Replace my Heat-N-Glo WSK-MLT Wall Control with a simple switch.

[DukeCanBuildit]

I have a Heat-N-Glo direct vent natural gas fireplace ESCAPE-36DV with the Heat-N-Glo WSK-MLT Multifunction Wall Switch.

The wall switch seems to be more trouble than convenience and the switch is only used to turn the flame on and off. I’m not using it to control the temperature in the room. The module seems to be stuck on “auto” and with a very low “set” point. It keeps cycling on and off intermittently, even though I’ve raised the set point to 90°F, and it’s getting a bit annoying. I suspect a new module is in order.

Rather than replace the WSK-MLT, I’d like to simply swap it out for a single-pole-single-throw wall switch.

I’m hoping someone can tell me which of the three wires should be wired into the replacement switch.

Many Thanks.

Edited to add photo.

 

[Millbilly]

Can you post pictures of your valve

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Can you post pictures of your valve

Sure, it’s in a tight space and tough to see everything. Let me know if you need more.

 

[Millbilly]

So yes it will work to swap that out with a single pole switch, but... You will lose flame height control. You are going to lose flame height control, lights if you have them, and blower control of you have them. So you are going to have to replace either the regulator on the valve or the complete valve, somehow rewire the lights or just eliminate them, and rewire and control the blower. This is not difficult if you know what you are doing

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

So yes it will work to swap that out with a single pole switch, but... You will lose flame height control. You are going to lose flame height control, lights if you have them, and blower control of you have them. So you are going to have to replace either the regulator on the valve or the complete valve, somehow rewire the lights or just eliminate them, and rewire and control the blower. This is not difficult if you know what you are doing

Thanks,

My wife hates the backlight, so I pulled the bulb a while ago. There is no blower installed and I don’t care about controlling flame height.

The existing WSK-MLT default flame height is “Hi” when turned on. If I don’t change out the valve or regulator, would flame height simply remain at the default?

If so, then which of the three wires from the back of the wall control get wired to the single pole?

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

So yes it will work to swap that out with a single pole switch, but... You will lose flame height control. You are going to lose flame height control, lights if you have them, and blower control of you have them. So you are going to have to replace either the regulator on the valve or the complete valve, somehow rewire the lights or just eliminate them, and rewire and control the blower. This is not difficult if you know what you are doing

The more I look at this, the more I’m convinced I have to get rid of the black Control Box, the Flame Solenoid, as well as the Multifunction Wall Switch and wire the single pole directly to the IPI Module using only two of the existing wires.

So, would I leave the Flame Solenoid attached and just disconnect the wires or would it have to be removed and something put in its place?

 

[Millbilly]

The more I look at this, the more I’m convinced I have to get rid of the black Control Box, the Flame Solenoid, as well as the Multifunction Wall Switch and wire the single pole directly to the IPI Module using only two of the existing wires.

So, would I leave the Flame Solenoid attached and just disconnect the wires or would it have to be removed and something put in its place?

I've done it with a new dexen Valve with manual flame adjustment knob

 

[Millbilly]

Make sure the fireplace doesn't have any type of split flow function (separate burner controls)before eliminating the electronic controls

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Thanks,

It’s all very standard equipment except for all the stuff associated with the Multifunction Wall Switch.

It’s behaving like a faulty wall control but a partially clogged gas line could exhibit the same symptoms I’m experiencing. I’ll blow out the main gas line from the valve to the burner assembly and test things. If it solves the issue, I’ll leave things as they are.

If it does not, I’ll be stripping it down to a simplified unit that has an IPI pilot and a low voltage wall switch.

Thanks!

 

[Millbilly]

Thanks,

It’s all very standard equipment except for all the stuff associated with the Multifunction Wall Switch.

It’s behaving like a faulty wall control but a partially clogged gas line could exhibit the same symptoms I’m experiencing. I’ll blow out the main gas line from the valve to the burner assembly and test things. If it solves the issue, I’ll leave things as they are.

If it does not, I’ll be stripping it down to a simplified unit that has an IPI pilot and a low voltage wall switch.

Thanks!

It would be a whole lot easier to test your pressure out test port first