If your thermocouple is still in good condition, you should be able to read 25 millivolts of voltage or higher, but if it reads less than 25 millivolts, your thermocouple needs to be replaced. No wonder that it is also used in the water heater. The thermocouple lasts for 10 years or more, and when it fails, the pilot won't stay lit and the fireplace won't work. Read more. I have a 11 year old Napoleon natural gas fireplace (GDS20N). 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. [Explained], Can You Move a Gas or Wood Fireplace? Therefore, inspecting and testing your thermocouple should be part of your furnace maintenance. However, switch off the gas supply line valve before lifting it. Heres what I found. You need to bypass the wire on the gas valve. What Do Thermocouples Do on Patio Heaters? 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. 2021 tagDiv. And there you have it: magic without the pixie dust! The legs are welded together at one end, into a junction, where the temperature is measured. Locate the pilot assembly and find the thermocouple. Otherwise, pass the job on to someone that can get it done. Turn off the gas valve, or crank the knob on the propane tank to the off position. After a few minutes, turn off the fireplace and take another reading with the multimeter. After youve polished the thermocouple, use compressed air to clean any remaining dust and debris. Find the thermocouple, which is located next to the pilot light and looks like a small straight pipe. As the seasons pass, you may find that your gas pressure drops below where it needs to be. You can tell if its on if the handle is parallel with the gas pipe. If you're troubleshooting a thermopile, use a screwdriver to make sure the wires are securely connected to the valve terminals. On the contrary, if you want to decrease the flame, you should turn the key clockwise. Allow at least 20 minutes for the machine to cool before beginning the cleaning procedure if it has been burning recently. Which Fireplace Insert Is Right for You: Wood or Gas. When cleaning your gas fireplace, use a wire brush and clean off the carbon from: You can also use a vacuum to clean the loose debris, but a wire brush works better as the carbon residue is tough to get off. Is It Too Late to Get a Chimney Inspection in Winter Months? A gas leak is a very serious threat to your home and can quickly turn into a raging fire. The pilot is typically located inside fireplaces on one side close to the wall. Sometimes, that leads to issues that can make them frustratinglike going out when you want it to stay lit. Also found in certain gas space heaters and construction-site portable heaters. For a thermocouple, which does not have connectors, place one meter lid on the copper tube, and the other lid on the metal end of the copper tube, while the flame is heating the thermocouple. then you need a resistor in series with the 1.5v battery of value. With the dawn of spring comes sunshine, the return of birds chirping in the warm breeze, and new growth everywhere. Thermocouple is a device keeps your pilot light lit. The purpose of the ODS is to shut off the supply of gas to the heater/fireplace when the oxygen level drops below 18%. Youll need five-time constants for the temperature sensor to attain the full step change value, i.e., 100%. Try using the remote again. Starting up a gas fireplace begins with shifting the pilot light to the on position. It happens. If you do see corrosion, clean it off using a bit of vinegar and baking soda. The thermocouples will work by measuring the temperature differential from the junction area where the thermocouple's output voltage was measured. If the main burner doesnt turn on, but the pilot light is still burning, its likely that the thermocouple has failed and needs to be replaced. Set your meter to ohms. Turn on the pilot, let it burn for 30 seconds and note the reading. Stay away from cheap or no name brands, with 100s of fake 5-star reviews on Amazon. This is due to the varying electron densities of the different wires. 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. Put your thermocouple back into position. 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. However, there are other possibilities out there. This is the easiest step. Your thermocouple voltage should be between 25mV and 30mV. Cut out the fuel supply of your propane heater. Replace if Cleaning Did Not Work Other Reasons for Gas Fireplace that Won't Stay Lit To temporarily sort the situation, you can bypass thermocouples until you have funds to replace them. See more about Remodeling Calculator team here. The function of the thermocouple is to send a signal to the gas valve to stay open while the pilot is on. FREE delivery Sat, Feb 18 on your first order. What do thermocouples do? Thermocouple is a low voltage generator that creates 25-30mv of DC electricity, that keeps the pilot gas valve open. It should also be touching the surrounding sensors such as the thermocouple and thermopile. Ah, fireplaces. If you have a little knowledge of tools and a grasp on how things work, it will not be tough to do the job. 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. This can be an indication that your fireplace thermocouple is either bad or worn out. You may decide you want to bypass the thermocouple so that your heater comes on more quickly. To quickly clean your thermopile, turn off the gas supply. If youve cleaned your pilot light, and believe its not heating the thermocouple sufficiently, test your thermocouple by using a lighter to heat it up. Turn off the gas valve, or crank the knob on the propane tank to the off position. Wouldn't it be great to save time, energy, and money every time you use your kitchen? Step 2 Full Tank Check the fuel level on the tank; it may be empty. Check the Pilot Light Its categories are E, J, K, T, and N. Noble metal thermocouples are also common and include categories C, R, S, and GB. : thereifixedit. 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. Can Firewood Bring Termites? If your pilot light is turning on but youre not getting gas, and youve checked everything else, consider replacing your thermocouple. As you can see, this is why it is crucial to be in an open area away from anything that could cause a spark. 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. You can use your manufacturers guide to locate these. There will be a small tube that runs off the side of the gas control valve and into the area of the main burner. All of our electronic ignition gas logs come with a remote control that will light the pilot, control the flame height and have a built-in thermostat so you can set a room temperature and maintain it. Your thermopile voltage should be between 650mV and 800mV. Step 2: Connecting the House Current. Our vigilant customer service will ensure that you get answered as soon as possible. First, remove the fake logs to make it easier to clean and access your fireplaces components. After a lot of learning lessons, Ive developed some tips and tricks to properly take care of fireplaces. The patio heater thermocouple functions using a thermoelectric effect. Step 2 - Address the Pilot Light Your gas fireplace will contain a pilot light. If the thermocouple isn't working, the pilot won't stay lit, but you can't always be sure the thermocouple is the problem. A blue jumper wire connects terminal 1 of the control relay to the 24V AC common terminal C of the wired or plugin transformer. Gently rub it with your steel wool or the rougher side of your sponge. Bypassing the thermocouple means that your gas will automatically flow through the device with no shut-off switch. The Fix: Pilot Light to Gas Fireplace Won't Stay Lit Step 1. However, there are other possibilities out there. Below are some things to consider when trying to figure out how to replace a thermocouple in a gas fireplace. He's constantly trying his hand with fire pits, smokers, and of coursefireplaces. Once the metal gets heated, voltage travels down a copper wire to the gas valve that controls the device. You will want to analyze how the gas lines are connected. Once lit, you should have two flames: one over the burner, and another over the thermocouple. It does its best, but dont give it too much challenge. As mentioned before that this device will convert thermal energy to electrical energy. If you dont know where to look for patio heater thermocouples, check around your heaters flame. Ensure that the tip is very hot. In addition to the condition of the flame, the color of the fire emitted by the pilot makes a difference. Procedure for Replacing a Thermocouple Turn off the gas supply to the gas valve. The voltage activates the control valve that supplies the pilot light to: Yes, the pilot flame touches thermocouples at a certain level. The first step in the process is the most vital. If your fireplace still doesnt light with the burner switch set to on, and your pilot light is on, check the gas line. This is capable of diluting the natural gas, making the light go off. Use an adjustable wrench as needed to remove thermocouple from the gas valve. 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. Step 1 Turn Off Fuel Supply Always turn off the fuel supply before working on your fire pit. Another possible cause could be moisture in the gas line. What Are the Symptoms of Bad Thermocouples? 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. https://www.hunker.com/12604220/how-to-clean-the-thermocouple-in-a-gas-fireplace. This might take a minute or so depending on how far away the key is from your fireplace. In most cases, a thermocouple that has gone bad wont be able to be fixed. If you do not know how to use a specific tool, look it up and learn how. 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. A thermocouple consists of two wires, or wire legs, made from different metals. It costs $150 to $250 to replace a thermocouple. Yes, you can clean a thermocouple, but the task must be done with a light touch. Can thermocouples go bad? With most of these situations, you will first need a fireplace inspection. 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