We get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. #1 Hello All - new to the forum. Try turning on the fireplace as usual. Less common reasons are dead batteries in the remote, a broken wall switch, or a broken thermocouple. 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 . Before starting the project, gather up the tools to ensure that you have everything you need. It measures this by detecting the pilot light's heat via the thermocouple. Place one lead on one of its sides. Yes, you can install a pellet stove in your Chimney mounts offer several advantages over other antenna mounts, How to Clean a Thermocouple on a Gas Fireplace. To bypass the thermocouple: Move the tilts switch wire aside. Proper maintenance of your gas fireplace can help prevent issues with your fireplace such as trouble keeping the unit lit. That should be about it for the tools that you will need. If you do not have one of them, go buy one now. The purpose of the ODS is to shut off the supply of gas to the heater/fireplace when the oxygen level drops below 18%. 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 measures this by detecting the pilot lights heat via the thermocouple. Thermopile is a low voltage generator that creates 650-800mv of DC electricity, that keeps the main burner gas valve open. To quickly clean your thermopile, turn off the gas supply. Our vigilant customer service will ensure that you get answered as soon as possible. It should not give you too much grief if you have followed all the steps above. Each fireplace and insert has a rating plate which contains your model number and serial number. If you overload your wood burner with logs, the lack of air circulation can also cause your fire to go out. Winter is approaching fast, so I did some research to help them out. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Next I jumped bot contacts of on/off switch and flame came right on! The most complicated, expensive to buy and/or replace part is the gas valve. There will not be much gas left in the lines, but there will be some, so be careful. However, if your pilot is lit but the gas fireplace isnt, then theres probably a problem with your thermopile. Check Your Thermopile Output with the TH/TP Contacts Step 2. The pilot should also have a blue flame and a vivid hue. As for an empty tank, get a replacement. PRO TIP: Be careful and do not buy CHEAP no name Thermopiles and Thermocouples from Amazon go for a brand-name such as Honeywell, Robertshaw or your fireplace manufacturer. Step 2 Full Tank Check the fuel level on the tank; it may be empty. In some cases, you may need to hold it longer to allow the fire to kick on. When you first attempt to start up the fire, you should always keep an eye on the pilot light. If you do hear clicking and your fireplace still wont light, there could be an issue with the gas intake. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Manage Settings Fortunately, many thermocouples may go years without causing this deposit to decrease the functioning of your fireplace. 1) If there is no pilot flame, thermopile wont sense heat and wont open the valve. Each calibration has a unique temperature range. Dont worry, that is completely normal. Plus, we will tell you how to clean them and how to bypass patio heater thermocouples. Checking your thermopile for a fault is a simple DIY solution as to why your gas fireplace wont function, but if the above steps dont work you may need to call a technician to fix your issue. Turn the gas back on and relight the pilot light. If your pilot light does turn on, but your gas fireplace still isnt igniting, check the gas line next. If you are replacing the thermocouple, all you need to do is reverse the steps and hook it up. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. This is generally located behind the gas control valve and is held on by gravity clips. Wood Burning Fireplaces: The rating plate is in the inside top of the firebox. Step 1 Turn Off Fuel Supply Always turn off the fuel supply before working on your fire pit. GA3650TB GA3650TB Blower fan kit fits DESA Fireplaces made under the brand names of Comfort Glow, FMI and Vanguard GA3750A GA3750A Blower fan kit fits DESA Fireplaces made under the brand names of Comfort Glow, FMI and Vanguard CDCF Fireplace Parts Comfort Glow compact ventfree fireplaces CDCFNR fireplace in Natural gas CDCFPR fireplace in Propane Gas fireplace repair costs $200 to $1,000 on average. Next I unplugged the ON/OFF switch, and connected wires directly flame came right on again, which means High-Limit switch is good, and it was the on/off switch! Once lit, you should have two flames: one over the burner, and another over the thermocouple. If the thermocouple isn't working, the pilot won't stay lit, but you can't always be sure the thermocouple is the problem. Call us today to get help from one of our licensed chimney professionals. If flames extend past thermocouples, they are stronger. If youd like a visual of the above troubleshooting steps, check out this video by Mike Klimek. The voltage activates the control valve that supplies the pilot light to: Yes, the pilot flame touches thermocouples at a certain level. Place the new thermocouple in the same place your old one sat and close up the fireplace to conduct a test. To disable thermocouples, either one end or the other needs to be removed from the source. Step 1 Turn off the gas on the main line that supplies your gas fired appliance. If you are comfortable doing it, then continue on. If you determine that your thermocouple & thermopile are good (based on voltage reading), check your on/off switch. Faulty ones may interfere with the outcome of the test readings. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Rub until you remove all the soot on its surface. Thermocouple are pretty universal and cost $12-$35. 2021 tagDiv. To disable thermocouples, either one end or the other needs to be removed from the source. Troubleshooting any type of appliance, and especially gas appliances, can be dangerous. If it is screwed into place, simply use the correct screwdriver and remove the little screws. Your thermocouple voltage should be between 25mV and 30mV. Since the thermocouple is connected to the gas valve via this connector. {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}. 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. If you havent already, use a wire brush to clean the openings. Procedure for Replacing a Thermocouple Turn off the gas supply to the gas valve. 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. If you set the flame too high, the flame will impinge the glass and cause soot buildup over time. Use care when dealing with gas lines. 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. 5 Steps to Bypass a Thermocouple On a Fire Pit 1. This is capable of diluting the natural gas, making the light go off. https://www.hunker.com/12604220/how-to-clean-the-thermocouple-in-a-gas-fireplace. How to Clean the Thermocouple in a Gas Fireplace. If flames are weak and blue they hardly reach thermocouples, therefore, they should be strengthened. 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. Pull off the complete thermocouple setup after that. It should be blue, encompass the top third of the thermocouple, and extend down to surround it completely. Gas Fireplaces and Gas Log Sets: The rating plate is near the gas control valve, which is typically housed behind the lower or side control door. He worked as an expert consultant with eHow Now and Pro Referral -- a Home Depot site. Do you have a fireplace in your house? Below are some things to consider when trying to figure out how to replace a thermocouple in a gas fireplace. Turn the flame source on to conduct the actual test. Therefore, finding why you have no flame in your gas fireplace is pretty straightforward. sitting with your loved one in front of your fireplace. Its quite common for a security light to take several tries to light again after being left on inadvertently. Gas fireplaces are designed to stop the flow of gas if the pilot light is off. If the appliance has a thermocouple, the problem may be a faulty thermocouple. Replace if Cleaning Did Not Work Other Reasons for Gas Fireplace that Won't Stay Lit Ensure the gas is turned completely off before attempting this project, and avoid sparks or flame while dealing with gas. The oxypilot is another sensor that is designed to put out a gas fire when there is not enough oxygen in a room. This can be an indication that your fireplace thermocouple is either bad or worn out. How much does it cost to fix a pilot light? Which Fireplace Insert Is Right for You: Wood or Gas. Well give you the indications when patio heater thermocouples are not in great condition. You will want to know what type and style it is when you order it. If you purchased a power cord, simply connect the white wire from the power cord to the terminal marked N on the relay, and the black wire to the terminal marked L. Once you've done this, plug the wire into the outlet under the fireplace. Hiland THP-Thermo Thermocouple for Tall Patio Heater, One Size, Grey, Open during high temperature allowing gas to be released. Set your meter to VOLTS DC, and range to mV (millivolts). To temporarily sort the situation, you can bypass thermocouples until you have funds to replace them. He has degrees in science and humanities and years of teaching experience. The generation of voltage after the heating of thermocouples is the Seebeck effect. Can Firewood Bring Termites? A wires diameter determines its temperature range. The multimeter should read 300 millivolts or more. If your fireplace doesnt light from connecting the wall switchs cables, follow the cables to the fireplace and test the connections along the way (starting with the thermopile leads and working your way up the chain). Push in the pilot button to manually send gas to the fireplace. Yes, but, Can You Paint A Marble Fireplace? You need to bypass the wire on the gas valve. The junction between these two wires is the measuring point. Therefore, inspecting and testing your thermocouple should be part of your furnace maintenance. With a hand brush, rag, and vacuum cleaner, you can get your gas fireplace sparkling clean again. 4. As the seasons pass, you may find that your gas pressure drops below where it needs to be. FREE delivery Sat, Feb 18 on your first order. Pull the thermocouple out fully and replace the access door. You just need to make sure that you put safety first. How to Get More Heat From Your Gas Fireplace, Why is Fire Blue (Is It Hotter)? Hi, my names Eugene Duke and I love sitting by my fireplace reading a book and sipping on an adult beverage. 51 . Hereof,how do you change a thermocouple on a gas fireplace? Were staying with some family and their gas fireplace wont light. A gas leak is a very serious threat to your home and can quickly turn into a raging fire. Can I Install a Pellet Stove in My Garage? What makes a thermocouple go bad? How does a thermocouple work? The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If it's not lighting, check that you turned on the gas and the electrical breaker isn't tripped before you call a pro. Step 3: Take the thermocouple you removed to the repair shop. Put your thermocouple back into position. The location of the burner is at the base of the fireplace unit. This is why the pilot stays lit on its . These commissions help to keep the rest of my content free, so thank you! Save time and get it done right the first time. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. After a lot of learning lessons, Ive developed some tips and tricks to properly take care of fireplaces. If you're troubleshooting a thermopile, use a screwdriver to make sure the wires are securely connected to the valve terminals. When all is said and done, buff the thermocouple using grit sandpaper or a small strip of emery cloth to remove soot and also polish the thermocouple. Once the wiring is free from the switch unit, bypass the wall switch by touching the two wires together. Remove the valve using your pliers. This thermocouple provides a millivolt signal to the gas valve allowing the appliance to stay running. It will shut the gas off if its not. When the heat reaches the thermocouple's second junction, it creates an electrical voltage. I included an image of the thermocouple in the above section, but youll see it as a small cylinder next to the pilot light. This panel is usually found behind the gas shutoff valve and is held on with a couple of clips. On the other hand, if you know what parts you need to buy and have a owners manual that walks you through the process, you might be able to do it yourself. Patio Heater Expert - Copyright 2022. 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