Alpina SF-9345 User manual

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SF-9345
EN
SF-9340 Portable Kerosene Heater
Instruction for use
AR
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
EN:
For your own safety read these instructions carefully before using the appliances.
AR:
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IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
Before using your heater, basic safety precautions should be followed:
1. Never use any fuel other than water-clear 1-K kerosene.
2. Never use fuel such as gasoline,benzene,paint thinners or other oil compounds in this heater.
3. Never use refill heater fuel tank when heater is operating or still hot.
4. Never use heater in areas where flammable vapors or gases may be present.
5. Never fill heater fuel tank in living space; fill tank in outdoors.
6. Never store or transfer kerosene other than metal or plastic container that is acceptable for kerosene,
Non-red in color, and clearly marked ‘Kerosene’. Do not store kerosene in living space; It should be stored in a
Well ventillated place outside the living area.
7. The unit is Extremely hot while in operation due to hight surface temperature, Keep children, clothing,furniture,
and other combustible objects at least 36” away from top and front area.
8. Never leave heater operating if you intend to leave for any period of time. Always make sure to turn heater off and
inspect to insure that is completely extinguished prior to going to bed.
9. Never use as a source of heat for drying objects.
10. Never place objects on the top plate.
11. Never use heater to heat or boil water or use as a cooking appliance.
12. Never leave heater unattended while burning.
WARNING: FAILURE TO INSTALL,MAINTAIN, AND/OR OPERATE THIS KEROSENE HEATER ACCORDING TO
MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN CONDITIONS WHICH CAN INJURE BODY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
RISK OF BURNS: DO NOT OPERATE THE HEATER WITHOUT THE GUARD OR GRILLE COMPLETELY ATTACHED.
IF POOR QUALITY KERSONE is used a rapid accumulation of carbon and tar is likely. This may cause a strong odor and will
destroy the wick. Additional heater damage may occur as the wick becomes more difficult to adjust. The use of poor
qulaity fuel could also make the wick very hard to extinguish. Always make sure the fire is out.
ADJUSTMENT OF ROOM TEMPERATURE cannot be changed by adjusting the heater. A kerosene heater is either on or off.
There is no temperature adjustment if heater output is reduced by lowering the wick in any way,improper combustion
will occur producing odors and an accumulation of tar and carbon. If your room becomes too hot, open a door or a
window or turn off the heater.
NOTE: The WARNING and IMPORTANT instructions appearing in this manual are not meant to cover all possible
conditions and situations that may occur. It must be understood that commonsense, caution, and carefulness are factors
which cannot be built into this heater. These factors must be supplied by the person(s) installing, maintaining, or
operating the kerosene heater.
Always contact your dealer,distributor, service agent, or the manufacturer on any problems or conditions you do not
understand.
PARTS OF DESCRIPTION
1. Top plate
2. Carrying handle
3. Guard grille
4. Fuel gauge
5. Ignition lever
6. Burner
7. Wick adjuster knob
8. Fuel cap
9. Battery case (Back side)
10. Drip tray
11. Manual shut-off knob

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UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLY
1. Remove the heater and all packing materials from
the box.
Note: Save the shipping carton and packing
materials for future storage
2. Remove the protective packing materials from the
burner.
3. Keep all packing materials in the carton box.
4. Position the burner
Position the burner on the wick adjuster.
To confirm proper placement of the
burner, grab the burner knob and rotate
the burner back and forth three or four
times until burner sets properly on the
wick adjuster.
5. Installing carrying handle
Insert the carrying handle into the holes
on the bracket of guard grille by aligning
holes on top plate.
6. Installing drip tray
Place the heater on the drip tray with four
legs (4) of the heater located next to four
tabs (4) on the drip tray.
Turn the heater clockwise until the feet
slide into their tabs and stop
7. Installing batteries
Battery holder is located on the back of
the heater.
Open the battery cover from the battery
case.
Insert two (2) “C” cell batteries according
to the plus (+) and minus (-) markings
inside of the holder.
Replace the battery cover to the heater.

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KEROSENE (1-K Only)
It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT in operating this heater to use the proper grade of kerosene. The proper grade of kerosene
is identified as 1-K Kerosene. DO NOT OPERATE THIS HEATER WITH ANY FUEL OTHER THAN 1-K KEROSENE. 1-K
Kerosene has been refined to virtually eliminate contaminants such as sulfur,which can cause a rotten egg odor during
operation of the heater.
1-K KEROSENE IS COLORLESS AND WATER-CLEAR.
To be sure that you are using good, 1-K Kerosene, pour some in a glass to verify that there is no visible yellow tint.
KEROSENE SHOULD ONLY BE STORED IN A BLUE CONTAINER THAT IS CLEARLY MARKED “KEROSENE”. DO NOT STORE
KEROSENE IN A RED CONTAINER. Red containers are associated with gasoline.
NEVER store kerosene in living space.Kerosene should be stored in a wel ventilated place outside the living area.
NEVER use any fuel other than water-clear 1-K Kerosene.
NEVER use fuel such as gasoline,benzene,alcohol,white gas,camp stove fuel,paint thinners,or other oil compounds in this
heater.These are volatile fules that can cause explosion or uncontrolled flames.
The best way to purchase kerosene is in pre-packed,metal or plastic,blue colored container.
The second choice would be to buy from a dealer who stores it in a 55 gallon drum. The third choice is to buy it from a
dealer who stores it in a large underground(or above ground)tank. Kerosene that is contaminated with even a small
amount of water will prevent a kerosene heater from functioning properly. As you move from the first choice in
purchasing kerosene (pre-packed container) to the third choice(large storage tank), The likelihood of water being present
from condensation increases. If you purchase kerosene in bulk,know your dealer.
It is normal for a kerosene heater to give a slight odor upon start-up and shut-down. After 5-10 minutes of operation, the
heater should have reached its normal operating temperature and any odor should be very slight.
NEVER store kerosene in direct sunlight or near surface of heat.
NEVER use kerosene that has been stored from one season to the next. Kerosene deteriorates over time.
“OLD KEROSENE WILL NOT BURN PROPERLY IN THIS HEATER.
A variety of problems can result from using poor quality kerosene –smoke,odor,low flame,difficult ignition, difficult shut-
down,flame flickers and dies,excessive burning down of the wick,reduced wick life,wick adjuster sticking,excessive
deposits on the wick,etc. If you encounter any of the problems listed above,check your kerosene. If you discover that the
kerosene is the problem, get a fresh supply of WATER-CLEAR 1-K KEROSENE before using your heater again.
FUELLING YOUR HEATER
NEVER FILL THE HEATER FUEL TANK IN THE LIVING SPACE:
FILL THE TANK OUTDOORS.
Before fueling the heater, take the heater, the kerosene, and the manual
siphon pump outdoors. To use the manual siphon pump, tighten the cap
on the top of the siphon, place the straight tube into the kerosene
container, and insert the flexible tube in to the opening of the fuel tank.
By squeezing the bulb of the siphon pump, fuel will be transferred from
the kerosene container into the heater tank. Carefully watch the fuel
gauge on the base of the heater so that you will know when the tank is
getting full. When you approach the full mark, loosen the cap on top of
the siphon pump. This will stop the flow of the kerosene.
DO NOT OVERFILL YOUR HEATER.

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Allow the siphon pump to drain thoroughly before you remove it from the
tank and the kerosene container.
After fueling the fuel tank of the heater by using siphon pump, make sure
that you loosen (counter clockwise) the cap on the siphon pump to drain
thoroughly the remaining kerosene in the siphon pump.
For the reuse of siphon pump, make sure that you tighten (clockwise) the
cap on the siphon pump to transfer the kerosene into the fuel tank
properly.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING FUELING OF THE HEATER: When fueling your heater for the first time and any other
time when the tank has been completely empty, as in Dry Burning, make sure to allow the wick to soak a minimum 60
minutes before you attempt to light the heater. (Take note of the time you started to soak the wick or use a kitchen timer
or wristwatch with an alarm feature). Failure to properly soak the wick can trap air pockets in the wick causing the heater
to burn poorly. Premature iginition can destroy your wick.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING FIRST IGNITION OF HEATER
The first time you light your heater there may be some odor due to the burning off of oils used in the manufacturing
process. To avoid this, you may wish to burn the heater outside on a calm and windless
day. If it’s windy, consider a porch or garage or other
room where the windows can be open to disperse the
odor.
AUTOMATIC IGNITION SYSTEM
For safety and convenience, this heater features an automatic ignition system 2 “C” cell batteries, included with the heater,
provide the power for the igniter which lights the wick once it has been raised to its maximum height.
To use the automatic ignition system:
Make sure the batteries have been installed.
Turn the wick adjuster knob clockwise until the
wick has been raised into its maximum height
Push the ignition lever to bring the growing igniter
into contact with the wick. This will cause ignition
to occur.
As soon as you see that the wick has been lit,
release the ignition lever. This will automatically
lower the burn chamber backdown over the wick.
Rotate the burner knob from side to side a few
times to make sure that the burner is positioned
properly on the wick adjuster.
Then begin following the steps outlined in
“Adjusting the wick”.
IGNITION VIA MATCH
If you encounter a problem with the ignition mechanism, or if you have dead batteries, it is possible to light the heater
with a match.
The procedure is as follows:
Turn the wick adjuster knob clockwise until the wick has been raised to its maximum height.
Lift the burn chamber by using the burner knob.

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Touch a lighted match to the exposed top edge of the wick.
Once you see that the wick has been lit, lower the burn chamber
back down over the wick.
Rotate the burner knob from side to side a few times to make sure
that the burner is positioned properly on the wick adjuster.
Then begin following the steps outlined in “Adjusting the wick”.
CAUTION: Make sure that you do not leave the match, or any portion of it (match head, etc.) in the burner area. Debris
left from the match can cause an uneven alignment of the burner and may result in smoke, incomplete combustion, odor,
or fire.
CHECKING THE IGNITION SYSTEM
If the automatic ignition system fails to operate properly, Perform the following methods:
BATTERIES -2 “C” cell batteries are located at the rear of the heater. Replace with new batteries.
IGNITER PLUG –If the automatic ignition system still doesn’t work after replacing the batteries, check the igniter
plug. If the glow coil filament is broken, bent, or doesn’t glow when engaged via the ignition lever, it must be
replaced.
CAUTION: Be sure igniter plug is Type “B”, 2.5V DC, IA only.
To replace the igniter plug:
Remove the batteries.
Remove the 2 cabinet screws and lift off the cabinet and grille assembly.
Pull the ignition lever to raise the igniter plug.
Push the igniter plug in and turn in a clockwise direction to remove.
Install a new igniter plug (Type “B”, 2.5V DC, IA only by pushing it in and
turning it in a counter-clockwise direction.
Reassemble the heater and replace the batteries.
TEST IGNITION –Using the wick adjuster knob, raise the wick to its maximum
height. Pull the ignition lever.The igniter plug should be within 1~2mm of the wick
when the ignition lever is fully engaged.
ADJUSTING THE WICK
After lighting the heater, it is important to check the heater flame within the first 5-7 minutes of operation. During the
first 5 minutes after ignition, the burner chamber warms up and flames will become visible at the top of burner. These
flames will gradually build up. After 5-7 minutes of operation, you should use the wick adjuster knob to obtain the proper
flame height. The proper flame height is a flame of no more than 1/2” at the top of the burner, with an even distribution
of flame around the flame spreader disk which is positioned in the center of the top portion of the burner.

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As you continue to operate the heater, the temperature of the heater and the temperature of the room will continue to
change. As the heater warms up, the kerosene in the tank will vaporize faster, and this could require adjusting the wick
adjuster down in order to maintain the desired 1/2” flame. Therefore, it is necessary to continue to monitor the flame
height, and to make adjustments using the wick adjuster knob to keep the proper flame height. It is recommended that
the heater be checked every 30 minutes in order to keep the proper adjustment because periodic adjustment is required.
IMPORTANT NOTE: NEVER LEAVE THE HEATER UNATTENDED WHILE BURNING
Always make sure to turn the heater off and inspect it to insure that it is completely extinguished prior to going to bed.
NOTE: During start-up, small adjustments to the flame can be
performed by using the burner knob on the front of the burner and
MOVING THE BURNER FROM SIDE TO SIDE until the flame at the top of
the burner is as even as possible. DO NOT TOUCH THE BURNER KNOB
ONCE THE HEATER HAS REACHED NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE
AND THE FLAME HAS STABILIZED. THE BURNER KNOB IS VERY HOT
DURING OPERATION.
NOTE: If you find that the wick will not raise, push the safety reset lever to engage the safety shut-off device. Then dial
the wick adjuster knob.
WARNING: RISK OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION AND FIRE, DO NOT OPERATE HEATER AT WICK SETTING LOWER THAN
MINIMUM WICK-STOP SETTING.
WICK MAINTENANCE / HOW TO CHECK THE CONDITION OF YOUR WICK
Failure to clean your heater’s wick may result in low heat output, cause your heater to burn with an annoying odor and
could damage or destroy the wick adjusting assembly. It can also make it very difficult to light the wick.
Carbon and tar will accumulate on top of the wick as the kerosene burns and must be removed. How often you need to
“Dry Burn” depends on your use of the heater and the quality of fuel available. The best way to know is to check the wick
often.
Check Your Wick Often!
If the wick is hard to light using the heater’s ignition system.
If the wick is hard to raise or difficult to adjust by turning the knob.
If the wick fails to drop completely when you push the shut-off knob.
If the top of the wick is stiff and hard like a bristle brush it is time to DRY BURN your heater. A wick that is in good
condition will feel soft to the touch, light easily and extinguish quickly.
Note: Poor fuel or fuel contaminated with water will also turn the wick hard.

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“DRY BURNING” YOUR HEATER / REMOVING CARBON FROM YOUR WICK
“Dry burning” your heater will cause a strong odor. For this reason it is best to “dry burn” your heater outdoors on a day
that is completely calm and windless. If it’s too windy outside you can consider a porch, breezeway or other room with all
of the windows open to disperse the strong odor.
Step 1 With your fuel tank nearly empty, burn your heater (without refueling) until the flames starts to burn out then
raise the wick to its highest possible setting and leave it there until it burns out completely. Wait 60 minutes then re-light
the wick (with a match if necessary) and allow it to burn out again. Once the heater is cool to the touch, remove the
cabinet and brush the top of the wick with an old toothbrush, or other stiff bristle brush to remove any remaining ash. A
canister type vacuum cleaner may be a useful tool in removing this ash.
Step 2 The first step should remove most carbon and your wick should feel softer to the touch. If any part still feels hard,
you can use small pliers to pinch these hard spots and breakup the carbon into pieces. After doing this, replace the
cabinet, add a small amount of fuel, wait at least one hour and then repeat Step 1.
Carry out Carbon Removal/Dry Burning within 5-7 days after your first use of your new heater to reduce carbon build-up
on the wick’s burning surface. Afterwards, Dry burn your heater anytime the wick appears to be hard. CHECK YOUR WICK
OFTEN! Dry burn your heater and remove all fuel from your heater at the end of the heating seasonl.
Note: Burn your heater Dry, as noted above, weekly during the heating season. Check your wick often to see if
CARBON REMOVAL/DRY BURNING is necessary. Carbon removal will NOT be effective if your fuel has been
contaminated by water or any other liquid. In this case you must clean the fuel tank, replace the wick and soak it for 60
minutes in Fresh, 1-K Kerosene.
WICK ASSEMBLY –Check at least once a month !!
The burner assembly sits on top of the wick guide. Over time, tar deposits can accumulate on the wick guide, and this can
prevent the burner assembly from searing properly. This can result in poor combustion, smoke, odor, etc.. To prevent this
from happening, tar deposits on the wick guide can be removed as follows:
Make sure that the heater is both cool and turned off, lower the wick to the “off” position.
Remove the 2 cabinet screws. Lift off the cabinet and grille assembly as shown in illustration (Fig. A).
Using the wick adjuster knob, raise the top of the wick until it is even with the top of the wick guide. Using a fat-
edge screwdriver, scrape off the tar deposits. Be careful not to allow any of the tar deposits to drop into the
grooves of the wick guide. A small vacuum cleaner can be used to remove the tar deposits that have been
scraped off (Fig. B).
Reassemble the heater.
WICK REPLACEMENT
The wick in your heater needs replacing if, after repeated cleanings, any of the following conditions still exist slow to light
hard movement of the wick adjuster knob, kerosene odor while burning, low heat output, slow warm up, damaged wick.
Use only a genuine replacement wick.

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If cleaning the wick does not improve performance, you will need to replace the wick. Refer to the “TROUBLESHOOTING
GUIDE”, which outlines conditions under which the wick should be replaced.
CAUTION: Use only a genuine replacement wick. DO NOT attempt to substitute any other type of Wick device or a Wick
designed for another brand or model heater. You could damage the heater and create a potential fire hazard.
ATTENTION: The only tools needed to replace the Wick are:
A Pair of Pliers
A Flatblade Screwdriver
A Plastic Bag with a Twist Tie
1. Push down the manual shut-off knob.
2. Use Pliers to loosen and remove cabinet screws on either
side of the Heater Cabinet.
3. Use the Carrying Handle to lift the Cabinet straight up
and away from the heater.
4. Gently pull the Wick Adjustment Knob off the heater.
5. Remove the Cabinet Base by lifting it from the back and
tilting it forward to clear the Wick Adjuster Assembly
6. Trip the pendulum on the Automatic Safety Shut-off
system to activate it.
7. Remove the four wing nuts which hold the Wick
Assembly to the heater and carefully lift the Wick Assembly
from the heater.
8. Replace the Wick Adjustment Knob temporarily. Turn the
Knob clockwise to raise the wick.
9. While still holding the Wick Assembly upside down,
grasp the Wick Cover firmly and PULL it off with a sharp
tug. CAUTION: The inside of Wick Cover has sharp teeth.
The use of work gloves is suggested to avoid injury

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10. Remove the wick while folding it to the inside.
Remove the Wick Sleeve together with the wick.
11. Reinstall a new wick and insert the 3 pins on a new wick
into the 3 holes on the Wick Sleeve in the upward direction.
(See the marked “⇧up” on the Wick Sleeve).
12. Push the new wick into the retainer teeth of the Wick
Sleeve so that the wick adheres tightly around the inside of
the Wick Sleeve so that it is not loose anywhere.
NOTE: DO NOT DISASSEMBLE THE STAINLESS STEEL WICK HOLDER.
13. While pressing each of the three pins of the wick
(attached to the wick sleeve) toward the inside, insert the
three Pins into the slanted grooves of the Wick Guide.
Press on each of the three pins, inserting them securely in
the holes.
NOTE: Turn the Wick Adjustment Knob and check that the
Wick moves up and down.
14. The Wick height will automatically be set to the correct
burning height of 3/8” (10mm).
NOTE: Be sure to check Wick height it should be 3/8”
(10mm).
15. Turn the Wick Assembly upside down to replace the
Wick Cover.
16. Align the tabs on the wick cover with the four screw
holes on the Bottom of the Assembly, as shown, and snap it
into place. Be certain of firm contact at all points.
17. Turn the Wick Adjustment Knob to the fully raised
position. Pull lightly on the skirt of the wick to remove any
slack. Press lightly to secure the skirt to the Retainer Teeth
on the Wick Cover.