Lopi Declaration insert power cord

[tora]

I was checking out the Lopi Declaration specs, and it says the minimum front fireplace width is 30-7/8", but also says that includes 2" for the power cord.

My fireplace is 29-1/2" width in front but it also has an ash chute - can I use that for the power cord and make the Declaration fit in my fireplace? My fireplace height is 28" and lintel to flue is about 21".

Also what's the ballpark cost for a Lopi Declaration?

Thanks!

 

[AbeAinPa]

I installed a Declaration this year and I really do love it, both it'sappearance and it's heat output. The power cord comes out the side near the front (comes with it on the right, but can be routed to the left if that works better). I'm guessing the 2" clearance is recommended so that the cord has room to make the turn toward the front, the normal installation is to have the cord come out through the bottom of the surround trim piece. I have a rather large fireplace with an air intake up front. I was able raise the insert up of the floor of the fireplace with some cobble stones up front and some fire brick in the rear (all mortared into place). This allowed me to run the power cord under the front of the unit and down the air intake opening. I'm guessing your ash pit is in the rear of your fireplace, so not sure if this kind of setup could work or not, might be an issue with heat buildup in the back, but might be something to think about.

 

[AbeAinPa]

Forgot to mention, ballpark cost around $3000, not including installation.

 

[tora]

Thanks for your reply. I have room up top, so raising it like you did and running the cord underneath is a possibility. But the cord still needs some space on the side to turn, right?

 

[stejus]

Here's what I did with my cord, it's a HI300 that normally routes out the side.

 

[tora]

Thanks for the pic, stejus.

Did the surround cover the smoke marks on the bricks at the top corners (I can see little in the picture)? I have that issue too and am wondering if the surround will cover it or if I'm going to have to use some nuclear-powered cleaner to get it off.

 

[stejus]

Thanks for the pic, stejus.

Did the surround cover the smoke marks on the bricks at the top corners (I can see little in the picture)? I have that issue too and am wondering if the surround will cover it or if I'm going to have to use some nuclear-powered cleaner to get it off.

Sure did. I pre-measured because I wanted to get off the marks before I installed. The surround covered it so I didn't bother. Notice the cord, or the lack of a cord tucked into the surround. Looks nice an clean without the cord showing.

 

[tora]

Wow! Very nice. Thanks for the info and the pic.

 

[AbeAinPa]

One thing I considered but didn't do because I had room to the side, was to reroute the cord through the bottom of the stove. You'd have to drill a new hole, but that wouldn't be too tough with the right tools. Here's what my final install looked like, I was also able to do a recessed install because I had enough depth to work with.

 

[tora]

Abe,

When you say drill a new hole, I assume you mean drill a new hole in the bottom or back of the stove for the rerouting...? Probably a dumb question, but I just want to confirm. I would be concerned about voiding the warranty...

Very nice install, looks fabulous! I like how you recessed it. Sorry to pester you with questions, but:

Do you think recessing affects heat output at all?

About how far can you recess it before opening the doors starts to become limited?

When you did the recess, making and installing the custom surround wasn't a big deal?

Any special reason you didn't go with the Lopi Freedom?

 

[AbeAinPa]

Abe,

When you say drill a new hole, I assume you mean drill a new hole in the bottom or back of the stove for the rerouting...? Probably a dumb question, but I just want to confirm. I would be concerned about voiding the warranty...

Very nice install, looks fabulous! I like how you recessed it. Sorry to pester you with questions, but:

Do you think recessing affects heat output at all?

About how far can you recess it before opening the doors starts to become limited?

When you did the recess, making and installing the custom surround wasn't a big deal?

Any special reason you didn't go with the Lopi Freedom?

I can't answer the question about voiding the warranty, I guess that's a question for Lopi (Travis Industries), but what I was thinking was was this. There is currently a hole in the outer shell of the unit on both sides for the cord to pass through. There should be no issue in my opinion with drilling a third hole in the bottom next to one of the blowers. I have no special qualifications to make this statement, just my opinion. If you don't feel comfortable doing this, I would not recommend it.

Thanks for the compliment on my install. To answer your other questions:

Heat output on an insert is mainly from the blowers, my opinion is that by recessing the unit by what amounts to 2-1/4" further back than a standard install, that there is no heat output reduction.

The front of my stove is only recessed about 1 inch so no interference re: limited door opening. Don't think you'd want to recess it any futher than that.

If your opening is rather small, it might be a significant challenge to do this kind of install, mine was a significant amount of extra work as it was. The think to look for is how much room you'll have left on the top after you raise the stove (you'll need at least 3" I would say in order to be able to do the liner connection. I installed cobble stone on the bottom and angle iron on the three other sides to create the recessed opening, this amounted to a couple EXTRA weekend of work for me. Even with my rather large firebox, I still ended up with tight working conditions due to the recess and raise. The bigest problen I encountered was that by recessing the unit, the liner was just bearly able to make the bend to pass through the old damper opening and up the chimney. So to answer you question on the, yes, it was something of a big deal, but I made it work and like the results.

 

[jbroich]

Nice installation, Abe!

I have my Declaration hardwired. The wire goes down the old ash chute in the back of the firebox.

 

[tora]

I can't answer the question about voiding the warranty, I guess that's a question for Lopi (Travis Industries), but what I was thinking was was this. There is currently a hole in the outer shell of the unit on both sides for the cord to pass through. There should be no issue in my opinion with drilling a third hole in the bottom next to one of the blowers. I have no special qualifications to make this statement, just my opinion. If you don't feel comfortable doing this, I would not recommend it.

Thanks for the compliment on my install. To answer your other questions:

Heat output on an insert is mainly from the blowers, my opinion is that by recessing the unit by what amounts to 2-1/4" further back than a standard install, that there is no heat output reduction.

The front of my stove is only recessed about 1 inch so no interference re: limited door opening. Don't think you'd want to recess it any futher than that.

If your opening is rather small, it might be a significant challenge to do this kind of install, mine was a significant amount of extra work as it was. The think to look for is how much room you'll have left on the top after you raise the stove (you'll need at least 3" I would say in order to be able to do the liner connection. I installed cobble stone on the bottom and angle iron on the three other sides to create the recessed opening, this amounted to a couple EXTRA weekend of work for me. Even with my rather large firebox, I still ended up with tight working conditions due to the recess and raise. The bigest problen I encountered was that by recessing the unit, the liner was just bearly able to make the bend to pass through the old damper opening and up the chimney. So to answer you question on the, yes, it was something of a big deal, but I made it work and like the results.

Very helpful info, Abe, much appreciated!!

 

[AbeAinPa]

You're welcome and good luck with yours, whatever stove you pick.

 

[rfalk]

Nice installation, Abe!

I have my Declaration hardwired. The wire goes down the old ash chute in the back of the firebox.

I did the same thing.bob