Gas Solenoid

Discussion in 'C-Bus Wired Hardware' started by Phoneman, Jan 9, 2007.

  1. Phoneman

    Phoneman

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    Does anyone have experience in playing with Gas Solenoids and connecting them up to CBus or Minder?

    Any brand come to mind?

    I have an outdoor alfresco area and would like to have an indication on the touchscreen or even a timer to ensure the gas and exhaust fans outdoors are not left on after a few lemonades.
     
    Phoneman, Jan 9, 2007
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  2. Phoneman

    ashleigh Moderator

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    Suggest that you find a solenoid with a dry contact output that tells you the REAL state, rather than the state you think it might be in by sensing power/non-powered. Then just feed that into a bus coupler.

    no idea if such a beast is available - but it should be.... go hunting.
     
    ashleigh, Jan 10, 2007
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  3. Phoneman

    RossW

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    I use gas solenoids for my primary and backup generator sets, both controlled in a manner similar to what you describe.

    If I understand correctly, you would "enable" the system before use, and explicitly turn it OFF from inside when not in use?

    Depending on your exact use, you may have problems finding a low pressure valve though, and I do all my switching at high pressure (in one case, at full cylinder pressure - about 1100 KPA, in the other case at a pre-regulated 100 KPA). Both these run on Propane/LPG.

    In both my cases, I use certified "fuel valves" - your easiest source will be an automotive gas conversion person, as these valves are generally mounted right at the inlet to the converter/regulator. A c-bus voltage-free relay can easily switch the 700mA odd at 12V the coil requires.

    If you are running on "town gas", I think it is distributed throught the house at about 3 KPA - good luck getting electric valves for this!
     
    RossW, Jan 11, 2007
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  4. Phoneman

    rhamer

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    What about the valves that shut off the gas to the fancy gas cooktops if it detects the flame has gone out.

    Cheers

    Rohan
     
    rhamer, Jan 12, 2007
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  5. Phoneman

    rirvine

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    rirvine, Jan 13, 2007
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  6. Phoneman

    richms

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    Those are usually just a thermally activated bulb sitting in the flame that keeps the valve turned on, thats why you have to hold them in for a couple of seconds after turning on.
     
    richms, Jan 14, 2007
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