Vanguard VP11 Quick start guide

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VENT-FREE PROPANE GAS HEATER
OWNER’S OPERATION AND INSTALLATION MANUAL
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Models: VP5A and VP11
WARNING:Improperinstallation,
adjustment, alteration, service, or
maintenance can cause injury or
property damage. Refer to this
manual for correct installation and
operationalprocedures.Forassis-
tance or additional information
consult a qualified installer, ser-
vice agency, or the gas supplier.
WARNING: If the information in this manual
is not followed exactly, a fire or explosion
may result causing property damage, per-
sonal 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.
• Immediatelycallyourgassupplierfrom
a neighbor’s phone. Follow the gas
supplier’s instructions.
• If you cannot reach your gas supplier,
call the fire department.
— Installation and service must be per-
formed by a qualified installer, service
agency, or the gas supplier.

2
CONTENTS SECTION PAGE
Safety Information......................................................................... 2
Product Identification .................................................................... 4
Local Codes ................................................................................... 4
Unpacking......................................................................................4
Product Features ............................................................................ 4
Installing To Wall.......................................................................... 5
Connecting To Gas Supply............................................................9
Checking Gas Connections............................................................10
Operating Heater ...........................................................................12
Inspecting Burner ..........................................................................15
Cleaning And Maintenance ........................................................... 16
Troubleshooting.............................................................................17
Technical Service ..........................................................................20
Specifications ................................................................................ 20
Service Hints ................................................................................. 21
Replacement Parts .........................................................................21
Service Publications ...................................................................... 21
Accessory ......................................................................................21
Parts List (Model VP5A)............................................................... 22
Illustrated Parts Breakdown (Model VP5A) ................................. 22
Parts List (Model VP11)................................................................23
Illustrated Parts Breakdown (Model VP11) ..................................23
Warranty Information .................................................................... Back Cover
Safety Information continued on next page
SAFETY
INFORMATION
!
WARNING ICON G 001
WARNINGS
IMPORTANT: Read this Owner’s Manual carefully and completely
before trying to assemble, operate, or service this heater. Improper
use of this heater can cause serious injury or death from burns, fire,
explosion, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
!
WARNING ICON G 001
DANGER
Carbon monoxide poisoning may lead to death!
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning
resemblethe flu,withheadaches, dizziness,or nausea.Ifyou havethesesigns,the
heater may not be workingproperly. Get freshairatonce!Have heater serviced.
Some people are more affected by carbon monoxide than others. These include
pregnant women, persons with heart or lung disease or anemia, those under the
influence of alcohol, and those at high altitudes.
Propane Gas: Propane gas is odorless. An odor-making agent is added to
propane gas. The odor helps you detect a propane gas leak. However, the odor
added to propane gas can fade. Propane gas may be present even though no odor
exists.
Make certain you read and understand all Warnings. Keep this manual for
reference. It is your guide to safe and proper operation of this heater.

3
SAFETY
INFORMATION
Continued
!
WARNING ICON G 001
WARNINGS Continued
1. Use only propane gas. Do not convert heater to use different fuel type.
2. Do not place propane supply tank(s) inside any structure. Locate propane
supply tank(s) outdoors.
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. Never install the heater
• in sleeping quarters, a mobile home, or a recreational vehicle
• where curtains, furniture, clothing, or other flammable objects are less than
36 inches from the front, top, or sides of the heater
• as a fireplace insert
• in high traffic areas
• in windy or drafty areas
5. Always run heater with control knob at LOW or HIGH locked positions
(VP11) or ON position (VP5A). Never set control knob between locked
positions. Poor combustion and higher levels of carbon monoxide may result.
6. Open window to admit fresh, outside air when using heater. Open window one
or two inches. When used without fresh, outside air, heater may give off
carbon monoxide gas.
7. Never run heater in small, closed room. Open door into next room to help
ventilate.
8. Keep all air openings in the front and bottom of heater clear and free of debris.
This will insure enough air for proper combustion.
9. If heater shuts off, do not relight until you provide fresh, outside air. If heater
keeps shutting off, have it serviced.
10.Do not run heater
• where flammable liquids or vapors are used or stored
• under dusty conditions
11.Never place any objects on the heater.
12.Surface of heater becomes very hot when running heater. Keep children and
adults away from hot surface to avoid burns or clothing ignition. Heater will
remain hot for a time after shut-down. Allow surface to cool before touching.
13.Make sure grill guard is in place before running heater.
14.Do not alter heater or its controls. Any change may create a safety hazard.
15.Do not use heater if any part of heater has been under water.
16.Turn off heater and let cool before servicing. Only a qualified service person
should service and repair heater.
17.Do not operate heater above elevations of 4,500 feet.

4
PRODUCT
IDENTIFICATION
PRODUCT
FEATURES
Safety Device
This heater has a pilot with an Oxygen Depletion Sensor Shutoff System (ODS).
The ODS/pilot is a required feature for vent-free room heaters. The ODS/pilot shuts
off the heater if there is not enough fresh air.
Piezo Ignition System
This heater has a piezo ignitor. This system requires no matches, batteries, or other
sources to light heater.
LOCAL CODES Install and use heater with care. Follow all local codes. In the absence of local
codes, use the latest edition of National Gas Code ANSI Z223.1, also known as
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
UNPACKING 1. Remove heater from carton.
2. Remove all protective packaging applied to heater for shipment.
3. Check heater for any shipping damage. If heater is damaged, promptly inform
dealer where you bought heater.
Control Knob
Heater
Cabinet
Grill
Guard
Burners
Front
Panel
Figure 1 - Vent-Free Propane Gas Heater (Model VP11 Shown)

5
INSTALLING
TO WALL NOTICE
Aqualifiedservicepersonmustinstallheater.Followalllocalcodes.
Continued
CHECK GAS TYPE
Use only propane gas. If your gas supply is not propane, 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.
• external regulator (supplied by
installer-see page 9)
• piping (check local codes)
• sealant (resistant to propane gas)
• manual shutoff valve *
• ground joint union
• test gauge connection * (see
Figure 11, page 10)
• sediment trap
• tee joint
• pipe wrench
* AnA.G.A. design-certifiedmanualshutoffvalvewith1/8"NPTtapisanacceptable
alternative to test gauge connection. The optional A.G.A. design-certified manual
shutoff valve can be purchased from your dealer. See ACCESSORY, page 21.
LOCATING HEATER
This heater is designed to be mounted on a wall.
!
WARNING ICON G001
WARNING
Maintain the minimum clearances shown in Figure 2 (page 6). If you
can, provide greater clearances from floor, ceiling, and joining wall.
!
WARNING ICON G001
WARNING
Never install the heater
• in sleeping quarters, a mobile home, or a recreational vehicle
• where curtains, furniture, clothing, or other flammable objects
are less than 36 inches from the front, top, or sides of the heater
• as a fireplace insert
• in high traffic areas
• in windy or drafty areas
!
WARNING ICON G 001
CAUTION
Operating heater where impurities in the air (such as tobacco
smoke) exist, may discolor walls.
!
WARNING ICON G 001
CAUTION
If you install the heater in a home garage
• heater pilot and burner must be at least 18 inches above floor
• locate heater where moving vehicle will not hit it
For convenience and efficiency, install heater
• where there is easy access for operation, inspection, and service
• in coldest part of room

6
2. Mark two mounting screw locations on wall (see Figure 3).
INSTALLING HEATER TO WALL
Marking Screw Locations
1. Determine where you will locate heater.
Figure 3 - Mounting Screw Locations
Mounting
Screw
Locations
10 7/8"
Minimum To
Maintain 8"
Clearance
From Wall
7 3/4"
20 1/4"
Minimum To
Maintain 3"
Clearance
From Floor
Figure 2 - Mounting Clearances As Viewed From Front of Heater
FLOOR
JOINING WALL
36"
3"
FLOOR
CEILING
Minimum
Minimum To Top Surface
Of Carpeting, Tile Or Other
Combustible Material
8"
Minimum
From
Sides Of
Heater
Right
Side
Left
Side
!
WARNING ICON G 001
WARNING
Maintain minimum clearances shown in Figure 3. If you can,
provide greater clearances from floor and joining wall.

7
Installing Two Mounting Screws
Note: Wall anchors and mounting screws are in hardware package. The hardware
package is provided with heater.
Attaching to wall stud method
For attaching mounting screw to wall stud
1. Drill hole at marked location using 9/64" drill bit.
2. Insert mounting screw into wall stud.
3. Tighten screw until 1/16" space (thickness of penny) is between screwhead and
wall.
Attaching to wall anchor method
Follow instructions below to attach mounting screws to hollow walls (wall areas
between studs) or solid walls (concrete or masonry).
1. Drill holes at marked locations using 5/16" drill bit. For solid walls (concrete or
masonry), drill at least 1 1/4" deep.
2. Fold wall anchor (see Figure 4).
ANCHOR
Figure 6 - Tightening Anchors
5. Tighten two screws until 1/16" space (thickness of penny) is between
screwheads and wall (see Figure 6).
Figure 5 - Popping Open Anchor Wings For Thin Walls
Thin Walls
(1/4" to 1/2" thick)
3. Insert wall anchor (wings first) into hole. Tap anchor flush to wall.
4. For thin walls (1/2" or less), insert red key into wall anchor. Push red key to
“pop” open anchor wings (see Figure 5). IMPORTANT: Do not hammer key!
For thick walls (over 1/2" thick) or solid walls, do not pop open wings.
Figure 4 - Folding Anchor
Thin or Thick Wall
(thick wall shown)
Solid Wall
1/16" Space

8
Placing Heater On Mounting Screws
1. Locate two keyhole slots on back panel of heater (see Figure 7).
2. Place large openings of slots over screwheads. Slide heater down until screws
are in small portion of slots.
Figure 9 - Installing Bottom Mounting Screw
Figure 7 - Location Of Keyhole Slots On Back Panel Of Heater
Keyhole Slots
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.
Figure 8 - Removing Front Panel Of Heater
Installing Bottom Mounting Screw
1. Locate bottom mounting hole. This hole is near bottom on back panel of heater
(see Figure 9).
2. Mark screw location on wall.
3. Remove heater from wall.
4. If installing bottom mounting screw into hollow or solid wall, install wall anchor.
Follow steps 1 through 5 under Attaching To Wall Anchor Method, page 7.
If installing bottom mounting screw into wall stud, drill hole at marked location
using 9/64" drill bit.
5. Replace heater on wall.
6. Insert bottom anchor screw through back panel into bottom anchor or drilled
hole (see Figure 9).
7. Tighten screw until heater is firmly secured to wall. Do not over tighten.
Note: Do not replace front panel at this time. Replace front panel after making
gas connections and checking for leaks (see pages 9-11).

9
CONNECTING
TO GAS
SUPPLY
NOTICE
A qualified service person must connect heater to gas supply.
Follow all local codes.
The installer must supply an external regulator. The external regulator will reduce
incoming gas pressure. You must reduce incoming gas pressure to between 11 and
14 inches of water. If you do not reduce incoming gas pressure, heater regulator
damage could occur. Install external regulator with the vent pointing down as
shown in Figure 10. Pointing the vent down protects it from freezing rain or sleet.
!
WARNING ICON G001
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.
Continued
Install sediment trap in supply line as shown in Figure 11. Locate sediment trap
where it is within reach for cleaning. Locate sediment trap where trapped matter is
not likely to freeze. A sediment trap traps moisture and contaminants. This keeps
them from going into heater controls. If sediment trap is not installed or is installed
wrong, heater may not run properly.
!
WARNING ICON G 001
CAUTION
Use pipe joint sealant that is resistant to liquid petroleum (LP) gas.
Installation must include a manual shutoff valve, ground joint union, and plugged
1/8" NPT tap. Locate NPT tap within reach for test gauge hook up. NPT tap must
be upstream from heater (see Figure 11, page 10).
Apply pipe joint sealant lightly to male threads. This will prevent excess sealant
from going into pipe. Excess sealant in pipe could result in clogged heater valves.
Figure 10 - External Regulator With Vent Pointing Down
!
WARNING ICON G 001
CAUTION
Use only new, black iron or steel pipe. Copper tubing may be used
in certain areas. Check your local codes. Use pipe 3/8" diameter or
greater to allow proper gas volume to heater. If pipe is too small,
undue loss of pressure will occur.
Propane
Supply Tank
Vent Pointing
Down
External
Regulator

10
IMPORTANT: Hold pressureregulator with wrenchwhenconnecting ittogas piping
and/or fittings.
Figure 11 - Gas Connection
* AnA.G.A. design-certifiedmanualshutoffvalvewith1/8"NPTtapisanacceptable
alternative to test gauge connection. Purchase the optional A.G.A. design-certified
manual shutoff valve from your dealer. See ACCESSORY, page 21.
CHECKING
GAS
CONNECTIONS
PRESSURE TESTING GAS SUPPLY PIPING SYSTEM
Test Pressures In Excess Of 1/2 PSIG
1. Disconnect heater and its individual manual shutoff valve from gas supply
piping system. Pressures in excess of 1/2 PSIG will damage heater regulator.
2. Cap off open end of gas pipe where manual shutoff valve was connected.
Continued
Tee Joint
Reducer
Bushing to
1/8" NPT
1/8" NPT
Plug Tap
Test
Gauge
Connection *
Tee
Joint
Pipe
Nipple
Cap
!
WARNING ICON G001
WARNING
Test all gas piping and connections for leaks after installing or
servicing. Correct all leaks at once.
!
WARNING ICON G001
WARNING
Never use an open flame to check for a leak. Apply a mixture of
liquid soap and water to all joints. Bubbles forming show a leak.
Correct all leaks at once.
!
WARNING ICON G001
CAUTION
Make sure external regulator has been installed between propane
supply and heater. See guidelines under CONNECTING TO GAS
SUPPLY, page 9.
Pressure
Regulator
3/8" NPT
Pipe Nipple
Heater
Cabinet
Ground Joint
Union
From External
Regulator
(11" W.C. to 14" W.C.
Pressure)
Manual
Shutoff
Valve *
3" Minimum Sediment
Trap