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MingusPirate · 11-26-2021, 12:11 AM

A little while ago DW and I were started by a large bang. When we turned on the lights the frame of the Furrion fireplace was on the floor and the glass was shattered . It hasn't been turned on for several months and the fiver has been set for two months. It was cold. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

MrMark52 · 11-26-2021, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MingusPirate

A little while ago DW and I were started by a large bang. When we turned on the lights the frame of the Furrion fireplace was on the floor and the glass was shattered . It hasn't been turned on for several months and the fiver has been set for two months. It was cold. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Had a similar thing happen to us on our home microwave - we came home from somewhere to find glass all over the floor, the mwave had not been used for days.

You will probably be luckier than we were - the glass or the door for the mwave was NLA - which meant we had to get a new one.

MingusPirate · 11-27-2021, 10:56 AM

I think I'm going to replace it with Lexan. Total cost will be about $50.

docj · 11-27-2021, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MingusPirate

I think I'm going to replace it with Lexan. Total cost will be about $50.

If that fireplace produces any significant amount of heat, I'd be surprised if Lexan would withstand it without softening. Just because it's break-resistant doesn't mean that it would be good for this application.

From the photo you posted, I would guess that it was a piece of tempered glass that did what tempered glass often does when it shatters.

donr103 · 11-27-2021, 12:10 PM

Please don't use plastic... while I cannot speak as to this specific model of fireplace.. from selling fireplaces for 40yr in the past.. they put out far to much heat for any plastic covers.. so if you use lexan which is clear plastic.. you must completely disconnect the fireplace and label the connections that you used lexan window.. and fireplace cannot ever be used until proper part is used.. trust me.. it is.. EXTREME FIRE HAZARD..
I am sorry about what has happened.. but it is normal for the tempered glass to just become brittle over time and explode .. it seems that mostly Chinese glass that does this..
So.. best to go to a real glass shop.. have them cut you PYREX GLASS.. made just for this type of fireplace.. yes.. $$ but if your loved one borrowed rv and fires up fireplace and goes to sleep or steps out.. VERY HI CHANCE OF FIRE.. and hi possibly that you will burn down other rv's too.. and when it's all said and done.. just to save a few bucks..
When all the fire investigators show up.. and file their reports..
Guess who is going to be asked to pay for all the damage..
The investigation will lead them right back to you.. and in today's environment.. they will be looking to lay all that on you.. including this post.. if someone gets hurt.. well even more damages will be layed on your shoulders..
You don't want that.. so suck up the mess.. permanently disconnect fireplace.. and don't use it..
Don't try to save a buck here.. or consequences could be disaster..
You can call around until you find a good glass shop to cut you a piece..
By the way.. most of these fireplaces say.. never to use them without the proper glass cover in place..

I sold these and was FIREFIGHTER and investigator for almost 12yrs.. until career ending injuries..
But I don't know everything.. just my humble opinion
Good luck and let us know what you did and maybe better members then me will help you
It's always ok to ask..

donr103 · 11-27-2021, 12:25 PM

Oh.. make sure the glass company does not give you a regular piece of glass.. it will explode.. and shoot glass into anyone or thing in front..
You can tell the difference.. Pyrex glass is thicker.. many glass shop will put it in.. also you rv insurance may cover.. check that.. but they could raise your rates..
If you do the install...
Use all safety precautions.. gloves, glasses.. is a MUST . this stuff is brittle.. if you bump it.. boom.. if you tighten in frame too tight... boom..
So put down a lot of foam or bubble wrap.. or cushions..
Get glass in frame.. and just tight enough to hold glass in place and where glass can expand and contract.. I am not a glass expert.. you can talk to your glass shop.. that cuts the part.. and most of time.. they will talk your leg off..
Good luck and keep us posted... oh.. there maybe a gasket around frame.. make sure you install same way.. one could get some good wood stove flat gasket... the size you need.. and place that on both sides of glass where frame holds glass in place..
Chances are the OEM gasket failed and hot glass came in contact with cold frame..
To stop that.. on one project I just sandwich glass between 2 flat wood stove gasket found at hardware store.. cheap.. comes in roll..
Hopefully I made some sence.. I am nursing bad back.. it blew out and I have nothing else to do right now.. but look at ceiling and ice.. as you can see how I waisted all this time here..

Roy-c · 11-27-2021, 12:31 PM

short answer is do not use Lexan & have a glass company install the pyrex glass in the frame. Trying to save a few dollars in this instance is a mistake.

MingusPirate · 11-30-2021, 03:01 AM

Here's the story. First, nobody can make the glass as there is a 36 x 1 slot near the top of the glass on the OEM fireplace. It allows the heat out of the fireplace and access to the controls.
Second a new fireplace is $300. That doesn't bother me as much as the new one blowing up again. The slot doesn't give me much hope that it won't.
Third, except for the heat slot near the top of the fireplace, there is no other heat source. So it is a fancy lighted space heater.
The only function of the glass was cosmetic regarding heating. It didn't protect anything as it got locally hot around the slot. Now we know why it probably blew up.. Keeping your fingers out of the log area and avoiding dust inside was the primary reason for the glass. Again, cosmetic.
I ran the fireplace without the glass last night. Heat came out of the slot like it is supposed to do, and ironically the was no glass getting hot. I don't see your comment about running without the glass is a problem as the design appears not to need it for heating safety reasons. However, I agree that putting in a polycarbonate with a slot will burn the house down.
Regarding my knowledge, I am a retired registered professional engineer with experience in the design of heating systems, safety controls, and keeping the factory from burning down. My job was taking crap from R & D and making what production needed. So to conclude running without the glass is not a fire hazard. I had to seal a lot of designs which means "Send me the lawsuit if it's wrong."
When I get home I will make a transparent cover to keep the dust out of the lighted portion of the fireplace without interfering with the heat source and burning down the trailer.

MingusPirate · 11-30-2021, 03:16 AM

One more thing. After tearing into the fireplace as I couldn't get schematics, I was impressed by the safety controls on the furrion fireplace. I followed the circuits. Of course it had a thermostat to cut off the heater when temperature was hit. It had a proximity sensor in front in case something came in front of it, like a pet or something combustible. It has a Hi-Hi in case the thermostat fails. It has a melting fuse on the heater core in case it overheats like when the blower quits or gets clogged. The only thing lacking was a tip over switch, which isn't likely to happen since it is bolted in place. BTW most space heaters do not have that level of redundancy.

carybosse · 11-30-2021, 07:36 AM

Thanks for the description of the safety features of the fireplace heater. I will have to look at mine more closely, and with new found respect for the heater next time out.

Typically we find that the fireplace heater will keep our travel trailer comfortable without having to burn propane. Since the electricity is in included in the price of campsite, a nice savings for us.

donr103 · 12-01-2021, 06:00 PM

It's great to meet you... sometimes you just don't know who you meet.. and not all of us are engineers .. so I was just trying to be as safe as I can.. in my opinion... I would hate someone getting hurt.. I am glade you got what I was trying to explain in short paragraph and still be as safe as we can..
Happy trails.. good luck and keep us posted

MingusPirate · 12-01-2021, 11:26 PM

Donr103
It was great to hear another professional express opinions regarding safety from a different point of view. You caused me to pull apart the fireplace and trace the circuits, and look at the air flow, although I was muttering the whole time. So thanks.
BTW the only space heater with this level of redundancy is a Honeywell tower. They cost about $90 but they are worth the cost. Also, they will outrun the Bob Villa super heaters.