Once the metal gets heated, voltage travels down a copper wire to the gas valve that controls the device. 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. Under the bracket are copper lead wires which connect to the gas valve. The terminals are labeled TP and TP/TH, as illustrated at My Gas Fireplace Repair. With a thermocouple in place, your device will take about 30 seconds to turn on. Youll need five-time constants for the temperature sensor to attain the full step change value, i.e., 100%. Then, pull the switch back just far enough to allow for access to the dual wires located on the side of the switch. It contains two conductors(wires from different metals). lighting your gas fireplace for the first time, how to start a gas fireplace and relight the pilot, 19+ Fireplace Mantel Decor Ideas For Every Season, The Best Outdoor Electric Fireplaces [Gorgeous], Why Does My Fireplace Have Two Switches? Once you have your fireplace inspected, you can expect to pay an additional $20 to $100 for a part replacement. 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. Although not a common fault with gas fireplaces, just like every other component, it is subject to failure. Theres also a chance your thermocouple is working properly, but theres a blockage in the gas openings. Thermopile is a low voltage generator that creates 650-800mv of DC electricity, that keeps the main burner gas valve open. 2 connectors for attaching to an anti-tilt device. The most complicated, expensive to buy and/or replace part is the gas valve. Remove the thermocouple access panel. As for an empty tank, get a replacement. Another possible cause could be moisture in the gas line. 2. Place one lead on one of its sides. Three hundred millivolts or higher voltage is a sign of a good thermopile. Check out these top-rated rocks and logs on Amazon. This is basically the role of the pilot light. To remove the patio heater thermocouple, unscrew the connection nuts, and copper leads, followed by the bracket nuts. 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. 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. Remove your thermocouple from the heater using an 8mm wrench. Were staying with some family and their gas fireplace wont light. Turn off the fireplace gas valve and remove the front panel from the fireplace. 4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars (81) $24.99 $ 24. He worked as an expert consultant with eHow Now and Pro Referral -- a Home Depot site. The product is made to produce up to 32,000 BTU of heat, enough to heat 1,500 sq. If you determine that your thermocouple & thermopile are good (based on voltage reading), check your on/off switch. Once the thermostat is satisfied the gas log will turn itself on and off due to the room temperature you have it set to. 510 . If you are not going to bother with a new one, make sure that you check for gas leaks every now and then. How to Get More Heat From Your Gas Fireplace, Why is Fire Blue (Is It Hotter)? Procedure for Replacing a Thermocouple Turn off the gas supply to the gas valve. 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. You can usually find this near your fireplace (ours is on the floor next to the fireplace), but sometimes its found in the laundry room or other nearby room. Your thermocouple voltage should be between 25mV and 30mV. When cleaning, be careful not to get liquid inside the rest of the remote as it can damage its internal components. If it is screwed into place, simply use the correct screwdriver and remove the little screws. Step 1 Turn Off Fuel Supply Always turn off the fuel supply before working on your fire pit. Therefore, inspecting and testing your thermocouple should be part of your furnace maintenance. https://www.hunker.com/12604220/how-to-clean-the-thermocouple-in-a-gas-fireplace. : thereifixedit. Working with Gas and Electricity is very dangerous and should only be done by licensed plumbers / gas fitters / electricians. Proper maintenance of your gas fireplace can help prevent issues with your fireplace such as trouble keeping the unit lit. Faulty ones may interfere with the outcome of the test readings. Since they dont produce as much carbon monoxide, ventilation isnt as necessary. Step 2: Disconnect the probe from the clamp. Thermocouples are sensors used to measure temperature. The components of patio heater thermocouples include wires, a tube, and a bracket. Remove glass or anything covering the pilot burner assembly. The good news is gas valves almost never fail! However, there are other possibilities out there. Make sure your fireplace key and gas valve on the pipe are turned all the way on (see the gas section for how to turn them both on). Next, unscrew the wires from the wall switch and pull them off. Try using the remote again. Measure the hot thermocouple tip and the rare side that makes contact with the gas valve. You can test your thermocouple and thermopile with a quality digital voltmeter. As you can see, the thermocouple is not that difficult to bypass. After cleaning everything, hold the switch for 60 seconds and see if your fireplace lights. 99. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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 you plan to replace it, there is no point in removing the lines. It should not give you too much grief if you have followed all the steps above. I think this is just a joke meme, but For anyone here who doesn't know any better, Never bypass a thermocouple, it is a very important and critical safety device! It should be dark blue in the outer flame, and sky blue in the center. Step 2: Connecting the House Current. 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. We get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Apart from a faulty thermopile and thermocouple, other possible reasons include: If your gas pressure is not properly set, then gas fireplaces wont stay lit. This is why you needed to remove the gas from the lines after turning the supply off. Before you can access the thermocouple, you will need to take the access panel off. Grasp the sides and pull the panel up and away. Find your Heatilator product installation or owner's manual. Gas valves are not serviceable; the following are simple troubleshooting and description of how gas valves operate. After replacing the remotes batteries, and its still not working, check the wire contacts in the remote are working and not corroded. How to Clean the Thermocouple in a Gas Fireplace. Remove your thermocouple from the heater using an 8mm wrench. Call us today to get help from one of our licensed chimney professionals. Touch the two leads of the meter. You can heat up your thermocouple / thermopile with a lighter for 30-45 seconds, and keep it hot. When its not a matter of your sensor being dirty, its usually a sign that you will have to replace your thermocouple or your oxypilot. If it reads less than 300 millivolts, it may be cause that your gas fireplace wont function, therefore, you should replace it. Usually, the tip of the thermocouple touches the pilot light. How do you clean a dirty thermocouple? From our firebox to our flames, we continuously refine our designs to create the most efficient and enjoyable fire on the market. 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.. Apply today on Indeed to join our diverse team of professionals. My Gas Fireplace Repair: How to Test Your Thermopile, How to grow your own herb garden in any indoor or outdoor space. If your pilot light is out, the thermocouple wont turn on the gas. Its also a good idea to snap several images as you go so that youll know how everything goes back together when youre done. If you do see corrosion, clean it off using a bit of vinegar and baking soda. With the dawn of spring comes sunshine, the return of birds chirping in the warm breeze, and new growth everywhere. Use a can of compressed air to gently blow away any dust and dirt from the thermocouple. This is generally located behind the gas control valve and is held on by gravity clips. Though it will add some risk, not using a thermocouple will only raise the risk to the same level as a gas grill. 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. Daffodils and tulips make their early presence known, and of course, there is your Do You Need Chimney or Fireplace Cleaning or Inspection? 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. 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. It works rather like a fail-safe to keep unburned gas from accumulating and burning, exploding or causing another type of health risk. Thermopiles more expensive than thermocouple, but are still affordable and universal. Even today, we use them to cozy up on colder days. Thermocouple is a device keeps your pilot light lit. This indicated that VALVE, Thermopile and Thermocouple were all good. There are numerous reliable yet affordable. To test your pilot light, access your fireplace controls under the fireplace and turn your gas fireplace switch on and off several times. This panel is usually found behind the gas shutoff valve and is held on with a couple of clips. With the help of a stainless steel brush and fine-grit sandpaper, you can scrub off as much piled up soot as possible. Leo is also a Certified HVAC, Oil & Gas Heating Technician/Installer. However, this may lower the maximum temperature you can attain. 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 . You can use it to manually ignite the gas fireplace when there is no electricity. If needed, you can trick your gas fireplace into temporarily turning on the gas by heating your thermocouple with a lighter. Pull the valve housing aside using your 13mm socket wrench. Pull the valve housing aside using your 13mm socket wrench. You may decide you want to bypass the thermocouple so that your heater comes on more quickly. Easiest way, is to light the pilot light and wait 5 minutes. If your fireplace lights, its a bad wall switch and it needs to be replaced. Can Firewood Bring Termites? Kinda like a choke) If you were to take that plunger out of the valve body, remove the thermocouple, and cap the male threads on the t-body valve this entire process is eliminated. These commissions help to keep the rest of my content free, so thank you! Try turning on the fireplace as usual. The following is only an educational overview of how gas fireplace components are checked. Physical damage to the connectors. What Causes the Electric Igniter on a Stove to Spark? 1 cause of pilot lights that wont stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. Otherwise, pass the job on to someone that can get it done. 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. Your thermopileoutput can be tested with a multimeter using the TH/TP Contacts to check the amount of electricity its producing. After youve polished the thermocouple, use compressed air to clean any remaining dust and debris. Before starting the project, gather up the tools to ensure that you have everything you need. The thermocouple on gas fired heating appliances is mounted to sense the presence of a gas flame or gas pilot flame. When troubleshooting, start with the switch and follow your way up the fireplace. The thermocouple lasts for 10 years or more, and when it fails, the pilot won't stay lit and the fireplace won't work. Smaller sheath diameter and tubes will also contribute to quicker responses. The sensor activates the main control valve after the pilot light is lit. The multimeter should read 300 millivolts or more. If it drops to zero, the thermopile has a short and needs to be replaced. Theres a chance itll light. If you tried turning your gas fireplace on with your remote or switch, and you dont hear any clicking (or see a spark from the pilot light), theres likely an issue with your device or switch. Take the thermocouple to the hardware store to purchase a new one. Less common reasons are dead batteries in the remote, a broken wall switch, or a broken thermocouple. 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. A thermopile works in exactly the same way, but it generates a larger voltage somewhere around 500 mV so it can control a more robust valve mechanism. If the flame is blue and strong but is off-center on the thermocouple, you may move it forward or backward in the pilot bracket to correct it. If you dont know where to look for patio heater thermocouples, check around your heaters flame. The function of the thermocouple is to send a signal to the gas valve to stay open while the pilot is on. You can use your manufacturers guide to locate these. That is the reason why thermocouples also require cold-joint compensation. Gas Thermocouple,Gas Stove Universal Thermocouple Fireplace Replacement Kit Adaptors 22 $1289 Save 5% with coupon FREE delivery Tue, Feb 21 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon Or fastest delivery Fri, Feb 17 Universal Thermocouple Gas Stove Fireplace Replacement Kit Adaptors For Heating Device 8 $1269 If you are comfortable doing it, then continue on. Use an adjustable wrench as needed to remove thermocouple from the gas valve. Stupid thing wouldn't stay on! It costs $150 to $250 to replace a thermocouple. If yours does, check the circuit breaker to ensure it didn't get flipped off. 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. Do you have a fireplace in your house? Priddy Chimney Sweeps is licensed, bonded, and insured in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC. Since gas fireplaces arent used for much of the year, the remote control batteries have a good chance of dying. 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. Light the pilot and observe the quality and size of the flame. Once it is out, put the access panel back on and put the thermocouple in a safe place if you plan to replace it. Your gas fireplace can help prevent issues with your fireplace lights, its a bad wall switch pull! 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