26
Oxford Direct Vent / Natural Vent Gas Heater
30005123
Troubleshooting the Gas control System
NOTE
: Before trouble shooting the gas control system, be sure external gas shut off is in the “On” position.
SIT NOVA 820 MILLIVOLT VALVE
Symptom
1. Spark ignitor will not light
2. Pilot will not stay lit after
carefully following lighting
instructions
3. Pilot burning, no gas to
main burner
4. Frequent pilot outage
problem
possible causes
A. Defective or misaligned electrode
at pilot
B. Defective ignitor (Push Button)
A. Defective pilot generator (thermo-
couple), remote wall switch
B. Defective automatic valve
A. Wall switch or wires defective
B. Thermopile may not be generat-
ing sufficient millivoltage
C. Plugged burner orifice
D. Defective automatic valve opera-
tor
A. Pilot flame may be too low or
blowing (high) causing the pilot
safety to drop out
B. Possible blockage of the vent
terminal
corrective Action
Using a match, light pilot. If pilot lights, turn off pilot and
push the red button again. If pilot will not light - check
gap at electrode and pilot-should be 1/8” to have a strong
spark.
With the control knob in the pilot position, push the control
knob all the way and hold. Check for spark at electrode
and pilot. If no spark to pilot, and electrode wire is properly
connected, replace the battery in the ignitor module and
try again. Refer to Maintenance Section. If the problem
still exists, replace the ignitor module box.
Check pilot flame. Must impinge on thermocouple/ther-
mopile. NOTE: This pilot burner assembly utilizes both
a thermocouple and a thermopile. The thermocouple
operates the main valve operation (On and Off). Clean
and or adjust pilot for maximum flame impingement on
thermopile and thermocouple.
Turn valve knob to “Pilot”. Maintain flow to pilot; millivolt
meter should read greater than 10mV. If the reading is
okay and the pilot does not stay on, replace the gas valve.
NOTE: An interrupter block (not supplied) must be used
to conduct this test.
Check wall switch and wires for proper connections.
Jumper wire across terminals at wall switch, if burner
comes on, replace defective wall switch.. If okay, jumper
wires across wall switch wires at valve, if burner comes
on, wires are faulty or connections are bad.
1. Be sure wire connections form thermopile at gas valve
terminals are tight and thermopile is fully inserted into
pilot bracket.
2. One of the wall switch wires may be grounded. Re-
move wall switch wires form valve terminals if pilot
now stays lit, trace wall switch wiring for ground. May
be grounded to fireplace or gas supply.
3. Check thermopile with millivolt meter. Take reading
at thermopile terminals of gas valve. Should read
250-300 millivolts (minimum 150) while holding valve
knob depressed in pilot position and wall switch “Off”.
Replace faulty thermopile if reading is below specified
minimum.
Check burner orifices for debris and remove.
Turn valve knob to “On”, place wall switch to “On” millivolt
meter should read greater than 150mV. If the reading is
okay and the burner does not come on, replace the gas
valve.
Clean and/or adjust pilot flame for maximum flame im-
pingement on thermopile and thermocouple.
Check the vent terminal for blockage (recycling the flue
gases).