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| Home Do-it-yourself | Timer for gas water heater |
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 Gas
water heater identified by flue pipe on top of tank and gas
valve near bottom of tank.For larger image, click picture For technical info on gas water heater: <> Be aware the gas industry is highly regulated <> for valid safety concerns. |
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For do-it-yourself gas water heater timer, manually rotate
dial until 'vacation' is at top Vacation setting stops tank from heating water while keeping pilot light lit. To resume heating water, rotate dial to thermostatic setting. <> Image on right shows 
dial set at 120º
<> newer gas valve rotates opposite direction seeWater heater thermostat settings are always approximate <> save3-5% operating cost for each 10º reduction in temperature. |
 Hot water can scald and burn a child safety chart |
4 ideas for future gas water heater timer <> using existing products and technologies <> maybe you have an idea too... |
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Idea
1:Commercial
water heaters, like for apartment buildings, have
electrical controls on gas valve. This type of gas valve
could be
controlled by remote thermostat or timer. Bradford White's new WV8840 & WV4460 gas valves can
connect to a 4-time-per-day, 7-day timer: read details
or see product
video |
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Idea
2: Some gas valves, like for RVs, have back-and-forth thermostat/vacation lever. A 'push-pull solenoid' could move lever back and forth. Solenoid could be controlled by a timer. |
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Idea
3: Add gear motor to existing gas valve. Dial can be pulled off gas valve > revealing stem Stem can be rotated using low-speed gear motor |
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Examples
of gear motors. Gear motors come in many varieties and are
designed for specific applications
Image shows air-blend-actuator motor used to move heat-air vents in
autos > purchase from auto salvage yard
> this specific gear motor can rotate gas valve
from 'vacation' to 120º
thermostatic setting <> and then from 120º thermostatic
setting back to 'vacation' again. American Pacific's
new gas water heater timer
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New product  American
Pacific Gas Water Heater Timer
rotates gas valve from Vacation to 130º thermostatic setting > Do-it-yourself $180 Read details |
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Basic circuit to control and reverse air-blend-actuator 12V DC gear
motor Drawn by Mike <> click image to see larger Intended as start-point for innovators with political contacts to make changes in industry and government. |
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Concept shows actuator along gas line leading to water heater burner. Problems: restricted gas flow to burner; actuator vibrations causing part failure and gas leaks Approval would require rigorous testing
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