Table of Contents
Liquid propane is freezing cold — cold enough to burn our human skin and cold enough to turn water vapor in our air back into ice. When this happens the regulator and the gas line on the fireplace or fire pit will be extraordinarily cold and sometimes ice will form on the regulator and gas lines.
Why does my propane firepit keep shutting off?
If you get dust in the pilot assembly and the pilot needs to be cleaned out, it produces a “lazy” flame, which will be disturbed by the draught of the main burners. The flame lifts away from the thermocouple and causes the temperature on the tip of the thermocouple to drop. This, in turn, makes the gas valve shut off.
Why does my firepit keep going out?
Another common reason why campfires go out is because the wood is wet. In order for wood to light — and stay lit — it needs to be dry. If it’s too dry, combustion won’t happen; thus, the campfire will likely go out. If you’re camping in an area where there’s little-to-no dry wood, consider bringing your own.
How do you fix a gas fire that keeps going out?
Easy DIY Fix: Gas Fireplace Won’t Stay Lit Before You Begin: Is Your Pilot Light Lit Inside Fireplace? The Fix: Pilot Light to Gas Fireplace Won’t Stay Lit. Check Your Thermopile Output with the TH/TP Contacts. Don’t Replace Your Thermopile or Thermocouple Right Away. Cleaning the Thermopile. Re-test the Cleaned Thermopile.
What does a thermocouple do on a propane fire pit?
Thermocouple. Some fire pits have a thermocouple which senses the heat from the pilot light flame. That signals the gas valve to stay open when the pilot is on. Tighten all connections at the thermocouple and gas valve.
Why does my gas fireplace go off and on?
Often a gas fireplace has a millivolt generator which is in the path of the pilot flame. It is about the size of an AA battery and is wired to the switch and gas valve. If the millivolt generator is old and weak, or if the pilot flame is weak and wavering, the main burner will go on and off.
Why does my gas fireplace keep going out and coming back on?
A thermo pile enables gas to move through the burner system, delivering the gas fireplace’s heat and light. One of these devices could have gone bad or may have shorted out, causing your fireplace to turn shut down or turn back on at random.
How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple in a gas fireplace?
When replacing a thermocouple or thermopile with the help of a professional, you can expect to pay between $150 and $250.
How do you bypass the thermocouple on a propane fire pit?
To bypass the thermocouple: Move the tilts switch wire aside. Remove your thermocouple from the heater using an 8mm wrench. Pull the valve housing aside using your 13mm socket wrench. Remove the valve using your pliers. Put your thermocouple back into position.
How do you clean a thermocouple on a gas fire pit?
Turn off the fireplace gas valve and remove the front panel from the fireplace. Find the thermocouple, which is located next to the pilot light and looks like a small straight pipe. Use a can of compressed air to gently blow away any dust and dirt from the thermocouple.
Does a gas fireplace pilot light stay on?
Most gas fireplaces rely on a “continuous pilot light,” a type of pilot that remains lit so long as gas is flowing to the unit. Some newer, more energy-efficient models rely on an electronic ignition that only lights the pilot when the fireplace itself is turned on.
How do you check if a thermocouple is working?
Place one test lead on the side of the thermocouple and the other to the end that screws into the gas valve. If the thermocouple has proper continuity, a small resistance reading should be visible on the multimeter. Many multimeters also indicate continuity with an audio alert.
How long should a thermocouple last?
Thermocouples can last up to 10 years if properly installed and maintained, while furnaces can last 15-20 years, although either may wear out sooner in multifamily units.
Can a thermocouple be cleaned?
Yes, you can clean a thermocouple, but the task must be done with a light touch. Remove the thermocouple from the process assembly, using a steel wool or emery cloth, lightly clean the tip removing any build up. Cleaning a thermocouple is not a fix for an issue, such as inaccurate readings.
Where is the thermocouple on a propane fire pit?
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. You need to hold the valve in for 5 seconds once the burner is lit to allow the thermocouple time to heat up.
Why does my outdoor propane heater keep shutting off?
If the thermocouple is too far from the flame, this can cause the pilot to go out and shut down the propane heater; you can fix this easily by moving the thermocouple closer to the flame. The thermocouple could also be worn out, in which case it needs to be replaced.
Should I turn off the pilot light on my gas fireplace in the summer?
Your Utility Bill Perhaps the most important reason to turn off gas fireplace pilot light in summer is because of the money and energy you will be saving. If you leave the pilot light on during the summer it is simply sitting there burning gas, which is wasting gas and contributing to an exorbitant energy bill.
How much does it cost to keep the pilot light on a gas fireplace?
Running a pilot light for 1 hour costs about 1 cent (0.62 cent/hour for natural gas and 1.64 cent/hour for propane). Monthly costs of running a pilot light range from $4.49/month (natural gas) to $11.34/month (propane).
Why is my gas fireplace always on?
Electronic ignition is when the pilot light on a gas fireplace/insert/stove is only running when the fireplace is on, this means that the unit is likely to have a battery backup as well. A standing pilot is always on, always using a small amount of gas to run constantly unless the gas is physically turned off.
How much does thermocouple cost?
Remove the burner assembly and detach the thermocouple. The No. 1 cause of pilot lights that won’t stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. It’s easy to replace and a new one costs $5 to $10.
Why does my thermocouple keep going out?
Changes in temperature can cause regular expansion and contraction in metal, which will cause thermocouples to weaken over time. After enough time, metal fatigue can cause a thermocouple to break. If thermocouples start to give out unusual readings, it may be suffering from metal fatigue.
