I have read here somewhere before but can not find the post so here is the question.

I have to control 2 different fireplaces that are each over 200 feet away from my RP-6. I have heard of people putting relaies or something at the fireplace switch location and haveing the RP-6 trigger the relay.

I would like to know how people are doing this and with what parts. All that I have going to the fireplace switch from the processor is a 18/2.

Thanks

Probably already a toggle switch in place if it's existing right? Take switch out, should be 2 wires present. Touch them together and FP should fire up. Replace switch with a 12v relay and with your 18/2 connected to NO and Common. Close the relay from the processor. We always carry around DPDT (double pole double throw) relays for stuff like this but all that is needed is a SPST.

most fireplaces have wiring that basically interupts the safety loop and could easily be connected to the rp6. This is typically the wiring at the wall switch(NOT 120v).

this is how i control them from litetouch and all works well.

if you are trying to control hi voltage then your need to do something else.

Here's a good thread:

[Link: remotecentral.com]

Absolutely DO NOT use 120 volts to switch anything. EVER. Unless some company has designed a switch that has 120 volts in it already, you have an electrician's license, and you have the skill to know how to do it already.

By "safety loop," oex means the microvolt circuit, a circuit where the pilot light heats a thermopile which generates a tiny voltage with enough current to keep a gas valve open. This is what you've got on all water heaters where you hold down a button for about a minute after lighting the pilot light.

You wouldn't actually interrupt the safety loop, because that would shut off gas to the pilot light. Instead, such a heat source has a pair of wires coming out of it that turn on the gas in the main burner when shorted together. This is the pair of wires that go to a thermostat for a dumb floor heater, or to a switch ( = pair of relay contacts) for a fireplace, or are internally shorted in a water heater when the water is cold enough.

If the pilot light goes out, the microvoltage is not available, so gas can't run without the pilot light, which equals no rooms full of gas.

Run twelve volts via your 18-2 out to a 12 volt relay near the fireplace. Use a set of relay contacts on the XP8 or RP6 to turn that relay on and off, thus turning the fireplace on and off.

you may find that you have to run more than twelve volts out there if the wire 18-2 resistance lowers the voltage to the point where the external relay won't switch.

Ha...typo on my part, I meant 12v...obviously he gets it. I'll fix the post.

jeez - there is a pair of wires in almost every gas fireplace that says connect remote switch/control here.

Hey oex, can you give me a rough idea as to were those wires might be. Never been in a gas fireplace before.

in all ot the heat and glow unit they are at the bottom, behind the flip up vent. They are hanging right on the gas valve and I believe they are red with a sticker across them saying connect low voltage switch here.

The location is the same on the clean face units.

[Link: content.hearthnhome.com]

see diagrams on page 38