10
Merrimack Large Insert
30004671
To complement the manual setting of the air control, the
Merrimack Large Insert has an integral convection air
blower that ensures an even delivery of heat at the manual
setting you select.
The Fans
The convection fan delivers a steady stream of warm air
into the room. Use the fan speed control to regulate the flow
of air into the room. A thermal switch will automatically de-
activate the fan when the stove cools down. When starting
a fire in a cold stove, this switch will typically energize the
fan within about 0 minutes, after the stove heats up.
The fan speed should be set at “low” (fully closed) when
operating at low to medium burn rates and may be set
anywhere between “low” and “high” when operating at high
burn rates. (Refer to Figure 11 for fan access)
ST1156
fan speed control
Speed Control
Open Bottom Louvre to
Access Fan controls
ST1156
Fig. 11
Fan control access.
automatic Setback control
The automatic setback air control is used when starting or
reviving a fire and provides an increased flow of combustion
air to the fire until the firebox is sufficiently heated. This
air supply automatically resets to the desired air setting,
taking the guesswork out of operating the stove.
Figure 9 shows the automatic setback control. Move the
primary air control lever all the way to the left. Push the
primary control about one more inch to the left to open the
air shutter (the lever will spring back automatically when
released). The shutter will remain open only if the stove
is below its proper operating temperature. Once open, the
primary air control lever may be adjusted to any desired
position. Once the stove heats up to its proper operating
temperature, you will here a clicking sound confirming the
shutter has closed. This returns the stove to the output
setting of the primary air control.
This feature is primarily intended for reloading the stove
when lower air settings (low heat output) are desired, but
it is also useful any time the firebox is too cool for proper
combustion or when freshly added wood does not ignite
readily.
For maximum efficiency and performance, the Merrimack
insert should always have visible flames in newly added
wood, either within the fuel pile or near the roof of the
firebox. Wood moisture, piece size, draft, weather and
firebox temperature will all have an effect on how quickly
flaming occurs. The automatic setback air control is a
convenient feature allowing more user flexibility and ease
of operation.
burn only high-quality wood
The Merrimack Large Insert is designed to burn natural
wood only; do not burn fuels other than that for which it
was designed.
You’ll enjoy the best results when burning wood that has
been adequately air-dried. Avoid burning “green” wood
that has not been properly seasoned or cordwood that is
more than two years old.
The best hardwood fuels include oak, maple, beech, ash,
and hickory that has been split, stacked, and air-dried
outside under cover for at least one to two years.
For areas that do not have a supply of hardwood, com-
monly burned softwoods include tamarack, yellow pine,
white pine, Eastern red cedar, fir, and redwood. These
too should be properly dried.
Your Merrimack Large Insert will accept wood up to ”
(559 mm). Longer wood pieces work better than short
ones.
Wood should be stored under cover to maintain dryness.
Even for short-term storage, however, keep wood a safe
distance from the heater and keep it out of the areas
around the heater used for re-fueling and ash removal.
Use the air control Settings
that work best for you
No single air control setting will fit every situation. Settings
for each installation will differ depending on the quality of
the fuel, the amount of heat desired, and how long you
wish the fire to burn.
The control setting also depends on your particular “draft,”
or the force that moves air from the stove up through the
chimney. Draft is affected by such things as the length,
type, and location of the chimney, weather, local geogra-
phy, nearby obstructions, and other factors.
Too much draft may cause excessive temperatures in the
Merrimack Large Insert, and could even damage internal
components. On the other hand, too little draft can cause
backpuffing into the room or a very sluggish fire.
