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

  1. Caution: Disconnect power to the fireplace before any work on the power vent.
  2. A short delay before ignition is normal the fan has to reach speed and purge the firebox first.
  3. 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.
  4. Start with the exhaust control lever closed. Short, active, jumping flames: open the lever slightly and recheck until flames are steady.
  5. Tall, lifting, floating or ghost-like flames: the lever is open too far; close it until that stops.
  6. When flames are right, lock the lever to the housing with the sheet-metal screw and leave the setting alone.
  7. 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)

More gas fireplace guides

Take it to the job

All guides, error codes and tips work offline in the HVACopedia app.

Open the app

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.