9
CARE OF HEATER (cont.)
Thermocouple
If the heater will not stay lit when the control knob is
released, the thermocouple (Part #57794) either: a) is not
connected tightly to the control valve, b) is not positioned
properly on the catalyst pad, or c) is faulty and needs
replacement. The thermocouple should produce at least
15 mv when hot, which can be checked by your gas supplier.
If there is no voltage or low voltage output and thermocouple
is properly placed and connected, it should be replaced by
your gas supplier. The thermocouple tip should be touching
the catalytic heating element.
When replacing the thermocouple, care must be taken to
place it in the exact same position as the original part.
Do not perforate or otherwise injure the catalyst pad
when replacing the thermocouple.
Return to Factory
If gas supply, igniter and thermocouple are all O.K. and the
heater still will not operate properly,
it must be returned to
the factory or sent to a qualified LP Gas technician for testing
and service.
Alterations to the heater or to its controls can result in faulty
operation that may create hazardous conditions.
Catalyst Pad “Poisoning”
The catalytic process burns gas in air to produce infrared
heat without flame! The operational surface temperature of
the catalytic heating element is 720°F maximum, well below
the temperature of conventional flame type heaters, which
operate at 2,100°F. For this reason, catalytic heaters are
considerably safer than conventional flame type heaters. The
process works because the gas and air are brought together
in the presence of the platinum catalyst. Gas goes through
the pad from the back, mixes with air on the surface, and a
chemical reaction occurs to release heat without flame.
The heater has a high efficiency as long as the catalyst
material is intact. If partially or completely blocked, the
catalytic process does not work. This is called “Catalytic
Pad Poisoning.” It usually can be noticed by reduced heat,
propane odor, and/or difficulty in lighting, or inability of the
heater to light partially or completely.
Catalyst Pad deterioration can be caused by:
• Improper gas
• Impurities in the gas
• Impurities in the air
• Physical abuse
Use of improper gas:
Your heater is designed to burn HD-5
propane. Use of other LP Gases such as those too high
in sulfur, propylene or other hydrocarbons may injure the
catalyst pad. Gas or sludge from the inside of old or dirty
cylinders may block out the catalyst and prevent it from
working.
Dirty or improper gas may plug the orifice and restrict the
gas supply to the catalyst pad. Symptoms of this are:
•Heater won’t light or will only light partially
•Gas odor
•Reduced heat output
These orifices cannot be replaced in the field.
The
heater must be returned to the factory for service or repaired
by a qualified LP Gas technician.
Airborne Contamination:
Airborne chemical compounds
such as lead from motor fuel and sulfur from industrial
processes are contaminants. Cooking oils, aerosol
compounds, vapors from machining processes, agricultural
chemicals, animal waste, airborne dirt, and alkali dust can
all cause catalyst pad deterioration.
Physical abuse:
Catalyst pads can be damaged by
attempting to wash, vacuum or brush off the surface of the
pad or by physically poking a hole in the pad surface. Such
actions may remove the catalyst. Never attempt to use a pad
with a damaged or perforated surface.
If catalyst pad poisoning is known or suspected, take the
heater out of service and return it to the factory or take it to
a qualified LP Gas technician for service. Do not attempt to
operate the heater with a damaged or poisoned catalyst pad.
Determine the cause of the problem if possible. Olympian
Heaters are designed to give good service for many years
if used under proper conditions. Warranty does not cover
catalyst pad poisoning from any cause as they are beyond
the Company’s control and are not a defect in manufacturing
and workmanship.
Over a period of years, even under good operating
conditions, some of the catalyst sites may be rendered
inoperative because trace contaminants almost always are
present in the gas and in the air. If lowered heat output is
noticed, it is possibly time to have the catalyst pad replaced.
Catalyst pad poisoning can cause lowered heat output and
release of unburned or partially burned gas. Operation of
the heater in the event of catalyst poisoning may result in
the dangers of fire, explosion and/or production of carbon
monoxide. Injury, death and/or property damage can result.
The heater should be taken out of service and returned to
the factory or taken to a qualified LP Gas technician to have
the catalyst pad replaced before it is used again.
