Vintage Honeywell Gas Valve Replacement/Retrofit

ottov1

I have a gas furnace outfitted in the 1920s with a Honeywell gas valve, size 3/4, pressure 8 oz, Type VS887A27X2 G-LP. It employs a 300mV thermopile.

Can a replacement or a retrofit be had for the valve? Thanks.

SuperTech

Honeywell makes a universal replacement standard pilot gas valve that uses a thermocouple for sensing the pilot flame. They also make the Y8610U electronic ignition retrofit kit, this is morw expensive but it would eliminate the standing pilot and save a little gas. 

The boiler was installed a hundred years ago and is still in use? Please post pictures of the entire boiler!

ottov1

Thanks. It's not a boiler, but rather a converted coal furnace - gravity heat. House built in 1890. Furnace works great - house stays toasty warm. I've never had trouble with the valve - I replaced the thermopile some years back. I'm looking for replacement valve to store with the furnace in case the valve ever fails. Is there any preventive maintenance that can be done to keep the valve in good working order?

tim smith

That looks like an old Holland gravity furnace.

JUGHNE

Is this a thermopile self generating system? It has no 24 volt power supply?

mattmia2

Replacing that valve with a modern valve isn't just a swap in/swap out. There will have to be some retrofit to connect the pilot to the modern combination valve instead of the separate gas cock and the pressure and combustion will have to be set up. Either you will have to find a millivolt combination valve or add a transformer and swap the thermopile for a thermocouple and change the t-stat to a 24v model. It isn't a DIY project, you will need a good tech that understands how conversion burners work.

On the other hand sometimes valves stick open and that can be a safety issue.

ottov1

Thank you for your responses above.

This is a self generating thermopile system - no 24 volt supply. The valve has worked well as long as I've owned the home since 1984. I replaced the thermopile some years back.

I understand that retrofitting would be required if I cannot find an actual replacement. My goal here is to have the new valve on hand in case my vintage valve fails - I would solicit a furnace tech to perform the retrofit as required, but want to be sure I have the valve already on hand in case our heat failed. I have a 24V supply installed and ready, but am not using it at present. I have a modern electronic Stat that is configured to call for heat - this works well - it will also work for a modernized gas control.

The vintage valve is actually an OEM component of a "Janitrol Gas Conversion Burner" manufactured by the Surface Combustion Corporation. See photos below.

mattmia2

See the thing is that the type of system where it doesn't shut off the pilot if it goes out ceased to be approved sometime in the 60's or so, so just replacing the valve without retrofitting it to a total shut off system is a little questionable.

EBEBRATT-Ed

I agree with @mattmia2

That system although it may work well is sadly outdated. You can get a valve Honeywell #vs802A0154 or similar at supply house.com.

But why would you want to?

You would be much better off putting the $350 the valve will cost you into your budget for a new furnace. Your old one is probably 50% evvicient. A new furnace will save you 30-50% of your fuel bill

And your safety will be enhanced

Tim McElwain

It would help if I could see the pilot? A modern Honeywell VS820 Power Pile gas valve would replace the valve you have. I suspect the system you have is 750 millivolt system. Seeing a picture of the pilot and pilot generator would help to confirm that.

ottov1

The furnace is equipped with a 300mV gas valve. The current thermopile is working well and generates ~450mV when heated by the pilot with no call for heat. Using the newer valve will require the thermopile to be replaced with a 750mV version.

Tim McElwain

The only pilot generators made today are 750 millivolt generators. A picture of the pilot will confirm that what you have is probably a 750 millivolt generator. If you lift the cover off the gas valve and take a picture it would help.

ottov1

I'm an electrical engineer...

mattmia2

Tim worked for the gas company for like 50 years...