Sunflower heater not running?

[Pig_sticka]

I have a sunflower heater with a 20lb propane tank. I am having trouble keeping the sunflower running, Why is that?

If I let go of the gas button the heater will only stay on if it is on high, if I turn it on low or medium it shuts off in less than a minute.

Last night the heater wouldn't even stay on and we froze out on the ice. I had to sit there with my hand on the button to just keep it running for a while.

And it wont keep running if it shuts off, I am not able to keep it goin after i light it.

Can anyone help me out?

[Guest]

Try one of two things-

1) Bend the thermocoupler closer to the screen or

2) Replace the Thermocoupler.

Hope this helps.

[Pig_sticka]

The thermocouple seems like it has taken a beating, so the heater wont run if that isn't in perfect shape?

[R_B]

I've run into the same problem. Bending the thermocoupler took care of it.

[cliffy]

I have to agree.....

Had the same problem last winter..just bend the thermocoupler closer. If this does not work..it might need to be replaced.

[jlm]

Yup, they got it! Give it a try!

[Ed Carlson]

Adjust the nut on the coupler so you extend it into the heat chamber, tighten the nuts top and bottom. Now bend the coupler into the screen tell it is 1/8' from contact.

When you bend the coupler try to keep the pressure on the threaded area and not on the coupler tubing so as to lessen any damage to it. Avoid crimping or pinching the coupler tubing when installing it.

If you are installing a new coupler before doing so pop off the grate and run a steel brush over the screen to clean it up a bit. Then install the coupler and adjust it. On well used heaters the screen gets scaled up a bit. Cleaning it appears to help produce that nice blue flame it has when new. Just a quick scrub with the steel brush or steel wool will do it.

[jigeye]

This might seem silly but are you sure the tank is just too low on gas. Those tanks seem like they have a few pounds left in them but not enough to keep the sunflower lit. Just a thought.

[Pig_sticka]

it is a half full tank as of right now, i believe it is running better i tried it out in my garage. next time out fishing i will know forsure, thanks for the help.

i did notice that the one nut fell off and that might have tweeked things a bit.

[jigginjerk]

Check the orfice. I had mine do that and there was a little lint that somehow got in there. I removed and cleaned it and it works like new.