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Chimney & Fireplaces/Thermopiles on a gas fireplace insert

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Expert: - 12/3/2009


Question
The main burner in my lopi gas fireplace insert will not come on. The pilot light stopped working, I replaced the thermocouple and the pilot worked fine but the main large flame would not come on so I replaced the thermopile that regulates the magnetic valve. It still won't come on. Would the new thermopile be faulty or could the main valve be bad have you ever seen the valve box go bad? How can I check the thermopile to see if it is bad?

Answer
Johny,

For you to test your thermopile, you would need to be trained in the operation of a multimeter. Gas appliance specialist have many hours of training on these issues and could find your problem in short order with the unit in front of us. That being said, yes I have seen the main valve fail as well as all other parts of these units. Loose wires, crossed wires, pinched wires, gas supply, obstruction at the inlet, and the list goes on and on. Please use the links at the bottom of my home page at www.brooks-hearth.com to find a professional that services these units in your area. You may contact Travis Industries to see if they have a tech in your area. I hope this helps and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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Volunteer

Randy Brooks

Expertise

Inspection of Masonry, Pre-cast Tilt-up, and Factory Built Fireplaces as well as Free Standing & Insert, Gas, and Wood Appliances. We also provide Hearth Fire Loss Investigations, Litigation Support, Consulting Services, Flue Sweeping, Installation and Repair. Additionally, I’ve been a chimney sweep for 23 years, service and install hearth appliances as well as being recognized by the Superior Court of California as an expert witness.

Experience

Brooks Chimney Sweeping Since 1989 Ojai, CA Owner / President www.brooks-hearth.com

Organizations
NCSG, MEMBER,(National Chimney Sweep Guild), Member since 1990, Board of Directors representing Region 6, (CA, NV, AZ, UT, OR, WA, ID, WY, MT, AK and HI,) 2004-2011, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. CSIA, BOD (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Board of Directors, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Secretary, 2005-2006, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. HPBA, MEMBER, (Hearth, Patio, & BBQ Association,) since 2002. NFPA Member, (National Fire Protection Association) Since 2009. Technical Committee member for the 211 Standard.

Education/Credentials
California State Licensed Contractor, C61-D34, #750710. http://www2.cslb.ca.gov C.S.I.A., (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Certified Chimney Sweep, #2580. Held since 1990 re-certified in ‘93, ‘96, ‘99, ‘02, ‘05, '08,'11. http://www.csia.org F.I.R.E. (Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Certified Inspector, #FP-006. Held since 2000, re-certified in ’03, ‘06. http://www.f-i-r-e-service.com Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Advance Expert Consulting & Witness, certificate, ’05 N.F.I. (National Fireplace Institute,) Certified Gas & Wood-Burning Specialist, #133851. Held since 2002, re-certified in '05,‘08. http://nficertified.org

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