OPEL2 Owner's Manual
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RSF Woodburning Fireplaces
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
THE COMBUSTION CONTROL SYSTEM
Since the doors are sealed, all combustion air must come through the OPEL2's draft control. This control has a
bimetal coil to allow more air when the unit is cold, and less air when the unit is hot, guarding against overheating.
It can be controlled either manually with the lever that is located below the right window frame, or automatically
with an optional electric wall thermostat.
For the first few days, it is best to operate the fireplace with the manual control fully open (moved to the right as
far as possible). Just control the fire as you would any normal fireplace, using one or two logs at a time for a
smaller fire, or more logs for more heat. Once you become familiar with operating the fireplace with the control
open, you can start experimenting with lower settings. Remember: when the fireplace is hot, the control will not
need as much movement to reduce the fire as when it is cold. The bimetal coil will already have shut the damper
part way.
OPTIONS
There are many different ways you can finish your OPEL2
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fireplace no matter what basic unit you have
purchased (black door: FF-OPAB2, gold door: FF-OPAG2, or pewter door: FF-OPAP2). You can choose to install
louvers – with or without the upper louver – louvers are available in various colors (regular black: FO-OPLB,
regular gold: FO-OPLG, regular pewter: FO-OPLP or classic black FO-OPLC) or no louvers at all (FO-F2).
If you choose to install only the lower louver while bocking off the upper louver on your OPEL2 fireplace, you
MUST install two Gravity Vent Kits (FO-V2). Gravity vent dampers may not be installed on an OPEL2 with a
blocked upper louver.
If you choose to install your OPEL2 fireplace without any louvers, you MUST install the Clean Face Option (FO-
F2) along with two Gravity Vent Kits (FO-V2). Gravity vent dampers may not be installed on a Clean Face OPEL2.
To simplify the installation of thin non-combustible materials such as ceramic tile or sliced brick, we have
designed rock retainer kits. They are not designed or required for full brick or stone. With a Louvered OPEL2, you
can choose to leave all the black metal completely exposed, partially exposed or completely covered with non-
combustible material. For a Louvered OPEL2, consider using the FO-FDK to keep both louvers open while
covering everything else, or the FO-KP2 if your want to cover the upper louver as well. For a Clean Face OPEL2,
consider using the FO-KP2, that will help you cover the entire fireplace facing with the exception of the door area.
Thin materials can also be installed directly on the face of the OPEL2 using high temperature silicone as glue,
without a rock retainer kit.
For increased air circulation and marginally more heat output, you can add the Circulating Internal Blower (FO-
FDHB5-N) to your Louvered OPEL2 or the Inline Fan (FO-CIF) to your Clean Face OPEL2.
If you have any rooms directly above or adjacent to the room with the fireplace that you would like to heat, you
may want to consider the Gravity Vent Kit (FO-V2). The gravity vent distributes hot air to these rooms and
requires no blower to assist its operation. With a Louvered OPEL2 (both louvers unblocked), you could consider
installing Dampers (FO-D) on your gravity vents. The dampers will enable you to choose between sending the
heated air to the gravity vent outlet or keeping it in the fireplace room.
For constant heat, day and night, you will be surprised by what the Thermostat Option (FO-FDHC4) can do for
you. This option provides you with the necessary parts to automatically control the draft control via a wall
thermostat. It will keep your room temperature as even as though you were heating with oil, gas or electricity,
except you will find wood heat more comfortable.
To maximize the distribution of the heat generated by your OPEL2 fireplace throughout many rooms and different
floors, consider the Central Heat Option. With our Central Heat Blower (FO-FDHB6-1), you can use the house
central heating ducts or dedicated ducts to circulate the fireplace heat to one or many rooms. The Central Heat
Control (FO-FDHC6) will enable automatic control of the Central Heat Blower via a wall thermostat and thermal
switch. The Zone Heat Control (FO-FDHCZ1) along with Zone Damper Kits (FO-FDHCZ2) will provide the same
features as the Central Heat Control but for more than one heating zone. If you wish to install the Central Heat
Blower on a Clean Face OPEL2, you will need the Central Heat T (FO-T) that will enable you to connect the
central heat duct along with the left gravity vent on the fireplace.
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You can also refer to the configured option list on page 24.
