The Complete Guide to TOP Ignition Systems

If you are building a custom fire pit, fire bowl, or outdoor fireplace, you need an ignition system that is safe, reliable, and easy to control. Match-lit systems require you to manually light a pilot light with a key valve, while spark ignition requires you to hold a button.

An electronic ignition system gives you the luxury of turning on your fire feature with a simple wall switch, a dial timer, a pool controller, or a smart home app. It also features advanced safety monitoring—if the flame goes out or the internal temperature gets too hot, the system automatically shuts off the gas.

In this guide, we break down the difference between Low Voltage and Plug & Play, how to choose the right capacity for your burner, and what you need to know before you install.

1. Low Voltage vs. Plug & Play: Which Do You Need?

Every TOP electronic ignition system uses the same 30V DC control box to manage the gas. The difference is how that control box gets its power.

2. Choosing the Right Capacity for Your Fire Feature

Your ignition system must be matched to the BTU output of the burner ring in your fire pit. If you undersize the control box, the gas valve will not be able to supply enough fuel to the burner.

TOP offers three capacities. Always verify the max BTU requirement of your specific TOP fire feature or burner ring.

3. The 30V DC Advantage: What's New?

If you are replacing an older TOP fire feature, you may have the discontinued 12V AC ignition system. The new 30V DC systems are a direct replacement and a massive upgrade.

• Potted Control Module: The electronics inside the box are sealed with a waterproof potting compound to protect against moisture, rain, and temperature swings.
• Weatherproof Thermocouple: The nickel-plated flame sensor is designed to resist wind and rain, ensuring the flame holds even in bad weather.
• Smart Home Ready: The system can easily integrate with pool controllers, wireless remotes, and smart home automation hubs.
• LED Diagnostics: The control box features a built-in LED light that flashes specific codes to help troubleshoot gas pressure or flame sensing issues in the field.

4. How to Control Your Fire Feature

Because both the Low Voltage and Plug & Play systems use the same control box, they both offer the same ignition methods. You can activate the fire feature using:

• A Light Switch: Turn the feature on/off with a standard wall switch (leave the manual key valve in the open position).
• A Dial Timer: Set the feature to run for a specific amount of time, then turn off automatically.
• A Pool Controller: Integrate the fire feature into your existing pool or spa remote system.
• A Smart Home Hub: Connect to smart systems to control the fire pit from an app or voice assistant.

5. Sizing Your Gas Line for Electronic Ignition

Electronic ignition systems require a consistent, regulated gas pressure to operate properly. The system requires a minimum of 3.5" W.C. for Natural Gas and 8" W.C. for Propane, with a maximum of 14" W.C. for both.

Because the valve requires a specific volume of gas to ignite the pilot and main burner, you must ensure your gas line is properly sized for the distance from the meter to the fire feature.

To calculate the correct pipe size for your specific BTU load, read our How to Size a Gas Line for Your Fire Pit Guide.

Need to Compare Match Lit vs. Electronic?

If you are still deciding how you want to light your fire feature, we break down the pros and cons of each system—including cost, safety, and installation—in our Fire Pit Ignition Systems Guide.