Gas fireplace wont stay lit

[hrd2fnd]

I have a Marco direct vent propane fireplace that wont stay lit. I have vacuumed the internals, pilot light stays a nice blue flame, but I have to go to the gas valve and jump the TH and the TH-TP then the fire lights for less then 30 seconds that is when I hear a click and then the whole thing goes out including the pilot.

I would greatly appreciate any help that can be provided as I have been out of work for the last 11 months and with the cold days ahead I cant afford to heat with electric

Thank you in advance

Hrd

[paul52446m]

It sounds like you have a pilot with a power pile in it to open the gas valve. With out a power pile tester we are guessing a little. Make sure all wire connection are clean and tight. Make sure
there is nothing touching the wires at the gas valve. Make sure the pilot is clean and the blue flame is completely sounding the power pile. Some times you can not get pilots clean enough
with out taking they apart and running a brooch the right size through them. Is the power pile all the way up so the pilot can heat it up? If all this is checked out and it doesn't work, then you would have to have it tested. It could be your power pile is getting weak or your safety gas value has a magnet in it that could be getting weak. Do you have a thermostat
tied to the unit? if so check the wires to make sure they are clean and tight. later Paul

[hrd2fnd]

It sounds like you have a pilot with a power pile in it to open the gas valve. With out a power pile tester we are guessing a little. Make sure all wire connection are clean and tight. Make sure
there is nothing touching the wires at the gas valve. Make sure the pilot is clean and the blue flame is completely sounding the power pile. Some times you can not get pilots clean enough
with out taking they apart and running a brooch the right size through them. Is the power pile all the way up so the pilot can heat it up? If all this is checked out and it doesn't work, then you would have to have it tested. It could be your power pile is getting weak or your safety gas value has a magnet in it that could be getting weak. Do you have a thermostat
tied to the unit? if so check the wires to make sure they are clean and tight. later Paul

I'm going out on a limb here and say that your reference to the power pile is the ceramic piece in front of the pilot. No, there is no thermostat involved. THere is some soot buildup around the ceramic piece that I will clean, if this doesn't solve my problem, what would you say would be my next step? Btw thank you for your input into my problem.

hrd

[HayZee518]

the powerpile looks like a copper bulb fastened in the pilot flame with two thin 3/8 inch nuts. its cappilary runs to a steel gland nut in the main valve. the powerpile generates a 500-750 millivolt voltage that is applied to the pilot valve mechanism which is nothing more than a spring loaded electromagnet. with a voltage present the magnet is held in place and allows the spool of the pilot valve to stay open. when you turn a knob to ON, the main valve is open and the burner should light. the powerpile is a safety device that detects the presence of a flame. go to the DESA site - they have pictures of a powerpile.

[hrd2fnd]

the powerpile looks like a copper bulb fastened in the pilot flame with two thin 3/8 inch nuts. its cappilary runs to a steel gland nut in the main valve. the powerpile generates a 500-750 millivolt voltage that is applied to the pilot valve mechanism which is nothing more than a spring loaded electromagnet. with a voltage present the magnet is held in place and allows the spool of the pilot valve to stay open. when you turn a knob to ON, the main valve is open and the burner should light. the powerpile is a safety device that detects the presence of a flame. go to the DESA site - they have pictures of a powerpile.

I should then be able to throw a multimeter on it to see if it generates 500-750 millivolts, if it doesnt I can replace with a new one and if so does it matter who makes it?

thanks bunches,

hrd

[paul52446m]

I should then be able to throw a multimeter on it to see if it generates 500-750 millivolts, if it doesnt I can replace with a new one and if so does it matter who makes it?

thanks bunches,

hrd

Most multimeter's don't test millivolts. You would need one made for that.
Do you have a manual for your unit? When you test at the gas value electric
post, most small pilot safety's only need about 165 to 180 millivolts to open the valve. Depending on your unit it may only producing 250 millivolts. They make different size power piles. Your manual would tell you which one you would need paul

[hrd2fnd]

Most multimeter's don't test millivolts. You would need one made for that.
Do you have a manual for your unit? When you test at the gas value electric
post, most small pilot safety's only need about 165 to 180 millivolts to open the valve. Depending on your unit it may only producing 250 millivolts. They make different size power piles. Your manual would tell you which one you would need paul

I'm in luch, the previous owner left me the manual. Beleive it or not she left every manual for everything that is in this place. By chance is the part I am looking for also called the thermopile? If so I have a part # for it.l

[paul52446m]

I'm in luch, the previous owner left me the manual. Beleive it or not she left every manual for everything that is in this place. By chance is the part I am looking for also called the thermopile? If so I have a part # for it.l

Yes they are called different things, thermopile, Power Pile, some people call the pilot generator. Having the part no. will make sure you get the right one for your
pilot and gas value. Just remember that millivolt power can be lost real easy.
So check my first post and make sure every thing is clean and tight before you say you need to replace it. later paul

[hrd2fnd]

Yes they are called different things, thermopile, Power Pile, some people call the pilot generator. Having the part no. will make sure you get the right one for your
pilot and gas value. Just remember that millivolt power can be lost real easy.
So check my first post and make sure every thing is clean and tight before you say you need to replace it. later paul

Following your advice in the 1st post I not only vacuumed the whole thing, but also took the air compressor to it. The wife was not happy at all with the dust storm that proceeded to coat the living room since she had just spent the morning cleaning it. Well low and be hold I was able to get the pilot to stay lit and yes the fireplace is now also working .

I want to thank each of you for the advice you have given me. I am now more educated about how my fireplace works and the care that needs to be done on a regular bases. I have been sitting on a full tank of gas for a year and now am able to heat my house and with the technical advice from this thread I will be saving money as well. Thank you all have a happy and safe holiday season.

Ken

[hrd2fnd]

Well it was nice while it lasted. The fireplace ran for 10 hours yesterday and 3 this morning then poof everything went out. The pilot light wont stay lit, as soon as I let go of the button it goes out. Tomorrow I will try to replace the wall switch just to see if that may be the problem as this is the cheapest part for us right now. I am going to try and borrow a meter from I dont know who maybe I will get lucky.

Forgive me for venting, it has just been one of those days that I wish never happen and I felt I needed to vent. Thanks for listening and keep your fingers cross I am able to get our fireplace going since we just started a cold snap and it is soppused to last a week down into the upper 20's, I know some of you hafe it much colder, but hey this is Washington where we have webs between our toes and rust instead of tanning.

Hrd