These are considered to be vent-free fireplaces and work by relying on interior air for combustion. Put your thermocouple back into position. Pull the valve housing aside using your 13mm socket wrench. Place one lead on one of its sides. Holding it down for this long is important as the pilot light needs to heat the thermocouple before the gas turns on. The location of the burner is at the base of the fireplace unit. Yes, you can clean a thermocouple, but the task must be done with a light touch. Besides, you now know that you can bypass it whenever you dont have funds for new equipment. Therefore, inspecting and testing your thermocouple should be part of your furnace maintenance. This thermocouple provides a millivolt signal to the gas valve allowing the appliance to stay running. A DIYer by nature, Deziel regularly shares tips and tricks for a better home and garden at such sites as Family Handyman, Hunker.com, and SFGate Home Guides. Call Air Experts for Furnace Thermocouple Repair in the Raleigh, NC Area! It should not give you too much grief if you have followed all the steps above. The other ends of the wires are for attaching to the voltage reader. If your pilot light does turn on, but your gas fireplace still isnt igniting, check the gas line next. Place the new thermocouple in the same place your old one sat and close up the fireplace to conduct a test. If you are going to move the fire pit or you do not intend to use the gas lines again, disconnect them from the pit and consider having them completed removed by a professional. If you believe there is a serious problem, dont hesitate to contact a professional. While flame is still going, put meter lids on the connectors of thermopile. Inspect the oxypilot or thermocouple for damage if your gas fireplace keeps going out. Check the Pilot Light This will ensure that nothing is endangering you or your family until the supply lines are removed. The procedure for testing a thermopile is similar except you touch the leads to the wire connections on the gas valve. 2 connectors for attaching to an anti-tilt device. Stay away from cheap or no name brands, with 100s of fake 5-star reviews on Amazon. Your thermocouple voltage should be between 25mV and 30mV. 51 . Faulty ones may interfere with the outcome of the test readings. Pull the valve housing aside using your 13mm socket wrench. Do not light any matches or candles nearby. Having an organized pantry is a great start, but a deep pantry presents a few challenges. Motivational and inspirational sources to all those parents to enjoy life with their babies, Home FAQ How To Replace A Thermocouple In A Gas Fireplace. Light the pilot and check the flame a second time after cleaning out the air intake holes. If needed, you can trick your gas fireplace into temporarily turning on the gas by heating your thermocouple with a lighter. Otherwise, pass the job on to someone that can get it done. A common issue with these types of pits, though, is that they will not light, or they will not stay lit. Turn the gas back on and relight the pilot light. The following is only an educational overview of how gas fireplace components are checked. The thermocouple joint(exposed) will give the quickest response. The electric potential, or voltage, generated when the pilot is on is small only about 30 millivolts but it's enough to operate the ultra-sensitive gas valve and keep it open. More From Doityourself Disconnect the nut that attaches the thermocouple to the gas control valve with your wrench. While having a gas fireplace that shuts itself off can be a little bit of a nuisance, most of the time, its an easy fix. Also to know,can you replace a thermocouple yourself? If you do not know how to use a specific tool, look it up and learn how. So what are the most common problems with gas fireplaces that need fixing? Patio Heater Expert - Copyright 2022. Regardless of whether the fix worked or not proper gas fireplace maintenance will save you a lot of stress in the future and make sure your fireplace stays functioning. If the appliance has a thermocouple, the problem may be a faulty thermocouple. 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 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 tube is above the bracket. Just like the thermocouple, the thermopile can be read with a multimeter to check if its the cause of the problem. Therefore, finding why you have no flame in your gas fireplace is pretty straightforward. Step 2: Disconnect the Thermocouple From the Gas Valve Look at the gas control module and you'll see three copper tubes attached to it. This indicated that VALVE, Thermopile and Thermocouple were all good. With the help of a stainless steel brush and fine-grit sandpaper, you can scrub off as much piled up soot as possible. Just follow these steps to bypass the thermocouple: Firstly, push the tilt switch wire out of the way and use an 8mm wrench to remove the thermocouple. Get everyone out of the house (pets included) and call 911 once youre outside. Sometimes, that leads to issues that can make them frustratinglike going out when you want it to stay lit. Step 3: Take the thermocouple you removed to the repair shop. Working with Gas and Electricity is very dangerous and should only be done by licensed plumbers / gas fitters / electricians. Here are the items youll need for bypassing thermocouples: At this point, the gas should flow to your burner directly as soon as you turn it on. What Causes the Electric Igniter on a Stove to Spark? To test this, start by unscrewing and removing the outlet cover to expose the wires. We get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Priddy Chimney Sweeps is licensed, bonded, and insured in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC. If the main burner flame of the fireplace turns on at this . In our troubleshooting guide, we will provide detailed information about patio heater thermocouples and where to locate them. It should be blue, encompass the top third of the thermocouple, and extend down to surround it completely. These commissions help to keep the rest of my content free, so thank you! 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. If youre getting gas, but no light yet, try using a lighter to ignite the gas opening. The pilot flame should touch the thermocouple at a specific level. Try listening or smelling for the gas again, and use your fireplace switch again to ignite the gas. Were staying with some family and their gas fireplace wont light. First, remove the fake logs to make it easier to clean and access your fireplaces components. In most cases it will be held on with a gravity clip, but some are held on with a screw that must be removed with a small screwdriver. Next, unscrew the wires from the wall switch and pull them off. Take a jumper wire, a paper clip, or a small insulated wire. Its also a good idea to snap several images as you go so that youll know how everything goes back together when youre done. Here's a quick guide on how to bypass it: Attach the leads of your multimeter to your thermocouple. If you see the probe becoming shiny, then know that its done. then you need a resistor in series with the 1.5v battery of value. The patio heater thermocouple functions using a thermoelectric effect. I use Abundance Plus every day to learn from expert homesteaders and become more self-sufficient. Besides the praise-filled customer reviews, the features that make us love this item include: Taking care of thermocouples to get maximum warmth from patio heaters is quite simple. It is not intended to be a complete DIY diagnostic or to replace the support of a qualified technician. 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. Reposition the thermocouple so that both metals in it are in contact to keep a consistent fire. Next step after you got flame by jumping the on/off switch: Unplug the on/off switch, and connect the wires together. Under the bracket are copper lead wires which connect to the gas valve. Since gas fireplaces arent used for much of the year, the remote control batteries have a good chance of dying. 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. However, it is possible to find a fireplace that doesnt have a chimney. Dont worry, that is completely normal. The other end of the thermocouple's tubing connects to a port on the gas regulator or gas valve. When this happens, you should call a professional to get it changed quickly to avoid a fire incident. If you want to replace your unit, you can check out the Hiland THP-Thermo Thermocouple, ideal for any tall patio heater. However, designs may vary slightly. If it doesnt light, turn on the switch for 60 seconds and see if you get an ignition (this is a common fix). Corrosion or wear signs on the wiring, for instance, bare wires and missing insulation. Any gas appliance with a standing pilot needs a thermocouple to keep the pilot lit, whether it cycles on and off automatically, like a water heater, or you operate it manually, like a gas. And voila, magic without all the pixie dust! In most cases, this means that your thermopile (the sensor/valve that keeps an eye on your fireplace temperature) or your oxypilot (the sensor that keeps an eye on your fireplaces oxygen levels) is in need of cleaning. Rub until you remove all the soot on its surface. Want some nicer rocks or logs for your gas fireplace? To quickly clean your thermopile, turn off the gas supply. Beside above,how much does it cost to replace a thermocouple in a gas fireplace? 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 cause of pilot lights that wont stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. An avid craftsman and musician, Deziel began writing on home improvement topics in 2010. No wonder that it is also used in the water heater. Napoleon F60 On/Off Fireplace Remote Control with Thermostat provides control of gas heating fireplaces with a simple click of a button. It should be dark blue in the outer flame, and sky blue in the center. A nut binds the wires and a bracket together. After turning your fireplace key, listen for any gas entering your fireplace (you may have to remove your fireplace glass door before you can hear it, see below). If youd like a visual of the above troubleshooting steps, check out this video by Mike Klimek. Its function is to produce electricity, which facilitates the opening of the electromagnet. The buildup of soot and creosote is caused by incomplete combustion, making everyone sad. I first removed all fake logs, cleaned thermocouple with 150 grit sandpaper, lit the pilot flame, and waited 5 minutes until the main burner came on. Remove glass or anything covering the pilot burner assembly. Alternatively, use a round object 2-3-inches to bend it. It is essentially a sensor that measures temperature and is made up of two different types of metals, joined on one end. What new challenges concerning outdoor patio heaters are you facing? Take care not to crimp or squash the tubing. Detach the thermocouple from the pilot assembly. If you have access to the thermocouple without taking the lines off, you can leave them connected if you want. Thermopile is a low voltage generator that creates 650-800mv of DC electricity, that keeps the main burner gas valve open. Daffodils and tulips make their early presence known, and of course, there is your Do You Need Chimney or Fireplace Cleaning or Inspection? Read this article if youre lighting your gas fireplace for the first time or how to start a gas fireplace and relight the pilot. If you do not own a gas analyzer, you can usually rent one. Most fireplaces are pretty primitive and only have a few components that can malfunction and will require repair. They have copper casings that you can sport effortlessly. Hi, my names Eugene Duke and I love sitting by my fireplace reading a book and sipping on an adult beverage. Soot buildup on the thermocouple may block the flame. The definitive way to identify a bad thermocouple is to test it using a multimeter with alligator clips on the leads. Starting up a gas fireplace begins with shifting the pilot light to the on position. [Explained], Can You Move a Gas or Wood Fireplace? Turn Off the Gas Supply To The Fire Pit The first step in the process is the most vital. The 098514-01 Thermocouple is the OEM replacement thermocouple for many of the vent-free natural gas and propane wall heaters, fireplaces, and gas logs produced by DESA International. The voltage produced by the thermopile is in the 325 millivolts range after the pilot has been lit for at least 3 minutes. The thermopile connects to the TP and TP/TH terminals if you find the valve. 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