Sun Flower Heater question

[Twitter]

Saturday on URL (-15) my heater decides it didn't want to work. I think the thermo-couple went bad..??? When I hold the valve in and light it it works fine, but it goes out as soon as I let go of the valve, even after getting good and hot.
Am I correct in suspecting the thermo-couple ?
And if so, can I replace it with any thermo couple ? are they standard ? I think I have a new one on the shelf at home.
Any help would be appreciated !

Oh yeah....THANKS Kelly P for saving our night !!

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[This message has been edited by Twitter (edited 01-20-2004).]

[Grabs]

I had the same thing,..the thermocouple is kinked near the heater. I just pulled a rubber band out of the tackle box and used that to hold the valve in.

Yes you can buy a new thermocouple, but they are $12,..now I am on the fence about just using it the way it is or buying a new one and keeping the old one as back up.

[Surface Tension]

Your right about the thermocouple.
Before you replace it bend the tang that the coupler is attached to on the sunflower in toward the heat.

[Sgt. Rock]

Just replaced my on a Mr. Heater. was $7+ at Fleet Farm

[swampman]

I have done what surface tension mentioned and it usually works but buy another one because it seems to be a short fix, seems everytime i have done this the thermo couple fails not long after. just my experiance with these things.

[Twitter]

Thanks for the replys guys !
I tried bending the tab closer to the heater on the day it happened and also made sure it was really hot before releasing the valve, so it must be bad. Are all thermo-couples standard or do I need a specific type ?
I think I have a new one on the shelf at home, but it was purchased for a water heater I believe.
Thanks for any advice !
Twitter

[This message has been edited by Twitter (edited 01-21-2004).]

[Lowe]

If you break the thermocoupler and have the right tools, you can remove the thermocoupler/pilot button appendage completely, reassemble, and it will work fine. It is probably not the safest thing in the world but it sure beats being stuck without a heater. Make sure if you are using a 1 lb bottle that is still facing the right direction, and never leave it running unattended, since removing the thermocoupler opens the possibility for gas leaks.

Again, I don't recommend it, but if you're in a pinch and it's -20 it beats going home.

[iffwalleyes]

Mr Heater Thermo couplers are all the same so you should be just able to rolling into a store and pick one up for less than $10. That is way cheaper than a new on and much safer than the rubber band trick..

------------------
Grip it and Rip it

IFFWalleyes
I Fish For Walleyes
[email protected]

[parttimer]

You could try pulling the thermocoupler out and cleaning it with some fine sand paper. I am not sure if it will work but, I've tried it on my furnace in my house and it fixed the problem. I would buy a new before you try it just in case. I have heard that if they are acting up, it is just a matter of time before they fail all togther. If the sand paper works, you have a back up for if it fails later.
Just my thoughts.
Good Luck.

[icehousebob]

I had mine fail at a bad time, so I used electrical tape to wrap around the startup button, holding it down, and it got me through the night. I didn't know you could replace the thermocouple so I bought a new Sunflower the next day. I think I still have the old one on a shelf in the garage[i'm a packrat] I should see about fixing it. Thanks for the info.

[JIGLFIN]

Sounds like the thermocouple fixes the won't keep running syndrom.
That's good to know.

How bout this?

I replaced a dammaged screen on my cooker/heater and now it whistles when its first lite.

[beer batter]

My brand new Mr. Heater whistles every time I first light it up. Stops as soon as I let off the ignitor button. I assume it's normal...

[icehousebob]

Beer Batter, Both of mine did that. I think its funny. I've convinced beginners that its going to explode, like a phaser on overload. Sometimes they don't see the humor in it. One fishing buddy had heard it several times and still got rattled every time he heard it.