Installation: Hearth & Home Technologies RCT-MLT-HHT Remote Control Instruction Manual

Overview

The RCT-MLT-HHT Remote Control is a wireless fireplace control kit for compatible Hearth & Home Technologies gas appliances. It lets users operate the fireplace manually or use the transmitter as a thermostat within an approximate 20-foot radio-frequency range.

The system can support compatible DSI, IPI, and standing-pilot fireplace configurations. Depending on the appliance and installed options, the handheld transmitter can control the main burner, thermostat operation, countdown timer, flame height, and fan speed.

Specifications

• Model: RCT-MLT-HHT Remote Control
• Communication: Radio frequency wireless control
• Approximate operating range: 20 feet
• Compatible ignition systems: DSI, IPI, and standing pilot
• Receiver electrical rating: 110 VAC, 60 Hz, 6 W
• Receiver supply: 110–120 VAC through a polarized duplex receptacle
• Transmitter batteries: Two AAA-size 1.5 V alkaline batteries
• Thermostat range: 45°F to 99°F, or 6°C to 32°C
• Countdown timer range: 15 minutes through 9 hours
• Fan control: High, medium, low, and off, when the appliance includes the supported fan option
• Automatic safety shutdown in ON mode: After 9 hours of continuous operation

Detailed Description

The RCT-MLT-HHT Remote Control uses a handheld transmitter and a powered receiver installed inside or near the fireplace control compartment. The receiver has a three-position slide switch labeled OFF, REMOTE, and ON.

In the OFF position, the fireplace system is disabled through the receiver. In the ON position, the system operates directly from the receiver and does not depend on transmitter commands. In the REMOTE position, the receiver responds to the paired transmitter.

The transmitter uses an LCD display to show the selected operating mode, current room temperature, target temperature, clock, timer status, burner or valve activity, fan operation, flame setting, and low-battery indication. Its function buttons include MODE, SET, UP, DOWN, FLAME, FAN, and TIMER/TIME.

The receiver should be placed toward the front of the fireplace control area, on either the right or left side, where surrounding temperatures remain below 170°F. The receiver must remain within the transmitter's normal operating range for dependable wireless operation.

Safety

• Turn off electrical power at the circuit breaker before beginning installation.
• Keep electrical power disconnected until the remote control installation is complete.
• Never connect 110–120 VAC wiring to the gas control valve.
• Installation must be performed by a qualified service technician. Electrical work must comply with applicable local codes and the current National Electrical Code or Canadian Electrical Code.
• Incorrect receiver wiring can damage the gas valve, electronic module, or receiver.
• Do not modify the remote control system or any of its components. Unauthorized changes can create a fire hazard and invalidate the warranty.
• A manometer is required when adjusting gas-valve manifold pressure.
• Keep the transmitter away from direct heat sources, including the fireplace opening, incandescent lights, and direct sunlight, because heat can cause inaccurate temperature readings.
• Keep the transmitter preferably in the same room as the fireplace and within approximately 20 feet of the receiver.
• Place the receiver in OFF mode when the home will be unattended for an extended period.

Setup and Installation

Prepare the electrical connection

The fireplace junction box must have 110 VAC service before this kit is installed. With power disconnected at the circuit breaker, remove the electrical cover plate from the lower fireplace area, remove the appropriate knockout, and attach the Romex clamp with its screws facing outward.

Feed the electrical service wires through the clamp and secure them. Using the supplied wire nuts, connect black wires to the black service wire, white wires to the white service wire, and the grounding conductor to the junction-box ground stud. Refit the cover plate. If the junction box uses a two-prong receptacle, a suitable three-to-two-prong adapter may be required from an independent source.

Install and wire the receiver

Position the receiver in the control compartment or under the firebox, keeping the ambient temperature below 170°F. Plug the receiver into a standard polarized 110–120 VAC receptacle.

For supported standing-pilot, DSI, and IPI flame functions, connect the two red receiver wires to the red and brown remote wires marked for remote or wall-switch use. On appliances with a wall switch, disconnect the wall-switch wire from the valve TH terminal, connect it to the supplied receiver connector, and connect the remaining receiver connector to the valve TH terminal.

If a compatible fan or blower is installed, connect its three-prong plug to the polarized receptacle on the rear of the receiver. This receptacle is rated at 110/120 VAC and 3 A.

Install the flame-control solenoid

Flame-height control requires a gas valve equipped for the supplied flame controller. Remove and discard the original variable-regulator screw, knob, and regulator nut. Place the supplied washer on the flame-control solenoid, then install the correct plunger: blue for natural gas or red for propane.

Thread the solenoid into the variable-regulator opening only one or two turns. Do not overtighten it. Connect the solenoid leads to the orange wires from the receiver.

A qualified gas service technician must install a manometer, light the fireplace according to the appliance owner’s manual, and adjust manifold pressure to 3.5 inches water column for natural gas or 10.0 inches water column for LP. After adjustment, tighten the jam nut, turn the main gas knob off, remove the manometer, and close the pressure tap.

Install transmitter batteries

Insert two AAA-size 1.5 V alkaline batteries into the transmitter battery compartment, observing the polarity markings. Correct installation causes the display to show numbers. If the transmitter has been stored in very cold conditions, allow it to reach room temperature before relying on its temperature reading; stabilization may take up to 15 minutes.

The LCD backlight activates when a function button is pressed and normally turns off after approximately five seconds.

Pair the transmitter and receiver

1. Move the receiver slide switch to REMOTE.
2. Press the LEARN button on top of the receiver. One beep should sound.
3. Press MODE on the transmitter. Several beeps indicate that the transmitter code has been stored.

Pairing a new transmitter replaces the receiver's previous security code. If the receiver does not beep, verify that it has 110–120 VAC power. If pairing fails, wait one or two minutes before trying again.

Operation

Select a mode

Press MODE to cycle through the operating choices:

• ON: Operates the system manually, with a timer, or as part of thermostat operation.
• THERMO: Automatically cycles the fireplace on and off according to the selected room temperature.
• OFF: Turns the system off.

Set the clock

1. Press and hold TIMER/TIME for more than two seconds until the hour flashes.
2. Use UP or DOWN to select the hour and AM or PM setting.
3. Press TIMER/TIME again to make the minutes flash.
4. Use UP or DOWN to select the minutes.
5. Press and hold TIMER/TIME again, or press SET, to finish.

Use thermostat mode

Press MODE until THERMO appears. Use UP or DOWN to choose a target temperature from 45°F to 99°F, or 6°C to 32°C. The transmitter checks room temperature approximately every two minutes.

To reduce rapid cycling, the fireplace responds when the room temperature differs from the selected temperature by at least 2°F or 1°C. Keep the transmitter away from heat sources so the displayed ROOM temperature represents the surrounding room rather than a localized warm area.

Change the temperature scale

1. Remove the transmitter battery cover.
2. Press the setting button at the top center of the battery compartment. The temperature unit begins flashing.
3. Press DOWN to select Celsius or UP to select Fahrenheit.
4. Press the setting button to save the selection.

If no setting is entered for approximately 15 seconds, the display returns to its normal state.

Set the countdown timer

1. Use ON or THERMO mode.
2. Press and release TIMER/TIME. The timer indicator and 15-minute setting flash.
3. Use UP or DOWN to select 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 1 hour, 1 hour 30 minutes, or additional half-hour increments up to 9 hours.
4. Press SET to start the countdown.

In ON mode, the fireplace continues operating until the timer expires. In THERMO mode, thermostat cycling continues until the timer reaches zero, after which thermostat operation stops.

Control the fan

Fan operation is available in ON and THERMO modes when the fireplace has the compatible fan option. Press FAN repeatedly to select high, medium, low, and off. The fan icon and selected speed appear on the transmitter display.

Adjust flame height

Flame adjustment is available only when the fireplace gas valve has the compatible flame controller. Press FLAME to select the high-flame setting; a second flame symbol appears. Press FLAME again to return to the normal flame setting.

Use child lockout

To activate the transmitter lockout, press and hold the setting button on the rear of the transmitter for five seconds. CP appears on the display, and function-button presses cannot operate the fireplace.

To cancel lockout, press and hold the same setting button for five seconds. The display returns to its normal state after the lockout is released.

Safety Features and Automatic Shutdown

The transmitter sends regular communication signals to confirm that it remains within range and that its batteries are active. In THERMO and TIMER modes, it also updates the room-temperature reading approximately every two minutes. In all modes, a communication signal is sent about every 15 minutes.

If the receiver receives no transmitter signal, it begins a 120-minute safety countdown. If communication is not restored during that period, the receiver shuts down the fireplace, emits a series of rapid beeps, and then continues with a single beep approximately every four seconds.

To reset the receiver after a communication shutdown, press MODE on the transmitter until ON appears. Check the transmitter batteries and keep the transmitter within the normal operating range. The transmitter should have at least 2.7 V for reliable operation.

When the transmitter remains in ON mode, the fireplace operates continuously for up to 9 hours before automatic shutdown. Press MODE to restart operation after the shutdown cycle.

System Check

Millivolt or standing-pilot system

1. Light the pilot according to the fireplace owner’s manual and confirm that it remains lit.
2. Move the receiver switch to ON. The main burner should ignite.
3. Move the switch to OFF. The main burner should extinguish while the pilot remains lit.
4. Move the switch to REMOTE and press MODE until ON appears. The main burner should ignite.
5. Press MODE until OFF appears. The main burner should extinguish while the pilot remains lit.
6. Select THERMO, then set the target temperature at least 2°F or 1°C above the displayed room temperature. The burner should ignite.
7. Lower the target temperature at least 2°F or 1°C below the displayed room temperature. The burner should extinguish.

Electronic ignition system

1. Move the receiver switch to ON. The ignition electrode should spark, ignite the pilot, and open the main gas valve after pilot ignition.
2. Move the switch to OFF. Both the pilot and main flame should extinguish.
3. Move the switch to REMOTE and press MODE until ON appears. The ignition sequence should begin.
4. Press MODE until OFF appears. Both flames should extinguish.
5. Select THERMO and raise the target temperature at least 2°F or 1°C above room temperature. The system should ignite.
6. Lower the target temperature at least 2°F or 1°C below room temperature. The system should extinguish.

Troubleshooting

• The transmitter does not control the fireplace: Confirm that the receiver switch is in REMOTE, verify receiver power, and pair the transmitter again.
• The receiver does not beep during pairing: Check that the receiver is receiving 110–120 VAC. Wait one or two minutes before repeating the pairing process.
• The display shows a low-battery symbol: Replace both AAA batteries with fresh alkaline batteries. The low-battery indication appears when approximately two weeks of battery life may remain.
• The operating range has decreased: Replace the transmitter batteries and keep the transmitter within approximately 20 feet of the fireplace.
• The room temperature appears incorrect: Allow a cold transmitter to reach room temperature and move it away from the fireplace, sunlight, lamps, and other direct heat sources.
• The fireplace shuts down and the receiver beeps: Restore transmitter communication, check the batteries, place the transmitter within range, and press MODE until ON appears to reset operation.
• The flame-height control does not respond: Confirm that the fireplace has the compatible flame-control solenoid and wiring. This feature is not available on every appliance.
• The fan does not operate: Confirm that a compatible fan is installed, that its three-prong cord is connected to the receiver receptacle, and that the transmitter is in ON or THERMO mode.

Storage and Wall Mounting

The transmitter can be placed in the supplied wall bracket on an interior wall. Choose a location away from the fireplace, incandescent lighting, direct sunlight, and other heat sources so the thermostat sensor measures ambient room temperature.

For solid wood, drill approximately 1/8-inch pilot holes before installing the supplied screws. For plaster or wallboard, drill two approximately 1/4-inch holes, insert the supplied plastic anchors flush with the wall, and install the screws.

Check the transmitter batteries at least annually. Battery life is expected to be at least 12 months under normal conditions, but replacement is recommended when the transmitter no longer operates the receiver from its usual distance.

Warranty

The remote control system is covered for 12 months from the date of purchase or installation for the original purchaser against defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty does not cover damage caused by accidents, misuse, abuse, installation errors, labor charges, installation or repair damage, incidental or consequential damage, batteries, or damage caused by batteries.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Supports manual and thermostat operation, provides timer control, displays room and target temperatures, and can control compatible fan and flame settings.
• Pros: Includes communication monitoring, low-battery indication, child lockout, and automatic shutdown features.
• Cons: Requires professional installation for electrical, gas-valve, and flame-controller connections.
• Cons: Feature availability depends on the fireplace ignition system, gas valve, and installed fan or flame-control components.
• Cons: Wireless operation depends on battery condition, transmitter placement, and the approximately 20-foot operating range.