Help with sunflower heater

[A1000HOOK]

I have a propane sunflower heater. It keeps going out, it will

only burn on high, and I have to re light it 5 or 6 times a

day. The heater is 4 years old, it never done this before, you

light it once and it would stay lit the whole day. Any

suggestions what can be done besides getting a new one?

[Casaloma]

I have a small sunflower heater that is older & has the same deal. I had to tie a strap around the button that originaly was pressed only when starting the heat up. Now that is permenantly depressed & the heater will go all day again without the hassel of setting down my rod & invariably missing a fish due to fumbling with the heat & lighter... Maybe the same problem..??

Good luck -CLoma

[Esox_Magnum]

Casaloma, you need a new thermocouple. Might be the problem for both of you.

[addict]

Before you buy a new thermo coupler, look at your old one, maybe it got bent in transit and is now too far away from the heat source to expand the copper on the low settings. If it stays on on high, it probably just needs to be adjusted closer to the heating element.

[Casaloma]

Thanks, good to know I'll keep my eye out for one at the next swap meet!

Its a $20 heater that works-jerry-rigged right now. Does one risk any greator chance of CM poisoning the way I have it? If not I'll keep it as is, I think.

Thanks again -CLoma

[Esox_Magnum]

You should be able to pick one up at a farm& home store or a local baitshop. They are cheap and will make your heater burn more efficently.

[hondarider550]

I just checked today at a farm store in Worthington and they are charging $39.99 for a single burner. Another farm store at Worthington had the double burner for $90 and a triple for $134. All kinds of prices for all kinds of heaters... lol

[upnorth]

I did the thermal couple bypass out on the lake one day when someone broke the cable off and it did stay lit, but stunk pretty bad. I don't think they burn right if you bypass the thermal couple. Dangerous too, they put them in there for a reason.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

It is probably the thermocouple.

Cheap and easy to replace.

Fleet Farms usually carry them.

Cliff

[leech~~]

A1000, is your tank brand new? I had one where they forgot to bleed the air out of it when they filled it the first time, and it acted they same way.

[dan z]

change the thermocoupler and your heater should be just fine have had to change mine more than once. when you buy one coupler get a second one for the next time money well spent IMO.

[fivebucks]

As addict said I would first move the thermocupler closer or futher away from the heating element. Over the years my Mr Heaters get knocked around and all I do is move it. I have not had to buy a new thermocupler yet after 20 years.

[leech~~]

A1000, the other thing you can try is cleaning the brass gas tip at the bottom of the chrome tube. If it is lighting but going out or just running on high. The gas tip maybe a little clogged? You can get a welders tip cleaning wire set at Northern and just run that through a few times. That's worked for me as well, when the gas flow was not good.

[hanronson]

Take it apart and blow out the orifice and filter. You probably have some debris/dirt clogging it up.

[leech~~]

han, is there an echo in here!

[hanronson]

lee...sorry, I didn't see your post when I replied. The orifice could be clear but the filter plugged, (the filter is before the orifice)

[leech~~]

Han, Just given ya, a hard time. I've had the post delay happen to me also! Good advise all around.