Innovations in Remote Controls Terry Brumbaugh SkyTech Products Group This session will cover various types of remote controls that are used in the hearth industry. From ultra-sonic remotes to infrared remotes, radio frequency and touch screen, remote controls offer basic ON/OFF capabilities to more in depth possibilities such as raising and lowering flames, operating lights or turning on blowers and fans. The instructor will discuss installation on standing pilot systems to electronic systems, how each operates, how to program or learn the transmitter to the receiver and the various options available with remote controls. In addition, the instructor will talk about dry contact remotes, constant power remotes, or pulse type, battery and electric operation. Each type is used for particular applications and your understanding is these will assist you in selecting the proper remote for your customer. There will be demonstrations with several types of remotes to give you a clear visual picture of just how they work including troubleshooting to ensure you and your service team can handle issues that may arrive at the actual job site to answering customer telephone calls. Attendees are expected to walk away with a much better knowledge of remote controls, how they work and connect to gas valves and which ones are better for the customer depending upon the customer needs and wants. 2017 HPBExpo Education Sponsored by:
Innovations in Remote Controls Capabilities to Possibilities Presented by Terry Brumbaugh History of Remote Controls SR- Sonic Remotes Used a high pitch whistling type frequency to send to the receiver Used in the 1980 s Did not work well in the hearth industry. Sometimes car keys could trigger them to turn ON or OFF History of Remote Controls IR Infrared Remotes use electromagnetic waves Commonly used on televisions They send light a beam low energy electromagnetic radiation to you television. They are dependent upon line of sight. Even though you cannot see the infrared light you can block it from operating 1
History of Remote Controls RF- Radio Frequency sends radio waves to a receiver They operate greater distances than IR remotes Its more popular type system in wireless gadgets including Bluetooth technology FCC assigns a frequency for company s who manufacture remotes. Our company uses 303.8MHZ frequency History of Remote Controls Know your remotes and how they work to better serve your customer needs. Many remotes come with features some people will never use. Today s Agenda Terms & Definitions What type valve can use a Dry Contact Remotes Automatic Millivolt Gas Valves Electronic (IPI) Gas Valve Learning a Transmitter to a Receiver Other types of Dry Contact Remotes Manual Millivolt Gas Valves Intermittent Powered Remotes Continuous Powered Remotes Electronic Gas Valve Systems Troubleshooting 2
Terms & Definitions 1.Dry Contact provides continuity across two terminals of an automatic millivolt gas valve that turns ON and OFF the gas valve. 2.Continuous Power provides constant power while pressing a button on the remote control. Designed for gas valves with servo motors or motor drives. 3.Intermittent Power - provides a short burst of power to open and close a solenoid for Hi/Lo or ON/OFF operation. Terms & Definitions Transmitter Sends a security code to the receiver; sometimes called Hand Held, Remote Control, or TX for short; Receiver Receives the security code from the transmitter; battery Pack/ RX for short; Can be an actual control module for electronic ignition; Electronic Gas Valves Some use electricity as a primary power source to operate, some use batteries without electricity Terms & Definitions Codes Thermostats should only be used gas appliances tested and listed for use with a thermostat. It should include a heater rating under ANSI Z21.88/CSA 2.33 or ANSI Z21.11.2. 11 2 Thermo Term meaning thermostat to maintain a constant temperature in a room use with remote control, most companies refer to it as Thermo Mode 3
Terms & Definitions Battery Operated Remotes Typically uses 4 AA Alkaline batteries Electric Operated Remotes Operates from 120VAC Thermocouple (TC) - operates manually operated gas valves Thermopile (TP) - operates automatic manual gas valves Battery Powered Dry Contact Systems Receiver Transmitter Battery Installation 120VAC Powered Dry Contact Systems Receiver Transmitter 4
What Type of Gas Valve can use a Dry Contact Remote? Automatic Millivolt Gas Valves SIT820 Robertshaw Terminal Block Standing pilot gas valves with thermopiles Automatic Millivolt Gas Valves Use a thermopile (TP) and thermocouple (TC) to operate the gas valves Some older types may only use a TP 5
Connecting to Millivolt Gas Valve Connecting to Millivolt Gas Valve Connecting to Millivolt Gas Valve 6
Connecting to a Dry Contact Remote Control to Electronic Gas Valves Connecting to Electronic Gas Valves Connecting to Electronic Gas Valves When wiring to a electronic system there could be 120VAC. It would be wise to unplug the system for your protection. 7
Connecting to Electronic Gas Valves Electronic valves are dependent on the manufacturer how to wire a switch or remote Call them for verification of installing a remote control Look for a wiring diagram Learning a Dry Contact Remote Control Transmitter to the Receiver Learning Remote to Receiver Slide Switch Learn Button 8
Learning Remote to Receiver Press and Release the Learn Button Learning Remote to Receiver Press ON button on the transmitter. Watch for red LED light to illuminate when pressing the button Learning Remote to Receiver 9
Other Types of Dry Contact Remote Controls Wireless Timer Remotes Wireless Wall Switch 10
Thermostat Remotes Thermostat Remote Basic Functions Press MODE OFF Mode ON Mode Thermo Mode Touch Screen Remotes 11
Dry Contact Dip Switches Some manufacturers use dip switches similar to a garage door openers Coded Transmitters Coded transmitter can have matching receivers. Coded Transmitters 12
Wired Dry Contact Remotes Wired Remote Wall Install Another option of installation is mounting the receiver in the wall Wired Remote Wall Install 13
Manual Millivolt lt Gas Valves with Remote Controls Manual Millivolt Gas Valves Manual Valves Other types of manual gas valves on the market. Watch for the inlet and outlet markings Manual Millivolt Pilot Assembly Pilot assembly with thermocouple (TC) TC screws into gas valve finger tight plus a quarter turn with wrench to secure Mounts on end of burner pan with special mounting bracket Gas specific models NG or LP 14
Manual Millivolt Gas Valves Ability to install solenoid, motor drive or step motor Has a safety seal built inside of valve Pilot adjustment screw Uses thermocouple (TC) pilot assembly to operate Gas Valve Accessories Gas valves can come with different capabilities Solenoids Motor Drives Step Motors Solenoid Step Motor Motor Drive Gas Valve Accessories Manual gas valve with solenoid attached Solenoids turn a manual millivolt gas valve into a remote capable valve Solenoids can provide ON/OFF of gas flow or HI/LO and ONOFF 15
Intermittent t Powered Remote Controls Intermittent Powered Remote Controls How A Solenoid Works A solenoid pushes on a plunger inside the gas valve to open and close the gas flow when the control knob is in the ON position. Plunger Out Front Plunger In 16
Continuous Powered Remote Controls Manual Millivolt Gas Valves Continuous Powered Remote Controls Maxitrol makes a gas valve with a Maxitrol makes a gas valve with a motor drive built into the gas valve This valve requires a remote that provides constant power to enable the motor to move and adjust the flame height. 17
Mertik Maxitrol Dry Contact Remotes Intermittent Powered Remotes Continuous Powered Remotes Intermittent Powered Remote Step Motor 18
Electronic Gas Valve Systems SIT 866 ProFlame Valve System Dexen IPI Gas Valve System 19
American Flame IPI Gas Valve System American Flame Wiring Diagram Home Automation System Transmitter 20
Gas Log Safety Pilot Kits Spark to Pilot system Hi/Lo remote operation Runs off 4 AA batteries Wi-Fi or Bluetooth Technology What s the difference between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth? The main difference is the Bluetooth is primarily used to connect devices without using cables, while Wi-Fi provides high-speed access to the internet. Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that is used to exchange data over short distances (around 30 feet), usually between personal mobile devices. Wi-Fi signals can be received up to 300 feet away. Troubleshooting Remote Controls 21
Troubleshooting Dry Contact Remotes What is the #1 reason for remote controls not working? Troubleshooting Dry Contact Remotes Locating the Receiver Inside the Fireplace Troubleshooting Dry Contact Remotes Step 1: Light the pilot. Step 2: Turn control knob to ON position Step 3: Ensure the wires from the receiver are connected to the TH/TP & TP terminals of a gas valve. 22
Troubleshooting Dry Contact Remotes Ensure the control knob on the fireplace is in the ON position with the pilot lit. OFF PILOT ON Troubleshooting Dry Contact Remotes You replaced the batteries in both TX & the RX. The transmitter has been learned to the receiver. The fireplace pilot is lit and control knob in ON position. IT STILL DOESN T WORK!!! WHAT S GOING ON? Troubleshooting Dry Contact Remotes Check the TP TC can be in good working order but the TP may be defective 23
Troubleshooting Dry Contact Remotes Vent Free Fireplace Vent Free Log Set Troubleshooting Dry Contact Remotes The jumper wire must be removed in order for the remote control The same thing can apply if a wall switch is connected to the gas valve except the switch must just be turned OFF then the remote will operate Troubleshooting Intermittent Powered Remotes Solenoid Testing with a 9-volt battery 24
Troubleshooting Continuous Powered Remotes Troubleshooting Short Distance Operation My remote only works 2-feet from my fireplace? What s wrong? Troubleshooting Short Distance Operation Testing for proper frequency requires the transmitter to be sent into the factory. A Spectrum Analyzer is used to test the actual frequency is at for a specific remote control. The blue arrow shows the centerline of the where the center of the hump should be 25
Troubleshooting Electronic Ignition You may need to contact your supplier if needed for a wiring diagram Understand that there may be 120VAC (i.e. fans, aux lights) Understand some may be only battery operated Troubleshooting Multiple Remote Operation My y remote turns ON two appliances at one time What do I do? Troubleshooting Multiple Remote Operation OFF Position REMOTE Position ON Position 26
Final Comments Thank you for your time today! 27