As an affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Attach the leads of your multimeter to your thermocouple. You will just have to see how the clips work. Your thermopileoutput can be tested with a multimeter using the TH/TP Contacts to check the amount of electricity its producing. Remove the clip holding the old thermocouple to the pilot light tube. Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. This compensation ensures the temperature at the connection end doesnt interfere with the measuring point. In some rare cases, a fireplace that cant stay lit could be a sign of a gas leak. If you do see corrosion, clean it off using a bit of vinegar and baking soda. It is not intended to be a complete DIY diagnostic or to replace the support of a qualified technician. Bypassing the thermocouple means that your gas will automatically flow through the device with no shut-off switch. If you see the probe becoming shiny, then know that its done. Soot buildup on the thermocouple may block the flame. If you overload your wood burner with logs, the lack of air circulation can also cause your fire to go out. If it reads less than 300 millivolts, it may be cause that your gas fireplace wont function, therefore, you should replace it. Check Your Thermopile Output with the TH/TP Contacts Step 2. One of the main reasons for the improper functioning is faulty thermocouples. How much is a new thermocouple? Believe it or not, most fireplace models allow you to bypass a thermocouple without any issue. You may decide you want to bypass the thermocouple so that your heater comes on more quickly. Its easy to replace and a new one costs $5 to $10. 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. Ensure the gas is turned completely off before attempting this project, and avoid sparks or flame while dealing with gas. It is a safety mechanism that protects you and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning. 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. When replacing a thermocouple or thermopile with the help of a professional, you can expect to pay between $150 and $250. To bypass the thermocouple: The thermocouple and thermopile are the two most common reasons why a gas fireplace wont stay lit. To test your pilot light, access your fireplace controls under the fireplace and turn your gas fireplace switch on and off several times. I have a 11 year old Napoleon natural gas fireplace (GDS20N). Some thermocouples can be pulled free, while others require screws to be detached with a screwdriver first. Your thermocouple voltage should be between 25mV and 30mV. If it drops to zero, the thermopile has a short and needs to be replaced. The Fix: Pilot Light to Gas Fireplace Wont Stay Lit So youve checked your pilot light and even reset it, but still, it wont stay lit. 99. Realistically, you have just disabled the thermocouple, but you can also reach in and unclip it from its holding bracket where it meets the pilot light. Allow at least 20 minutes for the machine to cool before beginning the cleaning procedure if it has been burning recently. If your pilot light is out, the thermocouple wont turn on the gas. Do you have a fireplace in your house? This is basically the role of the pilot light. Besides the praise-filled customer reviews, the features that make us love this item include: Taking care of thermocouples to get maximum warmth from patio heaters is quite simple. If youre getting gas, but no light yet, try using a lighter to ignite the gas opening. Due to the risk of fire hazards and the difficulty that can arise when it comes to finding the right parts, most experts agree that its better to call a licensed and certified gas technician. Once the metal gets heated, voltage travels down a copper wire to the gas valve that controls the device. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Replace if Cleaning Did Not Work Other Reasons for Gas Fireplace that Won't Stay Lit Use an adjustable wrench as needed to remove thermocouple from the gas valve. When youre mounting the TV, make sure to use sturdy equipment. Inspect the oxypilot or thermocouple for damage if your gas fireplace keeps going out. When heat is called for, the Nest closes its "switch" and applies 24V . Valor Radiant Gas Fireplaces. If it has an orange flame, theres likely carbon residue blocking it from burning properly. The best way to clean your thermocouple is to use either a piece of steel wool or the coarse side of a sponge to gently clean off any soot or other remnants. The thermocouple more or less acts like a sensor for gas flow and supplies gas to the pilot light through the gas valve. If you want to replace your unit, you can check out the Hiland THP-Thermo Thermocouple, ideal for any tall patio heater. 5. Your thermocouple voltage should be between 25mV and 30mV. Step 2 Full Tank Check the fuel level on the tank; it may be empty. Try the following DIY fix at home for a fireplace that wont stay lit. You can test your thermocouple and thermopile with a quality digital voltmeter. Gently rub it with your steel wool or the rougher side of your sponge. Even a slight residue can make the thermocouple malfunction. The thermocouple joint(exposed) will give the quickest response. Sometimes, that leads to issues that can make them frustratinglike going out when you want it to stay lit. 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 . Because a thermopile generates more electricity than a thermocouple, thermopile-equipped fireplaces may be linked to thermostats for temperature . Remove the valve using your pliers. 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). The pilot flame should touch the thermocouple at a specific level. 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. More From Doityourself Step 2: Disconnect the probe from the clamp. The gas valve handle must be rotated so that it lies perpendicular to the pipe. Thermocouple is a low voltage generator that creates 25-30mv of DC electricity, that keeps the pilot gas valve open. If your gas fireplace still isnt lighting, try using the manual switch next to the fireplaces burner instead. If you have access to the thermocouple without taking the lines off, you can leave them connected if you want. Grasp the sides and pull the panel up and away. Remove your thermocouple from the heater using an 8mm wrench. 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. 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? 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 Take the multimeter leads, placing one on the TH/TP terminal and the other on the TP terminal. Should you require further clarification, never hesitate to ask. As mentioned before that this device will convert thermal energy to electrical energy. Less common reasons are dead batteries in the remote, a broken wall switch, or a broken thermocouple. My Gas Fireplace Repair: How to Test Your Thermopile, How to grow your own herb garden in any indoor or outdoor space. Clean the threads of its attachment screw using your pencil eraser. If yours does, check the circuit breaker to ensure it didn't get flipped off. Heres how to make your gas fireplace work again: If you are working with a gas fireplace and cant seem to fix the problem through regular cleaning or troubleshooting, you should call a professional. If so, turn your meter back to volts. eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. However, this may lower the maximum temperature you can attain. If you find the flame is yellow (learn more about fire colors here) after turning it on and covering the probe, it implies that the intake holes should be cleaned. Proper maintenance of your gas fireplace can help prevent issues with your fireplace such as trouble keeping the unit lit. Else, its a bad high limit switch. Try turning on the fireplace as usual. Normally when the thermocouple malfunctions or isnt working, it simply shuts off the gas to your heater. Learn More Find Your Flame Wood Gas Pellet Electric Find A Store FIND YOUR LOCAL FIREPLACE DEALER Or fastest delivery Today . 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. Remove your thermocouple from the heater using an 8mm wrench. Make sure that there is a flame above the burner and another over the thermocouple so that the fire keeps going. Thankfully, its fairly easy to replace a thermocouple and its not that expensive to do. 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. 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. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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