FAQ
What makes your Remote Control Fire System
better than the rest?
Igniter – the igniter is the weak link
in most other Remote Fire Systems. Direct Spark Igniters,
like the kind you find on most kitchen stoves – the ones
that go “Tick, tick, tick” before they light – are
found on most other systems. Direct Spark Igniters don’t
work well outside because any residue from dirt or moisture
that collects on the electrodes weakens the spark. A
weak spark equates to no ignition. We use a Hot Surface
Igniter – very much like a glow plug. This is the
same igniter that is used in Pool/Spa Gas Heaters. It
is not susceptible to anything found outside. For this
reason, you will get years of worry free dependability without
having to clean any electrodes at any time like you do on a
Direct Spark Ignition System.
Small Size – the small size of our
Remote Fire System makes it easy to install almost anywhere. Measuring
a mere 5 ¾’ x 4 ½” x 3 ¾” enables
you to install in the shallowest of bowls or the narrowest
of troughs (for straight burner bar applications)
Simple Installation – Just one gas
line connection and two low voltage wire connections and our
Remote System is ready to go! Our system does not require
a myriad of wires to make it work – you can even use
Cat 3 telephone wire from the Equipment Pad to our modules
and it will work just fine!
Waterproof – our valve/electronic assembly
is housed in a heavy gauge aluminum enclosure that is waterproof. Thought
not meant to be submerged – it will stand up to heavy
rains, splashing and high humidity climates.
Is your Remote Control Fire Module UL Approved?
No. Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) only approves
appliances that require 50 volts or more of electrical power
to operate. Since our Module operates on 24 volts – it
does not need UL Approval.
Is your Remote Control Fire Module Certified?
Yes. Our Remote Control Fire Module has the following
Certifications:
IAS Design Certified by the American Gas Association. C2030017
ANS Z21.20, Automatic Ignition Systems
ANS Z21.35CAN1-6.8, Gas Filters
ANS Z21.78, Combination Gas Controls
Can I power your RC Module through an Automated
Pool Controller such as an Aqualink?
Yes. Most of our installations have involved an Aqualink
or similar system. The key is to bring your 110v off
of one of the relays (Load terminal) to power the 24v transformer
that comes in our kit. If there are only two fire features
to power and they are both being turned on by one button on
the handheld remote, there is usually enough room inside the
Aqualink enclosure to locate the transformer there (the transformers
are small in size). If you need more than one transformer,
you may need to put a J-box next to the Aqualink and run your
110v line through conduit over to it to power the transformers
inside the J-box.
If I don’t have an Aqualink or some
similar system – how do I control your RC Module?
Another way to control our system is through ‘other’ electronic
remote systems such as X-10. We offer the X-10 components
through our website but really you can get X-10 anywhere, including
Home Depot.
Are you developing new products for outdoor
use?
Yes. We are constantly coming up with ideas to help
add decorative fire features for use outdoors. We are
currently developing Remote Control Fire Tiki Torches which
we anticipate to introduce in the Fall of 2007.
Do you have an RC Module for use in Fire/Water
Bowls?
At this point in time – No. Even though our current
Remote Control Module is waterproof it is not intended to be
submerged inside a bowl full of water such as is seen with
Fire/Water Bowls. We are however, developing our own
bowl for Fire/Water bowl applications. This bowl will
enable us to use our current Remote Control Modules in our
unique Fire/Water bowls. Look for the introduction of
this bowl also in the Fall of 2007.
Can you use one RC Fire Module to power
two separate Fire Features?
No, not normally unless the fire rings or burner bars are
touching each other. If you have a rectangular
firepit requiring more than one fire ring (by the way we do
offer round, square and rectangular fire rings) you can control
the fire rings using just one RC Module. If you go to
the link on our website, “Instructional Tools” and
click on the pdf document “RC Module Plumbing when more
than One Fire Ring”, you will see how to do this. The
key to this working is to make sure the fire rings are either
touching each other or at least very close to one another so
that the flame will ‘jump’ from one ring to the
other when lit.
Can you use one 24v Transformer to power
more than one RC Module?
Yes. We have powered up to 3 Remote Control Modules
using one 24v transformer?
Do I need to install a Manual Shutoff for
the gas if using your system?
Yes. National Code requires that a Manual Shutoff for
the gas be installed when using Electronic Ignition. The
location of the Manual Shutoff varies depending on what your
Building Department requires. There are two good reasons
to install a Manual Shutoff. First, it does not happen
often but it is possible the valve inside our Remote Control
Module could stick “open” after being lit. In
the event this occurs, the only way to shut the flow of gas
off is through the Manual Shutoff. Second, the Manual
Shutoff is the best way to adjust the flame height of
the fire feature. By turning the Manual Shutoff toward “off”,
you consequently lower the flame.
Will your system work in windy conditions?
Yes. Through our own experience installing and working
with our system we have found that if installed in accordance
with our installation manual – your fire features will
not only light but also STAY lit in very windy conditions. Where
we are located in Nevada, we tested our system in 60 mph winds
and even though the flame was dancing back and forth quite
a bit – the unit not only lit, it stayed lit.
What happens if the flame IS blown out?
Our system is a Continuous Relight system. If the flame
is blown out, the RC Module will attempt to relight itself. If
the flame is blown out 4 times, the system will shut itself
down. At this point, the power to the RC Module needs
to be cycled off and then back on to start the ignition sequence
over as described at the beginning of this paragraph.
Can you control your system through a spa
side switch?
Yes – but only if the spa side switch is connected to
an Aqualink or some other Automated Pool Controller. We
have done installs where fire features next to the spa are
controlled by BOTH the handheld Remote Control that comes with
the Automated Pool Controller AND the spa side switches. The
control of the fire feature is exactly like a 3 way light switch
in a house. You can turn the fire on by the spa from
inside the house and then you can turn it off via the spa side
switch once you are in the spa. The key is in the programming
of the Remote Control that comes with the Automated Pool Controller.
Do you offer custom-made burner bars?
Yes. We offer custom made burner bars in black steel,
galvanized steel and stainless steel. If you fax or
email us a rough sketch with dimensions we will email you a
quote with prices for all 3 materials mentioned above.
Do you offer Free Shipping?
EXCEPT ON ALL BOWL ORDERS, for purchases of $100
or more – Ground UPS shipping
is free. If you would like expedited shipping you only
pay for the difference in cost between the expedited shipping
and the ground shipping rate to your location.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept Visa and MasterCard credit cards, Money Orders and
Checks. In the event you are paying by check, once the
check has cleared through our bank, we will ship your order.
Do I need to put a drain hole in the bowls
I install your system in?
YES! Even though our RC Module is housed in a waterproof
enclosure it is not meant to either ‘sit’ or be ‘submerged’ in
water. You only need to drill a hole ¼” or
larger in size in either the bottom of your bowl or trough – but
at least one drain hole should be made anywhere our RC Module
is installed.
How long does it take for your system to
light once the button is pushed?
The delay between pushing the button and when the fire lights
is usually no more than 10 seconds. Typically it only
takes about 5 seconds.
Which fire rings do you recommend for outdoor
use?
We always recommend using Stainless Steel Fire Rings for outdoor
use. The Black Steel rings will rust rather quickly
and the first place on those rings that rust forms is in the
outlet holes of the ring. Over time the rust on the outlet
holes builds up to the point it actually restricts the flow
of the gas through them and will decrease the size of the flame. For
the added cost of the Stainless Steel rings you avoid having
to replace your Black Steel ring every year or two (depends
on the humidity in your area how long the Black Steel ring
will last).
Does your system work with propane?
Yes. We can convert your RC Module for use with propane
prior to shipping it to you. You just need to indicate
it is for propane at the time you place your order. Every
Module we convert for propane use has a label on it indicating
it has been converted for use with propane.
Do you have Resources available to help
with the install of your system?
Yes. If you log onto our “Contractors Only” part
of the website you will see a link in the Header Bar for “Instructional
Tools” At the moment we only have pdf files available
for download. In the near future we will be adding instructional
videos for download as well.
How many BTU’s does your RC Module
supply?
Our normal RC Module will supply 200,000 BTU/hr. More
than enough for rings up to 30” in diameter. If
you need more BTUs, we can build an RC Module for you that
will supply 475,000 BTU/hr. The size of the enclosure
for the larger gas output is identical to the size of the enclosure
for our normal RC Module – the only difference you will
notice is the inlet and outlet size is ¾” versus
the ½” openings for the normal RC Module. This
is a special order item with an add-on charge to the RC Module
kit of $100 and takes 2 weeks to deliver
Do you offer an RC Module that supplies
more than 200k BTU/hr?
Yes. We offer an RC Module with an output of 475,000
BTU/hr. The size of the enclosure for this high capacity
module is identical to the size of our normal RC Module – the
only difference you will notice is the inlet and outlet size
is ¾” versus the ½” openings for
the normal RC Module. This is a special order item with
an add-on charge to the RC Module kit of $100 and takes 2 weeks
to deliver
How do I control one Fire Feature with one
button and another Fire Feature with a different button?
In order to control fire features in this way
you will need to use more than one relay from inside the Automated
Pool Controller such as an Aqualink.
Troubleshooting
I installed your system, turned it on and
nothing happened
A majority of the time, when this occurs it is due to incorrect
wiring or the absence of electrical power (GFI breaker needs
to be reset possibly). Every 24v Transformer and RC
Module we ship is bench tested just before it is placed in
a box for shipping so though it is possible, it is very unlikely
those two electrical components are faulty. Look closely
at the pilot igniter to ensure the center ‘glow plug’ piece
is intact (see page 2 of the Install Instructions to figure
out which piece is the ‘glow plug’). If
the glow plug is in intact and is not glowing red hot immediately
after power is applied, use a multimeter on the wires leading
to the Remote Control Module to ensure you have at least 24v
AC power at the Module. If no power, check all electrical
connections between the Remote Control Module and your electrical
power source. If there is power, call our toll free number
to request a new unit.
The glow plug on the igniter is turning
orange but the pilot is not lighting
If a new gas line was installed to power your fire feature
it is VERY important you purge the gas line PRIOR to installing
the Remote Control Module. If you forgot to purge the
gas line it could take up to 30 attempts to light the fire
feature using the Remote Control Module in order to purge the
air from the gas line before it finally lights. If the
gas line has been purged and it still won’t light, call
our toll free number to request a new unit.
The fire feature is turning on just fine
but it’s only staying lit for a short time.
The most sensitive part to our RC Module is the flame sensor
rod. If the flame sensor rod is not engulfed in flame
while the fire feature is on, it will cause the Module to shut
down and then relight. Refer to the diagram on Page 2
of the Installation Instructions for proper ‘positioning’ of
the flame sensor in relation to the hole in the side of the
fire ring. Also, the placement of Lava Rock or Fireglass
on top of the Pilot burner will affect the flame sensor as
well. Ensure that there is adequate air space around
the Pilot burner to allow the flame to burn freely in this
area. Never completely cover the Pilot Burner with either
Lava Rock or Fireglass.
What is the best way to purge air from a
new gas line?
The best way to purge the air from a gas line is to turn the
manual gas valve on at the fire feature and let it flow until
you smell gas. Then you can install the RC Module. By
purging the gas line you will only have to wait about 10 seconds
after you initiate ignition to have the fire turn on.
How long does it take to purge the air from
a new gas line?
If you purge the gas line as directed in the previous paragraph
it should take less than a minute to purge it. If you
forget to purge it as described above and try to purge it by
turning the RC Module on and off repeatedly it could take up
to 30 attempts before it finally lights. The time it
takes to purge a gas line is heavily dependent upon the length
and size of the gas line.
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