mercury flame sensor replacement

[alfred67]

Hello

I own an Insta-flame natural gas fire place Model DV36RN Serial 06n1739 and the Mercury switch don't work is there a Valve and pilot assembly change-out available?

Any help will be appreciated

Alfred67

[Admin]

Try Target Wholesaler,

1-866-982-7438

[alfred67]

When I call target-wholesale they said there is valve and pilot assembly change out but will not sell or give me part numbers to me because I have to be a licensed gas fitter.

[Admin]

A mercury switch?  Does your pilot assembly look like the one in the picture below?

[alfred67]

Nope, I attached a pic my pilot assembly and gas valve

Thanks

Alfred67

[Admin]

Thermopile #26D0566
http://www.ibuyfireplaceparts.com/26d0566-thermopile-750mv.html

Electrode #50931
http://www.ibuyfireplaceparts.com/50931-electrode-igniter-rs.html

Piezo Ignitor #50932
http://www.ibuyfireplaceparts.com/50932-ignitor-piezo-w-nut-sit.html

Pilot Assembly (Natural Gas) #512826
http://www.ibuyfireplaceparts.com/51826-pilot-nat-rs.html

Gas Valve (Natural Gas) #7529109
http://www.ibuyfireplaceparts.com/7529109-nat-valve-all-pi-robertshaw.html

I think there's an option to use an SIT valve as well, but then you need a thermocouple and thermopile.

[alfred67]

Thank you!! So does this mean I don't need a Mercury flame sensor anymore??

Aflred67

[Admin]

The problem is they were discontinued and hard to find.

[alfred67]

I did manage to find a mercury switch in the USA. My intent was to switch out my gas valve and Pilot Assembly to eliminate the need for the mercury switch. So hopefully in the future parts would be easier to find.

With the above parts will this eliminate the need for a mercury switch??

Alfred67

[Admin]

Yes, the gas valve I listed does not use a mercury switch.  It uses a thermopile only.

[alfred67]

Thank you for all your help

I did find some cheaper prices. Can you check the parts below to see if they can be used 

Pilot Assembly and Thermopile
https://www.fire-parts.com/collections/pilot-assemblies/products/18-thermopile-only-pilot-assembly-natural-gas

Gas Valve
https://www.fire-parts.com/collections/control-valves/products/dexen-robertshaw-millivolt-valve-no-turndown-natural-gas

[Admin]

I can't be 100% certain that valve will fit and line up perfectly.  The one I linked to was listed as a replacement for your model of fireplace.

BTW that gas valve is for use with propane, not natural gas.

[walker]

what is that little thermocouple looking thing called.  I have a heatilator fireplace that needs one.  The part breakdown I have on the unit does not show the part of the one I was working on.  Not even the manufacturer could locate it for me,  they asked me to contact a dealer.

Heatilator
CGC150

[slo-115]

Thats the sensing bulb for the mercury switch. I doubt you will be able to find one.

[walker]

Yeah I've heard that.  Probably have to get a retrofit kit for it if there is one.

[slo-115]

I know a guy, who wired a GM turn signal flasher in place of the mercury switch. Apparently its the same resistance as the flame up against the bulb. The odd thing is the mercury safety switch is a redundant safety. Those utilize the generator as the flame safety. For the record that gentlemans fireplace was replace with a new unit.

[walker]

I found a retrofit kit for it, not cheap, but cheaper than a new fireplace

[Admin]

The SRV-MERCUPKIT?

Keating 038563 FLAME SWITCH is another cheaper alternative that may work.

[walker]

Not sure what the part # is.  A fireplace supply house in my area said he's got one that will work.

[alfred67]

Hello

I know this is an old post but I did find a mercury switch supply in the United States but with the border closed I can get across to pick up a new one is there a way to by pass the mercury switch to get me by until the border opens.

I could buy the retro kit as above but the Electrode #50931 is discontinued any other solution ?

I attached a pic of my Gas Valve it say thermopile on the side can I just switch the mercury switch to a thermopile ??

[scarey8]

Might be time to just update that fireplace with something new.  This is getting into modification of an appliance and moving away from certification as a result. 

[Ukrop]

Did you get replacement?

What is the consensus - what should I replace it with? It's just normally open contact...

Or should I replace the main valve? I don't want to replace the whole fireplace...

Thanks!

Not sure what the part # is.  A fireplace supply house in my area said he's got one that will work.

[scashman]

Curious if Alfred67 was able to get the mercury switch he was looking for. I have a Napoleon NG 1800 fireplace which I need a Mercury flame switch for. Current make/model is a Robertshaw 125 V.A.C. 50 V.A.
Any assistance with locating anyone who might have one in stock or laying around is appreciated. Alternately a upgrade kit PN for value and pilot/ignition assembly would be great.

[Mclatten]

I have an Insta Flame DV 36 RN and the mercury switch is no good. I can by pass the switch and the fire place stays lit but I don't like doing that. will the
Keating 038563 FLAME SWITCH do the same job safely. It has  a thermal Pyle as well as the mercury switch. 

[Brown88]

Can a mercury switch overheat and cause a shut down. Have the same fireplace that starts up and goes for a few minutes but then shuts down

[jherman]

I am wondering how alford67 made out. did he get a conversion kit and did it work? is so what gas valve did he use?