Installing a fireplace

[Winmagbar]

Hello,

My 2003 Montana 3670 has the cabinet below the TV versus the fireplace which was an option I believe. Should I take the RV into the dealer to buy and install a fireplace or is it pretty straight forward? If so, what is the procedure and build requirements? Also, should I stick with the dimplex brand of fireplace. Any experience or help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Robert

[Bill-N-Donna]

In our first Montana we had the cabinet below where the TV goes. We removed the doors purchased a portable fire place and took the cabinet apart. We used the trim from the portable cabinet to trim around the opening. Looked like a professional installation if I say so myself. The trim even matched the same décor of the wood trim in the Monty. Maybe I was just lucky but it stayed in there even when we parted with the camper.

[cpaulsen]

I bought a Dimplex for my 3670 from HD doe less than 200.00. Took me all of an hour to install. Few pieces of oak trim and it looks like it belongs there. I also install an exterior outlet(waterproof) from Prime Products I think......I run an extension cord from the pedestal to power the fireplace.

[Winmagbar]

Thanks Gentlemen. Where did you get the oak trim, did you have to stain it and what is the pedestal Cpaulsen refers to?

Thanks

Robert

[1retired06]

Oak trim at lowes or Home Depot. I would stain to match existing wood. . Unit plugs into a110 outlet which may have to be installed. Sounds like (guess) he installed outside outlet and ran directly from the electric pedestal bypassing his converter.

[BB_TX]

I bought one from electricfireplacesdirect.com that was the perfect fit for my cabinet with no cutting required.

Bought all the trim from standard stock at Lowes. Except, I made the "mantle" from 1"x3" oak board rounding the edges on a router.

Before



During (showing a base I made for it to sit on)



Finished



The fireplace air intake was at the top. But I wanted the air inlet at the bottom. So I fabbed a grill from some trim wood rail, backed it with a piece of black painted alum leaf guard for house rain gutter. Air travels in thru the grill at the bottom, up both sides of the fireplace, and into the top of the fireplace.

I dabbled with multiple stains until I matched it fairly closely.

[1retired06]

Nicely done!

[cpaulsen]

quote:Originally posted by 1retired06

Oak trim at lowes or Home Depot. I would stain to match existing wood. . Unit plugs into a110 outlet which may have to be installed. Sounds like (guess) he installed outside outlet and ran directly from the electric pedestal bypassing his converter.

Exactly what I did.

[WeBeFulltime]

quote:Originally posted by cpaulsen

I bought a Dimplex for my 3670 from HD doe less than 200.00. Took me all of an hour to install. Few pieces of oak trim and it looks like it belongs there. I also install an exterior outlet(waterproof) from Prime Products I think......I run an extension cord from the pedestal to power the fireplace.

We ordered our 3585SA without a FP because as full timers we preferred to have the storage instead. The factory still wired for the FP and it is on a dedicated breaker. If I wanted to install a FP myself I would just have to plug it in behind the FP and turn on the breaker. I have since used this breaker to install/wire 2 additional electrical outlets for other uses.

[WeBeFulltime]

quote:Originally posted by BB_TX

I bought one from electricfireplacesdirect.com that was the perfect fit for my cabinet with no cutting required.

Bought all the trim from standard stock at Lowes. Except, I made the "mantle" from 1"x3" oak board rounding the edges on a router.

Before



During (showing a base I made for it to sit on)



Finished



The fireplace air intake was at the top. But I wanted the air inlet at the bottom. So I fabbed a grill from some trim wood rail, backed it with a piece of black painted alum leaf guard for house rain gutter. Air travels in thru the grill at the bottom, up both sides of the fireplace, and into the top of the fireplace.

I dabbled with multiple stains until I matched it fairly closely.

May I ask which Brand/Model/Size you bought?

[BB_TX]

quote:Originally posted by WeBeFulltime
.......
May I ask which Brand/Model/Size you bought?

I bought an 18" Classic Flame similar to this one. Although mine does not have the infrared heating element. Looks like they no longer have the one I bought.

The 18" was the perfect size for my cabinet opening with no modifications to the cabinet. Anything larger would have required some cutting and enlarging the opening.

[Winmagbar]

Wow, thanks for all the detailed information. Looks great!

Robert