Desa Vanguard VMH26TPC Quick start guide

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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.
• Do not touch any electrical switch; do not use any
phone in your building.
• Immediatelycallyourgassupplierfromaneighbor’s
phone. Follow the gas supplier’s instructions.
• If you cannot reach your gas supplier, call the fire
department.
— Installation and service must be performed by a quali-
fied installer, service agency, or the gas supplier.
MODELS VMH26TPC AND VMH26TNC
14,000 to 26,000 Btu/Hr with Thermostat
®
VENT-FREE COMPACT FIREPLACE
OWNER’S OPERATION AND INSTALLATION MANUAL
Shown with Optional Cabinet Mantel/Hearth Base Accessory

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WARNING: Improper installation, adjustment, altera-
tion, service, or maintenance can cause injury or prop-
erty damage. Refer to this manual for correct installation
and operational procedures. For assistance or addi-
tional 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. Refer to Air for Combustion and
Ventilation section on page 6 of this manual.
This appliance may be installed in an aftermarket,*
permanently located, manufactured (mobile) home,
where not prohibited by local codes.
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.
* Aftermarket: Completion of sale, not for purpose of resale, from the
manufacturer
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Safety Information ............................................... 3
Local Codes ........................................................ 4
Product Identification .......................................... 4
Product Features ................................................ 5
Unpacking ........................................................... 5
Assembly ............................................................ 5
Air for Combustion and Ventilation ...................... 6
Installation ........................................................... 9
Operating Fireplace .......................................... 19
Inspecting Burner .............................................. 21
Cleaning and Maintenance ............................... 22
Troubleshooting ................................................ 23
Specifications .................................................... 27
Service Hints ..................................................... 27
Technical Service .............................................. 27
Replacement Parts ........................................... 27
Illustrated Parts Breakdown and Parts List ....... 28
Accessories ....................................................... 30
Warranty Information .......................... Back Cover

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113111-01B 3
SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING: This product con-
tains 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, oper-
ate, or service this fireplace. Im-
proper use of this fireplace can
cause serious injury or death
from burns, fire, explosion, elec-
trical shock, and carbon mon-
oxide poisoning.
DANGER: Carbon monoxide
poisoning may lead to death!
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Early signs of car-
bon monoxide poisoning resemble the flu, with head-
aches, dizziness, or nausea. If you have these signs,
the fireplace may not be working properly. Get fresh
air at once! Have fireplace serviced. Some people
are more affected by carbon monoxide than others.
These include pregnant women, people with heart
or lung disease or anemia, those under the influence
of alcohol, and those at high altitudes.
Natural and Propane/LP Gas: Natural and propane/LP
gases are odorless. An odor-making agent is added to
these gases. The odor helps you detect a gas leak.
However, the odor added to the gas can fade. Gas
may be present even though no odor exists.
Make certain you read and understand all warn-
ings. Keep this manual for reference. It is your
guide to safe and proper operation of this fireplace.
WARNING: Any change to
this heater or its controls can be
dangerous.
WARNING: Do not allow fans
to blow directly into the fireplace.
Avoid any drafts that alter burner
flame patterns. Ceiling fans can
create drafts that alter burner
flame patterns. Altered burner
patterns can cause sooting.
WARNING: Do not use a
blower insert, heat exchanger
insert, or other accessory not
approved for use with this fire-
place.
Due to high temperatures, the
appliance should be located out
of traffic and away from furni-
ture and draperies.
Do not place clothing or other
flammable material on or near
the appliance. Never place any
objects in the fireplace.
Fireplace front and screen be-
come very hot when running fire-
place. Keep children and adults
away from hot surfaces to avoid
burns or clothing ignition. Fire-
place will remain hot for a time
after shutdown. Allow surfaces
to cool before touching.
Carefully supervise young chil-
dren when they are in the room
with fireplace.
You must operate this fireplace
with the fireplace screen and
hood in place. Make sure fire-
place screen is in place before
running fireplace.
Keep the appliance area clear
and free from combustible ma-
terials, gasoline, and other flam-
mable vapors and liquids.
1. This appliance is only for use with the type of
gas indicated on the rating plate. This appli-
ance is not convertible for use with other
gases.
2. Do not place propane/LP supply tank(s) in-
side any structure. Locate propane/LP supply
tank(s) outdoors (propane/LP only).

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SAFETY INFORMATION
Continued
3. 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
4. This fireplace shall not be installed in a bed-
room or bathroom.
5. Do not use this fireplace as a wood-burning
fireplace. Use only the logs provided with the
fireplace.
6. Do not add extra logs or ornaments such as
pine cones, vermiculite, or rock wool. Using
these added items can cause sooting. Do not
add lava rock around base. Rock and debris
could fall into the control area of fireplace.
7. This fireplace is designed to be smokeless. If
logs ever appear to smoke, turn off fireplace
and call a qualified service person. Note: Dur-
ing initial operation, slight smoking could
occur due to log curing and fireplace burning
manufacturing residues.
8. To prevent the creation of soot, follow the
instructions in Cleaning and Maintenance,
page 22.
9. Before using furniture polish, wax, carpet
cleaner, or similar products, turn heater off. If
heated, the vapors from these products may
create a white powder residue within burner
box or on adjacent walls or furniture.
10. This fireplace needs fresh air ventilation to
run properly. This fireplace has an Oxygen
Depletion Sensing (ODS) safety shutoff sys-
tem. The ODS shuts down the fireplace if not
enough fresh air is available. See Air for Com-
bustion and Ventilation, pages 6 through 8. If
fireplace keeps shutting off, see Troubleshoot-
ing, pages 23 through 26.
11. Do not run fireplace
• where flammable liquids or vapors are used
or stored.
• under dusty conditions.
12. Do not use this fireplace to cook food or burn
paper or other objects.
13. Do not use fireplace if any part has been under
water. Immediately call a qualified service tech-
nician to inspect the room fireplace and to re-
place any part of the control system and any
gas control which has been under water.
14. Turn off and unplug fireplace and let cool be-
fore servicing. Only a qualified service per-
son should service and repair fireplace.
15. Operating fireplace above elevations of 4,500
feet could cause pilot outage.
16. Do not operate fireplace if any log is broken.
Do not operate fireplace if a log is chipped
(dime-sized or larger).
17. To prevent performance problems, do not use
propane/LP fuel tank of less than 100 lbs. ca-
pacity (propane/LP only).
18. Provide adequate clearances around air
openings.
LOCAL CODES
Install and use fireplace with care. Follow all lo-
cal 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
PRODUCT
IDENTIFICATION
Figure 1 - Vent-Free Gas Compact
Fireplace
Ignitor Button
Screen
Fireplace
Cabinet
Logs
Control Knob

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113111-01B 5
PRODUCT FEATURES
SAFETY PILOT
This fireplace has a pilot with an Oxygen Deple-
tion Sensing (ODS) safety shutoff system. The
ODS/pilot is a required feature for vent-free room
fireplaces. The ODS/pilot shuts off the fireplace
if there is not enough fresh air.
PIEZO IGNITION SYSTEM
This fireplace has a piezo ignitor. This system re-
quires no matches, batteries, or other sources to
light fireplace.
THERMOSTATIC HEAT CONTROL
This fireplace has a thermostat sensing bulb and a
control valve. The thermostat will automatically
modulate the heat output to maintain a consistent
room temperature. This results in greater fireplace
comfort. This can also result in lower gas bills.
UNPACKING
1. Remove fireplace and hood from carton. Log
is wrapped and inside fireplace. Do not re-
move at this time.
2. Remove all protective packaging applied to
fireplace for shipment.
3. Make sure your fireplace includes one hard-
ware packet.
4. Check fireplace for any shipping damage. If
fireplace is damaged, promptly inform dealer
where you bought fireplace.
ASSEMBLY
WARNING: Always have
branch support and screen in
place before operating fireplace.
This prevents excessive tem-
peratures on fireplace surfaces.
WARNING: Failure to position
theparts inaccordancewiththese
diagrams or failure to use only
parts specifically approved with
this fireplace may result in prop-
erty damage or personal injury.
ASSEMBLING FIREPLACE
Tools Required:
• Phillips screwdriver
• 5/16" hex wrench
• slotted screwdriver
Installing Log
1. Lift screen up and pull out to remove.
2. Cut two plastic straps to remove the log from
the firebox cavity.
3. An optional blower is available. See Accessories,
page 30. Install optional blower now. Follow in-
stallation instructions provided with blower.
4. Remove log packaging material and discard
packaging. Gently place log set on burner sup-
port (see Figure 2). The log should fit flat
against top of burner support and log locator
tabs fit into the slots under the log. Do not
allow log to contact flame. If flame contacts
log, soot will be created.
Figure 2 - Assembling Fireplace
Log
Screen
Burner Support
with Log
Locator Tabs
Branch
Support
Shoulder
Screw