Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - Gas insert, pilot won't stay lit!
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10kfeet
10-05-09, 09:45 AM
Hello, everyone.
In my recently-purchased first home, I have a Napoleon gas insert (GI3600N) that just won't work. The problem, common as it seems to be, is that the pilot won't stay lit when I let go of the button. The pilot does look to be strong and healthy when the button is held.
This is a fairly simple insert - the only electonic bits seem to be a thermopile and a spill switch, according to the manual. In the research I've done online it seems the thermopile is usually the problem, and so that was my first stop in troubleshooting.
I first tried using my propane torch on it to see if it wasn't getting heated properly, but it still wouldn't stay lit. I put my voltmeter on it and it was producing current (the exact number escapes me) but seemed a bit low, so I put a AA battery on the terminals to see whether 1.2v would keep the gas valve open. I heard an audible 'click' with the AA battery connected, but again the pilot just wouldn't stay lit.
At this point I was reasonably certain that the thermopile wasn't the problem, but seeing as it was one of the cheaper things to begin replacing I bought and installed a replacement - and of course it still won't stay lit.
At this point I'm nearly ready to call a service technician. I really didn't want to have to do so as I'm "house poor" at the moment, but the cold season is approaching and we really want our fireplace to work.
Before I make the call, is there any further troubleshooting I should try? If the valve is faulty, can this be a DIY replacement?
Thanks!
In my recently-purchased first home, I have a Napoleon gas insert (GI3600N) that just won't work. The problem, common as it seems to be, is that the pilot won't stay lit when I let go of the button. The pilot does look to be strong and healthy when the button is held.
This is a fairly simple insert - the only electonic bits seem to be a thermopile and a spill switch, according to the manual. In the research I've done online it seems the thermopile is usually the problem, and so that was my first stop in troubleshooting.
I first tried using my propane torch on it to see if it wasn't getting heated properly, but it still wouldn't stay lit. I put my voltmeter on it and it was producing current (the exact number escapes me) but seemed a bit low, so I put a AA battery on the terminals to see whether 1.2v would keep the gas valve open. I heard an audible 'click' with the AA battery connected, but again the pilot just wouldn't stay lit.
At this point I was reasonably certain that the thermopile wasn't the problem, but seeing as it was one of the cheaper things to begin replacing I bought and installed a replacement - and of course it still won't stay lit.
At this point I'm nearly ready to call a service technician. I really didn't want to have to do so as I'm "house poor" at the moment, but the cold season is approaching and we really want our fireplace to work.
Before I make the call, is there any further troubleshooting I should try? If the valve is faulty, can this be a DIY replacement?
Thanks!