If not, call a professional to come in and do some tests. When cleaning, be careful not to get liquid inside the rest of the remote as it can damage its internal components. The multimeter should read 300 millivolts or more. Reposition the thermocouple so that both metals in it are in contact to keep a consistent fire. A thermocouple, unlike a thermopile, produces somewhat less voltage. Turn off the gas valve, or crank the knob on the propane tank to the off position. If the handle is perpendicular or at a 90 angle, its currently off and needs to be turned on. Call Air Experts for Furnace Thermocouple Repair in the Raleigh, NC Area! This guide is for REFERENCE AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY and we take no responsibility if something goes wrong. Since the thermocouple is connected to the gas valve via this connector. VentFree.org is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. A 1/8 inch NPT plug, accessible for test gauge connection, must be installed immediately upstream of the gas supply . What new challenges concerning outdoor patio heaters are you facing? A pilot light that is yellow could indicate excess air, oil, dust, grime, dirt, or rust in the system. If your pilot light is out, the thermocouple wont turn on the gas. Thermocouple are pretty universal and cost $12-$35. Use the wrench to unscrew the connector that holds the thermocouple to the gas valve, then unhook the probe from its clip and pull out the entire thermocouple assembly. Chris Deziel is a contractor, builder and general fix-it pro who has been active in the construction trades for 40 years. Heat the thermocouple to a considerable level by placing it in the flame. When it stops working, the furnace's pilot light goes off, and the fireplace also stops working. Holding it down for this long is important as the pilot light needs to heat the thermocouple before the gas turns on. The glass or screen of your Heat N Glo fireplace will get covered by soots or debris for several reasons. Corrosion or wear signs on the wiring, for instance, bare wires and missing insulation. Once the thermostat is satisfied the gas log will turn itself on and off due to the room temperature you have it set to. All of our electronic ignition gas logs come with a remote control that will light the pilot, control the flame height and have a built-in thermostat so you can set a room temperature and maintain it. It is not intended to be a complete DIY diagnostic or to replace the support of a qualified technician. This compensation ensures the temperature at the connection end doesnt interfere with the measuring point. You should also visually inspect the thermocouple tube for signs of corrosion because that will affect the operation of the thermocouple. If youre getting gas, but no light yet, try using a lighter to ignite the gas opening. If you got flame, it is bad switch. While lower in voltage than a thermopile, a thermocouple does its best. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Try turning on the fireplace as usual. Below is a step by step video of troubleshooting my fireplace with no flame, going through thermocouple, thermopile, verifying that gas valve is good, high limit switch are good, and finding that it was all due to an old ON/OFF switch that costs $3.50 . Unfortunately, it can be a real bummer when your gas fireplace wont stay lit due to wear and tear of parts or improper maintenance. An inspection alone can cost between $60 and $130. In addition to roofing and remodeling, Leo is passionate about Solar, green building and energy conservation, so a lot of my time and energy goes to installing energy efficient heating and cooling systems. Some gas fired heating equipment relies on an electronic ignition to ignite the flame. If you overload your wood burner with logs, the lack of air circulation can also cause your fire to go out. Hereof,how do you change a thermocouple on a gas fireplace? Try listening or smelling for the gas again, and use your fireplace switch again to ignite the gas. (Our Experience), 4 Reasons Fireplace Glass Doors Break (& How to Fix It). When thermocouple is heated by pilot flame, it begins to make electricity. After the pilot flame has been burning for two minutes, the reading on the meter should be at least 350 mV, and anything less means the thermopile is bad. This type of gas valve used a single thermocouple. Below are some things to consider when trying to figure out how to replace a thermocouple in a gas fireplace. Follow Valor on social media for exclusive news, photography and more. Step 3: Take the thermocouple you removed to the repair shop. What makes a thermocouple go bad? Before running the test, ensure that your pilot light has been on for two minutes or more, then switch off your fireplace. Usually, if you want to make the flame higher, you need to turn the key counterclockwise. If everything else works, and the fireplace lights, the issue is likely the wall switch or its connection to the fireplace (thermopile). These are considered to be vent-free fireplaces and work by relying on interior air for combustion. Manage Settings If your patio heater fails to generate heat and the thermocouple gets damaged, you can bypass it until you replace the thermocouple with a new one. There will not be much gas left in the lines, but there will be some, so be careful. Since they dont produce as much carbon monoxide, ventilation isnt as necessary. Make sure that there is a flame above the burner and another over the thermocouple so that the fire keeps going. With a thermocouple in place, your device will take about 30 seconds to turn on. Remove glass or anything covering the pilot burner assembly. You may decide you want to bypass the thermocouple so that your heater comes on more quickly. Your thermopile voltage should be between 650mV and 800mV. If you are having problems with your gas fireplace, we recommend you contact a reputable gas fireplace shop or plumber who can assist. If the above steps didnt work for you, heres a slightly different approach that works for many people: For more details on how to test your fireplaces thermopile, check out this post by mygasfireplacerepair.com. There are numerous styles to choose from. 5 Steps to Bypass a Thermocouple On a Fire Pit 1. In most cases, a thermocouple that has gone bad wont be able to be fixed. After a few minutes, turn off the fireplace and take another reading with the multimeter. How much should a plumber charge to replace a thermocouple? Apart from your pilot being lit, the flame must stay a steady blue. Her interests include art and real estate investments. Its easy to replace and a new one costs $5 to $10. Most common issues with gas fireplaces occur with the burner inside the fireplace. We get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Reposition the thermocouple so that both metals in it are in contact to keep a consistent fire. Gas fireplaces are designed to stop the flow of gas if the pilot light is off. When the fireplace is clean and undergone proper maintenance, it burns evenly and prevents dirt from destroying its mechanisms. Even a slight residue can make the thermocouple malfunction. Remove the thermocouple from the system (use the manufacture's guide) 3. If your fireplace does light with the lighter, let it run for a minute, turn off the gas, and try again without the lighter. Light some kindling wood or paper first, and wait for it to catch fire to some small logs or pieces of coal. How Do You Fix a Patio Heater That Wont Stay Lit? And there you have it: magic without the pixie dust! Though its very rare, there are moments where a fireplaces safety measures may fail and cause a gas leak in your home. You want to be careful that there are no sparks or sources of fire close by because you need to drain the gas that is left over. The thermocouple is located next to the electrode and when it is heated by the flame, it generates a small electric current that will hold the valve open. If the color of the flame turns yellow or red, its a sign of gas contamination. Take out the faulty thermocouple and thermopile and replace them with new ones. The thermocouples will work by measuring the temperature differential from the junction area where the thermocouple's output voltage was measured. Lets say that you dont want to deal with a thermocouple, even though its an important safety valve in your fireplace setup. During operation, if the pilot flame goes out for any reason, the thermocouple or thermopile will cool and shut the gas valve that supplies the supply to the burner, shutting down the heater. How do you bypass a thermocouple? Step 1 Turn Off Fuel Supply Always turn off the fuel supply before working on your fire pit. Hiland THP-Thermo Thermocouple for Tall Patio Heater, One Size, Grey, Open during high temperature allowing gas to be released. However, designs may vary slightly. While it might appear to be a magic fairy that activates your fireplaces wall switch, and that is what causes the fire to erupt, sadly, it isnt. What Causes the Electric Igniter on a Stove to Spark? Theres a chance itll light. The thermocouple more or less acts like a sensor for gas flow and supplies gas to the pilot light through the gas valve. If you are comfortable doing it, then continue on. This doesnt cost you anything additional. Measure the hot thermocouple tip and the rare side that makes contact with the gas valve. If you do not have one of them, go buy one now. If you don't get pilot lighting, check the thermocouple and repair your fireplace to keep your home safe and warm all year round. Step 1: Leave the gas to cool first if it has been burning. Tube contamination signs- these may include things like cracks, discoloration, or pinholes. 5. The purpose of the ODS is to shut off the supply of gas to the heater/fireplace when the oxygen level drops below 18%. Clean the threads of its attachment screw using your pencil eraser. Cut out the fuel supply of your propane heater. The legs are welded together at one end, into a junction, where the temperature is measured. This site is the place where I share everything Ive learned to help you with your fireplace needs. Sizing and heating capacities range from the petite, portrait-style . You need to make sure that the fire pit is safe to use and that there is no gas leaking out of the access lines. Take a jumper wire, a paper clip, or a small insulated wire. Your thermopileoutput can be tested with a multimeter using the TH/TP Contacts to check the amount of electricity its producing. Some of the possible serious reasons for pilot lights to go out include loose or broken gas valves, thermocouples or heat exchangers, faulty venting, low gas pressure, or high winds. Your thermocouple voltage should be between 25mV and 30mV. The thermocouple is a protection device that controls the gas supply to the gas-heated fireplace. Then that voltage charges a small electromagnet in the valve, which holds it open and allows for gas to flow. If youre reading it below 25 millimeters, you should purchase a new model. The thermocouple, which operates as a safety device, turns the gas supply off when the pilot light goes out. If the fireplace pilot light is on but won't start, make sure your gas valve is turned on and check the fuse or breakers. Another possible cause could be moisture in the gas line. Put your thermocouple back into position. However, if your pilot is lit but the gas fireplace isnt, then theres probably a problem with your thermopile. 4. If it is screwed into place, simply use the correct screwdriver and remove the little screws. Push in the pilot button to manually send gas to the fireplace. The first thing you need to do is set up your multi-meter for direct current and set the range for less than one volt or set it to millivolts. Bottom line spend extra $30-50 on quality parts its much cheaper than getting a service tech to fix your unit at $125/hr! Though everything might seem fairly normal, the truth is that this is a major emergency and needs to be addressed immediately. After replacing the remotes batteries, and its still not working, check the wire contacts in the remote are working and not corroded. Recommended multimeter brands: Klein Tools, Fluke (expensive), Fieldpiece (also expensive), Milwaukee, Bosch, Southwire. Else, its a bad high limit switch. I personally like the . If everything isnt working properly, then it means that the thermocouple is dirty. Is It Too Late to Get a Chimney Inspection in Winter Months? Unscrew the old thermocouple by removing the bolts holding it in place. Normally when the thermocouple malfunctions or isnt working, it simply shuts off the gas to your heater. Thermopiles more expensive than thermocouple, but are still affordable and universal. The pilot flame should touch the thermocouple at a specific level. Daffodils and tulips make their early presence known, and of course, there is your Do You Need Chimney or Fireplace Cleaning or Inspection? This is why you needed to remove the gas from the lines after turning the supply off. Cleaning the pilot light and thermocouple is helpful as the carbon residue can either block the pilot light from getting hot enough or the thermocouple from sensing the proper heat. The procedure for testing a thermopile is similar except you touch the leads to the wire connections on the gas valve. How Do You Restart the Heaters After You Run Out of Propane, Acme How To: How To Replace a Thermocouple, E Local Plumbers Blog: How To Replace a Thermocouple. Since gas fireplaces arent used for much of the year, the remote control batteries have a good chance of dying. Although its cheap to replace both probes, its far cheaper to clean them first. Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. This occurs by virtue of a phenomenon known as the Seebeck effect, whereby an electric potential is generated between dissimilar metals when there's a large temperature difference, and the thermocouple probe and tubing are indeed made of different metals.
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