XI. TROUBLESHOOTING DATA
FOR STANDING-PILOT HEATERS
Following this “Troubleshooting Data” section is a page illustrating typical pilot flame problems.
Use this as a guide in conjunction with the following information when troubleshooting pilot light problems.
PROBLEMS
CAUSES
REMEDIES
1. Pilot will not light.
* Propane gas tank empty.
* Fill propane gas tank.
* Single-stage regulator supplied with
* Remove improper regulators.
heater not used accordingly.
* Gas supply valve closed.
* Open supply valve.
* Pilot control valve not fully depressed.
* Be sure pilot control valve is fully
depressed.
* Restriction in gas hose.
* Replace hose.
* Pilot light orifice plugged.
* Clean or replace pilot light orifice.
* Air in gas line.
* Depress pilot button on pilot control valve
to bleed the air from the gas line. Usually
necessary at time of installation.
* Excess flow valve in P.O.L. stem
* Close propane gas tank valve, wait 10
closed.
minutes and reopen valve slowly.
* Gas control valve defective.
* Replace gas control valve.
2. Pilot light will not stay lit when pilot
* Restriction in gas hose.
* Replace hose.
control valve is released.
* Insufficient time allowed for pilot light
* Hold in pilot button 30 - 60 seconds to
to warm up thermocouple.
allow thermocouple to heat up properly.
* Loose thermocouple.
* Tighten thermocouple.
* Defective thermocouple.
* Replace thermocouple.
* Pilot light frame dirty.
* Clean pilot light frame. Pilot flame
should envelop end of thermocouple.
* Pilot light orifice partially plugged.
* Clean or replace pilot light orifice.
* Defective pilot control valve.
* Replace pilot control valve.
3. Pilot light will not stay lit when main
* Improper gas pressure.
* Set pressure according to nameplate
burner and blower are operating.
on heater.
* Pilot light orifice partially plugged.
* Replace pilot orifice.
* Gap between pilot shield and burner
* Pilot shield should not have gap between
may be too wide, allowing pilot flame
shield and burner. Replace shield.
to be pulled away from thermocouple.
* Loose thermocouple.
* Tighten thermocouple connection.
* Weak or defective thermocouple.
* Replace thermocouple.
* Defective pilot assembly.
* Replace pilot assembly.
4. Heater blowing cold air with pilot
* Propane gas tank empty.
* Fill propane gas tank.
light out.
* High-limit heat switch open.
* See Problem Number 6.
* Obstruction in gas hose.
* Clean the gas hose, using compressed air.
* Freeze up of propane gas tank.
* Use larger propane gas tank. Keep tank
full on cold nights.
* Pilot light orifice holes plugged.
* Clean or replace pilot orifice.
* Gas supply line too long.
* Hose longer than 10 feet cannot be used.
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