Installation: Realfyre APK-10(M)(P) Automatic Remote Lighting Safety Pilot System Owner Manual

Overview

The APK-10(M)(P) Automatic Remote Lighting Safety Pilot System is a standing-pilot control system for compatible Peterson vented gas log sets. It provides pilot-assisted ignition, manual on/off control, and compatibility with an optional or supplied remote kit when equipped.

The system is intended only for installation with Peterson gas log sets in a fully vented, noncombustible fireplace designed and approved for burning wood. Installation, gas connections, and servicing must be completed by a qualified installer or service professional.

Specifications

• Model: APK-10(M)(P)
• Gas versions: APK-10(M) for natural gas and APK-10(M)P for propane, also called L.P. gas
• Control type: Millivolt standing-pilot safety system
• Ignition: Manual pilot lighting with a long match or butane lighter
• Fireplace requirement: Fully vented, noncombustible fireplace with an unobstructed damper and chimney
• Minimum chimney flue dimension: 8 inches at the smallest point
• Valve placement: Normally the front-right corner of the fireplace
• Control components: Safety valve, pilot assembly, generator, toggle switch control, wire harness, and gas connections
• Remote equipment: RR-1A remote kit when the system is equipped for remote operation

Detailed Description

The APK-10(M)(P) uses a standing pilot and millivolt generator to supervise the gas supply. When the pilot flame heats the generator, the generator produces the electrical output needed to hold the safety valve open. If the pilot goes out or the safety circuit does not produce sufficient output, the valve is designed to stop gas flow to the burner.

The safety valve includes an OFF, PILOT, and ON position. The toggle switch controls the main burner after the pilot has been established. The pilot assembly includes the pilot burner, generator, pilot gas supply, and mounting hardware. The generator leads connect to the valve terminals marked “PG” and “TH-PG.” The toggle-switch lead and generator lead share the “TH-PG” terminal, and the jumper wire must remain in place.

Included system components can include the radiant heat shield, valve assembly, safety valve, gas supply fitting, connector elbows, manifold, mounting plate, toggle switch, wire harness, pilot assembly, generator, pilot gas supply, mounting bracket, insulation pad, flame diverter bracket, connector kit, and remote kit when fitted. The small brass connector elbow supplied with the connector kit is not used; the connector tube is attached between the hearth elbow and the safety-valve gas fitting.

Safety

Read the complete installation and operating instructions before beginning work. Failure to follow the required procedures can cause fire, explosion, property damage, serious injury, or death.

• Use the system only with Peterson vented gas log sets.
• Never use firewood with the gas log set.
• Keep the fireplace damper fully open whenever the log set is operating.
• Use the log set only when the chimney flue and damper are free of obstructions.
• Do not operate the log set if combustion fumes enter the room with the damper fully open. Stop use and have the fireplace draft and chimney checked.
• Do not use the system if the chimney’s smallest flue dimension is less than 8 inches.
• Do not store or use gasoline or other flammable vapors and liquids near the appliance.
• When glass fireplace doors are installed, keep them fully open during operation. Open both sides on a see-through fireplace.
• Turn off the gas supply before making gas connections.
• Use thread sealant or Teflon tape on male threaded connectors as required to prevent gas leakage.
• Check every gas connection with a soapy-water solution. Never use a flame to test for leaks.
• Keep the generator leads and pilot gas-supply tubing away from the burner pan and out of the fire.
• Do not attempt installation or service unless qualified to work on gas appliances.

If You Smell Gas

• Open a window if it is safe to do so.
• Do not light any appliance.
• Do not operate electrical switches or use a telephone inside the building.
• Leave the area and contact the gas supplier from another location.
• If the gas supplier cannot be reached, contact the fire department.

Setup and Installation

Confirm the gas type before installation. The model designation must match the fuel: APK-10(M) is for natural gas, while APK-10(M)P is for propane. Follow the separate Peterson burner instructions for positioning the log set and burner.

Positioning the Safety Valve

Place the safety valve in the front-right corner of the fireplace whenever possible. Front-left or external placement may be possible, but those arrangements require additional connecting parts and must still allow safe, protected routing of the gas and pilot connections.

Connecting the Valve and Burner

1. Turn off the gas supply to the fireplace.
2. Position the Peterson burner according to its burner instructions.
3. Attach the valve assembly’s connector elbow to the burner fuel injector for natural gas or the air mixer for propane.
4. For a see-through burner, connect the street elbow and 3/8-inch nipple to the burner manifold, attach the 3/8-inch connector elbow, and then connect the valve.
5. On a see-through burner, mount the pilot assembly on the first pan that receives gas during operation.
6. Attach the CK-4 hearth elbow to the fireplace gas supply.
7. Remove the small brass elbow from the CK-4 connector kit and discard it.
8. Connect the CK-4 connector tube between the hearth elbow and the gas-supply fitting on the safety valve.

Connecting the Pilot Circuit

1. Connect one generator spade clip to the valve terminal marked “PG.”
2. Connect the other generator spade clip to the terminal marked “TH-PG.”
3. Connect the toggle-switch wire to the “TH-PG” terminal as specified by the wiring diagram.
4. Verify that the jumper wire remains installed.
5. Connect the pilot gas supply tube to the valve port marked “pilot.” Tighten the connection securely.

Installing the Heat Shield and Pilot Assembly

Cover the safety valve with the radiant heat shield. The shield’s solid black face must be positioned between the valve and the burner. A heat shield is required to help protect the valve from burner heat; the valve includes a thermal fuse that disables the valve if it reaches approximately 190°F.

For G4, G45, and P-series burners, install the flame diverter bracket on the side wall of the burner pan nearest the valve, approximately 1 1/4 inches from the rear of the pan. Attach the pilot mounting bracket to the pilot assembly with the supplied screws, place the insulation pad between the bracket and burner, and secure the assembly to the burner. Do not allow the generator or gas-supply leads to touch the burner pan or enter the flame.

After installation, inspect all connections and perform a complete leak test with soapy water. The system does not require an outside electrical power source because it uses millivolt operation.

Operation

Lighting the Pilot

1. Move the toggle switch to OFF, which is the down position.
2. Push the safety-valve knob in slightly and turn it to OFF.
3. Wait five minutes to clear any unburned gas.
4. Turn the knob to PILOT.
5. Push the knob fully in while placing a long match or butane lighter at the pilot burner.
6. After the pilot lights, continue holding the knob in for approximately 60 seconds.
7. Release the knob slowly and confirm that the pilot remains lit.
8. If the pilot goes out, turn the knob fully to OFF, wait five minutes, and repeat the procedure.

The pilot flame should surround the top of the generator. The pilot normally does not need adjustment. If adjustment is necessary, remove the pilot adjustment cap screw, turn the smaller adjustment screw counterclockwise to increase the flame or clockwise to reduce it, and reinstall the cap screw.

Turning the Burner On and Off

1. With the pilot burning, turn the safety-valve knob to ON.
2. Move the toggle switch to ON, the up position, to light the main burner.
3. To turn off the burner while leaving the pilot lit, move the toggle switch to OFF.
4. To turn off the pilot as well, confirm that the toggle switch is OFF, then push in and turn the safety-valve knob to OFF.

When equipped with the specified remote kit, follow the remote-control instructions supplied with that kit. The manual toggle switch and safety-valve controls remain important for system shutdown and service.

Maintenance

The safety pilot is intended to stop gas flow if the pilot is not burning or is not operating correctly. Keep the pilot flame correctly adjusted and make sure the generator spade clips remain tight on the valve terminals.

At least once each year, have a qualified professional inspect the system and fireplace. The inspection should include:

• Valve and toggle-switch operation
• Flue condition, including rust, damage, and leakage
• Damper operation
• Burner orifices for dirt or foreign material
• Overall burner condition
• Correct pilot flame and generator positioning
• Heat-shield placement and condition

Troubleshooting

Pilot Will Not Stay Lit

• Confirm that the pilot flame properly reaches and surrounds the generator tip.
• Check the generator output with a millivolt meter; the manual specifies 250 millivolts or more for this condition.
• Inspect the generator wires and confirm that they are connected to “PG” and “TH-PG” as required.
• Check the pilot flame for a blowing sound and adjust it if necessary.
• If the pilot circuit and wiring are correct but the pilot still will not remain lit, the valve or thermomagnetic safety may require replacement by a qualified professional.

Pilot Burns but Main Burner Does Not Light

• Make sure the safety-valve knob has been moved to ON after lighting the pilot.
• Check that the toggle-switch terminals and valve connections are tight and correctly wired.
• Verify that the generator is producing sufficient millivoltage.
• If the wiring and generator output are correct, the valve may require professional service.

Low or Uneven Flame

• Have the gas pressure checked. The specified operating manifold pressure is 7 inches water column for natural gas and 11 inches water column for propane.
• For the applicable burner, verify that the burner pan is filled correctly with sand or, for propane configurations, vermiculite as specified by the burner instructions.

Burner Will Not Shut Off

• Inspect the toggle-switch wires for shorting or incorrect terminal placement.
• Disconnect the appliance from service and have the wiring checked by a qualified technician if the burner continues operating.

Frequent Pilot Outage

• Check pilot-flame adjustment.
• Have the chimney draft examined for downdrafts that could extinguish the pilot.

System Shuts Down During Operation

• Open closed glass fireplace doors fully during operation.
• Verify that the pilot assembly is mounted correctly on the burner pan.
• Confirm that the radiant heat shield covers the valve and that its black face is between the valve and burner.

Warranty

The warranty applies to the original purchaser for single-family residential use and begins on the purchase date. Proof of purchase is required. Installation and gas connection must be completed by a qualified professional according to the instructions.

• Peterson gas logs: lifetime coverage for as long as the owner possesses them
• Peterson burner assemblies: ten years
• SPK-26 controls: three-year all-parts warranty
• Other Peterson valves, pilots, and controls: one year, excluding batteries

The warranty excludes defects caused by misuse, accidental or electrical damage, improper handling, storage, or installation. It also excludes labor, labor-related charges, and indirect, incidental, or consequential damages. Rust, corrosion, oxidation, or discoloration are excluded unless the affected component becomes inoperable. Accessories, valves, remotes, and other replacement parts must be Peterson products when used under the warranty conditions.

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Standing-pilot safety control with automatic gas shutoff protection when the pilot is not functioning.
• Pros: Manual toggle-switch operation and compatibility with a remote kit when equipped.
• Pros: Millivolt design operates without an external electrical power source.
• Pros: Includes defined installation, pilot-lighting, inspection, and troubleshooting procedures.
• Cons: Limited to Peterson gas log sets and approved vented fireplace installations.
• Cons: Requires a fully open damper, unobstructed chimney, and annual professional inspection.
• Cons: Incorrect valve placement, wiring, pilot adjustment, or heat-shield installation can prevent reliable operation and create a safety hazard.

The APK-10(M)(P) Automatic Remote Lighting Safety Pilot System should be treated as a gas-appliance safety control rather than a general-purpose fireplace accessory. Correct fuel matching, qualified installation, full ventilation, and regular inspection are essential for safe operation.