millivolt, steam - still available?

Steven Todd

Hello. I need to replace a leaking Weil-McLain PEG-50 (one-pipe steam house). It currently is a millivolt system: thermocouple, thermostat, independent from the house's electrical supply (which I like and my wife really likes). Two fellows came by for estimates and both said it will need to switch to a 24-volt system.

Are millivolt systems still made? Available?

I recognize a benefit of 24v is the flue damper but otherwise milli has served me very well.

Many thanks.

Dale

Sure

They're still available althouth more expensive than a 24V. I like the Robertshaw, honeywell makes one also. If I was doing it I would put in the combination valve variety. The sevice people did the standard thing, Alot of the old MV systems had constant pilots and with the tstat availability problems we usually convert to 24 volts.

BillW@honeywell

VS series gas valves & T'stats

Honeywell's VS 820 series gas valves, for both natural & LP gas, and Q313 Thermopile generators are still available. All the new VisionPro and FocusPro stats are compatible, as are all the Chronotherm 4 series. If you prefer the old round stat, the TS86A is still available. You can find these at any Honeywell distributor. If you are a homeowner, please do not attempt to replace or install this equipment yourself. Combustion controls are NOT a do-it-yourself project! Improper installation can cause fire, explosion or carbon monoxide poisoning. Leave this to a pro.

Unknown

Steve when

you put in a new boiler it must meet standards in place today which requires a redundant gas valve. The millivolt valves do not cover that standard and are not usually available on new equipment.

If someone a(a professional) is going to convert it over for you they will have to accept full liability for the change of controls.

It is too bad as self generating systems are really great and allow you operation in a power outage especially with steam.

BillW@honeywell

Whoops...

I read your post a bit too quickly...I thought you were replacing like-for-like. Tim is exactly right, redundant gas valves are required by law/code, and that's all you'll find on new equipment. Backdating with replacement parts voids the manufacturer's warranty, Honeywell's warranty, and leaves you liable for any problems that may occur. I ,too, agree that the millivolt system was a big help in blackout prone areas, about all you can do today is have a standby generator.

Unknown

In addition

to the gas valve not being redundant, there is also a neccessity for secondary safety protection involving a secondary high limit to shut everything down in the event of primary high limit failure for some reason. As Tim and Bill stated, this could result in a liability issue.

Glenn Stanton

Manager of Training

Burnham Hydronics

www.burnham.com

Steven Todd

Thank you

Thank you all for your replies. Too bad about the passing of millivolt systems -- I guess standards/codes evolve but sometimes good features don't stick. I'll go with today's 24v. Thanks again.

Jeff Lawrence_24

Just a thought

You could get a 24V system and get a computer UPS to run it during power outages.....

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steve_6

power outages

We have customers that use a power inverter connected to a 12 volt marine battery with a trickle charger attached . During a power failure they shut off the circuit to the boiler and connect the emergency power supply to the boiler via pigtail and recepticle.