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how to get to thermocouple behind conversion burner

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wisdm
wisdm Member Posts: 9
in Gas Heating
Our older furnace just quit and pilot is out. I am quite sure it is the thermocouple but I am not certain how to reach it. Do I have to remove the whole Conversion burner?

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  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 5,839
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    I'm not at all familiar with that burner. French? It can't be a standing pilot, can it? On a power burner? 
    What makes you think it's the thermocouple?
    It looks like you remove the main gas, pilot gas, thermocouple, and electric from the gas valve, then that black cover lifts off and out.
    But you're not certain of the cause. And its gas. So maybe call a professional. 
  • wisdm
    wisdm Member Posts: 9
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    Ok here is the irony of it all. My plan today was to install a new gas line for a range. Got the permit and pipes and fittings, all ready to go. And last night the furnace quit. If the furnace quit today after me installing the line, I would have thought I must have done something wrong, because I don't believe in coincidences when it comes to mechanical. Anyway thanks Havacnut, I ended up having to dismantle the top like you suggested and remove the whole unit. Turns out my hunch was right and it was the thermocouple. Put it all back together soap tested the lines and works perfectly. Tomorrow I will install the new lines and put a gauge on for at least 5 hrs to test. Thanks for the help.
    HVACNUT
  • wisdm
    wisdm Member Posts: 9
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    Oh one more note. I'm in BC, Canada. I don't know a word of French!
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,525
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    @HVACNUT

    Those old gas conversion power burners the gas company used to pedal..........Adams maybe??? They had a standing pilot with a pizeo igniter and a thermocouple
    HVACNUT
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
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    Whatever that is, it looks like it was built on a Beckett AF/AFG chassis.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • wisdm
    wisdm Member Posts: 9
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    I guess I patted myself on the back too soon. Again cold air and pilot is out. Several attempts later I manage to get it on. Lasts for a few hours then same thing.
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 9,646
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    that really should be serviced every couple years by someone that knows how to check and adjust it.
  • wisdm
    wisdm Member Posts: 9
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    Well 2 HVAC companies come out and one just walked away and the other charged me 80 and then walked away saying they don't make parts anymore and to get a new furnace. We do have one from a jobsite but it needs to be modified and the BTU is lower. Mom lives with us and is 84. Have to keep her warm. BTW we are in a mobile home and are not rich so money is an issue.
  • wisdm
    wisdm Member Posts: 9
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    Sorry for the double post, My neighbor said that the home depot thermocouple's are hit and miss. 4 $10 I may try to renew it again
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,525
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    I googled the name on that burner IGG or ICC. Nothing came up.

    It does look like a beckett chassis as @Steamhead said. Standing pilot you can see the Piezo ignitor button
  • wisdm
    wisdm Member Posts: 9
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    yes I have to light the pilot with the piezo. little tiny peep hole to see about 18" away. No possible way to manual light it
  • wisdm
    wisdm Member Posts: 9
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  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 9,646
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    wisdm said:

    Well 2 HVAC companies come out and one just walked away and the other charged me 80 and then walked away saying they don't make parts anymore and to get a new furnace. We do have one from a jobsite but it needs to be modified and the BTU is lower. Mom lives with us and is 84. Have to keep her warm. BTW we are in a mobile home and are not rich so money is an issue.

    You need to call around and find someone that knows what they are doing. That requires an actual trained professional to clean, test, and adjust if needed, not just someone who can test and replace a switch.

    Tell them you have a power burner and ask them what they'd do and if it isn't combustion analysis and adjustment, keep calling other places. Natural draft burners will work ok if not set up properly, power burners need to be set up properly.

    Are you sure the heat exchanger isn't bad and causing the blower to blow the pilot out?
  • wisdm
    wisdm Member Posts: 9
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    Thank you all for your comments and I managed to repair it successfully myself after a third HVAC person said to replace the furnace. Now I really know my furnace as in -15 degrees outside I took the thing apart 3 times... Replaced the thermocouple, and found out that the orifice was also an issue as well, so I removed that and soaked it in CLR for a couple hours, blew it out, checked with a flashlight, then reinstalled it. My issue was you can only see the pilot through a little peep hole 20" away. Working perfectly now and nice blue flame. Thank you people!

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