Lopi Declaration - First Impressions

Nice-N-Warm · Oct 10, 2008

Thought I'd drop a note on some first impressions now that I've had my Declaration for a couple of weeks.

Appearance: Excellent. My wife was pretty insistent on a flush insert. Turns out it looks great and meets all the necessary clearances with ease. I like the glass, gives a nice view of the fire. Double doors make for easy loading, although you do need to be at floor level - not a big deal.

Operation: VERY easy to get going and keep burning. Full liner provides plenty of draft. Startup isn't a problem as long as you don't rush it and make sure there's plenty of nice, dry kindling to get things going. Sure beats screwing around with the fireplace. Secondary burn and air adjust are easy to control and very straightforward. Very controllable so far.

I do have to say that the dual blowers are not yet working, which was a bit of a disappointment for a brand new stove, but not the end of the world by any means. (After some trouble shooting, I believe it is the rheostat, and have a replacement coming in next week. Many thanks to R&D;Guy for his input and words of wisdom - VERY helpful!)

Output: This insert is in a decent size family room, almost 800 sq. feet with a cathedral ceiling. There is a ceiling fan in place, which makes a huge difference in heat distribution. Even without the blowers operating, and moderately hot stove temps (400-450), the room is VERY comfortable. I'm seeing room temps in the mid 70's and it carries well into the adjacent kitchen area as well. (Great to know in case of a power outage) My next project is getting the heat to the other areas of the house (this living room+kitchen is an addition, with only a standard door opening leading to the other side). That'll take a bit of trial and error on my part.

Burn time: Had a couple of overnight fires and while I wasn't working towards a max. burn time, I can say that I got about 5-6 hrs. out of it and hadn't really packed it for an all night burn. I'm pretty confident that I will end up in the 6-8 hr range.

All in all, very happy with our choice! Hopefully, we're up to 100% operation when the new rheostat is in.

UPDATE as of 10/11/08----- All is up and running normally. Turned out we had a bad wiring connection, that was replaced, and everything kicks on as planned. Heat output is significantly increased (as expected) and I'm a happy camper. For the first time in years, I'm looking forward to cold weather!

Max Headroom · Oct 10, 2008

I've been burning with my declaration on and off for a couple of weeks now and have had a similar experience. Yup, it's a real good looking unit. Like you mentioned a little patience getting it going. The secondary burn seems to kick in very quickly. I find that mesmerizing (of course my wife thinks I'm nuts). You'll find that the blowers make a significant difference on the output. Burn time looks good, with a decent bed of coals in the morning. One problem that I have had is that the bypass damper sometimes jams. The dealer sent a guy out and he made a little adjustment, but mentioned that it's a common problem, and referred to it as a "design defect". Hmmm, I never saw that referenced anyplace. Aside from that though we've been very happy with it. Still on the learning curve though.

Nice-N-Warm · Oct 10, 2008

Hi Prometheus, glad to hear you've had a good experience. The jamming on the bypass damper happens to me as well!(forgot to mention that).

It seems it hangs up as the stove is heating up through 150-250 degrees and then frees up. I was going to have them take a look when the rheostat is replaced. Something has to be expanding in there and hanging up the mechanism... it doesn't happen when the stove is cold or all the way up to heat. I would have expected it to happen most when the stove is hottest.... unless one of the metals is expanding at a faster rate than another during warmup... (Or i could just be overthinking the whole thing!)

Anyhow.... glad all's well at your end....
And you're right! There's nothing like watching the secondary burn..... kinda like a liquid flame.

rfalk · Oct 14, 2008

I installed a Delaration this summer and have only burned a few times (today it was 77 in Madison), however this insert really pours out the heat. I haven't had a problem with the sticking controls....only issue to date is that the stove really hisses (sucking air around junction of door, I think) for the first 20 minutes. Once things are cooking and I throttle it down, there is no problem. Must be too much draft. Will post pics when we finish our custom surround. bob

stanleyjohn · Oct 14, 2008

rfalk said:
I installed a Delaration this summer and have only burned a few times (today it was 77 in Madison), however this insert really pours out the heat. I haven't had a problem with the sticking controls....only issue to date is that the stove really hisses (sucking air around junction of door, I think) for the first 20 minutes. Once things are cooking and I throttle it down, there is no problem. Must be too much draft. Will post pics when we finish our custom surround. bob

The seal around the door may not be tight enough and may need adjustment.Place a dollar bill between the door and stove opening and close the door!You shouldnt be able to pull out the bill to easy.

RobinJoe · Nov 13, 2008

When our Lopi Declarations was installed, the flue liner aparently shifted down and caused a problem with the by-pass damper. It didn't actually "jam" it, but caused a scraping sound as you pulled it open and closed. They were able to pull it fix it easily. Don't know if it's the same problem you're having.

eba1225 · Nov 13, 2008

Glad to hear that you are enjoying your stove. This is my 2nd year and find that it does a good job of provinding a lot of warmth. My overnight burn usually last 6 - 7 hours with some coals available in the am for starting back up.

My only gripe is that it sits at floor height and is a little low to get the wood in, I have to sit on the floor to get the wood into the firebox.

I do not have any problems with the damper controls, but I did have a blower fan die last year after 1 month (was under warranty).

Erik

Nice-N-Warm · Nov 13, 2008

I'm happy to hear you're satisfied with the unit. So far, so good over this way. I like it, and importantly, my wife does too! I hear you on the low opening for the door... but it's liveable.

The damper control getting hung up is really strange. Seems to definitely be a function of stove temp.

Cold, it slides effortlessly.
Warming up, it can be a bear to move - although doesn't seem as stubborn lately.
Hot, and up to temp. it's back to sliding effortlessly... go figure

2 questions for you.
Where do you place your thermometer? (mine is behind the grille on the front of the stove rather than on the door)
What temp does your stove like to cruise at? (400-450 seems where it likes to be, occaisonaly higher depending on the wood)

rfalk · Nov 14, 2008

RobinJoe said:
When our Lopi Declarations was installed, the flue liner aparently shifted down and caused a problem with the by-pass damper. It didn't actually "jam" it, but caused a scraping sound as you pulled it open and closed. They were able to pull it fix it easily. Don't know if it's the same problem you're having.

Thanks, I installed myself and securely screwed the liner to the stove inlet with enough clearance to assure the by-pass wouldn't jam. I believe that I have a leak in the door gasket and just haven't found the time to deal with it (too busy splitting wood!). Thanks, bob

thirteen · Nov 14, 2008

We are currently looking at this insert. My wife really loves that it looks nothing like a wood stove. My major issue is the price of the unit. I was quoted $3500 just for the unit with an extra $1500 for the install. I'd probably install it myself, but I find it tough to justify the price of this unit over an englander or napoleon for $1500.

Nice-N-Warm · Nov 14, 2008

I agree the Declaration seems to be on the pricey side. Your wife and mine are on the same page... She was pretty insistent on a flush mount insert simply for the look. Upon doing the research, and based on our room layout, and clearances we had to work with, I had to agree that it was the best choice. That narrowed it down to the Declaration or the Jotul Rockland.

When all was said and done, we ended up with the Declaration. So far I really like it. Had it fired up for a couple of days straight last week (not that it was all that cold, but cold enough). Easy to keep cruising at a good temp. Put out a lot of heat and my wife had no problem keeping it cooking while I wasn't home... To be honest, I think she actually likes it!

Good luck in whatever choice you make.

RobinJoe · Nov 14, 2008

Dave,

It looks like you and I had the exact same decision making process. My wife insisted on a flush unit as well. The price was a bit much, but over the life of the unit, it's not too bad. Now that it's in, and fired up, we love it.

My wife is at home during the day too, and she manages to keep it going. At first we were very concerned that her allergies wouldn't take well to the fire/smoke, but so-far so-good. Much better than the open fire. Every once in a while we get a little smoke in the room when I "toss" some wood in. I need to be more careful about that.

She's also having a little trouble remembering the proper control rod positions. With time, I'm sure she'll get it.

Joe

Nice-N-Warm said:
I agree the Declaration seems to be on the pricey side. Your wife and mine are on the same page... She was pretty insistent on a flush mount insert simply for the look. Upon doing the research, and based on our room layout, and clearances we had to work with, I had to agree that it was the best choice. That narrowed it down to the Declaration or the Jotul Rockland.

When all was said and done, we ended up with the Declaration. So far I really like it. Had it fired up for a couple of days straight last week (not that it was all that cold, but cold enough). Easy to keep cruising at a good temp. Put out a lot of heat and my wife had no problem keeping it cooking while I wasn't home... To be honest, I think she actually likes it!

Good luck in whatever choice you make.

Nice-N-Warm · Nov 14, 2008

Hi Joe,

I agree it's a really nice unit and an excellent soution for us. The whole family is in agreement that it's been a good purchase.

Regarding the smoke in the room, I find that if you open the bypass damper all the way give it a few seconds and then just crack the door for a few more seconds before opening the doors all the way you won't have much of a problem (if any) with smoke. If I try to rush it and don't follow the procedure above, it can get pretty smokey.

My wife also had a bit of a challenge with remembering the positions of the damper control etc., but like you said, that will come with time. Glad to hear you're keeping warm!

RobinJoe · Nov 14, 2008

Yes, I (almost) always open the flue damper first, and open the door a crack for a few seconds. I also try to keep the left door closed and load throught the right door only. But sometimes I "toss" wood in rather than place it (because the box is so hot). When I do that, sometimes the smoke gets blown back in to the room.

I believe the manual says we should open the air supply to full (rod pushed in) when loading the wood as well. I wonder if that is the best though. If the air supply is closed, then all the air will come through the door, and it can be quite a draft. I would think this would tend to keep the smoke from comming in to the room.

Any thoughts/experience?

Nice-N-Warm · Nov 14, 2008

I don't fiddle much with the air supply when reloading... either in our out, it seems to go ok. I do open both doors whenever reloading, it's just a little easier. I usually leave the air control it where it's set for at the time i'm reloading and see how the fresh load of wood does at that setting. Sometimes OK, others I need to feed a little more air for a short time. I think this whole woodburning thing is more art than science.

One tip I've read here for safer/easier reloading is to buy a set of welders gloves (the long gauntlet style, heavy leather gloves) From what I've read, it makes loading wood MUCH more comfortable and saves burns you can get from grazing the stove when reloading. I'm going to pick up a pair next time I hit one of the big box stores that carry this item.

rfalk · Nov 14, 2008

thirteen said:
We are currently looking at this insert. My wife really loves that it looks nothing like a wood stove. My major issue is the price of the unit. I was quoted $3500 just for the unit with an extra $1500 for the install. I'd probably install it myself, but I find it tough to justify the price of this unit over an englander or napoleon for $1500.

I paid $2600 (that includes 5.5% tax) in June for the unit. I beat what I was told would be a 6% price increase, so your price seems high to me. I did not purchase the surround or face as I had a blacksmith make a custom face (pictures to be posted as soon as I finish some final touches). I installed myself (another $300-$400 for 35' of pipe, blockoff plate, insulation, caulking, top plate, etc.) bob

thirteen · Nov 15, 2008

rfalk said:
thirteen said:

We are currently looking at this insert. My wife really loves that it looks nothing like a wood stove. My major issue is the price of the unit. I was quoted $3500 just for the unit with an extra $1500 for the install. I'd probably install it myself, but I find it tough to justify the price of this unit over an englander or napoleon for $1500.

Click to expand...

I paid $2600 (that includes 5.5% tax) in June for the unit. I beat what I was told would be a 6% price increase, so your price seems high to me. I did not purchase the surround or face as I had a blacksmith make a custom face (pictures to be posted as soon as I finish some final touches). I installed myself (another $300-$400 for 35' of pipe, blockoff plate, insulation, caulking, top plate, etc.) bob

The $3500 price included whatever the basic face is and the surround. We only have one Lopi dealer in our area so I can't really compare prices or shop around on it.

begreen · Nov 15, 2008

Hey all, good to hear about the nice experiences with this beauty. But where are the pictures? We want FIRE!!

budman · Oct 9, 2009

Nice-N-Warm said:
Hi Prometheus, glad to hear you've had a good experience. The jamming on the bypass damper happens to me as well!(forgot to mention that).

It seems it hangs up as the stove is heating up through 150-250 degrees and then frees up. I was going to have them take a look when the rheostat is replaced. Something has to be expanding in there and hanging up the mechanism... it doesn't happen when the stove is cold or all the way up to heat. I would have expected it to happen most when the stove is hottest.... unless one of the metals is expanding at a faster rate than another during warmup... (Or i could just be overthinking the whole thing!)

Anyhow.... glad all's well at your end....
And you're right! There's nothing like watching the secondary burn..... kinda like a liquid flame.

I know this is a year late but i just found this post.Travis found a defect on the bypass rod that connects
to the bypass plate,it is to long.You have to cut 1/8 of an inch off.When the stove heats up the rod expands
and jams the plate.

Lopi Declaration - First Impressions

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