Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - Gas Log Questions
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bhk
06-27-04, 01:55 PM
We have 2 fireplaces, one with a set of gas logs about 15 yrs old. (vented w/damper) It turns on fine (manual, not remote), but to turn it off you have to go to the propane tank to extinguish.
Is this fixable, or better to just replace w/new logs?
When the fire is on, it almost blasts us out of the room after half hour. 24" big logs. (too many btus?)
The other fireplace is wood burning w/damper. How do we determine the correct size logs to use in these fireplaces?
Do you measure the room or?
As always, advice appreciated.
bhk
Is this fixable, or better to just replace w/new logs?
When the fire is on, it almost blasts us out of the room after half hour. 24" big logs. (too many btus?)
The other fireplace is wood burning w/damper. How do we determine the correct size logs to use in these fireplaces?
Do you measure the room or?
As always, advice appreciated.
bhk
Gas-repairs4U
06-30-04, 05:32 AM
Dear bhk,
To answer your first question, it sounds like you have a bad(not functioning properly) gas control valve on your log set. You should not have to shut the propane tank off. Doing so interrups the whole gas system to the home, and some gas company's call this "interruption of service" and may create a leak on the regulator or tank. If your having to do this, I would not run the log set at all, as it is an idication of a problem. Replacement log sets are easily obtained through either your local home improvement store, or appliance store, and are available in vented, or un-vented. To size the log set, usually one takes the inner dementions of the fireplace, and the size of the room for btu specifications. Log sets do put out alot of heat in either case. I suggest a log set with a remote, or install a wall thermostat, so you don't have to "babysit" the unit. If you intend on replacing the wood burning logs with a log set, be sure to check local, state and national fuel codes for running the gas line. Some states will not allow bare copper to come into contact with the masonry. Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Aaron B.
To answer your first question, it sounds like you have a bad(not functioning properly) gas control valve on your log set. You should not have to shut the propane tank off. Doing so interrups the whole gas system to the home, and some gas company's call this "interruption of service" and may create a leak on the regulator or tank. If your having to do this, I would not run the log set at all, as it is an idication of a problem. Replacement log sets are easily obtained through either your local home improvement store, or appliance store, and are available in vented, or un-vented. To size the log set, usually one takes the inner dementions of the fireplace, and the size of the room for btu specifications. Log sets do put out alot of heat in either case. I suggest a log set with a remote, or install a wall thermostat, so you don't have to "babysit" the unit. If you intend on replacing the wood burning logs with a log set, be sure to check local, state and national fuel codes for running the gas line. Some states will not allow bare copper to come into contact with the masonry. Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Aaron B.
Sharp Advice
06-30-04, 06:18 AM
Hello; bhk
A manual gas log set implies there is no constant burning pilot flame. The logs are started by manually lighting them via a long fireplace match stick or some other manual type of flame.
Which also implies the gas control valve uses a valve key. The valve key is inserted into the valve and manually turned on or off. Turning the valve on once a flame is available to light the gas is a manual light gas log set.
On this type of log set, the manually turned on gas valve, has a center core. The internal core is part of the valve and it is usually or should be far enough away from the firebox to prevent any heat getting to it.
If it's too close to the firelogs, the heat will expand the core and would than be a possible reason why attempting to turn it off does not totally shut off the gas. Which forces you to use the main fuel tanks supply shut off.
Another possible reasons are the core is wornout. Replacing it is the only option. Or the center core needs greasing. Disassembly, greasing and reassembly.
If manually means via a switch or other means and the set has a pilot flame, than the gas control valve is defective and must be replaced. The control valves with any wires attached to them are gas control valves.
Gas control valve of this type (wires attached) are not repairable nor should any attempts to make a repair be made. Replacement is the only option.
If the log set does have a gas control valve and the flames appear too large, might indicate the control valve is defective since the flame size is controlled by the gas control valve. Gas control valve needs to be replaced.
If the log set is totally manually operated (via lighting it with a flame) and the flames are too large, they should be abled to be control by turning the key to the gas valve control. These types of gas logs have no other means to control flame size or input btu's. Normal operation.
A manual gas log set implies there is no constant burning pilot flame. The logs are started by manually lighting them via a long fireplace match stick or some other manual type of flame.
Which also implies the gas control valve uses a valve key. The valve key is inserted into the valve and manually turned on or off. Turning the valve on once a flame is available to light the gas is a manual light gas log set.
On this type of log set, the manually turned on gas valve, has a center core. The internal core is part of the valve and it is usually or should be far enough away from the firebox to prevent any heat getting to it.
If it's too close to the firelogs, the heat will expand the core and would than be a possible reason why attempting to turn it off does not totally shut off the gas. Which forces you to use the main fuel tanks supply shut off.
Another possible reasons are the core is wornout. Replacing it is the only option. Or the center core needs greasing. Disassembly, greasing and reassembly.
If manually means via a switch or other means and the set has a pilot flame, than the gas control valve is defective and must be replaced. The control valves with any wires attached to them are gas control valves.
Gas control valve of this type (wires attached) are not repairable nor should any attempts to make a repair be made. Replacement is the only option.
If the log set does have a gas control valve and the flames appear too large, might indicate the control valve is defective since the flame size is controlled by the gas control valve. Gas control valve needs to be replaced.
If the log set is totally manually operated (via lighting it with a flame) and the flames are too large, they should be abled to be control by turning the key to the gas valve control. These types of gas logs have no other means to control flame size or input btu's. Normal operation.