New to me Vista

[mackconsult]

Hey all its been a while. My MS390 got stolen out of my garage last year so I have kind of been out of this whole wood thing. Just a few weeks back I bought a used 460 farmboss with 25" bar, and my brother in law got himself a wood splitter, so we are starting to get back into the swing of things.

I had originally posted that I wanted to replace my existing ZC fireplace with a wood stove ZC, but then I found a Vista on craigslist for $600 with fans and facade. Here is the product information:

(broken link removed to http://www.pacificenergy.net/products/wood/inserts/vista-insert/)

I measured up my existing factory ZC fireplace and I am pretty sure it will fit perfectly. I guess now the big question is what do I need to do with the chimney. Once it stops raining on Friday I am going to pull the rain cap and take some pictures and measurements to see what exactly is my existing chimney setup. Hoping it is insulated and that I could just put a flexible line in with out insulation.

Any body else been in my situation? Was kind of hoping that I could install the vista and just plumb it into my existing chimney, then later this summer invest in a liner and install a better chimney system. Don't want to risk anything though so I guess I need to check the existing chimney setup. Will post back with pictures and my findings.

 

[begreen]

I would plan on the liner. It won't take that long to install and you will get the best performance from the setup right away.

 

[mackconsult]

Yes I realize that. Although today I am kicking down $450 for a laptop (to run solidworks/video card on the W500 is on its way out), then $650 on Saturday for this stove ..... when my wife sees this $$$ gone from the checking account she is going to flip out. But hey the laptop ensures future revenue, and the wood stove will make the house nice and comfy right I have been looking at the flex insert system and will be going that route eventually (cost appears to be about $300 @ chimneylinerdepot.com). Tomorrow night will pull my rain cap off and take some measurements and pictures and report back. That will be what determines whether I can get away with a simple 6-8 adapter on the flue till the summer, and then at that time I can invest in a flexible insert and put a super robust chimney in.

I would plan on the liner. It won't take that long to install and you will get the best performance from the setup right away.

 

[begreen]

Sometimes the FP spec can tell you what pipe is used. Do you know what's the make and model of the ZC fireplace?

 

[mackconsult]

Well crap, I just got home and looked up into the ZC fireplace. The opening is just a hair under 8", but looks like I will definitely need to put an insert into the chimney. There wouldn't be any way really to ensure that Creole would not come down on the stove top. So an insert it is ...... my wife is going to flip out on me when she comes back from the beach ..... Oh well.

 

[mackconsult]

Okay I found a nameplate on the right side of the ZC fireplace.

Superior
Date of Mfg BE
PN 094413A W-
Model KC-38-2

 

[mackconsult]

Well I stopped by and looked at the stove and took some measurements. The outside sheet metal that connects to the facade was a little bent, and it didn't seem like the fan was blowing real hard. Other than that it looks to be in excellent shape. One thing I did notice that was kind of odd was that right at the top were the flue comes out was all this insulation inside ..... does that seem right?

Tonight after work I will remeasure my ZC fireplace to check that it fits. Will also be taking pictures and measurements of my chimney setup. I also found a 6" insulated flex insert that is 30 feet long on craigslist for $250. My wife is probably not going to like me when she comes back from the beach, but I will only be into it about $800 and I think we will have a pretty good heating solution ..... as long as I can keep finding wood

 

[mackconsult]

Okay I created some models in solidworks and laid it all out.

It appears that the stove will fit okay but the 6" outlet of the stove is shifted forward about 2" from the 8" chimney. From the top of the stove to the ceiling of chimney is only 1.25" so there is not a lot of room here to make this happen (I might be able to gain another 1/2" by pulling out all the bottom brick. I look for guidance on whether I should move forward with this.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mackconsult]

Here is a liner I found on craigslist for $250, its a kit so it comes with cap and stuff, just might need to get the round to oval.

(broken link removed to http://www.rockfordchimneysupply.com/ovalchimneylinerkit.php)

 

[mackconsult]

Here I am trying to keep this thread alive ..... hoping I can keep this idea of the vista in my ZC fireplace alive.

I found that if a do a small cut in the top of the fireplace to allow the 8" center stove pipe to move a little I think I can accommodate the 6" liner that I will need to put in.

This is the one real big challenge I see at this point. The top I can use screws and insulation.

I realize that if I cut into the top of my fireplace that the UL goes void, but I am willing to live with it. Pretty sure it will be safe because there is a 10" stove pipe that won't be disrupted and all the exhaust will go up the liner.

Please some one chime in an tell me if this is to crazy to try and do .....

 

[begreen]

Okay I created some models in solidworks and laid it all out.

It appears that the stove will fit okay but the 6" outlet of the stove is shifted forward about 2" from the 8" chimney. From the top of the stove to the ceiling of chimney is only 1.25" so there is not a lot of room here to make this happen (I might be able to gain another 1/2" by pulling out all the bottom brick. I look for guidance on whether I should move forward with this.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

You are not permitted to modify the ZC fireplace outside of removing cosmetic items and the damper. This is stated in the manual. Violating the steel jacket of the ZC would be a very unwise and unsafe practice in my opinion.

 

[mackconsult]

Okay begreen. How about all the firebrick in the fireplace. I have talked to probably 10 different installers here in PNW. Some say they have removed the stone slabs and passed inspection. I would need to remove all of the stones in my fireplace to make this thing fit. Then if I just bang out the sides walls just a little I think I can make this work.

It seems to me that removing the stones would not be an issue. The fire is inside the wood stove and so the insert gets hot, but I can't imagine it would be as hot as a "FIRE" that is in the fireplace.

So the only mods I am talking about doing are:

1. Remove the screen and doors
2. Remove the existing damper
3. Remove all the bricks on back, side, and bottom
4. Slightly bang out the sides so I can set the insert back a bit to line up with the chimney

 

[begreen]

Not the way I read it. From the Vista manual:

 

[mackconsult]

Understood.

 

[mackconsult]

Well I got it installed finally turned out really super nice I think. I had my guys at work build up a weldment for me out of 7 gauge stainless that sites underneath the stove to support it. Then underneath the firebox I put down thick strip stock with pipes to support all the weight just underneath the sheet metal of the fireplace. The load of the stove is now carried down to the framing of the house.

Next is to put in a full stainless chimney liner, the facade, and the fan unit that came with the stove. Its been heating the house constantly since being installed last Thursday and is rock solid. Have had the stove really super hot, and the stainless weldment is warm but I can leave my hand on it.

Really liking it ..... and so it the wife, kids, and dog.

http://24.22.111.106/wordpress/?p=4367

 

[mackconsult]

(broken image removed)

Got the facade installed and the fan. Just in time for the sunshine and spring weather.

 

[bholler]

I just want to point out that this is a direct quote from the superior Model KC-38-2 manual "Do not use a fire place insert or any other products not specified herein by Superior for use with this fireplace. I can all but guarantee that if there is ever an insurance claim due to this setup your insurance will deny the claim because of that sentence.

 

[mackconsult]

I just want to point out that this is a direct quote from the superior Model KC-38-2 manual "Do not use a fire place insert or any other products not specified herein by Superior for use with this fireplace. I can all but guarantee that if there is ever an insurance claim due to this setup your insurance will deny the claim because of that sentence.

Okay .... thanks for that. I am taking a calculated risk and well aware of that.

 

[bholler]

ok as long as you are aware of that

 

[bholler]

and did I read that right that you are burning it before you put the liner in? If so that is very dangerous and absolutely should not be done.