Fireplace - is there a better fan?

[beardedone]

We have the Augusta with a fireplace. The fireplace works good but the counter above it gets too hot. I took it apart and I am satisfied there is no danger from that except the long term potential for drying out the counter above it. I cut a hole in the wall next to the opening for the computer chair and put a residential heating vent in there with the hope some air circulation may help. It hasn't to date. So my question is, has anyone found an exchange motor for the fireplace fan or installed an extra fan in back to help exchange air?

 

[jbeletti]

Gerry,

I don't have an answer to your question, but if your fireplace is a Dimplex model, I found a phone number for them in the event you want to give them a call.

Corporate Headquarters:
Dimplex North America Ltd.
1367 Industrial Road
Cambridge, ON N1R 7G8
Canada

Need product information? Our customer-service specialists are ready to answer your questions:
1-800-668-6663
Monday-Friday, 8am - 4:30 pm EST

If you have technical questions regarding installation, operation or troubleshooting, please call:
1-800-668-6663
Monday-Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm EST

 

[cookie]

I agree that the counter above the fireplace gets too hot so I got a fan like THIS. I have not mounted it yet but I am sure it will do the job. I will mount it in the area where you have mounted the vent. I will also go inside the controls for the heater and wire it so that the fan comes on when the heater does. This should evacuate all the extra hot air around the unit.
Peace
Dave

 

[beardedone]

That is the type of fan I am thinking of as well. I was thinking of mounting it near a second vent to be installed, so that air could be pulled in one vent and exhausted out the other. I will try to see if the manufacturer has any ideas first though. One advantage of installing the fan to blow out the side is that it will blow into the area where the computer chair is and keep my feet warmer when we are winter camping.

 

[Wild Bill]

Yeah, mine gets hot too. The darn swing down door panel gets too hot to touch and I can't even open it to turn it off without using a pot holder or something.

 

[beardedone]

Thanks Jim
We are going out to the trailer this week-end and I will check out brand name.
Definition of week-end - Any two consecutive days of our choosing!

Gerry

 

[tweber]

I have a 06 3600RL with a fireplace. The DVD cabinet above the fireplace got too hot. I talked to my dealer's tech and he contacted Heartland. Jim Fenner put the tech in touch with the FP manufacturer. The manufacturer sent a shield that deflected the hot air forward and out. That solved the problem, and I did not require another fan. Good luck.

 

[jbeletti]

Tom - thanks for sharing.

Gerry - I'd rather see you go the route Tom Weber did than add another fan. Another fan pulling air out the side could take needed air volume away from the main fan that blows air across the heating element/coils. That could potentially result in an even hotter front (just my guess anyway).

 

[cookie]

Good point Jim. That is something to consider. My plan is to suck air into the fireplace cabinet, that way the air flow should be correct in going toward the heating coils. I will however keep an eye out for excess heat.
Peace
Dave

 

[beardedone]

The idea of a shield is very good and worthy of serious consideration but at the same time my "fan" idea was the same as cookie's. What I was planning on was to have a intake on the side wall at the bottom with an exhaust on the top which would be fan assisted. This should generate good air circulation and may even push some air around the face of fireplace. I will experiment and see what works best but if it doesn't my vents won't detract from the appearance, so nothing will be lost. I will certainly set my #1 priority as balanced air in order to avoid any potential hazards.

 

[jbeletti]

Gerry and Dave,

If you guys happen to have IR Temperature devices, consider taking some pre-mod measurements as well as progress and post-mod measurements. It will help you gauge your success more scientifically.

I just got one after I saw Forest's in Vegas. Had been wanting one for a while.

Jim

 

[Jimmyt5]

My fireplace fan stopped working and it started to trip breakers. The element got cherry red since it didn't have air blowing across it. Had to get a new one, The fan is just short of being worthless with the amount of air it moves.