An older Lopi insert question

[Wednesday Caste]

Hi folks!
This is such a helpful site! Nu-b and been lurking for about a week since I decided to supplement heating my home utilizing a fireplace insert. With limited finacial resources, I thought to buy a used one. Found this one on craigs but seller does not have model other than that it's a Lopi. I like the look of this model and would like to refinish (paint) the insert and panels and use if there are no "negative history" with this model. Can any of you id this model and provide any details for it? I have an 1800sf 1-story house with the masonry fireplace in the family room which is centrally located relative to the house. Will also check w/the county if there are any issues with this model once I have details.
Thanks for your input.
Quinn
(broken link removed)

 

[coreystaf]

There were alot of models of Lopi stoves back between ~1982-1990. Yours looks like one of these: 380/440/520
Look on the back there should be a stainless tag that tells which.
It also might be helpful if you showed a picture without the shroud

 

[Wednesday Caste]

Correy,
Thanks for your response. Here is a picture of the unit w/out shroud. Can you figure out which unit it is? Have you heard of any negative issues with this model? Oh, the seller added: Lopi Fireplace Insert with Variable Speed Forced Air Fan Model LX, Serial Number 20511
Any additional info is greatly appreciated.
Quinn

 

[Wednesday Caste]

I was also just informed from the seller that it needs the internal "bricks". He is wanting $300. Now that I'll need the bricks is this worth it even if I could get him down to $200-250 range?
Quinn

 

[Shane]

Does it have a cat? If so it could be the Flex 95. 3 bills for that stove doesn't seem half bad. You'll have under 50.00 in bricks.

 

[Wednesday Caste]

A little disappointed...
I just stopped at my local stove store and they told me that because I have one of the metal fireplaces put in a million track houses that it would be hard to fit a insert in the space opening (back 26" X depth 14" X height 16"). This unit I was looking at will not fit in that space either...ARGH!

 

[coreystaf]

Hi Wednesday,
I forwarded your pictures on to my Lopi rep, and he wrote back that your insert looks like the LX insert made in the early 80's. I pulled a manual to reference and 99% sure thats what it is. The bad news is that the manual says that it is strictly NOT approved for a zero clearance fireplace, which I assume by your last post that's what you have. Sorry. The newer Lopi inserts DO work in most zero clearance fireplaces if you get to that point.

 

[Wednesday Caste]

Thanks. Yeh, that's been my luck so far. I've decided to now go with a free standing stove.
OH YEAH!