My natural gas-fired gravity furnace was installed in the 1950s. It is a Janitrol model GDS100-15, Type S, serial number 1252B0111, manufactured by Surface Combustion Corporation, Toledo, Ohio. It uses a bi-metallic switch mounted on the pilot burner to sense the presense of the pilot flame. The switch is wired in series with the solenoid valve for the main burner and prevents the valve from opening if the pilot flame is extinguished, an obviously necessary safety feature. I would like to find either an exact replacement for the switch, or an electronic infrared flame sensor that doesn't require direct contact with the pilot flame. Suggestions please, but don't suggest that I replace my inefficient gravity furnace (100,000 btu in, 75,000 btu out) with a new forced-air furnace/air conditioner. I can't afford to do that right now.
2006-11-04 12:39:41 · 5 answers · asked by hevans1944 5 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I must begin by saying that gravity furnaces don't come with fans, Kevin! Here's your sign....
Finding an exact replacement for your pilot safety would compare
to GWB finding the WMD's.
You can update your old system by installing a modern pilot flame assembly with either a new 24V gas valve or a millivolt-powered gas valve. Such conversions are possible, if you get an inventive tech, but you're going to have to spend some money. Call your local heating company and pay for an evaluation and estimate. This would be MUCH cheaper than a new furnace. Good luck.
2006-11-05 05:26:54 · answer #1 · answered by Huero 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Based on this, pilot lights use 600-900 BTUs an hour. They also estimate a gas system to average 12 to 15 cents an hour to run at 27000BTUs ( which would be around the average usage of gas logs in a fake fireplace) ( If you are using a furnace with higher BTU rating, adjust accordingly), so that would make the pilot light cost about .5 cents an hour, or 12 cents a day, or about $18 for your 5 months. That's probably close to what propane would cost, but you might know difference in price.
2016-05-22 00:00:15 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the switch you are referring to is a fan limit switch, which is composed of a bithmus telluride bimetal, and yas it can be replaced
2006-11-04 13:48:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.sidharvey.com/ wow 2nd time tonight Iused this link... they have everything
2006-11-04 14:26:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
whew!!!! over my head dude!!
2006-11-04 12:47:10 · answer #5 · answered by Trace ! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋