Heatmaster C-150, C-250, C-375, C-500, C-800 Operation And Maintenance Manual

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL

C-150, C-250, C-375, C-500, C-800

Model:

By SteelTech Inc.
Version 2

Serial No.:

UL 2523-2009
UL 391 (1995)
CAN/CSA B366.1-M91

Contents

Warranty and Safety

RETAIN THIS MANUAL FOR

FUTURE REFERENCE

DO NOT THROW AWAY

Limited Lifetime Warranty ......................4

Water Treatment And Testing ...................5

Water Treatment Policy ........................ 5

Safety Precautions............................6

Chimney ...................................7

Installation

Location ...................................7

Furnace Foundation ..........................8

Trench .....................................8

Wiring .....................................9

Hydronic Lines...............................9

Furnace Connection ..........................9

Operation

How it Works............................... 12

Filling The Furnace With Water .................12

Firing The Furnace...........................12

Care And Maintenance.......................14

Troubleshooting............................. 15

Electrical Schematics Ranco Control ...........17-18

Electronic Temperature Control Settings &

Specifications ..............................19

Electronic Timer Control And Settings ............ 20

Unit Footprints.............................. 21

Replacement Components List .................22

CANADA

SteelTech Inc.

Box 158

Winkler MB. R6W 4A5

Canada

Ph. [phone]

Fax [phone]

USA

SteelTech Inc.

Box 373

Walhalla ND. 58282

Ph. [phone]

Fax [phone]

[e-mail]

www.heatmasterss.com

heatmasterss.com 3

LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY

SteelTech Inc. warrants to the original owner of the
HeatmasterSS outdoor furnace that it is free from
defects in workmanship and material which could
cause a leak or malfunction of the firebox or water
jacket and against corrosion (if the instructions in the
owner’s manual for water treatment and maintenance
are followed) for The Life of the furnace toward the
purchase of a new HeatmasterSS furnace, in the
following pro-rated schedule.

Warranty schedule: coverage in the initial 5
years is 100%

• Year 6-7 is 50%

• Year 8-9 is 40%

• Year 10-15 is 30%

• Year 16-Life is 10%

• Grates and Firebox door have a warranty of 5
years at 100%.

• Ash Pan is covered for corrosion protection for a
period of one year.

In addition, all steel components including housing,
legs, etc. have a pro-rated warranty for a period of
10 years with coverage reducing by 10% per year.
Any parts not manufactured by SteelTech Inc. that
are used on the furnace such as fans, aquastats, limit
switches, pumps, heat exchangers, etc carry their own
manufacturer’s warranty, normally one year. SteelTech
Inc. will not be liable for the cost of shipping, labor,
replacement or repair of these parts.

If warranty requires removal or replacement of the
furnace or a part of the furnace, SteelTech Inc. and
their dealers are not responsible for the cost of labor,
replacement of antifreeze or water treatment, shipping

cost or any other cost other than the replacement
component or furnace. SteelTech Inc. always has the
right to decide if a part or furnace will be repaired
or replaced and will not be liable for any cost not
authorized by a SteelTech Inc representative.

SteelTech Inc. does not warranty any damage caused
due to burning improper fuels such as wood, oils or
plastics, negligence and deterioration due to lack
of proper ongoing maintenance, physical damage
caused by abuse or freeze up, power surges or
unauthorized work or modifications to the furnace. It
is recommended to always have a back up heating
system installed in case of disruption in the outdoor
furnace heating system.

SteelTech Inc. is not liable for any damage or cost
which may occur from or during the operation of
the furnace or damage incurred due to any heating
system failure. The purchaser assumes all responsibility
for the care, maintenance and safe operation the
furnace including adding of approved boiler treatment
or water. SteelTech Inc doesn’t warrant door gaskets,
exterior paint or finish.

To qualify for warranty all instructions must be
followed in operator’s manual, water must be tested
and maintained a minimum of once per year, and
warranty registration must be on file at SteelTech
Inc within 30 days of purchase along with a copy of
the original invoice. No warranty can be approved

unless the warranty registration and water test
verifications are on file at SteelTech Inc.’s office.

SteelTech Inc. reserves the right to change conditions of warranty
at any time.

4

WATER TREATMENT AND TESTING

Water Treatment Policy

To qualify for warranty, water must be tested a
minimum of once per year and water treatment added
when necessary.

To take a water sample:

1. Locate your water sample bottle, mailing carton
and mailing label provided to you by your dealer.

2. Open the boiler drain located at the bottom of
the rear of the furnace for 10-15 seconds or until
the water runs clear. CAUTION: Water is hot! Use
extreme care or a bucket to run water into and let
cool before collecting sample.

3. Fill one of the test bottles at least 1/2 to 2/3 full.

4. Fill out the mailing label provided with the test
bottle completely, including your email address, the
model number and serial number of your furnace.
Make sure to note if the furnace water contains any
antifreeze or additional chemicals.

5. Attach top part of label to sample bottle and
bottom part to outside of mailing tube. Place bottle
in tube.

6. Mail to our testing lab. Results can take up to 4
weeks to receive and up to 8 weeks if no email
address is on hand at Heatmaster

You will receive a water test report outlining

what must be done (if anything). If any action is
necessary, take another sample and mail it to our
test lab again to verify the recommended changes
have been made.

Add the water treatment through the fill pipe located
at the top of the furnace when initially filling the
furnace with water or after testing, if needed. Ensure
that all drains are closed. It is recommended that
water treatment is added at a 1:200 ratio when
initially firing the furnace, and add accordingly
based on the water test results. Additional treatment
may have to be added for water with more severe
properties or for systems with more chemically
demanding requirements.

SS.

Recommended operating levels are as
follows:

Conductivity: 100 - 4000 ppm

pH: 8.5 – 10. 5

Nitrates: no less than 730 ppm

Test Parameters and What They Mean

Conductivity

Conductivity is a measurement of minerals in your
furnace water. While it is common to have minerals in
water, in excess minerals can cause many problems in
hydronic systems including scaling and corrosion.

pH

pH is measurement of alkalinity (hard or soft water).
For outdoor furnace water and the water treatment
used in outdoor furnaces it is better to have your water
a little harder than softer (recommended pH range is

8.5-10) as the active ingredients in the water treatment
neutralize harder water easier than softer water

Nitrates

Nitrates tested for are a measurement of how much
water treatment is in the water. Nitrates measured are
active units of water treatment available to neutralize
harmful elements in your furnace water. Nitrates also
act to neutralize harmful bacteria that may build up in
the furnace water over time.

Glycol

Inhibited glycol provides anti-corrosion elements
and freeze protection for outdoor furnaces and is
compatible with Outdoor Furnace Water Treatment.
Because outdoor furnaces are open to the atmosphere
systems and will have fresh water added occasionally,
oxygen is always entering the system and will break
down the glycol over time to create glycolic acid which
will harm your furnace system. When this happens
you will be required to drain and flush your furnace
system.

It is always suggested to use 100% virgin glycol
instead of recycled glycol as it will break down much
sooner and create glycolic acid.

heatmasterss.com 5

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Read and understand all precautions before operating
the furnace.

Save these instructions. Retain this manual as long
as you own your HeatmasterSS furnace. Carefully
read and follow these directions.

IMPORTANT

THESE FURNACES ARE FOR COAL BURNING ONLY.
Follow all applicable local laws.

DANGER

Do not start fire with or burn chemicals, volatile fluids,
rubber, plastics or garbage. Only competent persons
with a sound understanding of this heating method
should operate this furnace. Improper firing could
result in personal injury and or damage to the unit
and void warranty.

Risk of fire or explosion

• Do not use chemicals or fluids to start the fire.

• Do not burn garbage, gasoline, drain oil or other
flammable liquids.

• Do not operate with fuel loading or ash removal
doors open

• Do not store fuel or other combustible material
within marked installation clearances

• Inspect and clean flues and chimney regularly

• Maximum draft marked on nameplate

• DO NOT CONNECT THIS UNIT TO A CHIMNEY FLUE
SERVING ANOTHER APPLIANCE

WARNING

• All installations and operations of your
HEATMASTER SS product must follow STATE,
PROVINCIAL, and LOCAL LAWS pertaining to
operations, wiring, plumbing and building codes.

• All models operate at atmospheric pressure. DO
NOT obstruct, block or plug the overflow vent tube
in any way which is located on top of the boiler
either in front of or behind the chimney.

• When installing the furnace, the chimney should
never be connected to a chimney flue serving
another appliance.

• Do not start a fire in the furnace without first filling
with water. It will cause serious damage to the
furnace.

• All covers or guards must be in place at all times,
except for maintenance or service.

ATTENTION

• A copy of the owner’s manual in French is
available by request from HeatmasterSS offices.

• The person(s) operating this furnace must comply
with all applicable local and state laws or other
requirements,

• Do not remove labels from furnace except in the
case of servicing.

CAUTION

• Use of an approved spark arrester is
recommended. It is the recommendation of
SteelTech Inc that a 15’ minimum distance of
clearance from buildings and other combustibles.
Your local authorities and your insurance company
may require a greater distance. Never allow
combustible material to accumulate near the unit.
Fuel should never be stored where there is the
potential for accidental fire.

• Load carefully or damage will result.

• Do not use chemicals or fluids to start the fire.

• Do not start or operate furnace without checking
heating fluid. Furnace must be filled until heating
fluid comes out of vent pipe on the top of the
furnace.

• Hot Surfaces: Keep children away. Do not touch
during operation.

RECOMMENDED

Choose the location of your furnace with concerns of
wind direction, smoke odor, sparks, blocked viewing
and fuel storage carefully. Be a responsible and
considerate owner.

6

Chimney

The chimney on your HeatMasterSS outdoor furnace is
a stainless steel double wall insulated chimney. It is
attached to the furnace with a stainless steel adapter.
To install chimney extensions be sure to purchase the
same chimney as on your furnace (Selkirk Ultra Temp).
These chimneys are a twist lock connect chimney.
Be sure to use the chimney fastening ring to fasten
the connection tight. Braces, elbow kits and roof
flashing kits are available through your dealer. It is not
recommended that the chimney be longer than 15 ft.

Do not connect this unit to a chimney flue serving
another appliance.

The chimney and flue pipe need to be kept clean and
in good condition. See below for chimney sizes.

• C-150 - 6” Stainless Steel Double Wall Chimney and

Adapter

• C-250 – 6” Stainless Steel Double Wall Chimney
and Adapter

• C-375 – 6” Stainless Steel Double Wall Chimney
and Adapter

• C-500 – 8” Stainless Steel Double Wall Chimney
and Adapter

• C-800 – 10” Stainless Steel Double Wall Chimney
and Adapter

NOTE : Chimney extensions and caps are useful for
lifting exhaust gases and smoke away from buildings.
However, when burning a C Series furnace keep in
mind that the cooler exhaust temperatures as a result
of the high efficiency burn of these furnaces may cause
excess condensation when chimney extensions and
caps are used. This can lead to improper burning in the
furnace. A taller chimney also greatly increases the risk
of overheating due to the extra draft created caused by
the negative pressure put on the firebox. Extra care must
then be taken to minimize air leakage into the firebox.

FURNACE INSTALLATION GUIDE

Installation should be performed by a qualified technician. THESE FURNACES ARE FOR COAL USE ONLY.

FOLLOW ALL APPLICABLE LOCAL LAWS

LOCATION

Maintain adequate clearance of buildings and
combustibles. Store fuel outdoors under cover. Do
not place or store fuel or allow debris to accumulate
within stove installation clearances or within the space
required for charging and ash removal. Never install
the furnace in the fuel storage building.

Contact all governing authorities in your area prior to
installation.

When choosing the location of your furnace you should
consider prevailing wind direction, distance from home
for refueling and fuel storage and give consideration
for any effect on your neighbors.

heatmasterss.com 7

FURNACE FOUNDATION

• Inspect the ground conditions that you intend to
install your furnace on. If the area is unstable
or has a history of staying wet you may have to
improve the soil with gravel as well as raise the
level of furnace placement.

• A cement pad of 4-6” in thickness should be used.

• The furnace in most cases can be placed on 4
cement blocks not less than 6” wide X 10” long
and 3” thick.

• The furnace should never be installed on a
combustible floor.

• Never allow combustible material to accumulate on
the furnace foundation.

• Do not install on a combustible base

Find the footprint of the furnace you have purchased
in the appendix of this manual and place your blocks

so the legs will stand on the center of the blocks.
Cement pads should be a little bigger than the actual
furnace, with about a 4’ extra length front and back so
you have a solid working area.

If possible, have a gradual slope in your trench to
allow drainage away from your lines and out of
trench bottom. Most insulated underground pipe
has room for electrical wire in it. If it does not, place
electrical supply in bottom of trench and cover with
6 inches of dirt. A minimum of R8 insulation value is
recommended and a water tight vapor barrier such
as PVC pipe or drain tile to encase your insulation is a
must.

NOTE : It is recommended that only high quality,
well insulated lines are used. Poor quality casing or
insulation can deteriorate over time causing heat loss
in the ground and loss of efficiency in your system.
Purchase your insulated line from a reputable source.
Your HeatmasterSS dealer will carry high quality
insulated line and can help you determine the best line
to purchase.

NOTE : If you are installing your water lines under an
area where vehicles will cross, you should increase your
depth of the trench and use a schedule pipe over your
lines to reduce the pressure generated on the lines.

TRENCH

SteelTech Inc recommends the trench to be 24” to
36” deep and wide enough to install your water
lines. Take into consideration soil conditions as rocky
soil conditions can cause the casing of the pipe to
be damaged and allow water to fill the pipe. If soil
conditions require, fill the trench with sand.

8