Stick & Brick Remote Water Heater Control?

I was thinking something like this at $40:

https://www.electricsolenoidvalves.com/1-2-110v-ac-electric-brass-solenoid-valve

I assume 1/2" is enough but you will need to check the threads on your valve.
Also appear to be available in 12v and 24v if low voltage is preferred.
I have not entertained a project exactly like this. Just a random thought came to mind. I have replaced and connected few gas valves.

Another thought would be to adapt a gas valve for a fireplace that includes a remote. I have two of these at home and they work great in a fireplace.... Doubt the range of the remote would be much over 15' though.

Your voice speaks loud with me Chris Bryant. OK for an ordinal...?

Wrap tank around and top with Reynolds aluminum foil, then attach a thermal blanket that fits a 16 gallon heater? This means insulating the top except where the burner hat is. There is a Home Despot right next to Wal-Mart where I get my Rx's filled in gringolandia. Or is it better to shop online for a better quality or value blanket kit?

The problem with such a small reserve is the Delta T of around (?) 100F with incoming water. The heater has to be set on max temp or I do a navy shower like I do in the rig. But in the rig the Delta T is like 30F

I rigged up a recirculating hot water system in the bus. But now I have one functioning hand...

Is there a hose shower head that is easily manageable with one hand? I know this is wandering from the original subject line but the circumstances are reversed. The bus tank has limited water but an 83 gallon motorfuel tank. Here it is unlimited water but a 100 lb tnk.

The gas truck comes a couple of days after I call them to exchange tanks. They light off the water heater. But they show up anytime inside working hours in those couple of days. Means staying home while maintaining a vigilant eye on an unlocked patio gate to meet up with them. This is a real PITA and want to minimize it. A 0645 wakeup is too early for me.

Two houses share 30 amp TOTAL 120vac service drop so en electric heater is out of the question.

Insulation blanket

Flexible shower head hose

Lousy internet connection

Insulate! The pilot should keep the water hot with no main burner unless you are using hot water.

Thanks for staying with this time2roll

Any vendor catalog recommendation? Solenoid control voltage? I've seen expensive LPG solenoid valves for boats. How would you configure the easiest to install setup? Control voltage would originate inside the house.

Is it necessary to use special flared tubing (and all the usual newbie questions)?

From the thermostat there should be a small tube to the pilot and a large tube to the main burner. Solenoid would cut gas to the main burner not the thermostat input gas line.

The pilot is manual. Cut off the gas cut off the manual pilot light.

The center heating tube is convection. About the most beautiful heat loss tunnel one can conceive. In intermediary closed loop fluid exchanger that operated via natural thermal circulation would minimize center heat tunnel BTU loss when the heater is resting.

I guess there is no feasible way to overcome this. An RC grade motor operation would need limit switches. Don't forget, twist the thermostat far enough the heater shuts all the way down. Including the pilot light.

I love the one that demands a hundred dollar wifi remote Alexis repeater in order to work. For that kind of money I could hire someone to dash back and forth by blowing a whistle or ringing a bell.

It's the age of worthless accessories...Alexis! ALEXIS! Flush Your Toilet Remotely! Control Your Oven! Vibrate Your Door Mat!

Consider a solenoid valve to the main burner. Thermostat can be open all night with no gas to the burner until you twist the timer switch.

I have lots of AC inside the house. I would need a Bowden tube about 11' in length. The thermostat itself, the original has to stay on the heater because of the pilot light controls.

Yeah and insulation kit is in the works. Finding one for a 16 gallon heater isn't easy.

Where does one look for a really long Bowden tube and controller? Being disbled someone else must do the installation. What is the effect of having an extra long Bowden tube versus a Delta T more extreme than found inside a house? Like really cold means less pressure inside the tube.

Thank you

Hi Mex,

Get a tank insulation kit.

How about a dc operated radio operated relay that would connect and make or break the millivolt circuit?

I have motion detector led lights that operate for about 3 months on a set of 3 AAA batteries. It would be easy to change that to 3 D cells.

Presumably something could be rigged up with a model airplane servo motor or similar. It would need DC power available. For that matter, a long Bowden cable or other mechanical contrivance could work out.

Insulating the tank more might be nearly as effective and needs no power and is generally less liable to get out of order.