On Off Switch

JM_2

I have a gas Powerpile system with no shut off switch. It seems that the unit does not have line voltage any where, so it is not conected to the electrical panel. Not even a transformer. If i wire an on/off switch to the unit, where would i do it?

John Mahoney

chuck shaw

instead of where

how about asking why? if you want to shut if off, turn down the thermostat. if you insist on adding some sort of switch anyway (again the why question comes to mind) you could brake the thermostat wire and install it there.

Chuck

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

Unknown

The on/off control is on the gas valve

It's then safe to work on, as no hi voltage is present.

A switch would add resistance.

Noel

JM_2

Installing a new thermostat

The first thing the directions say is to shut off the systenm. If turning down the thermostat is ok thats what i will do.

bob_25

miilivolt

millivolt (powerpile) control circuits require special switch contacts. Honeywell limits will work on millivolts even though they don't have an S in the control prefix such as TS for a thermostat or VS for a gas valve. Once a honeywell limit is used on line voltage it is no longer suitable for powerpile, there are little nubs on the contacts that disappear. I'm sure someone makes a high quality switch that would work. I think some of the old General t-stats even had a switch built in. I would do as previously suggested and turn the gas valve to pilot. bob

bob_25

Shut Down

JM, If you are installing a new stat is it designed for millivolt systems? If it is just turn the gas valve to the pilot position and change it. bob

JM_2

What is

The corect thermostat for a milivolt sys? I notice that it seems that the Honeywell T87 is not. Is this True? I think thats what is in place right now. But I noticed that the unit is short cycling well after the thermoatat should be satisfied. IE set to 66 deg, but still cycling at 72deg. I bought this ouse last wed.

jm

Unknown

On Powerpile Systems

no switch is needed nor is it required by code. The addition of a typical shut off switch will add resistance to the circuit and could result in the system not functioning correctly.

The thermostat should be a TS-86 in order to be perfectly correct. If however someone has installed a T87F you can adjust the anticipator for about .3 and have about the same millivolt drop across the thermostat as you would with the TS-86. You can get TS-86 at Automatic Heating, 400 Charles Street I do believe you are in RI correct.

If it is a steam system then turn the anticipator just a little at a time toward 1.2 stopping when the cycle is correct. That is until you can get the correct TS-86.

Is this a conversion burner? If it is some of them did not have a pilot on off control on the valve they have a valve up on the pipe to the unit just turn it so that it is horizontal across the pipe.

Make sure the thermostat is level, and if you can get a profesional to look at it have him check the calibration.