Browse Forums Heating, Cooling & Insulation 1 May 28, 2010 11:27 pm I have been looking at an Archer gas burning log fire, as having the highest star rating and excellent efficiency. Today I went into another store and they tried to talk me into a Matrix Illusion brand, telling me it is Australian made, in 3 sizes, with mid size heating similar area to Archer and simiar price but far better. They were unable to give me a star rating to compare with Archer, but told me their balanced flie system is better, as it brings in air from outside, and avoids the room becoming stuffy. Price is about the same. Any comments from anyone who has one? Lol Re: Gas burning log fires 2May 28, 2010 11:52 pm Illusions Gas Log Fires who make the Matrix have been around since 2006 (when the company was established according to the ASIC). I believe they are owned by Ultimate who make log fires. They are indeed Australian made. We did go have a look at the Matrix and i guess it looks okay but IMO the fit and finish is not as good as the Regency or Jetmaster Heat 'N' Glo's. Then again, the Matrix is cheaper. I am not sure about the Archer gas log fire but i was under the impression all gas log fires use a balanced flue (correct me if i'm wrong). I.e. uses air from the outside. I can say that the 'logs' in the Matrix system do not glow (as the flame doesn't touch the logs) but you do get a good flame. The fan on the Matrix was also quite loud IMO when set to level 3, its highest setting. Anyway, hope this helps... Re: Gas burning log fires 3May 29, 2010 6:34 pm Hi, Vent-Free Fireplaces :- Monessen DFS3224NVA Vent Free Gas Fireplace This Smartline Fireplace System provides outstanding design flexibility with high heating efficiency, and warm, comfortable supplemental heat without the hassles of wood. Its glowing coals, and dancing yellow flames and one of the most realistic ceramic fiber log designs in the industry, project a superior realism not often found in most gas fireplaces. Featuring a millivolt control valve with on/off switch and manual variable flame height adjustment, this fireplace will add warmth and beauty to your home. The 2-in-1 flexible face easily converts from a circulating to a radiant face, and the new air duct design allows blower operation with the radiant face plates installed. This unit's flexibility, great looks and high quality give it a 5-Star rating. Re: Gas burning log fires 4May 29, 2010 6:37 pm mustaq Hi, Vent-Free Fireplaces :- Monessen DFS3224NVA Vent Free Gas Fireplace This Smartline Fireplace System provides outstanding design flexibility with high heating efficiency, and warm, comfortable supplemental heat without the hassles of wood. Its glowing coals, and dancing yellow flames and one of the most realistic ceramic fiber log designs in the industry, project a superior realism not often found in most gas fireplaces. Featuring a millivolt control valve with on/off switch and manual variable flame height adjustment, this fireplace will add warmth and beauty to your home. The 2-in-1 flexible face easily converts from a circulating to a radiant face, and the new air duct design allows blower operation with the radiant face plates installed. This unit's flexibility, great looks and high quality give it a 5-Star rating. So where do we buy one of these fireplaces? Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Gas burning log fires 5Jun 06, 2010 10:00 am I moved into a 1 year old house in 2002 with an Archer gas log fire installed. My advice to you is if you have no mechanical or electrical knowledge is DONT GET ONE!!! It is great when it works, but here is a list of things I have repaired on it since 2004.... Replace flame sensor(corroded, causing an open circuit condition). Replace copper pilot tube to flame sensor which burnt/ corroded (use aluminium instead). Replace motor run capacitors located in "jaycar style jiffy box" to get fan to run at high speed again (use better quality ones). Resolder all dry joints inside brahma gas solenoid controller to stop solenoids chattering and cutting out. Replace condensate pump located right in the back of the unit WHAT A PLICK OF A JOB (this one looks like a cheap submesible pump mounted in a lunch box) there are level sensors in this lunch box (stainless bolts acting as probes) that prevent heater starting when lunch box is full of water. Clean flame sensor regulary or it wont run(open the front, remove fake logs, wipe sensor clean). The heater takes air from outside for the combustion process, but recirculates inside air for the heat exchanger. Go to the showroom, ask them to take the top off (it lifts off) and check the cheap TEK SCREWS holding the thin sheetmetal together. The left side panel has a temp sensor under it which starts the fan and the plastic covers on the terminals break away cos of the heat, 240 volts here, hope you have an RCD installed if youre working on it! Ask them to remove the front panel with the switches on it (this clips off easily) and have a look at the unprofessional mess in here (btw you need to vaccuum this area out regularily too) AND WALK AWAY FROM IT!!! Re: Gas burning log fires 6Jun 13, 2011 10:05 pm mick7 I moved into a 1 year old house in 2002 with an Archer gas log fire installed. My advice to you is if you have no mechanical or electrical knowledge is DONT GET ONE!!! It is great when it works, but here is a list of things I have repaired on it since 2004.... Go to the showroom, ask them to take the top off (it lifts off) and check the cheap TEK SCREWS holding the thin sheetmetal together. The left side panel has a temp sensor under it which starts the fan and the plastic covers on the terminals break away cos of the heat, 240 volts here, hope you have an RCD installed if youre working on it! Ask them to remove the front panel with the switches on it (this clips off easily) and have a look at the unprofessional mess in here (btw you need to vaccuum this area out regularily too) AND WALK AWAY FROM IT!!! I would think that a 2001 model would be vastly different to recent versions, so I am not so sure how relevant this experience is. Can anyone vouch for Archer units bought in the last 3-4 yrs? Re: Gas burning log fires 7Jun 14, 2011 4:50 pm Hi Winthrop The "free standing with pedestal" on their website today looks identical to mine. So I doubt the thin sheetmetal or cr*ppy tek screws are gone. Aurora would be complete lunatics if the flame sensor tube is still copper. It still has an "automatic humidifier" so you would want to ask if the pump is updated. It now has 3 speeds and heat settings, so the gas controller would be different, and probably the jaycar jiffy box which controls motor speeds is "upgraded". Logs are the same, so I would think the flame sensor under them has not changed. Ring them and ask what changes they have made. Vastly different? Probably not. Would I get another one? NO. All the best to you if you buy one, at the minimum you should vacuum the area inside the front panel, and open the front to clean the flame sensor before every winter. Re: Gas burning log fires 8Jun 14, 2011 5:16 pm I saw a heat and glow at homeshow,I bought on friday model 350tsi heat up to 6 sqm running cost 21 cents ph. Re: Gas burning log fires 9Jul 14, 2011 8:06 pm Hi, This is my current open fireplace and I have been thinking of getting a gas log fire inserted. Can anyone recommend a brand or model that would be suited to this space? Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I have seen that Rinnai have a $400 cash back offer until the end of August. Would it be better to wait for an end of winter sale or is this a good deal? Thanks mtchairs Re: Gas burning log fires 10Jul 19, 2011 3:04 pm Always suss as a first time poster to give someone a blast, but rest assured I don't work for any other log fire Company. Having endured 12 months of pure hell with an Illusion Gas Log fire, please do not put one of these in your home. They are a cheap, con job, with sales based off annoying (and false) advertising. The fire will have engine/fan problems almost immediately, and the company are well at experienced in all the typical excuses for a company that knows they have a poor product, and have no after sales support. - 'the Manager is not here right now' - 'the service centre will call you back tomorrow' - 'I have never heard of that problem before' (despite being on our 3rd fan/ engine) - 'Oh, Jim, he has left the company' Pay the money and get any of the other names mentioned in this thread. I know we will in our next house. Joff Re: Gas burning log fires 12Jul 16, 2012 4:32 pm Don't ever buy a Illusion Gas Log Fire. They are not a professional business. They sold me a heater that would not fit in my fire place even after supplying them with the correct measurements. Would not refund VCAT decision. Re: Gas burning log fires 13Jul 16, 2012 6:20 pm I have Illusion gas log fire place, I can't complain about the product, we are enjoying it immensely and have not been disappointed but Reno Girl is right. Two years after we bought it they wanted to get paid for it, it looks their driver bolted with the cash, lucky we had a signed delivery docket "paid in full". Score: Product 1 : Customer service Nil Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair Hi, I have an old fence/barrier made of treated pine logs bolted to plates and these are bolted to very large metal posts/girders. The plates and bolts are rusted through… 0 16416 I want to build a decking to the drawn shape outlined in black. The problem is how close can I build to the gas hot water unit? Will I be able to build around it and be… 0 20400 you need a fridgie to answer but I would think you vac the whole system then add gas if you have a leak, unless it is new install with the gas already loaded, in that case… 1 3793 |