Anyone know about gas stoves?

[link]

Does anyone know about how to troubleshoot gas stoves or know of a forum which discusses this kind of thing?

I have a Lennox direct vent free standing gas stove. It is the Epic model 33/40 according to the manual. It is fueled by propane. I bought it used and it has been in service for a couple of years. I use it to heat my workshop, and when it is not in use I shut it off at the control valve for the stove and also shut off the fuel supply valve at the propane tank.

Recently it has become difficult to keep the burner lit after the fuel has been shut off for a while. The pilot will light in the manner noted in the manual, after that the fire will light without issue. However, after burring for 30 seconds to about a minute, there is a loud click and then the fire and pilot go out. In the previous few sessions I was able to repeat the process once or twice and the flame would stay on, but that is no longer the case.

Also if the pilot is left on itself for an extended period it will go out, but I have not heard the loud click when this happens.

What is a good way to troubleshoot this?

TIA

[Mike D]

Sounds as though the thermocouple is toast.

[link]

Mike,

Thanks for the feedback!

From the looks that was my supposition as well but I’ve never worked with these.

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by Mike D

Sounds as though the thermocouple is toast.

x2

[kerry]

X3 Could also be a spider web or other obstruction in the gas supply tube.

[link]

is there a way to test the thermocouple?

Don't think it is a spider or web but the problem progressed from anomaly to unsolvable over about 5-7 days of use. Once the fire is running and stable then the flame can be cycled on and off as needed without issue until the end of my use at which point i shut off everything. Days later when i try to use it again, the problem repeated

[kerry]

Not sure if they can be tested but they aren't expensive so by the time you take it off to test it, you might as well install a new one.

[INSIDIOUS]

You say stove, but is it a furnace? Possibly a condensing furnace? Possibly with the water drain line gunked up?

[optimusprime]

Replace thermocoupling ,easy job and cheap .But you will need the old one out to pick up a new one .If you dont know the number ypu can get a universal one .Just go by the length. Dont do this yourself .It must be done by qualified gas fitter.

[link]

Originally Posted by kerry

Not sure if they can be tested but they aren't expensive so by the time you take it off to test it, you might as well install a new one.

Thank you. I haven't taken a close look at the assembly yet to see if the design permits replacing just the thermocouple. I did find a replacement for the entire assembly for about $110 but would rather just replace the part if that's what is needed. I don't know if all thermocouples are the same form factor.

Found the following test procedure at another site:

You will need to have a multimeter set to Volts DC.
Disconnect the thermocouple (TC) from the gas valve.
Connect one lead of the multimeter to the copper sheathing of the TC.
Connect the other to the extreme end (that goes into the gas valve).
light the pilot & hold the knob in until you get a steady reading on the multimeter.
If you have less than 28vDC, replace the TC.
If you have MORE than 28vDC, we will look elsewhere.

[link]

Originally Posted by optimusprime

Replace thermocoupling ,easy job and cheap .But you will need the old one out to pick up a new one .If you dont know the number ypu can get a universal one .Just go by the length. Dont do this yourself .It must be done by qualified gas fitter.

Where does one go to get one of these?

Why must it be done by a qualified gas fitter?

[link]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS

You say stove, but is it a furnace? Possibly a condensing furnace? Possibly with the water drain line gunked up?

I suppose it could be the water drain, except for the part where the first 2 sentences of the first post notes that it's not a furnace and doesn't have a water drain, at least according to the manual and online references.

[kerry]

Originally Posted by link

Where does one go to get one of these?

Why must it be done by a qualified gas fitter?

He's an Englishman. Perhaps there are laws requiring that in England. It's a pretty simple job usually. Unscrew from the gas valve, remove from the fitting which holds it near the flame and install the new one. As far as I know, thermocouples are pretty universal.

[link]

^Thanks

Do these look the same?

A “Sit” brand Thermocouple with a cross reference for the Lennox 74L57 found on ebay

Sit Thermocouple | eBay



The Lennox 74L57 branded Thermocouple found on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Lennox-74L57-Gas-Fireplace-Thermocouple/dp/B00L1G47PQ

[kerry]

Looks right to me. I think the general difference is how they attach to the bracket which holds it near the frame. Looks like this one screws in. Most of the ones I've replaced have little spring latches on either side which snap into place once it is pushed into the hole.