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  1. #1
    Seasoned Camper
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    Aug 2018
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    Oregon
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    Vent for fireplace intake air

    Has anyone thought about how the air gets into your fireplace so it may be heated and sent back out into the room? While reading occasional posts on here about various fireplace issues, I am reminded about the fireplace in our previous trailer. Forum members for that brand were having issues with their fireplaces quitting because an over temp device was shutting down the unit. It was discovered that there was not an adequate flow of air over the heating elements to keep the air temperature low enough to keep the over temp device from tripping. Most of the fireplaces in that brand were installed in cabinets that were sealed too tight to allow enough air to get in. The solution was to cut a hole in the cabinet and put a grill over the hole. This allowed enough air to enter to keep the unit running and it also increased the volume of heated air into the room. Our fireplace's efficiency increased after adding a vent.

    We just spent 3 nights in our new Reflection and ran the fireplace constantly. Although we were comfortable, I don't think the unit heat cycled the entire time. It looks like the fireplace is pretty well sealed off around the front and there doesn't seem to be any openings in the cabinets on the sides or above the unit. At this time, I am tempted to add a vent like I did in our last trailer. I am thinking that if the hole was inside one or both of the side cabinets that there would be enough air leakage around the door(s) to allow enough additional air to help increase the output of the fireplace. Any thoughts from the group? Thanks for looking.
    John and Karyn
    Hillsboro, Oregon
    2020 Reflection 150 Series 295RL

  2. #2
    Big Traveler
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr. Goodwrench View Post
    Has anyone thought about how the air gets into your fireplace so it may be heated and sent back out into the room? While reading occasional posts on here about various fireplace issues, I am reminded about the fireplace in our previous trailer. Forum members for that brand were having issues with their fireplaces quitting because an over temp device was shutting down the unit. It was discovered that there was not an adequate flow of air over the heating elements to keep the air temperature low enough to keep the over temp device from tripping. Most of the fireplaces in that brand were installed in cabinets that were sealed too tight to allow enough air to get in. The solution was to cut a hole in the cabinet and put a grill over the hole. This allowed enough air to enter to keep the unit running and it also increased the volume of heated air into the room. Our fireplace's efficiency increased after adding a vent.

    We just spent 3 nights in our new Reflection and ran the fireplace constantly. Although we were comfortable, I don't think the unit heat cycled the entire time. It looks like the fireplace is pretty well sealed off around the front and there doesn't seem to be any openings in the cabinets on the sides or above the unit. At this time, I am tempted to add a vent like I did in our last trailer. I am thinking that if the hole was inside one or both of the side cabinets that there would be enough air leakage around the door(s) to allow enough additional air to help increase the output of the fireplace. Any thoughts from the group? Thanks for looking.
    When I installed a subwoofer behind the fireplace, I cut a hole through each cabinet sidewall to help with the sound. Wonder if this is why I haven't had any issues with the fireplace. BTW, I don't think the holes did much for the sub.

  3. #3
    Long Hauler
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
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    This is very interesting and a great find @Mr. Goodwrench . These fireplaces are built for cabinet mounting but I wonder what the installation instructions say?
    I wonder if turning the fireplace on and going around it with a candle or something could yield any air intake spots.

    Brian

  4. #4
    Site Team WhittleBurner's Avatar
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    Nov 2013
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    Sitting in the sun! FL for along while
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    We've been using ours for close to 5 years now trouble free.
    Marcy & Gary
    2014 Grand Design - Reflection 303RLS
    2022 GMC 3500 Denali Duramax Longbed SRW
    2015 GMC Denali 3500 - Retired
    2003 F350 - retired
    Michigan
    We're in trouble now, the dog are bloggin'!
    https://3dogsandatrailer.wordpress.com/


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