empire fireplace insert draft problem

[tinman]

We're having a problem with a empire direct vent fireplace insert. I will get the model number from the office tomorrow but for now I figured to get a thread started. The fireplace is a natural gas insert with two 4 inch liners going up the old chimney. The liners are about 17 feet long. The unit is spark ignition with a switch to force it to full time standing pilot if desired.

The problem is with the venting. If the unit sits for any length of time and there is a call for heat, the pilot is lit by the spark ignition. Up to that point all is well but when the main burner lights it flutters and affects the pilot and the burner will go out due to the flame sensor losing signal. If we turn the unit on and switch it to full time pilot for 8 minutes with out the main burner on this warms the venting up and it operates properly. There appears to be some kind of inversion going on with a cold start. Also the wind affects the operation in spark mode or continuous pilot mode.

I'm not sure how to remedy this. It currently has a breidert type cap on the coaxial chimney termination. I have been thinking about trying a star-kap.

any thoughts?

[STLCardinals11]

Randy,

Sorry to hear you are having issues with your insert. Have you tried calling Empire's tech service? Call them at (618) 233 7420 and ask for either Jonathon or Bruce B. They will help get you squared away.

[tinman]

Thanks for the reply. We have been on the phone to empire tech service and have tried many of their recommendations with no positive results. It was their recommendation to leave the pilot on for 8 minutes before turning the burner on. It did help but the wind still affects the operation.

[tinman]

still having problems with this fireplace. Empire recently sent a baffle to try. We put it in and found no improvement. I think to cut our losses it's time to pull the unit out and junk it. It's a shame being a new piece of equipment.

[hearthman]

Not familiar with that termination cap. Is it tested and listed for use with this fireplace? Is it a co-axial direct vent termination for inserts or just a single vent cap like the Star Kap?

[tinman]

After looking into it the star cap won't work in this application. The current cap is a high wind cap co-axial cap made by simpson duravent.

[robatnorfolk]

Make sure you check with manufacturer for vents that are approved (tested) with that appliance. I have used Simpson Duravent high wind caps for years with no problems. Is there a pilot shield that would keep the pilot stable?

[hearthman]

Note that the Simpson DV regular B-vent termination looks almost identical and has the same OD and can fit on a co-axial to co-linear liner termination. Without those air intake louvers are the base, it will ghost out.

[tinman]

The cap that is on there is the cap that comes with the vent kit supplied by empire.

[Mkrewer]

We have run into similar problems and the mfg said to cut the intake 4' above the fireplace and pull combustion air from chase, did you try that?