BCS 460 is the bane of my existence

[OneHoppyGuy]

Well... where were you 4 $#%^!! months ago when I needed you?!!
Yeh, some of us learn the hard way. I didn't discover them until I started browsing around my usual supplier (Pex Supply).

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

Max - you're the one with the sick brew room. I showed that t the SWMBO and even she cried. You are one evil twisted man! Can I come over and brew with you?

 

[MaxOut]

Max - you're the one with the sick brew room. I showed that t the SWMBO and even she cried. You are one evil twisted man! Can I come over and brew with you?

Thanks, Welcome to come over and brew anytime. You could teach me some west coast tricks.


I think most are scared away from the Honeywell Smartvalves due to the cost, but if you add them up and your time has any value as you have found they are well worth the coin. Besides I scored mine on eBay for $75.00! I use the intermittent hot surface ignition with pilot. The only drawback I found is the delay lighting pilot before the burner is lit. Just took some time fooling with the BCS parameters to get it worked out. Once you get it your golden.

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

For us, a full furnace setup isn't an option. It's called LIABILITY.
At the price of Asco solenoids and the other pieces needed, it's hard to believe there's any real cost savings. Plus, it's simple, straight forward and proven. And now that we have discovered the Smart Valves, it's even simpler - 3 wires and done.

In my IMO, cutting corners with the gas supply is foolish.

 

[MaxOut]

For us, a full furnace setup isn't an option. It's called LIABILITY.
At the price of Asco solenoids and the other pieces needed, it's hard to believe there's any real cost savings. Plus, it's simple, straight forward and proven. And now that we have discovered the Smart Valves, it's even simpler - 3 wires and done.

In my IMO, cutting corners with the gas supply is foolish.

I think you meant to say "a furnace valve is the only option"

My brew system is fixed indoors and anything less than a furnace valve was not an option. As you said it is proven and much safer than the similar Asco valve set ups as used on the original Brutus 10. My father was in the propane business for his entire career and I've heard all the horror stories. Propane unlike natural gas is lighter than air and pools at ground level making it even more dangerous indoors. For me the SmartVales were an easy choice when it comes to furnace valves due to their simplicity and I highly suggest them to anyone building a gas brew system.

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

I knew what I meant... what were we talking about?

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

customer called... BCS is backed to its old tricks. I ordered another BCS. I am getting really frustrated

 

[JonW]

Can't really blame it on the BCS. There are long threads at the BrewTroller forums about igniters knocking the BT units out also. It just comes down to properly isolating the things so the igniter doesn't scramble the processor.

 

[luhrks]

My thoughts as well.

Even if it's not bricked, it's been significantly weakened/compromised.

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

Find out soon when the new one arrives

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

Final results are in: the old BCS was fine. The problem is the burner not getting enough oxygen. The pilot gets snuffed out causing the thermocouple to cool down... thus the restart. This is an older design that we had already stopped using. The fix on this one is to drop the burners just below the shroud to increase air flow.