C4Newbie Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 I'm planning to install a new gas fireplace that I'd like to control through my Control4 and am looking for recommendations? Are there only specific gas fireplaces that will work or will any gas fireplace work with the C4 fireplace switch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaphod Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 I am using a CardAccess relay to control my gas fireplace, presumably you could also use the relay right on the controllers if you can wire it up to the fireplace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosenqui Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Some of the fancy fireplaces that have wireless remotes might not work. You need something that can be controlled by a simple open/close of a connection between two wires. Old-school fireplaces work that way. The pilot light hits a thermocouple that generates a very small amount of voltage. The wiring goes through a simple on/off switch, and if the switch is on, the voltage flows to the main gas valve and is just enough to hold the valve open. When the switch is off, the valve doesn't get the voltage and closes. Fireplaces with fancy electronic controls may or may not have a simple contact closure interface that would work with the C4 FP control - check with the fireplace supplier to make sure. If possible, run power to a separate switch box and then to the fireplace blower. That way you can power the C4 FP switch from the blower power line, plus you can turn the blower on/off and optionally use a variable speed control for the blower motor. Whether or not you can put line voltage and low voltage in a 2-gang box depends on local electrical code, but it's similar to having electric baseboard heater power and the thermostat relay in the same box. It's usually OK if they're controlling the same device and certain wire type and distance requirements are met. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c44me Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 oh how I miss the days of the C4 fireplace switch... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyknight Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 52 minutes ago, c44me said: oh how I miss the days of the C4 fireplace switch... LOL one of few as the things just didn't seem to sell.... My biggest issue was the constant fight with inspectors due to it having both high voltage and low voltage connections Mind you, wouldn't mind some alternative from them that could RUN on low voltage as well as switch it.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funnyfarm299 Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 There actually is a way to emulate the fireplace switch. See KB #885 for exact instructions, but it uses the PAM-1 from Air Products & Controls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanchow Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 IF you haven't purchased one yet check out the escea fireplace. It's ip controllable with temperature control, fanspeed and feedback. http://www.chowmain.co.nz/escea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c44me Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 I am not going to NZ to purchase a fireplace Alan.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanchow Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 10 hours ago, c44me said: I am not going to NZ to purchase a fireplace Alan.... It's available worldwide.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c44me Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 13 hours ago, alanchow said: It's available worldwide.... I don't see the US listed? "These fireplaces are available for purchase in New Zealand, Australia, UK and Europe. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ERDrPC Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 I can tell you the IP controlled units are not approved for install in Canada Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaphod Posted January 23, 2017 Share Posted January 23, 2017 On 1/20/2017 at 11:29 PM, ERDrPC said: I can tell you the IP controlled units are not approved for install in Canada Pourquoi pas? How is that any different than using a relay tied into C4 or any other HA system? I think it would be awesome. I am still trying to find a way to integrate my Rasmussen gas log set into C4. I have my bedroom fireplace integrated but I don't have the living room done and it uses an RF remote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ERDrPC Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 Why...that I don't know. I contacted the company and only a few units are approved for install in Canada. The IP controlled unit aren't one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viperman Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Got a question on this. My fireplaces have 2 switches for them, one to turn it on and one to turn on the blower. It is just a regular On/Off light switch. Why would I need the special "fireplace" switch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua Pressnell Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 25 minutes ago, Viperman said: Got a question on this. My fireplaces have 2 switches for them, one to turn it on and one to turn on the blower. It is just a regular On/Off light switch. Why would I need the special "fireplace" switch? So traditional "dumb" switches are basically just that. Electrically, they close a circuit when "on" and open the circuit when "off". The fireplaces you have are using 1 of the switches connected to a low-voltage relay. Basically, when the two sides of the relay terminal are "connected" the fireplace is on. You could achieve the same effect by shorting the terminals with a screw driver. The blower is likely running off of 110 AC (at least, if it's like mine). The "dumb" switch does the same thing... let the AC through if on, no power if not. It gets "weird" with "smart switches". Control4 switches are designed as "powered" devices. They require 110 AC to them to function, and they pass that 110 AC through to the "load" wire when they're "on". In order to replace your two fireplace switches with C4 devices, you'll need to make sure that you have a "hot" (110) line, ground, and neutral in the box. You can replace your blower switch with a standard C4 switch. BUT (and here's the kicker) since the "on/off" relay on your fireplace MUST only close a circuit, you can't use a C4 switch there. The C4 "fireplace switch" is basically like the standard switches, but instead of the "hot lead", you get two "relay" wires. They were basically switch-driven relays, and you can still buy them on eBay every now and again. An alternative approach would be to put a 2 button keypad in the place of your "on/off" switch, and run the wires from your fireplace relay to the back of a C4 controller, then program the keypad to toggle the relay states. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mntneer Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 I wish C4 made something that would allow me to integrate my wood burning fireplace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funnyfarm299 Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 14 minutes ago, Mntneer said: I wish C4 made something that would allow me to integrate my wood burning fireplace. What control mechanism does it have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyknight Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Well, I've automated a fan for a few.., as well as a motorized hidden drawer for the wood...., and if someone developed a motorized feeder for a wood fireplace, chances are it could be integrated as well.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mntneer Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 10 hours ago, funnyfarm299 said: What control mechanism does it have? Unfortunately... me. No blower fan, but Cyknight is correct... a motorized feeder that I could tie into the system would be a dream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funnyfarm299 Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 11 hours ago, Mntneer said: Unfortunately... me. No blower fan, but Cyknight is correct... a motorized feeder that I could tie into the system would be a dream. I had some family with a pellet stove when I was a kid. Now that I think of it, I probably could have automated it with Control4! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C4Newbie Posted February 24, 2017 Author Share Posted February 24, 2017 I just noticed the Fireplace switch online is the old style switch? I thought I had seen a Fireplace switch in the new version? I'm currently renovating a townhouse and putting in new C4 and lighting. I'll be adding a gas fireplace and am looking at the Heat&Glo line. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm hoping to be able to open the front door with my kwikset lock and have it turn on the fireplace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyknight Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 2 hours ago, C4Newbie said: I thought I had seen a Fireplace switch in the new version? No you imagined that one. Basic principal, wire fireplace to a controller or wireless relay module, put a keypad in to control it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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