Heat & Glo · Gas fireplace troubleshooting
Fireplace with PVK-80 power vent: flames lifting or jumping
What is going on
Flame tuning on a Heat-N-Glo DSI fireplace with the PVK-80 power vent; also covers the short delay before ignition.
Likely causes
- Exhaust control lever opened too far (tall, lifting, ghosting flames)
- Exhaust control closed too far (short, active, jumping flames)
- No 120 VAC at the fireplace junction box
- Power vent plugged into the wrong receptacle (RAM-1-RS uses AUX, not REM)
Check in this order
- Caution: Disconnect power to the fireplace before any work on the power vent.
- A short delay before ignition is normal the fan has to reach speed and purge the firebox first.
- The power vent needs 120 VAC at the fireplace junction box. On RAM-1-RS units it plugs into AUX, not REM. Match wire colors on the terminal block.
- Start with the exhaust control lever closed. Short, active, jumping flames: open the lever slightly and recheck until flames are steady.
- Tall, lifting, floating or ghost-like flames: the lever is open too far; close it until that stops.
- When flames are right, lock the lever to the housing with the sheet-metal screw and leave the setting alone.
- PVK-80 is for DSI fireplaces only; standing-pilot (millivolt) units cannot use it, and no other appliance may share the vent.
Applies to: Heat-N-Glo DSI fireplaces with PVK-80 power vent (Fenwal, RAM-1-RS, RAM 1MC1 systems)
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Source: Heat-N-Glo DSI / HSI Troubleshooting Guide (Professional Development), Section 8 Power Vent PVK-80, p.56-61. Written in our own words; check the manual for your exact model.
For licensed technicians. Gas, electrical and refrigerant work must be done by a qualified, licensed person. Shut off power and gas before servicing, never bypass a safety control, and follow the manufacturer’s manual for the exact model; it and local codes always take priority. HVACopedia is not affiliated with any manufacturer; brand and model names only identify the equipment.