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Thermopile voltage drops when try to turn heater on. Main flame not firing up.

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michaelbevan
michaelbevan Member Posts: 2
in Gas Heating
Hello

I couldn’t find an answer to this, but perhaps I didn’t find the right phrasing.

I have a gas log heater. A Matrix GFX-S. Might be an Australian rebrand.

I couldn’t get the main flame to fire up. I checked the thermopile voltage and it was initially showing about 90mv. I gave it a good clean and it now shows around 800mv, but drops right back to about 50mv when I press the on button. It’s possible that the heater was switched to on when I initially tested prior to cleaning the thermopile. The main flame still won’t ignite.

Any ideas as to how I can get my heater working again?

Any responses much appreciated.

Michael 😊

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,286
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    Check and recheck all the electrical connections. Even the slightest extra resistance can do that. Thermopiles don't have much "oomph". It might also be the gas valve drawing too much current.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 7,835
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    if you have enough power to maintain the pilot, but the main valve draws too much current, it is most likely the gas valve. But I would go for checking the connections first, (no cost for parts) then replace the thermopile, (less expensive than the replacement valve). If that does not work then the valve.

    I always ask the mechanics that worked for me when the condemn an expensive part... "After you replace that and it still does not work, what will you check next?"

    they usually suggest some less expensive repair, then I say...
    "Do that first!"

    This brings me to the conclusion that the pilot may not be large enough to generate the necessary current. Is the Pilot Burner Clean?
    Edward F Young. Retired HVAC ContractorSpecialized in Residential Oil Burner and Hydronics
  • michaelbevan
    michaelbevan Member Posts: 2
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    Thank you so much for your answers Ed and Jamie.😊

    I tried your suggestions, then went out and bought a new thermopile. What do you know!

    The heater is working again. Woo hoo!
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 9,641
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    Can you check the current that the gas valve is drawing with an ordinary milliammeter, or does the shunt add too much resistance or is the current to low to measure?
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,626
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    Google the thermopile & gas valve & see what's expected. ISTR that thermopiles were millivolts x amps, & thermocouples were volts x milliamps, so a milliammeter might not be the right instrument for your case.
  • Tim McElwain
    Tim McElwain Member Posts: 4,621
    edited July 2020
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    You need to check the millivolts for the system. Contact me at timmcelwain@gastcri.com and I will send you the step by step procedure. It would also help me to help you if you have pictures of pilot and gas valve along with other components in the system.

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