Installation: Realfyre VR-2A Multi-Function Wireless Remote Control System Instruction Manual

Overview

The VR-2A Multi-Function Wireless Remote Control System provides manual and thermostat-based control of compatible gas heating appliances that use a low-voltage servo motor valve. It is designed for gas fireplaces, gas log sets, and similar heating equipment with a variable flame-height valve.

The handheld transmitter communicates with the receiver by non-directional radio frequency signals. The system can turn the appliance on or off, adjust the flame between high and low settings, display room temperature, and operate automatically around a selected thermostat temperature.

Read the appliance manufacturer's installation instructions together with this guide. Compatibility and wiring depend on the installed gas valve and appliance control system.

Specifications

• Model: VR-2A
• Transmitter power: Two 1.5-volt AAA batteries
• Receiver power: Four 1.5-volt AA batteries, preferably alkaline
• Maximum servo output: 6 VDC, 1 A
• Operating frequency: 303.8 MHz
• Typical operating range: Approximately 20 feet under suitable conditions
• Temperature setting range: 45°F to 99°F, or 6°C to 32°C
• Security coding: One of 1,048,576 factory-programmed transmitter codes
• Receiver control positions: OFF, REMOTE, and ON

Detailed Description

The system consists of a battery-powered transmitter, a remote receiver, and two black receiver wires that connect to the compatible servo motor valve. The receiver supplies low-voltage power to the valve and uses reversing polarity to drive the servo motor in opposite directions for flame-height adjustment.

The transmitter contains an LCD display and four operating buttons:

• ON/HI: Turns the appliance on and commands the servo motor toward the high or full-on position.
• LO/OFF: Lowers the flame or turns the appliance off, depending on the operating condition.
• MODE: Switches between manual operation and thermostat operation.
• SET: Adjusts the desired thermostat temperature.

The LCD can show the current room temperature, the selected Fahrenheit or Celsius scale, flame operation, manual temperature display, thermostat operation, and the temperature being adjusted.

Safety

• Do not connect the remote receiver directly to 110–120 VAC. Doing so can destroy the receiver and may damage the gas valve.
• Follow the gas-valve manufacturer's wiring instructions and have installation performed by a qualified person when required.
• Keep the receiver away from the fire and from excessive heat. The temperature inside the receiver case must remain below 130°F.
• Install the receiver where battery and electronics temperatures remain controlled. Battery life is reduced by high heat, particularly above approximately 115°F.
• Always verify that the receiver wires are connected to the correct valve terminals. Incorrect wiring can cause the controls to operate in the opposite direction.
• Place the receiver in the OFF position when the appliance will be unattended for an extended period.
• Do not attempt installation or operation if the instructions or appliance controls are not understood.

Setup and Installation

Install the Transmitter Batteries

1. Open the transmitter battery compartment.
2. Install two 1.5-volt AAA batteries, preferably alkaline cells.
3. Match the positive and negative ends with the markings inside the compartment.
4. Replace the battery cover securely.

Install the Receiver Batteries

1. Slide off the receiver battery cover.
2. Install four 1.5-volt AA alkaline batteries.
3. Check the polarity of every battery. One reversed battery can prevent operation.
4. Replace the cover.

New or fully charged receiver batteries are especially important because the servo motor draws substantially more power than a basic remote-control circuit.

Position the Receiver

The receiver may be placed on the fireplace hearth or beneath the fireplace behind an access panel. Install it on the side of the valve kit away from the fire and protect it from direct heat. Ensure that the receiver case remains below its maximum permitted temperature.

When using the hearth-mount arrangement, use the receiver's black button as intended for that installation. Avoid enclosing the receiver in a tight metal surround because this can reduce the operating distance.

Connect the Receiver to a Servo Valve

1. Connect the receiver's black 18-gauge wire with the 1/4-inch female terminal to the matching 1/4-inch male terminal on the servo motor valve.
2. Connect the receiver's black 18-gauge wire with the 3/16-inch female terminal to the matching 3/16-inch male terminal on the valve.
3. Place the receiver shield over the receiver and position the receiver away from the fire.
4. If necessary, shorten the wires by removing them from the receiver, cutting them to the required length, and reinstalling them in their original connections.
5. Test the controls after wiring. If the flame response is opposite to the transmitter buttons, reverse the wire connections at the receiver or valve control as directed by the appliance installation instructions.

The receiver terminal supplies up to 6 VDC. Do not substitute household-voltage wiring or connect the receiver to an AC power outlet.

Set the Receiver Control Position

• REMOTE: The receiver responds to commands from the transmitter. The receiver must be in this position for code learning.
• ON: The system can be operated manually at the receiver without using the transmitter.
• OFF: The appliance is shut off and transmitter operation is locked out.

After a long period without use, the receiver may take up to three seconds to respond when the transmitter's ON/HI button is pressed.

Pair the Transmitter and Receiver

The receiver must learn the transmitter's unique security code before first use. Repeat this procedure after replacing batteries or obtaining a replacement transmitter.

1. Move the receiver slide switch to REMOTE.
2. Locate the small opening marked LEARN on the receiver.
3. Use a small screwdriver or the end of a paper clip to gently press and release the black learning button.
4. Listen for one beep from the receiver.
5. After the beep, press and release any transmitter button.
6. Listen for several beeps confirming that the transmitter code has been accepted.

If pairing fails, wait one to two minutes for the receiver's timing circuit to reset, then try again up to two or three times.

Clear Stored Codes

1. Set the receiver slide switch to REMOTE.
2. Press and hold the LEARN button for approximately 10 seconds, then release it.
3. Listen for three long beeps, which indicate that the stored codes have been erased.
4. Pair the transmitter again using the learning procedure.

Operating Instructions

Choose Fahrenheit or Celsius

The transmitter is factory-set to Fahrenheit. Press and hold the ON/HI and LO/OFF buttons at the same time to switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius. Repeat the same action to return to the previous scale.

Manual ON and Flame-Height Control

1. Press and hold ON/HI.
2. Continue holding the button until the appliance ignites and the flame reaches the desired height or the full-on position.
3. While the signal is being sent, the display shows HI. After approximately three seconds, the display returns to room temperature and shows TEMP.

The flame icon appears when the appliance is operating in manual ON mode.

Manual LOW or OFF Operation

1. Press and hold LO/OFF.
2. Release the button when the flame reaches the desired lower setting or the appliance shuts off.
3. While the signal is being sent, the display shows LO. After approximately three seconds, the display returns to room temperature and shows TEMP.

Use Thermostat Mode

1. Press MODE until ROOM appears on the LCD.
2. Press and hold SET until the desired temperature appears.
3. Release SET. The selected temperature remains on the display for about three seconds, then flashes for about three seconds.
4. After the adjustment, the display returns to the current room temperature.

Press and hold SET to cycle through temperatures from 45°F to 99°F, or 6°C to 32°C. When the upper limit is reached, the setting cycles back to the lower limit.

To change the thermostat setting, repeat the SET procedure while ROOM is displayed. To leave thermostat mode, press MODE until ROOM disappears from the LCD.

Thermostat Operation

The transmitter checks room temperature and updates the receiver approximately every two minutes. The factory temperature differential, or swing, is 2°F, approximately 1°C. The appliance cycles when room temperature moves sufficiently above or below the selected setting. Actual cycling frequency depends on insulation, drafts, and other room conditions.

While thermostat mode is active, pressing LO/OFF can temporarily reduce the flame below full-on. That reduced setting lasts only until the transmitter's next update, after which the flame returns to full-on.

To keep a lower flame setting until the next off cycle, adjust the flame-control knob on the valve manually. When the room reaches approximately 2°F above the selected temperature, the transmitter sends an OFF command. At the next ON cycle, the appliance returns to full-on.

Childproof Lock-Out

1. Press and hold ON/HI and MODE together for five seconds.
2. Confirm that CP appears in the TEMP area of the LCD.
3. To cancel the lock-out, press and hold the same two buttons for five seconds until CP disappears.

When CP is active, manual transmitter operation is disabled. If the appliance is already running in ON or thermostat mode, that operating mode continues. To prevent thermostat signals as well, set the transmitter mode to OFF before engaging the lock-out.

Install the Wall Clip

The transmitter can be stored in the supplied wall clip. For solid wood, drill two 1/8-inch pilot holes before installing the screws. For plaster or wallboard, drill two 1/4-inch holes, tap the plastic anchors flush with the wall, and then install the screws.

Battery Maintenance

Alkaline batteries in the VR-2A may last up to approximately 12 months, depending on how often the servo motor operates. Replace all batteries annually or sooner if operation becomes unreliable.

Check the batteries when the transmitter range becomes shorter or the receiver stops responding. The receiver batteries should provide a combined voltage of at least 4.5 volts. Extensive use of flame-height adjustment increases receiver battery consumption.

Troubleshooting

The Receiver Does Not Respond

• Confirm that the receiver slide switch is set to REMOTE.
• Check that all four receiver batteries are installed correctly. A single reversed cell can stop operation.
• Install fresh alkaline batteries if the receiver voltage is low.
• Check that the transmitter battery contacts touch the positive and negative battery ends securely. Carefully bend the metal contacts inward if the fit is loose.
• Keep the transmitter and receiver within approximately 20 to 25 feet.
• Pair the transmitter to the receiver if the system is being used for the first time, after a battery change, or after a replacement transmitter is installed.

The Transmitter Will Not Pair

• Make sure the receiver is set to REMOTE. Learning is disabled in the ON and OFF positions.
• Press and release the LEARN button, then send a transmitter command after the receiver beeps.
• If the receiver memory is full, clear its stored codes by holding LEARN for approximately 10 seconds until three long beeps are heard, then pair the transmitter again.
• If pairing remains unsuccessful, wait one to two minutes before retrying so the receiver's timing circuit can reset.

The Operating Range Is Short

• Replace weak transmitter and receiver batteries.
• Move the receiver away from a tightly enclosed metal surround.
• Reduce the distance between the transmitter and receiver.
• Confirm that the receiver is not exposed to excessive heat, which can reduce battery performance and electronic reliability.

The Flame Direction Is Reversed

Check the two receiver-wire connections at the servo motor valve. Operation depends on which wire is connected to each terminal. Reverse the connections at the receiver or valve only when permitted by the appliance and valve installation instructions.

Pros & Cons

Advantages

• Provides manual ON, OFF, and variable flame-height control.
• Includes thermostat operation with adjustable temperature settings.
• Uses a large range of factory-programmed security codes.
• Offers receiver-mounted manual ON and positive OFF positions.
• Includes a transmitter lock-out feature for childproof operation.

Limitations

• Requires separate batteries in both the transmitter and receiver.
• Servo motor operation can reduce receiver battery life significantly.
• Heat, metal enclosures, and excessive distance can reduce operating range or reliability.
• Installation requires correct matching of the receiver wires to a compatible servo motor valve.

Regulatory Information

The VR-2A radio system is designed for operation under applicable license-exempt radio requirements. It must not cause harmful interference and must accept interference received, including interference that could produce undesired operation.

Unauthorized modifications may void the user's authority to operate the equipment. Do not place the device or its antenna together with another antenna or transmitter. If radio or television interference occurs, try repositioning the receiving antenna, increasing separation, or connecting the affected equipment to a different electrical circuit.