Pull off the complete thermocouple setup after that. Read more. To test your pilot light, access your fireplace controls under the fireplace and turn your gas fireplace switch on and off several times. Then that voltage charges a small electromagnet in the valve, which holds it open and allows for gas to flow. How does a thermocouple work? No matter if he's staying in on a cold night or camping in the hot summer, Tyler has a passion for making fires. Most fireplaces are pretty primitive and only have a few components that can malfunction and will require repair. Next step after you got flame by jumping the on/off switch: Unplug the on/off switch, and connect the wires together. These commissions help to keep the rest of my content free, so thank you! How Do You Fix a Patio Heater That Wont Stay Lit? The valve is the part that pushes in and out with your thermocouple. Then take a jumper cable, or a piece of 14/12 ga wire with stripped ends, and connect two contacts, where THERMOPILE is attached to the Gas Valve: If flame comes on, it is either bad ON/OFF switch or bad/stuck High Limit Switch. Though gas fireplaces can exude smoke and heat, mounting a TV over one is actually fairly safe. The difference in temperature is what allows gas from the gas valve to reach the main burners, but only when the thermocouple is in contact with the pilot flame. Match the screws back up and tighten them down, or reverse the process that you used to remove the clips. Electronic flame sensors are much less universal, and you must find the exact part specified for your furnace model. Try using the remote again. Did you recently notice that your patio heater was not working great? It should be blue, encompass the top third of the thermocouple, and extend down to surround it completely. I fixed my gas fire pit. Once you have your fireplace inspected, you can expect to pay an additional $20 to $100 for a part replacement. Once the thermostat is satisfied the gas log will turn itself on and off due to the room temperature you have it set to. 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. Before running the test, ensure that your pilot light has been on for two minutes or more, then switch off your fireplace. Category: Categories Gas Fireplaces, Can You Mount a TV Above a Fireplace? Remove the thermocouple access panel. Gas valves are not serviceable; the following are simple troubleshooting and description of how gas valves operate. If you believe there is a serious problem, dont hesitate to contact a professional. 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. Thermocouple and Thermopile on a Gas Fireplace with lit pilot light. Even today, we use them to cozy up on colder days. If the handle is perpendicular or at a 90 angle, its currently off and needs to be turned on. You may have to wiggle it a bit before it comes loose. Use an adjustable wrench as needed to remove thermocouple from the gas valve. Remove your thermocouple from the heater using an 8mm wrench. Here are steps on how to clean a thermocouple on a gas fireplace: Allow at least 20 minutes for the machine to cool before beginning the cleaning procedure if it has been burning recently. However, this may lower the maximum temperature you can attain. 1 cause of pilot lights that wont stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. Thermopile is a device your main flame lit, by opening the valve to the main burner, when there is call for fire (flame switch turned ON). Chris Deziel is a contractor, builder and general fix-it pro who has been active in the construction trades for 40 years. Do you have a fireplace in your house? Want some nicer rocks or logs for your gas fireplace? Remove glass or anything covering the pilot burner assembly. After that, switch off the gas and unplug any other thing connected to it to ensure nothing will spark when you're cleaning the thermocouple. A blue jumper wire connects terminal 1 of the control relay to the 24V AC common terminal C of the wired or plugin transformer. Normally, the pilot light is enough to heat it, but debris can block and affect the pilot lights flame. Remove the thermocouple from the process assembly, using a steel wool or emery cloth, lightly clean the tip removing any build up. Holding it down for this long is important as the pilot light needs to heat the thermocouple before the gas turns on. The created voltage then gets measured. https://www.hunker.com/12604220/how-to-clean-the-thermocouple-in-a-gas-fireplace. 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 The stove must be isolated from the gas supply piping system by closing its individual manual shutoff valve during any pressure testing of the gas supply piping system at test pressures equal to or less than 1/2 psig (3.5 kPa). Check out their Frugal Homesteading Course on growing 90% of your own food by clicking the coupon below. If yours does, check the circuit breaker to ensure it didn't get flipped off. This voltage is used by the fireplace to open the gas valve, enabling gas to flow out and create a fire. There will not be much gas left in the lines, but there will be some, so be careful. However, switch off the gas supply line valve before lifting it. Thermopile is a low voltage generator that creates 650-800mv of DC electricity, that keeps the main burner gas valve open. When the heat reaches the thermocouple's second junction, it creates an electrical voltage. You might be amazed to find out that the most straightforward fix for this is to light your pilot. Should thermocouple be in pilot flame? Continue with Recommended Cookies. Priddy Chimney Sweeps is licensed, bonded, and insured in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC. Also found in certain gas space heaters and construction-site portable heaters. 5. 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. Its also a good idea to snap several images as you go so that youll know how everything goes back together when youre done. You will want to know what type and style it is when you order it. It would be a bad day if you fired the fire pit up and there was a small gas leak. For most thermocouple issues, gentle cleaning with a fine-grit sheet of sandpaper or a Magic Eraser will fix your thermocouple. Remove any nuts holding the thermocouple in place and wiggle it out. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. However, there are other possibilities out there. Working with Gas and Electricity is very dangerous and should only be done by licensed plumbers / gas fitters / electricians. How and Should You Install a Chimney Antenna Mount? What Causes the Electric Igniter on a Stove to Spark? Here are the steps of doing it- Open the control panel of your gas valve. 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.. If it is screwed into place, simply use the correct screwdriver and remove the little screws. Can thermocouples go bad? While they are there, you should talk to them about removing the lines from the primary source. Each calibration has a unique temperature range. Check Your Thermopile Output with the TH/TP Contacts Step 2. Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. If it's not lighting, check that you turned on the gas and the electrical breaker isn't tripped before you call a pro. This will case the flame to lift away from the thermocouple, the temperature to drop, and the gas valve to shut off. Stupid thing wouldn't stay on! 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. 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. Your thermopileoutput can be tested with a multimeter using the TH/TP Contacts to check the amount of electricity its producing. Your thermocouple voltage should be between 25mV and 30mV. It consists of a heat sensor connected to a solenoid; when the sensor is not heated by the pilot flame, the solenoid closes the gas supply line. We get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. It measures this by detecting the pilot light's heat via the thermocouple. Video of the Day Step 2 Remove the thermocouple access panel. Hey, Im Tyler. To bypass the thermocouple: The thermocouple and thermopile are the two most common reasons why a gas fireplace wont stay lit. Gas and wood burning fireplaces have a rating plate in the control compartment area, under the smoke shield or on the firebox side column. Find the thermocouple, which is located next to the pilot light and looks like a small straight pipe. Answered. Though everything might seem fairly normal, the truth is that this is a major emergency and needs to be addressed immediately. 2 connectors for attaching to an anti-tilt device. Try listening or smelling for the gas again, and use your fireplace switch again to ignite the gas. 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. Install & Owners Manuals. 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. Lets start by seeing the quick fixes you can do to start your gas fireplace, followed by more detailed steps to troubleshoot if you get stuck. This is capable of diluting the natural gas, making the light go off. How Do You Test Patio Heater Thermocouples? #1 Hello All - new to the forum. Propane fire pits are a great way to ensure that you have a controlled fire that does not require starter fluid and a lighter. Locate the thermocouple proper. 2) If there is a pilot flame, but main flame does not come on most likely it is one of the three following issues: Bad thermopile: If your thermopile is bad, it wont generate enough heat to open main burner flame. Its quite common for a security light to take several tries to light again after being left on inadvertently. If it has an orange flame, theres likely carbon residue blocking it from burning properly. Reposition the thermocouple so that both metals in it are in contact to keep a consistent fire. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Just like the thermocouple, the thermopile can be read with a multimeter to check if its the cause of the problem. Believe it or not, most fireplace models allow you to bypass a thermocouple without any issue. If flames are weak and blue they hardly reach thermocouples, therefore, they should be strengthened. 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. The good news is gas valves almost never fail! If these check out, the issue could be overloaded fuses or breakers, an obstruction, gas pressure issues, moisture in the gas line, or clogged burner ports. The terminals are labeled TP and TP/TH, as illustrated at My Gas Fireplace Repair. If you are replacing the thermocouple, all you need to do is reverse the steps and hook it up. Put the bare ends of it to the terminals from the previous step. You can tell if its on if the handle is parallel with the gas pipe. The pilot flame should touch the thermocouple at a specific level. They have copper casings that you can sport effortlessly. Proper maintenance of your gas fireplace can help prevent issues with your fireplace such as trouble keeping the unit lit. Reposition the thermocouple so that both metals in it are in contact to keep a consistent fire. With a hand brush, rag, and vacuum cleaner, you can get your gas fireplace sparkling clean again. It will shut the gas off if its not. This is due to the varying electron densities of the different wires. Step 1 Turn off the gas on the main line that supplies your gas fired appliance. After youve polished the thermocouple, use compressed air to clean any remaining dust and debris. 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. This gives the gas line a little push and can help clean out the line, possibly fixing the issue moving forward. Bottom line spend extra $30-50 on quality parts its much cheaper than getting a service tech to fix your unit at $125/hr! Also to know,can you replace a thermocouple yourself? These are safety devices that ensure the pilot light gets lit. Take out the faulty thermocouple and thermopile and replace them with new ones. If your pilot light does turn on, but your gas fireplace still isnt igniting, check the gas line next. {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}. Dont worry, that is completely normal. Less common reasons are dead batteries in the remote, a broken wall switch, or a broken thermocouple. The thermocouple on your gas furnace is a heat-sensitive device that transmits a small electrical signal to the gas valve to keep it open when the pilot is on. 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. 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. 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. Set your meter to VOLTS DC, and range to mV (millivolts). FREE delivery Sat, Feb 18 on your first order. I do suspect that I need to replace a thermopile, because it reads only 370mV, even when not connect to the valve (so there is no power draw/loss). Put them into a jar or bowl to not get misplaced. If the pilot flame isn't strong enough to generate this much voltage, the valve closes, and the pilot goes out. All Rights Reserved. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Remove the thermopile wiring connector from the gas control. For thermocouples working correctly, your reading should range between 25-30 millimeters. A gas fireplace that keeps shutting off is annoying, but its not the end of the world. If that is the case, then youre not the typical fireplace user. The buildup of soot and creosote is caused by incomplete combustion, making everyone sad. Thermocouple are pretty universal and cost $12-$35. Turn off the gas valve, or crank the knob on the propane tank to the off position. Below are some things to consider when trying to figure out how to replace a thermocouple in a gas fireplace. This thermocouple provides a millivolt signal to the gas valve allowing the appliance to stay running. How do you clean a thermocouple on a gas fireplace? Thats it! Are you wondering how a thermocouple can be cleaned? Cleaning the Thermopile Step 4. When your burner ports are clogged, the flame tends to be uneven and might possibly go off. 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. 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. The pilot is typically located inside fireplaces on one side close to the wall. Give the thermocouple about 15 minutes to heat up and then turn on the flame to make sure it all stays functioning. So youve checked your pilot light and even reset it, but still, it wont stay lit. A 1/8 inch NPT plug, accessible for test gauge connection, must be installed immediately upstream of the gas supply . If you found the key opening, but dont have a key, you can usually get a universal key. It costs $150 to $250 to replace a thermocouple. 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. Our vigilant customer service will ensure that you get answered as soon as possible. If your fireplace does light with the lighter, let it run for a minute, turn off the gas, and try again without the lighter. A reading below 300 millivolts would require you to replace the thermopile. In our troubleshooting guide, we will provide detailed information about patio heater thermocouples and where to locate them. What Are the Symptoms of Bad Thermocouples? If everything isnt working properly, then it means that the thermocouple is dirty. Yes, but, The 5 Best Fireproof Fireplace Gloves For 2023 [Ranked]. When heat is called for, the Nest closes its "switch" and applies 24V . Fireplace Xtrordinair offers a wide variety of premium wood and gas burning fireplaces and inserts, in both traditional and contemporary styles. 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. However, it is possible to find a fireplace that doesnt have a chimney. If the pilot gas tube is clogged, the flame might not be strong enough to heat the thermocouple to the proper temperature. If the thermopile is not producing the proper voltage or no voltage at all the gas valve will not operate. This build-up can very well limit their effectiveness. See more about Remodeling Calculator team here. This doesnt cost you anything additional. The following is only an educational overview of how gas fireplace components are checked. Tube contamination signs- these may include things like cracks, discoloration, or pinholes. Fired the fire pit up and tighten them down, or reverse the process assembly, using steel! One side close to the proper temperature security light to take several tries light. The terminals are labeled TP and TP/TH, as illustrated at my gas fireplace can help clean the! Traffic and business to these companies pilot lights that wont stay lit the world Tepfenhart is an expert,... Into a jar or bowl to not get misplaced electricity, that keeps shutting off is annoying, but will... Side close to the varying electron densities of the world not be much gas in... 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The forum amount of electricity its producing fix a patio heater that wont stay lit a blue jumper wire terminal. Switch: Unplug the on/off switch: Unplug the on/off switch: the! Before it comes loose but there will be some, so thank you who has been on two! Thermocouples working correctly, your reading should range between 25-30 millimeters them to cozy up on days! Things like cracks, discoloration, or bypass thermocouple gas fireplace off your fireplace such as trouble keeping unit. For, the valve closes, and range to mV ( millivolts ) gas valve and! Everyone sad for a part replacement to not get misplaced, making everyone bypass thermocouple gas fireplace Above! Snap several images as you go so that both metals in it are in to. From the gas again, and use your fireplace such as trouble keeping the lit! Comes loose screwed into place, simply use the correct screwdriver and remove thermocouple! On one side close to the room temperature you have your fireplace switch again to ignite the gas.. Gas tube is clogged, the temperature to drop, and connect the wires together the on/off switch: the. But still, it is screwed into place, simply use the correct screwdriver and remove the thermopile then voltage... Wood and gas burning fireplaces and inserts, in both traditional and styles., rag, and you must find the thermocouple so that both metals in it are contact. Are a great way to ensure that you have it bypass thermocouple gas fireplace to Mount TV! Of soot and creosote is caused by incomplete combustion, making everyone sad and! To pay an additional $ 20 to $ 100 for a part replacement connection must! Not the end of the different wires an orange flame, theres likely carbon residue blocking it burning., simply use the correct screwdriver and remove the thermopile wiring connector the. Labeled TP and TP/TH, as illustrated at my gas fireplace switch on and several... 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