Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site lanl.ARPA Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!cbdkc1!desoto!packard!hoxna!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!decvax!bellcore!allegra!mit-eddie!godot!harvard!seismo!cmcl2!lanl!djw From: djw@lanl.ARPA Newsgroups: net.consumers Subject: Re: Heat without electricity (discussion re piezo start) Message-ID: <21072@lanl.ARPA> Date: Tue, 5-Feb-85 19:58:52 EST Article-I.D.: lanl.21072 Posted: Tue Feb 5 19:58:52 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 10-Feb-85 04:59:13 EST References: <7946@brl-tgr.ARPA> <2657@sdcc3.UUCP> Sender: newsreader@lanl.ARPA Distribution: net Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory Lines: 27 > And if your furnace is one of those that uses a high-voltage spark to > ignite the burners instead of a pilot light, you're out of luck with the > power off. > > Brian Kantor UC San Diego > OK NOW, I've had a 30K btu heater in my cabin for 15 years. It uses a thermocouple to power the propane ( really butane at this altitude ) safety shutoff valve. The pilot heats the thermocouple and the electricity generated energizes a magnet just enough to keep the gas shutoff from closing and shutting off the 4-12 oz gas flow. Recently I decided to look at one of those new-fangled Piezo-electric start ovens and wanted said starting mechanism for my wall heater. There must be a solution other than a $400.00 solar panel, so I propose to the net, and all the GE, White Westinghouse/GMC, etc. engineers out there, 1) No flame >> no gas through the safety valve or 2) No electricity >> no gas through the safety valve. I want a wall heater with piezo start and no pilot flame. It would be nice if it worked off a battery backup from thermocouple power/thermostat... Where is such a beast? My heater in the cabin is probably 25 years old, certainly unsafe, and has no thermostat. I will give up the thermostat if I can have the gas safety shutoff and the piezo electric start. These things are available on gas ranges, why not on wall heaters?