Gazco Studio 1 fires - battery v mains ?
Discussion
Hi folks, anyone a gas fire fitter or electrician ?
I have the above fire and it uses batteries in the controller unit. This is a real pain as it seems to guzzle batteries every couple of months.
Trying to find out if there is a way of wiring the controller to the mains with some kind of transformer in between ?
Thanks
I have the above fire and it uses batteries in the controller unit. This is a real pain as it seems to guzzle batteries every couple of months.
Trying to find out if there is a way of wiring the controller to the mains with some kind of transformer in between ?
Thanks
No help to you but I feel your pain. I have the same fire and it is a right PITA.
It never lights first time (do you know how to cure/adjust this) and this doesn't help the chew rate of the batteries. We barely use it nowadays because of this, and that generally means we have to put in new batteries every time
It never lights first time (do you know how to cure/adjust this) and this doesn't help the chew rate of the batteries. We barely use it nowadays because of this, and that generally means we have to put in new batteries every time
wcel said:
No help to you but I feel your pain. I have the same fire and it is a right PITA.
It never lights first time (do you know how to cure/adjust this) and this doesn't help the chew rate of the batteries. We barely use it nowadays because of this, and that generally means we have to put in new batteries every time
Mine appears to not light first time, but is just running through a startup procedure. Is beeps quietly while it lights the pilot and then the main burners. Are you just being a little impatient and not giving it time to "do its thing"?It never lights first time (do you know how to cure/adjust this) and this doesn't help the chew rate of the batteries. We barely use it nowadays because of this, and that generally means we have to put in new batteries every time
The Gazco fires are great when they are working. But seem to break so easy. Mine has had approx 20 visits over the last 2 years. The final gas fitter has changed something involving some sort of magnet. He's adament it will solve all our issues as he had a very similar problems solved with another customers. Can't comment what it is, I'm not a gas person, but hopefully it fixes it.
Your control has a 6v supply from 4 AA batteries? If that's the case you can easily hook up a DC supply from a mains powered transformer. I've thought about doing it, but changing the batteries every 8 months isn't too much of a chore.
Your control has a 6v supply from 4 AA batteries? If that's the case you can easily hook up a DC supply from a mains powered transformer. I've thought about doing it, but changing the batteries every 8 months isn't too much of a chore.
Controller in the wall is powered by 3 * C type batteries, but it practically needs full power to drive the ignition, so they run out pretty quick.
It doesn't light first time either. It's almost as if the gas pipe leading to the pilot needs to be "filled" via a starting routine. We then turn it off and restart and that usually does it. We do let it go through the routine, it tries to light the pilot but fails. As per poster above, this probably isn't helping the battery life.
Does anyone know what parts are needed to drive this from a mains perspective ? Can't seem to find anything online.
Apart from the starting shenanigans, we love the fire. It looks good, produces plenty of heat and the thermostat system works well for us. Just a shame the starting mechanism isn't trouble free ! This time of year is the usual problem, as we haven't used it for months, the batteries have usually run down and won't fire the igniter.....and we partially hid the controller away behind cupboards so to change the batteries is a bit of a faff.
It doesn't light first time either. It's almost as if the gas pipe leading to the pilot needs to be "filled" via a starting routine. We then turn it off and restart and that usually does it. We do let it go through the routine, it tries to light the pilot but fails. As per poster above, this probably isn't helping the battery life.
Does anyone know what parts are needed to drive this from a mains perspective ? Can't seem to find anything online.
Apart from the starting shenanigans, we love the fire. It looks good, produces plenty of heat and the thermostat system works well for us. Just a shame the starting mechanism isn't trouble free ! This time of year is the usual problem, as we haven't used it for months, the batteries have usually run down and won't fire the igniter.....and we partially hid the controller away behind cupboards so to change the batteries is a bit of a faff.
Edited by Steve Campbell on Tuesday 19th September 20:39
Gazco now offer a 'Remote System Mains Adaptor' which basically remove the need for batteries within the fire. Its offered as an option with most of their fires now (around £20) but probably worth a quick call to their technical dept with the serial number of your fire to confirm compatibility.
You can now buy spares direct from Gazco http://www.gazcospares.com/
You can now buy spares direct from Gazco http://www.gazcospares.com/
ianrb said:
Mine appears to not light first time, but is just running through a startup procedure. Is beeps quietly while it lights the pilot and then the main burners. Are you just being a little impatient and not giving it time to "do its thing"?
Definitely not a lack of patience. It goes through its little cycle, beeps, I hear the gas valve opening, the igniter clicks rapidly for about 5 seconds, it fails to light, gas valve closes again then a final beep to let you know its reset/back to standby.This has to be repeated usually at least 3 times before the gas seems to have purged through enough before the igniter lights. Once that settles, then the flame can be introduced to the rest of the fire.
I'm away to have a look at the mains adapter on the spares site as mentioned, that would solve the battery issue but not the lighting/purging one.
The fire does output a lot of heat so generally find it can only be on for a short period of time before it has to be turned off or doors opened to disperse some heat to rest of house
I have added a second bank of batteries to my Gazco fire and it’s much better.
The studio fire has a controller which prevents you lighting the fire if it considers batteries too low. I have found it very irritating in practice as batteries need changing every two months in winter. It was installed in approx 2008 and I wonder if it was better when new.
I tested the batteries when it refused to light and consider they still have 50% life left. There are 3 , each at 1.5V. Total voltage ( as in series) therefore 4.5V
I bought a second battery pack and soldered them
In parallel so total voltage is still 4.5V. However the battery capacity is now much bigger and when it draws current the voltage will stay much more stable.
The second battery pack lies on base next to original batteries. It can get a bit damp if rain gets in.
I find fire goes a full winter without a change of batteries. Cost me approx £5 but I save on batteries.
Some one competent should do this, but I consider it easy.
The studio fire has a controller which prevents you lighting the fire if it considers batteries too low. I have found it very irritating in practice as batteries need changing every two months in winter. It was installed in approx 2008 and I wonder if it was better when new.
I tested the batteries when it refused to light and consider they still have 50% life left. There are 3 , each at 1.5V. Total voltage ( as in series) therefore 4.5V
I bought a second battery pack and soldered them
In parallel so total voltage is still 4.5V. However the battery capacity is now much bigger and when it draws current the voltage will stay much more stable.
The second battery pack lies on base next to original batteries. It can get a bit damp if rain gets in.
I find fire goes a full winter without a change of batteries. Cost me approx £5 but I save on batteries.
Some one competent should do this, but I consider it easy.
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