RSF Focus 320 or Opel 3...?

[Eventhorizon]

So I'm making progress in having a heating fireplace as opposed to a direct-into-my-home-cold-air-dump. I like the look and cost of both the Opel 3 and the Focus 320. They are comparable to each other in cost so it's not a money thing and they both have a wide viewing window so I guess it's down to experiences with either one...

I can't find any reviews of the Focus so was wondering if anyone here either has one or sells one and can give some insight and comparisons?

Many thanks,

 

[skinanbones]

we sell RSF at our store and the focus 320 has only been on the market a year or so. From my understanding its a very similar burn to the Opel 2/3 it just a wider firebox. So far we have two or three of them installed, but into second homes or cottages. So we don't have a good real world idea of how they run.

 

[ADV]

So I'm making progress in having a heating fireplace as opposed to a direct-into-my-home-cold-air-dump. I like the look and cost of both the Opel 3 and the Focus 320. They are comparable to each other in cost so it's not a money thing and they both have a wide viewing window so I guess it's down to experiences with either one...

I can't find any reviews of the Focus so was wondering if anyone here either has one or sells one and can give some insight and comparisons?

Many thanks,

Consider the FP30 from Pacific energy as well.

 

[Eventhorizon]

Thanks for the FP30 suggestion. It comes in at a lower price because of the chimney and yet the performance on BTUs seems to out do the RSFs. What's more I like the North-South loading. Much better for a living room situation.

I'm seriously looking at the FP30 now.

 

[Grisu]

Thanks for the FP30 suggestion. It comes in at a lower price because of the chimney and yet the performance on BTUs seems to out do the RSFs. What's more I like the North-South loading. Much better for a living room situation.

I'm seriously looking at the FP30 now.

The FP30 has only been around for about 1.5 years. Thus, you may not find a lot of user reviews/experiences about it. However, the firebox is built like the one of the PE Summit. Looking at reports from PE Summit insert owners may therefore give you a rough idea about the performance of the FP30.

 

[begreen]

The primary difference between the FP30 and the Summit insert will be a dependency on the blower. As a general rule flush fireplaces or inserts will not convect as well without a blower running as units that project out onto the hearth a bit. That said the FP30 does have some of the advantages of the Summit like the squarish floating firebox, one-piece stainless baffle/mainfold, EBT2, and limited lifetime warranty. Ignore the peak BTU rating unless you intend to stoke the firebox constantly like a locomotive fireman.

 

[Eventhorizon]

Thanks BG. I have the airflow covered via a large ceiling fan with a great CFM capability and also plan on running the house fan.

Does the fan on the FP30 run automatically? Can it be disabled or turned off?

 

[begreen]

The blower is thermostatically regulated. Note that the FP30 like several other ZC units can be set up with gravity vents to improve convection with the blower off. It can also be remote ducted to help even out the heat, but that will require a blower.

From the manual:

Blower Operation

The blower is wired with a thermo switch that will turn on the blower automatically once the fireplace has reached an appropriate operating temperature.

It is also recommended that the blower be wired to a wall switch or dimmer switch for manual control. If the blower should ever need to be replaced, power to the blower can be shut off at the switch during replacement.

 

[ADV]

We just wrapped up our FP30 install and burned for the first time on Friday. I can't say enough about this unit. The burn is magnificent and hot. The gravity ducts belch heat without the blower quite well and I never really filled the firebox more than half full ( no power to run the blower yet). I'm used to open masonry fireplaces and this unit kicks the crap out of those. The flame colour and motion is unlike anything I've seen in an open box.
If you care about what a fireplace looks like, the FP30 won't disappoint. Looks awesome. The slightly geekish look with the single louver and ash plate shows the level of thinking that went into its design and performance.

 

[begreen]

Thanks for the update ADV. Good to hear that you have it up and running. Pics please! The fire in the big PE firebox is fun to watch, especially when you turn it down and it gets billowy.

 

[Eventhorizon]

BG - Thanks again. I remember now having read that but thought it was for the RSFs. I'll be sure to have the switch as part of the installation.

 

[Eventhorizon]

Pics or it didn't happen...

Thank you for the review, very helpful indeed. Any chance you can detail out a little the nature of your gravity duct (not an option I'd considered). Is this in a new build..? Would it be feasible in an already built home?

 

[Eventhorizon]

well this is proving to be a lot harder than I thought. My chase has a depth of 25" from the exterior wall. Apparently the FP30 requires 26.5" and this is a problem according to the dealer so I may not be able to go with the FP30. I don't understand why they can't just open it up, add the depth and then close it up for the required height and slope it back into the rest of the remaining chase at 25"...

They also said that the chase needs at least 6' of width with 5' of internal clearance and they were unsure if mine would give this clearance - it's 75" exactly on the exterior.

So I'm trying to see if the original RSF options are a go but I cannot find anyone who would be willing to do the whole job - inlcuding finishing interior and exterior.

On top of that, the RSF insists on their own Excel chimneys which are very expensive. I can source the parts cheaper I think than from a dealer but I don't know the full 'parts list' I'd need. I've put in a call to RSF but haven't heard back from them. I literally cannot pay someone to do this for me...

At this rate I might just board up the damn fireplace and spend the money on a kick-ass holiday or hunting trip...

If anyone can recommend a good contractor to do this work in the Media, PA area please let me know because I can't find the dude.

 

[pocono53]

What did you end up doing? Looking at the fp30 myself