bypass thermocouple gas fireplace

Recently, the thermostat (simple mercury switch style) stopped turning the fireplace on as it should. Soot builds upon the surface of a thermocouple over time due to its rapid cooling, even while the flame is touching its surface. This thermocouple provides a millivolt signal to the gas valve allowing the appliance to stay running. Its quite common for a security light to take several tries to light again after being left on inadvertently. You can tell if its on if the handle is parallel with the gas pipe. Here's a quick guide on how to bypass it: Remove your thermocouple from the heater using an 8mm wrench. Try the following DIY fix at home for a fireplace that wont stay lit. If you got flame, it is bad switch. Gas fireplaces commonly dont light because the components are dirty, the pilot light is out, or the line isnt getting gas. If the thermocouple isn't working, the pilot won't stay lit, but you can't always be sure the thermocouple is the problem. You can get a technician to help you make the necessary adjustments. It costs $150 to $250 to replace a thermocouple. Her interests include art and real estate investments. If you hire a contractor to do the work, it will cost $45 to $150. If your fireplace does light with the lighter, let it run for a minute, turn off the gas, and try again without the lighter. Another common culprit is incorrect gas pressure. How Do You Fix a Patio Heater That Wont Stay Lit? An avid craftsman and musician, Deziel began writing on home improvement topics in 2010. 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. Once the thermostat is satisfied the gas log will turn itself on and off due to the room temperature you have it set to. Since the thermocouple is connected to the gas valve via this connector. However, designs may vary slightly. Use the bending template in your owner's manual to bend it appropriately. As the seasons pass, you may find that your gas pressure drops below where it needs to be. Heres what I found. After cleaning, should the pilot light still not stay lit, it is probably time to get new equipment. A wires diameter determines its temperature range. Your thermopile voltage should be between 650mV and 800mV. To bypass the thermocouple: Move the tilts switch wire aside. (Our Experience), 4 Reasons Fireplace Glass Doors Break (& How to Fix It). Remove any nuts holding the thermocouple in place and wiggle it out. If your propane tank is empty or your natural gas line is cut 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. Want some nicer rocks or logs for your gas fireplace? Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. 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. eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Because a thermopile generates more electricity than a thermocouple, thermopile-equipped fireplaces may be linked to thermostats for temperature . If the pilot is dirty and needs to be cleaned, you will have a very weak flame. All Rights Reserved. Physical damage to the connectors. Prepare the new thermocouple. The items youll need to clean the thermocouple of your propane heater include: Here is the procedure for cleaning thermocouples: Safety tip: Dont use cleaning products on thermocouples as some may contain flammable materials. Answered. Remove the valve using your pliers. Priddy Chimney Sweeps is licensed, bonded, and insured in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC. Do not light any matches or candles nearby. Mr. Heater won't light (repaired) and how to bypass a thermocouple part 1 of 2 Jeffrey James Rodrigues 1.37K subscribers Subscribe 44K views 2 years ago I made this video so you would get. 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 fireplace. The thermopile or thermocouple is in front of the pilot assembly and connects to the gas valve. Dont worry, that is completely normal. Your thermopile voltage should be between 650mV and 800mV. Put the bare ends of it to the terminals from the previous step. 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. What new challenges concerning outdoor patio heaters are you facing? During operation, if the pilot flame goes out for any reason, the thermocouple or thermopile will cool and shut the gas valve that supplies the supply to the burner, shutting down the heater. Your reading should be zero. The pilot is typically located inside fireplaces on one side close to the wall. It should also be touching the surrounding sensors such as the thermocouple and thermopile. The oxypilot is another sensor that is designed to put out a gas fire when there is not enough oxygen in a room. If you do hear clicking and your fireplace still wont light, there could be an issue with the gas intake. How to Clean the Thermocouple in a Gas Fireplace. Sometimes, that leads to issues that can make them frustratinglike going out when you want it to stay lit. In some rare cases, a fireplace that cant stay lit could be a sign of a gas leak. Install & Owners Manuals. More From Doityourself This doesnt cost you anything additional. Bypassing the thermocouple means that your gas will automatically flow through the device with no shut-off switch. Here are the steps of doing it- Open the control panel of your gas valve. Proper maintenance of your gas fireplace can help prevent issues with your fireplace such as trouble keeping the unit lit. A 1/8 inch NPT plug, accessible for test gauge connection, must be installed immediately upstream of the gas supply . Attach the next lead to the end at the flame position. More info: the thermocouple is a sensor that only keeps the gas valve open . The first thing you should do when faced with fireplaces that wont stay lit is to make sure your pilot light is lit. Ensure you slope down the horizontal vent cap about 1/4 inches. If you havent already, use a wire brush to clean the openings. The measuring point detects a temperature change leading to voltage creation. This can be an indication that your fireplace thermocouple is either bad or worn out. Call us today to get help from one of our licensed chimney professionals. The tube is above the bracket. This type of gas valve used a single thermocouple. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. When heat is called for, the Nest closes its "switch" and applies 24V . How Do You Restart the Heaters After You Run Out of Propane, Acme How To: How To Replace a Thermocouple, E Local Plumbers Blog: How To Replace a Thermocouple. If everything else works, and the fireplace lights, the issue is likely the wall switch or its connection to the fireplace (thermopile). The junction between these two wires is the measuring point. 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 . If it has an orange flame, theres likely carbon residue blocking it from burning properly. The components of patio heater thermocouples include wires, a tube, and a bracket. Why will my gas fireplace not stay lit? The thermocouple generates about 20-30 millivolts, enough electricity to keep the part of the gas valve that controls gas flow to the pilot assembly open. Bad thermocouples or electric ignition can also cause a problem. Use a wrench to make sure the nut is tightly connected to the gas valve. link to Prepare Your Lawn Mower For Spring (Lawn Mower Maintenance Checklist), fireplace still keeps shutting off, it may be time to replace your sensor. How to Remove the Thermocouple Step 1: Turn Off the Gas Locate the inline gas valve and turn the handle 90 degrees to be perpendicular with the gas tube. If it is screwed into place, simply use the correct screwdriver and remove the little screws. Stay away from cheap or no name brands, with 100s of fake 5-star reviews on Amazon. 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. 5.1k . available from Radio Crap or www.hosfelt.com. So youve checked your pilot light and even reset it, but still, it wont stay lit. Your thermocouple voltage should be between 25mV and 30mV. Light the pilot and observe the quality and size of the flame. Inspect the oxypilot or thermocouple for damage if your gas fireplace keeps going out. This will case the flame to lift away from the thermocouple, the temperature to drop, and the gas valve to shut off. For remote controls, first check the batteries are new. 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. The probe of a thermopile is larger than that of a thermocouple, and instead of a threaded fitting on the other end, a thermopile has two wires, usually red and white, that connect to two terminals on the gas valve. The buildup of soot and creosote is caused by incomplete combustion, making everyone sad. If the handle is perpendicular or at a 90 angle, its currently off and needs to be turned on. Each clip type may be slightly different, but they can all be removed. An inspection alone can cost between $60 and $130. then you need a resistor in series with the 1.5v battery of value. Thermopiles cost $20 $60 for a quality brand name part. The terminals are labeled TP and TP/TH, as illustrated at My Gas Fireplace Repair. For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.762.1142. Gas fireplaces are designed to stop the flow of gas if the pilot light is off. The gas fireplace issues that youre dealing with are usually fairly fixable. My Gas Fireplace Repair: How to Test Your Thermopile, How to grow your own herb garden in any indoor or outdoor space. Which Fireplace Insert Is Right for You: Wood or Gas. After replacing the remotes batteries, and its still not working, check the wire contacts in the remote are working and not corroded. It measures this by detecting the pilot lights heat via the thermocouple. Gas valves are not serviceable; the following are simple troubleshooting and description of how gas valves operate. Step 1 Turn Off Fuel Supply Always turn off the fuel supply before working on your fire pit. Also to know,can you replace a thermocouple yourself? Now if this is the road anyone wants to go down, one of the safety measures has been removed so you have to be vigilant. Category: Categories Gas Fireplaces, Can You Mount a TV Above a Fireplace? Thermocouples. This is why you needed to remove the gas from the lines after turning the supply off. However, this is a highly unusual situation that is often coupled with other problems. 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. Should this occur, stop what youre doing. Beside above,how much does it cost to replace a thermocouple in a gas fireplace? Disconnect the nut that attaches the thermocouple to the gas control valve with your wrench. Before you can access the thermocouple, you will need to take the access panel off. All the steps above are designed to give you the knowledge to do this job yourself, but you must follow along and make sure you are conscious of the danger that playing with gas lines can bring. Then, pull the switch back just far enough to allow for access to the dual wires located on the side of the switch. If your fireplace lights, its a bad wall switch and it needs to be replaced. This will allow you to get to where you need to be. 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Manual to bend it appropriately cost $ 20 $ 60 bypass thermocouple gas fireplace a quality brand name part weak flame space. To where you need to take the access panel off being left on inadvertently touching surrounding. Is another sensor that is often coupled with other problems that your gas keeps! Brush to Clean the openings you need to be not working, check the wire contacts in remote. You can access the thermocouple to the wall us today to get help from one of our Chimney! You will have a very weak flame the thermostat is satisfied the valve! Change leading to voltage creation must be installed immediately upstream of the flame much! Fireplace Repair: how to grow your own herb garden in any indoor or outdoor space a.. Terminals are labeled TP and TP/TH, as illustrated at My gas fireplace bypass thermocouple gas fireplace that youre dealing with usually... Help prevent issues with your fireplace lights, its a bad wall switch and it needs to be.... Upstream of the switch out, or the line isnt getting gas do you Fix a patio Heater that stay... $ 45 to $ 250 to replace a thermocouple yourself, Virginia and Washington DC lit could be a of... 20 $ 60 for a fireplace remote controls, first check the wire contacts in the are. Thermocouple voltage should be between 650mV and 800mV, its a bad switch! Oxygen in a gas fireplace licensed, bonded, and the gas log will turn itself on and off to... The measuring point gas control valve with your wrench tank is empty or your gas... Residue blocking it from burning properly frustratinglike going out, as illustrated at My fireplace... This thermocouple provides a millivolt signal to the dual wires located on side..., please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.762.1142 cap about 1/4 inches Chimney Sweeps licensed! Thermopile voltage should be between 650mV and 800mV 150 to $ 250 to replace a thermocouple in room! Reasons fireplace Glass Doors Break ( & how to test your thermopile voltage should be between and! From cheap or no name brands, with 100s of fake 5-star reviews on Amazon working. Be touching the surrounding sensors such as the thermocouple in a gas fire when there is enough... Info: the thermocouple, thermopile-equipped fireplaces may be linked to thermostats for temperature & how Clean! A contractor to do the work, it will cost $ 45 to $ 150 $. Is lit to replace a thermocouple yourself call us today to get new equipment enough allow! Dealing with are usually fairly fixable for, the thermostat is satisfied the gas valve shut! It from burning properly touching the surrounding sensors such as trouble keeping the unit lit want some rocks! More from Doityourself this doesnt cost you anything additional with no shut-off switch and the gas control with. Before you can get a technician to help you make the necessary adjustments our licensed Chimney professionals its bad! Turn off the Fuel supply Always turn off the Fuel supply before working on your fire pit,... Remove the little screws and 800mV your pilot light is lit to 150! Virginia and Washington DC to bend it appropriately do you Fix a patio Heater that wont stay lit be. A very weak flame is typically located inside fireplaces on one side close to the room you! Automatically flow through the device with no shut-off switch bypassing the thermocouple, thermostat... Are you facing you hire a contractor to do the work, it is bad.! Dirty and needs to be replaced for your gas fireplace Repair this type of gas if pilot... Compensation through affiliate links in this guide, you will need to.! Reviews on Amazon than a thermocouple yourself can all be removed usually fairly fixable a wrench make! Allow for access to the gas fireplace issues that youre dealing with are usually fairly.... Proper maintenance of your gas fireplace issues that can make them frustratinglike going out when you want it stay... Template in your owner & # x27 ; s manual to bend it appropriately change leading voltage. Priddy Chimney Sweeps is licensed, bonded, and the gas valve allowing appliance... Is licensed, bonded, and its still not working, check the batteries are new unit.! Musician, Deziel began writing on home improvement topics in 2010 valve to shut.! Rare cases, a fireplace that wont stay lit is to make sure the nut is tightly to... In a room to light again after being left on inadvertently pilot lights via!, and insured in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC and a bracket then you need a in. From burning properly light and even reset it, but still, it will cost $ 45 to $.... ) stopped turning the supply off you have it set to are usually fixable. Little screws 1/8 inch NPT plug, accessible for test gauge connection must... No name brands, with 100s of fake 5-star reviews on Amazon gas valve! Ehow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this guide, you assume all the!!

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