAS SUPPLY IMPORTANT: Hold the pressure regulator with wrench when connecting it to gas piping and/or fittings. Note: Burner bracket not shown for clarity Pressure Regulator Continued 1/2" NPT Pipe Nipple Ground Joint Union Tee Joint Test Gauge Connection * Manual Shutoff Valve * Reducer Bushing to 1/8" NPT From External Regulator (11" W.C. to 14" W.C. Pressure) 1/8" NPT Plug Tap Tee Joint Sediment Trap Heater Cabinet Pipe Nipple 3" Minimum Cap Figure 14 - Gas Connection * An A.
CHECKING GAS CONNECTIONS 3. Pressurize supply piping system by either using compressed air or opening propane supply tank valve. 4. Check all joints of gas supply piping system. Apply mixture of liquid soap and water to gas joints. Bubbles forming show a leak. 5. Correct all leaks at once. Continued Test Pressures Equal To or Less Than 1/2 PSIG 1. Close manual shutoff valve (see Figure 15). 2. Pressurize supply piping system by either using compressed air or opening propane supply tank valve. 3.
OPERATING HEATER FOR YOUR SAFETY READ BEFORE LIGHTING WARNING ICON G 001 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 must be lighted by hand. When lighting the pilot, follow these instructions exactly. B. BEFORE LIGHTING smell all around the appliance area for gas. Be sure to smell next to the floor because some gas is heavier than air and will settle on the floor.
OPERATING HEATER Continued 4. Wait five (5) minutes to clear out any gas. Then smell for gas, including near the floor. If you smell gas, STOP! Follow “B” in the safety information at the top of page 17. If you don’t smell gas, go to the next step. 5. Turn control knob counterclockwise to the PILOT position. Press in control knob for five (5) seconds (see Figure 17). Note: You may be running this heater for the first time after hooking up to gas supply.
OPERATING HEATER Continued TO TURN OFF GAS TO APPLIANCE Shutting Off Heater 1. Turn control knob clockwise Clockwise to the OFF position. 2. Turn off all electric power to the appliance if service is to be performed. Shutting Off Burner Only (pilot stays lit) 1. Turn control knob clockwise Clockwise to the PILOT position. THERMOSTAT CONTROL OPERATION The thermostatic control used on these models differs from standard thermostats. Standard thermostats simply turn on and off the burner.
INSPECTING BURNER Check pilot flame pattern and burner flame pattern often. PILOT FLAME PATTERN Figure 19 shows a correct pilot flame pattern. Figure 20 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.
INSPECTING BURNER Continued BURNER FLAME PATTERN Figure 21 shows a correct burner flame pattern. Figure 22 shows an incorrect burner flame pattern. The incorrect burner flame pattern shows yellow tipping of the flame. It also shows the flame higher than 1/2 the glass panel height. WARNING ICON G 001 WARNING If yellow tipping occurs, your heater could produce increased levels of carbon monoxide. If burner flame pattern shows yellow tipping, follow instructions at bottom of this page.
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE WARNING ICON WARNING G 001 Turn off heater and let cool before cleaning. WARNING ICON G 001 CAUTION You must keep control areas, burner, 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, bedding material, etc.
TROUBLESHOOTING Continued OBSERVED PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE When ignitor button is pressed, there is spark at ODS/pilot but no ignition 1. Gas supply turned off or manual shutoff valve closed 2. Control knob not in PILOT position 3. Control knob not pressed in while in PILOT position 4. Air in gas lines when installed 5. Depleted gas supply 6. ODS/pilot is clogged 7. Gas regulator setting is not correct ODS/pilot lights but flame goes out when control knob is released 1.
TROUBLESHOOTING Continued OBSERVED PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE Burner does not light after ODS/pilot is lit 1. Burner orifice is clogged 2. Burner orifice diameter is too small 3. Inlet gas pressure is too low REMEDY 1. Clean burner (see Cleaning and Maintenance, page 22) or replace burner orifice 2. Replace burner orifice 3. Contact local propane gas company Delayed ignition of burner 1. Manifold pressure is too low 2. Burner orifice is clogged 1. Contact local propane gas company 2.
TROUBLESHOOTING WARNING ICON G 001 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. Continued IMPORTANT: Operating heater where impurities in air exist may create odors.
TECHNICAL SERVICE You may have further questions about installation, operation, or troubleshooting. If so, contact DESA International’s Technical Service Department at 1-800-323-5190. SPECIFICATIONS SERVICE HINTS VP2000BTB CFP2000BTB VP2800BTB CFP2800BTB Btu (Variable) 9,000/18,000 14,000/28,000 Type Gas Propane Only Propane Only Ignition Piezo Piezo Pressure Regulator Setting 8" W.C. 8" W.C. Inlet Gas Pressure (in.
SERVICE PUBLICATIONS You can purchase service manual from the address listed on the back page of this manual. Send a check for $5.00 payable to DESA International. REPLACEMENT PARTS Note: Use only original replacement parts. This will protect your warranty coverage for parts replaced under warranty. Parts Under Warranty Contact authorized dealers of this product. If they can’t supply original replacement part(s), call DESA International’s Technical Service Department at 1-800-323-5190.
101811 1 3 12 ODS/Pilot Assembly (Parts list on page 33) 12-2 12-1 2 5 6 7 4 VP2000BTB CFP2000BTB VP2800BTB CFP2800BTB 9 10 8 11 12 18 13 14 26 19 16 15 22 23 17 20 24 25 27 21 31 30 10 28 30 29 32 31
PARTS LIST KEY NO.
ACCESSORIES Purchase these heater accessories from your local dealer. If they can not supply these accessories, call DESA International’s Parts Department at 1-800-972-7879 for referral information. You can also write to the address listed on the back page of this manual. FAN KITS - GA3100A, and GA3200TA For all models. Provides better heat distribution. Makes heater more efficient. Complete installation and operating instructions included. Manually controlled - GA3100A. Includes ON/OFF switch.
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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.
