Need timer switch for fireplace

[PT Doc]

We have a Heat and Glo fireplace with a wall switch and a wireless remote with built in 15 minute incremental timer. I can go to bed, set the remote to 15 minutes and go to bed and it shuts off. We are getting interference somehow and the fireplace turns on by itself occasionally. So we want to eliminate the wireless remote and turn the wall switch into a timer of some sort.

It seems like the various timer switches are rated for 120v.

Here is a spring wound unit:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-In-Wall-Spring-Wound-Countdown-Timer-15304/202530070

Here is another:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-In-Wall-Digital-Countdown-Timer-15318/202788262

Some of these timers require a neutral and some dont. The wall switch activates the low volt wiring and this fires up the fireplace. Can any of these timer switches be made to work in my application?

There are some companies that make wall switches with timers for fireplaces but they are RF and that would likely just not solve the current problem. We want a timer so that we can go to bed and have the fireplace shut off without me needing to get up and go to the wall switch and shut it off.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Norcal]

Use a spring wound timer, no neutral needed, and choices how long you want the time interval to be.

 

[CJ7VFR]

Make sure that whatever timer switch you get, that it can handle the wattage of the fireplace.

Most of the nice electric fireplaces use somewhere around 1300 to 1500 watts, which means they will draw upwards of 12.5 amps when they are on.

Make sure the switch you buy can cover that. The dial/rotary switch you have linked can handle up to 2500 watts, but the other switch does not specify how many watts it can handle, so you might have to go to the store and check out the package to see.

The rotary timer switches are nice and easy to use, and can usually handle larger loads than the digital push button models. That is not always the case, but from what I have seen it seems to be how it is.

And like Norcal said, the rotary switches do not normally require a neutral (white) wire in the box for installation. The digital push button models seem to require the neutral wire.

Jim

 

[blownmodela]

Just use a spring wound timer, like a bathroom intermatic. I have 30+ heat n goo gas units all with timers.

 

[PT Doc]

Make sure that whatever timer switch you get, that it can handle the wattage of the fireplace.

Most of the nice electric fireplaces use somewhere around 1300 to 1500 watts, which means they will draw upwards of 12.5 amps when they are on.

Make sure the switch you buy can cover that. The dial/rotary switch you have linked can handle up to 2500 watts, but the other switch does not specify how many watts it can handle, so you might have to go to the store and check out the package to see.

The rotary timer switches are nice and easy to use, and can usually handle larger loads than the digital push button models. That is not always the case, but from what I have seen it seems to be how it is.

And like Norcal said, the rotary switches do not normally require a neutral (white) wire in the box for installation. The digital push button models seem to require the neutral wire.

Jim

I was under the impression that the low volt wiring was something like 24 v. This is a gas fireplace with low volt wiring to a wall switch to activate the unit.

 

[PT Doc]

Interstices confirmed that this spring wound timer would work for my application.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Intermat...ff-Spring-Wound-Timer-White-FD60MWC/100001546

They also have versions with longer run times as well as a hold portion of the dial that presumably just keeps the contact closed and the fireplace running.

 

[CJ7VFR]

I was under the impression that the low volt wiring was something like 24 v. This is a gas fireplace with low volt wiring to a wall switch to activate the unit.

Sorry, for some reason I thought you were talking about an electric fireplace.

Jim

 

[engineer2]

Reviving an old thread, but I need a fireplace timer too.
Standing pilot natural gas millivot system.
The standard 15/20A contacts only last about a year on a mV system.
Having trouble finding a wind-up or pushbutton low-voltage timer.
No, I don't want a remote.
Any thoughts? I thought Intermatic made one, but I can't find the model number.

 

[raceman6135]

I thought Intermatic made one, but I can't find the model number.

Looks like a 30-minute timer is model FD30MWC.

I have found other models with longer and shorter time intervals on this Amazon link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004W4WX/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I searched 'mechanical bathroom timer' and got results from Woods, Maxxima, Intermatic, and a couple others Hope you find one you like!

 

[engineer2]

Thanks, I have that one now and it has failed. The problem is those have 20 amp contacts. They works great with 115V systems, but I'm switching maybe 300 to 500 millivolts. After a year or two, the contacts get enough corrosion that you get a voltage drop across them and there aren't enough millivolts to power the gas valve.

They make ones with low-rated or gold plated contacts, but they are expensive and hard to find. Just looking for alternate solutions with all the knowledgable people here. Intermatic doesn't make such an animal unfortunately.

 

[PT Doc]

Why are they getting corroded?