Winter returned to the Gulch…
…just in time for my bedroom heater to pack it in, same as it did this time last year.
First it gets undependable, then it stops working entirely. I figured out last year what was the problem: An issue with a clogged orifice so common and predicable the manual actually did predict it.
And so this time I figured fixing the problem before it became terminal would be a matter of a few minutes’ work. As usual, I was wrong.
Last time, I removed the gas tube and the offending orifice fell out on the floor. This time the orifice was firmly stuck inside all the other gadgetry. Which forced me to keep taking things apart till I could get to it.
I never did get the orifice out of the pilot assembly, so I figured I’d try cleaning it in place. I had an ultrasonic brass cleaner a Generous Reader gave me for cleaning pistol cases: Went and got it, and the cleaning solution and some distilled water, from Ian’s place. Set it up, and…it refused to work at all. It had failed in storage. [“Bad word!!!”]
So I soaked the thing in alcohol and blew it out with compressed air, hoping to clear the orifice that way. The result…
I actually managed to make things worse, probably from my initial efforts to remove the orifice from the assembly. Screwed.
I really hate it when my beloved bedroom heater lets me down. I mean, it truly ruins my day.
The bright spot came when I tried to see if I could find a replacement pilot assembly: Turns out that was really simple. Not quite “buy it on Amazon” simple, but simple enough. Another is on its way.
As happened before, the heater hasn’t entirely failed yet. It’s in its weird “if I fiddle with the sightglass cover it’ll suddenly decide to work for a while” phase. Just like this time last year. But this time I have a new orifice and pilot assembly coming. Hope it doesn’t take long, there’s at least six weeks of winter yet to go and I like my bedroom heater.
Were you ever able to obtain an electrical schematic for that unit?
Or get a model number? Is there only one wire coming out of the thermo couple?
My instinct is that there is a common ground issue some where in the system.
No bueno. Heat is most appreciated when it cannot be found. Hope you get your solved tut suite
Are you about to experience a “one dog night”? Or does he not agree with any such thing?
No heat, again? Damn. I hope that you are able to sort this out sooner than later.
That truly sucks, I think that your fix lasted less than a year? The good news is that you seem to be eliminating the mystery of your heater’s innards, and sourcing parts.
Look into “LP valve grease” or maybe some moly based lube for the parts that screw together, makes disassembly easier. Nasty on the fingers but better than breaking things.
I have been told the smaller LP tanks end up with some water/moisture more than the large ones.
I’ve had my 100lb cylinders purged with a bit of methanol added as well.
I think the methanol absorbs the water and goes through the system without harm.
Also a drip leg or pretty good “dip” in the supply line might help some.
Good luck