Converted Wood Fireplace Options

My parent's house has a fireplace that was wood burning years ago. A makeshift conversion was done, with a natural gas line and a simple open/close valve setup. I've been told this was once a pretty popular approach, but as you can guess it's very unsafe. The valve is far enough away that a risk of getting a burst out if the fireplace from lighting it is always there. Now my parents are getting older and can't move very fast. So naturally I want to get away from them using a lighter. I would like to convert this system to an electronic ignition (preferably battery operated if at all possible). Do any such systems exist? I Googled, but the search yielded no straightforward answers.

So the best situation for me would be a battery operated (no electrician needed) system that can be installed in line with current system, this would allow a remote push button ignition from the existing gas line. Pluses would be any system that could also have its own normally closedo valve system to regulate the flow of gas when not in use.

Thanks in advance.

DAKSY said:

That looks like an older Log Lighter system, used for igniting a wood fire with gas flames in lieu of kindling...
If your parents are looking for just WARMTH & not HEAT,go to a hearth shop & ask about RL Peterson Gas Log Sets.
They should have what you need, probably for less than $1K.
If they want HEAT, you're looking or a gas INSERT.
There are many manufacturers & many different options, but one may cost you as much as $4 - 5K.

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We'll what happened was, we used to have a straight wood burning fireplace. My parents tore down a swimming pool that had a natural gas heater (if this makes sense). The gas line was rerouted and re-purposed for this. I'm not entirely sure and this may conflict with what I'm saying, but the logs I believe are ceramic. They have not been replaced in several years and they are starting to crumble on lose their ability to put off significant heat.

DAKSY said:

Understood. It was hard to tell from the pic EXACTLY what you had there.
Just so you know, Gas Logs are decorative appliances. Not heater-rated.
There is some warmth given off, but NO HEAT. Any heat rises & goes up the chimney.
Like I said earlier, go to your local hearth shop & see what's available & if any have
electronic ignition & a remote.

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Thanks for the quick reply... I'll give it a look.

I found this online, and wasn't sure if it would apply to my situation.
http://www.skytechpg.com/skytech-valve-kits/af-lmfr/