BLUF: I just want to add a wall switch to my recently installed gas log so that my mother won't be too scared to light it with a lighter (as it is setup now)
Earlier this year I installed a gas line to my mom's old brick fireplace and added a gas log set. I put a key turn valve on the floor outside the fireplace and it has a manual valve also inside the firebox where the black pipe comes out of the brick. It works great, but my mom never uses it as she is afraid of turning on the gas and holding a lighter in to ignite. So I now want to make it as easy for her as flipping a switch as I've seen in some hotels I've stayed in with room fireplaces. Sounds like an easy addition, but I've spent hours looking online and can't figure out what I need to buy to make this happen. It seems like all that is sold online is for people who want a friggin remote controlled fireplace? I mean come on, how lazy is that? Why would anyone want another remote to lose, and with this one missing you can't shut off the fire? But I digress...
I thought I had it figured out with a $130 Skytech LMF manual valve that I could add a solenoid to and wall switch for < $70. But it turns out the solenoid won't work with a wall switch as it is a latching type and needs more power that from a thermopile, so it only works with a $150 remote (or remote switch on the wall) and an added a receiver in the firebox, both of which need batteries. To me that just looks a lot of unnecessary money and more things to fail.
I just want a simple system without batteries and a wired wall switch (or timer) to turn the fire on and off. It sounds so simple, but I can't figure out what valve and other components to buy, so any suggestions would be appreciated.
Rodman
Earlier this year I installed a gas line to my mom's old brick fireplace and added a gas log set. I put a key turn valve on the floor outside the fireplace and it has a manual valve also inside the firebox where the black pipe comes out of the brick. It works great, but my mom never uses it as she is afraid of turning on the gas and holding a lighter in to ignite. So I now want to make it as easy for her as flipping a switch as I've seen in some hotels I've stayed in with room fireplaces. Sounds like an easy addition, but I've spent hours looking online and can't figure out what I need to buy to make this happen. It seems like all that is sold online is for people who want a friggin remote controlled fireplace? I mean come on, how lazy is that? Why would anyone want another remote to lose, and with this one missing you can't shut off the fire? But I digress...
I thought I had it figured out with a $130 Skytech LMF manual valve that I could add a solenoid to and wall switch for < $70. But it turns out the solenoid won't work with a wall switch as it is a latching type and needs more power that from a thermopile, so it only works with a $150 remote (or remote switch on the wall) and an added a receiver in the firebox, both of which need batteries. To me that just looks a lot of unnecessary money and more things to fail.
I just want a simple system without batteries and a wired wall switch (or timer) to turn the fire on and off. It sounds so simple, but I can't figure out what valve and other components to buy, so any suggestions would be appreciated.
Rodman
