It is a safety mechanism that protects you and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning. Disconnect the nut that attaches the thermocouple to the gas control valve with your wrench. However, this may lower the maximum temperature you can attain. Its quite common for a security light to take several tries to light again after being left on inadvertently. Most cheap thermopiles will have weak power output (below 400mv) and will cause intermittent flame problems that will be hard to diagnose, because you will assume that your thermopile is GOOD, and problem is elsewhere. Install a new thermocouple by screwing it in, heating it up a bit, and then lighting the pilot. If you dont know where to look for patio heater thermocouples, check around your heaters flame. Under constant exposure to a hot flame, a thermocouple wears down over time. Then detach the thermocouple from the burner and take it with you to the home center or hardware store to ensure you buy the right replacement. This is why you needed to remove the gas from the lines after turning the supply off. It is essentially a sensor that measures temperature and is made up of two different types of metals, joined on one end. Are you wondering how a thermocouple can be cleaned? This indicated that VALVE, Thermopile and Thermocouple were all good. Pilot lights should have a blue flame. What Do Thermocouples Do on Patio Heaters? Make sure to report it as a gas leak, and explain why you believe it may be coming from your fireplace. Thermopiles cost $20 $60 for a quality brand name part. The junction between these two wires is the measuring point. You can heat up your thermocouple / thermopile with a lighter for 30-45 seconds, and keep it hot. Once your unit is clean, put it back on the pilot assembly. Touch the two leads of the meter. But not all of these systems use a thermocouple. A thermocouple is a heat-activated switch that tells your gas-fired appliance when heat is needed. Hey, Im Tyler. This guide will tell you how to make sure your gas fireplace stays lit and when it may be better to call a professional to fix it. Easiest way, is to light the pilot light and wait 5 minutes. It should also be touching the surrounding sensors such as the thermocouple and thermopile. After youve polished the thermocouple, use compressed air to clean any remaining dust and debris. Manage Settings Can Firewood Bring Termites? Ah, fireplaces. The prices can vary greatly depending on the type of fireplace you have as well as the issue that is causing your fireplace to stop lighting. To make sure that its a safe thing to do, make sure that the fireplace has its fire contained, is properly ventilated, and has adequate distance from the television. Its always a good idea to test your thermocouple with a multimeter to rule out the possibility of it being the reason behind your gas fireplaces not staying lit. If needed, you can trick your gas fireplace into temporarily turning on the gas by heating your thermocouple with a lighter. I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post (at no extra cost to you). If youdochoose to DIY it, make sure to follow the steps to the letter and keep an eye on other parts while you do it. Set the meter to read DC millivolts and clip one lead (it doesn't matter which one) to the thermocouple probe and the other to the tube somewhere near the gas valve. If you have access to the thermocouple without taking the lines off, you can leave them connected if you want. What Are the Symptoms of Bad Thermocouples? If you do not own a gas analyzer, you can usually rent one. These are safety devices that ensure the pilot light gets lit. Hereof,how do you change a thermocouple on a gas fireplace? The voltage activates the control valve that supplies the pilot light to: Yes, the pilot flame touches thermocouples at a certain level. 5. 1) If there is no pilot flame, thermopile wont sense heat and wont open the valve. Reset the knob to the pilot position: Remember to do this when you are ready to ignite the pilot light of your gas fireplace. Prepare the new thermocouple. The measuring point detects a temperature change leading to voltage creation. Make sure to turn off your gas flow before conducting the test since youll have to remove the thermocouple. If pilot light is out, there is no power to keep the main burner valve open. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. #1 Hello All - new to the forum. The first step in the process is the most vital. Constant heat supply ensures that your patio heater pilot light is lit at all times. Try listening or smelling for the gas again, and use your fireplace switch again to ignite the gas. Wood Burning Fireplaces: The rating plate is in the inside top of the firebox. A tiny flame known as a standing flame is used to heat a small probe called a thermocouple, or thermopile. However, there are other possibilities out there. Why will my gas fireplace not stay lit? The pilot or millivolt valve in a gas fireplace serves as part of the ignition process for the main burner. To disable thermocouples, either one end or the other needs to be removed from the source. Step 2: Disconnect the probe from the clamp. If you dont hear clicking, theres likely a problem with your pilot light. Use the bending template in your owner's manual to bend it appropriately. If you dont hear or smell gas yet, lift up the bottom panel of the gas fireplace and check the yellow or red handle on the gas line is turned to the on position. I use Abundance Plus every day to learn from expert homesteaders and become more self-sufficient. Normally, the pilot light is enough to heat it, but debris can block and affect the pilot lights flame. You can tell if its on if the handle is parallel with the gas pipe. If you see the probe becoming shiny, then know that its done. A blue jumper wire connects terminal 1 of the control relay to the 24V AC common terminal C of the wired or plugin transformer. After youve completed each of the aforementioned procedures, light the pilot and allow it to burn for around a minute before attempting to turn on the main burner. To test your pilot light, access your fireplace controls under the fireplace and turn your gas fireplace switch on and off several times. Here are the steps of doing it- Open the control panel of your gas valve. This is basically the role of the pilot light. Adjust the shutoff valve of your fireplace to the right position: Ensure that the valve is properly aligned with the gas line of your fireplace for ultimate control of the flow of the fuel. Like the other component parts in your furnace, the thermocouple can wear down over time, producing lower voltage than it should when heated. Since the chimney was invented, having a fireplace was one of the most important ways people got heat in their homes and cooked their foods. Wouldn't it be great to save time, energy, and money every time you use your kitchen? Remove glass or anything covering the pilot burner assembly. When this happens, theres no need to panic, as the possible cause of the problem might be something easily fixed without needing the help of a technician. Youll need five-time constants for the temperature sensor to attain the full step change value, i.e., 100%. Use care when dealing with gas lines. According to John a Quadra-Fire fireplace service technician out of Norwood MA, who does 4-7 house service calls every day, he only had to replace 5 gas valves in more than 10 years. You can contact us via our contact form if you have any inquiries about patio heating. A flashlight will illuminate the area and make it easy to see. Thermocouple is a low voltage generator that creates 25-30mv of DC electricity, that keeps the pilot gas valve open. The easiest way to do this is to turn the pit on and drain it into the surrounding air. To temporarily sort the situation, you can bypass thermocouples until you have funds to replace them. Before running the test, ensure that your pilot light has been on for two minutes or more, then switch off your fireplace. This build-up can very well limit their effectiveness. 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. However, there are other possibilities out there. Gas valves are not serviceable; the following are simple troubleshooting and description of how gas valves operate. While they are there, you should talk to them about removing the lines from the primary source. Apart from your pilot being lit, the flame must stay a steady blue. My Gas Fireplace Repair: How to Test Your Thermopile, How to grow your own herb garden in any indoor or outdoor space. With the help of a stainless steel brush and fine-grit sandpaper, you can scrub off as much piled up soot as possible. Can You Use Pallets for Firewood (Is it Safe to Burn)? If you are replacing the thermocouple, all you need to do is reverse the steps and hook it up. Napoleon F60 On/Off Fireplace Remote Control with Thermostat provides control of gas heating fireplaces with a simple click of a button. 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. Mr. Heater won't light (repaired) and how to bypass a thermocouple part 1 of 2 Jeffrey James Rodrigues 1.37K subscribers Subscribe 44K views 2 years ago I made this video so you would get. Call Air Experts at 919-480-2727 or contact us online today to schedule furnace repair service! Continue with Recommended Cookies. 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. These commissions help to keep the rest of my content free, so thank you! Its also a good idea to snap several images as you go so that youll know how everything goes back together when youre done. An avid craftsman and musician, Deziel began writing on home improvement topics in 2010. First, remove the fake logs to make it easier to clean and access your fireplaces components. If your propane tank is empty or your natural gas line is cut off. Should thermocouple be in pilot flame? 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. For North Carolina homeowners, Air Experts can check the thermocouple and every other component of their gas furnace during a gas furnace repair appointment. [Explained], Can You Move a Gas or Wood Fireplace? You just need to make sure that you put safety first. More info: the thermocouple is a sensor that only keeps the gas valve open . This is a step that you absolutely cannot ignore. Stupid thing wouldn't stay on! Regency P33 Sunrise Gas Fireplace How To Test Your Thermopile Mygasfireplacerepair Com Difference Between Thermopile And Thermocouple 2022 Practical Guide Linquip Gas Fireplace Wall Switch Not Working 3 Easy Fixes Airlucent Difference Between Thermopile And Thermocouple 2022 Practical Guide Linquip The function of the thermocouple is to send a signal to the gas valve to stay open while the pilot is on. A. Thermocouple-Only: Found in: Most gas log sets with standard safety pilot knob control. Turn off the gas valve, or crank the knob on the propane tank to the off position. Pull the valve housing aside using your 13mm socket wrench. -Your are now a master fireplace serviceman . If your unit is receiving no heat, this wont be so. Can You Bypass Thermocouples on Patio Heaters? Under the bracket are copper lead wires which connect to the gas valve. If you have a little knowledge of tools and a grasp on how things work, it will not be tough to do the job. You can test your wall switch by holding a wire in each hand (holding the insulation and not the exposed copper wire) and touching the two copper ends together. How do you bypass a thermocouple? The thermocouple is a protection device that controls the gas supply to the gas-heated fireplace. Valor Radiant Gas Fireplaces. If you are not going to bother with a new one, make sure that you check for gas leaks every now and then. Hi, my names Eugene Duke and I love sitting by my fireplace reading a book and sipping on an adult beverage. Sizing and heating capacities range from the petite, portrait-style . Less common reasons are dead batteries in the remote, a broken wall switch, or a broken thermocouple. The most complicated, expensive to buy and/or replace part is the gas valve. Remove the valve using your pliers. If flames are weak and blue they hardly reach thermocouples, therefore, they should be strengthened. 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