Fire Bowl Electronic Ignition: Switch, Wiring & Transformer
Electronic ignition lets you turn a The Outdoor Plus fire bowl on with a wall switch, a timer, your pool controller or your smart home system. No lighter needed. Here is how it works, what it costs and what your electrician needs to know.
Short answer: each electronic bowl comes with its own low voltage transformer. One transformer can run up to 2 bowls, each on its own wire run. Your electrician brings 120V to the transformer on a GFCI circuit, and the switch you choose turns the fire on and off.
Lit by hand or with a switch: what's the difference?
| Lit by hand (match lit) | Electronic ignition | |
|---|---|---|
| How you turn it on | Open the key valve and light it with a long lighter | Wall switch, dial timer, pool controller, smart home hub or wireless remote switch |
| Price | Lower | About $2,100 more per bowl on the Cazo, Sedona and Maya GFRC bowls |
| Power needed | None | 120V to the included transformer (GFCI) |
| If the flame goes out | Close the gas with the key valve | The valve closes the gas automatically |
| Pool and home automation | Not possible | Yes, through the transformer |
Both versions run on natural gas or propane, and both need a gas shutoff on the outside of the feature for emergencies and maintenance.
Ways to turn it on
The Outdoor Plus manual lists these options. The transformer is hard-wired to one of them:
- A regular light switch (UL certified, on/off only)
- A dial timer for a set run time
- A pool controller
- A smart home hub or a wireless remote light switch
Do not use a dimmer. A smart on/off switch works the same way as a wall switch. The switch only controls the fire; on fire & water bowls the water runs from your pump.
What happens when you flip the switch
The system runs a short self-check, heats the igniter, opens the pilot and then the main burner. It keeps watching the flame. If the flame goes out, it closes the gas valve and tries again. If the valve box gets hotter than 175°F, it shuts the gas off and restarts once it cools, which is why the bowl needs ventilation underneath.
Wiring: what your electrician needs
- Power: 120V at the source, to the included transformer, on a GFCI circuit. Never connect 120V directly to the bowl's valve box.
- Transformer: 240W, 30V DC out. Mount it on a wall at least 5 ft from water and at least 1 ft above the ground, as close to the bowls as that allows.
- Two bowls: one transformer powers up to 2 bowls, and both turn on together. Want separate switches? Use one transformer per bowl.
- No daisy chain: run a separate wire from the transformer to each bowl (a "home run"). Never wire one bowl through the other.
- Code: installed to the National Electrical Code and local code. Near pools, that includes NEC article 680.
Wire gauge by run length (transformer to bowl)
| Wire | Longest run |
|---|---|
| 12 AWG | 30 ft |
| 10 AWG | 50 ft |
| 8 AWG | 80 ft |
| 6 AWG | 110 ft |
The smaller the number, the thicker the wire. Longer runs need thicker wire so enough current reaches the igniter. Wire that is too thin is the most common reason an igniter does not light.
Gas and mounting
- Gas pressure with the bowl running: about 7" water column for natural gas, 11" for propane.
- Utilities: bring gas and wire up together through the 3" opening at the bottom of the bowl. Risers end no more than 2" high, with a 90° fitting.
- Mounting: use the included mounting bracket. Do not mortar or caulk the bowl to the column; the space under the pan has to stay hollow and vented.
Common questions
Can I use a remote control?
There is no handheld remote in the box, but the transformer can be wired to a wireless remote light switch. If you use a remote, turn off the power or the gas when you're done to prevent an accidental start.
Does it work with Lutron or other smart switches?
Yes, as long as it is a plain on/off switch, not a dimmer. Your electrician wires the transformer to it.
Can two bowls run on one switch?
Yes. One transformer runs up to 2 bowls, each on its own wire run, and both turn on together.
Do I still need a key valve?
A gas shutoff outside the feature is required for emergencies and maintenance. With the electronic version you can leave it open; the electronic valve opens and closes the gas.
Planning bowls for a pool or a client? Tell us your sizes, gas type and how you want to turn them on. We reply with your all-in price and the spec sheets for your electrician and gas pro.
Based on The Outdoor Plus Low Voltage Ignition System 30DC manual (2025) and DC Quick Reference Installation Guide (2024). Your installer follows the full manual and local code. More reading: ignition types explained and fire bowls and pool automation.
