No. Might want to look into a small generator.
Hi Guys,
Can a natural gas pilotless hot water tank be manually started? I understand how my heating system (furnace) operates and know it needs power to operate. But, in times of outages, I would like to have hot water.
Thanks for any replies.
Ken
No. Might want to look into a small generator.
It takes electric for the flame sensor to prove their is a flame. Without proof of flame, the valve closes.
I'm having a difficult time trying to figure this out. This is a gas system with "no" electrical connections? Is there an internal spark generator of some type?
If its pilotless. There has to be electric running to it. It has to have either a spark or HSI ignition system. And a flame proving system. HSI will use the HSI to ignite teh gas, and then to prove flame, spark will use a flame rod.
Post brand and model number.
Hi,
Thanks for your patience...
It's a "State" brand Model GS650YRBT. There is one wire leading from the top of the control valve to spark igniter(?) inside the unit.
The GS6 models I see. All have pilots. And piezo ignitors for lighting it.
are you sure its pilotless have you tried it with out electric . the sprk ignitor is used to light the pilot
Yeah I get that part. But, I'm thinking when the temp drops, the water temp sensor (thermocouple/thermistor ckt) creates a miliovolt to fire the "Piezo", thus the gas valve opens(?)
the piezo is just to light the pilot if it goes out ,look real cloes and see if there is not a pilot light
easy way to tell if it uses electricity, does it plug into the wall anyplace?
no cord to an outlet, then it is not powered by electricity!
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from an excerpt by Paul Jacob in Sun City, AZ
OK,
Here's where I was going when I mentioned the thermo-couple sensing the drop in temp....
"A thermo-couple sensor detects when the temperature of the water drops and sends an electrical impulse to the thermostat control. The thermostat causes the burner to light and bring the temperature of the water back up to the temperature setting on the thermostat."
The "piezo" switch needs mechanical input in some way, that is, if we're dealing with a piezo SW per-se. However, it's quit possible, there is an electronic ckt that triggers the ignition or lighting of the gas, instead of a piezo, upon receiving the call for heat?
After giving this more though, I'm just trying to rationalize the process.
Pilot stays on constantly, temperature probe on gas valve controls call for heat, the piezo is just like an electric spark lighter, you push button to send a spark to pilot.
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the way they work is the pilot generates 30 milivolts of electricity
You do not understand the operation of you unit.
Do a search for your manual online, or read it if you have it.
Your gas valve is the control over complete operation of the fire on that unit; on, off or pilot only operation.
The piezo is strictly an ignition(spark) just like on a barbeque.
The thermocouple is the safety, along with an over temp safety on this unit, that provides a millivoltage to hold open a magnet in the gas valve. This voltage is created by the heat of the pilot flame burning on the thermocouple.
If you read the lighting instructions, you must hold the control valve down for 30-60 seconds while lighting the pilot. This is to allow enough time for the heat to generate the voltage to hold that magnet.
You are making things way to complicated. You unit works without the need for house power. You have what you wanted, unless you are on a well and then you need power to deliver the water.
The Food Stamp Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is proud to be distributing the greatest amount of free meals and stamps EVER.
Meanwhile, the National Park Service, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, asks us to "Please Do Not Feed the Animals". Their stated reason for this policy "... the animals become dependent on handouts and will not learn to take care of themselves."
from an excerpt by Paul Jacob in Sun City, AZ
I don't remember the exact physics, but the energy from the flame when run across a thermocouple, generates a very small voltage (30 millivolts) to ground. This very small amount of power can be used for very simple controls like opening a gas valve when a mecahnical thermastat closes. ITs' also used as a simple flame detection system. if the flame goes out, the controls lose power and the gas valve shuts.
SO the water heater generates it's own electricity. The downside is that you have the continous gas useage and the need for a open draft vent where you are constantly losing heat to the flue. That's why the eneryg factor is about 0.56, when the burner istself is around 75% efficient. You have big standby loses from the flue as well as the insulated tank.