School me on propane bullet heaters

Keith Molden · Nov 4, 2017

I bought this small master heater, propane heater at an auction. It will light as long as I hold the ignitor button down. As soon as I let up on it, the flame will go out. I'm following the directions and holding it down the prescribed time (even a lot longer) but it doesn't help. I'm thinking thermocouple but I'm not sure about it & I know some of you guys will know what to do. Keith

David G · Nov 4, 2017

I have one with same issue, let me know what you find out.

rustyfarmall · Nov 4, 2017

I've got 2 of the diesel burning torpedo heaters. Both are dead. Each one was good for only about 1 year. I was thinking about making my next heater a propane burner, but now I am discouraged from those also. Guess I'll just stay in the house when it gets cold.

Smalltowner · Nov 4, 2017

Yes the thermocouple is what Controls that but the button valve can cause same problem. I use a 20 yr old double burner mr. heater and finally had to clean the valve with chem tool solvent, fixed problem. Also I have found that all propane is not the same, some seems to have a lower BTU factor and takes longer to heat the thermocouple. Try cleaning the button and ease it out after warm up.

37chief · Nov 4, 2017

I think you are correct about the thermocouple. the thermocouple needs to heat generating a small current to keep the gas valve open. Otherwise if the flame went out the gas valve would stay open dumping unburned gas in the room. Not an expert here, but I believe that's how it works.Stan

tim s · Nov 4, 2017

I have on here that is 15 years old I use it to thaw out cold tractors mainly,,I use diesel fuel in it and keep the fuel clean,,it still works like new..But I have had a time with old used ones that I had gotten at auctions...

LarryH · Nov 4, 2017

we repair them all time are you talking about the safety switch--it can be that --the eye--or the ignitor call link_disallowed days and Robert will walk you thru it--we have the parts on the shelf----90 % of the time they can be fixed easy

Oregon Tractor Jack · Nov 4, 2017

Most of those heaters have mechanical thermocouple type valves. There is a very small copper tube filled with xylene that when heated expands and holds the gas valve open. The button you are pushing is the manual over ride. I have a propane heater that I have to replace the valve about every five years or so. The valves are cheap and should be easy to find on line. In a pinch I have clamped the button down just get some heat until I can order a new valve. That is NOT a long term solution.

OTJ

Ronnie Budd · Nov 4, 2017

It's either the thermocouple, or more likely the low oxygen sensor if it is so equipped. Dust or cobwebs will cause the low oxygen sensor to not work. Be gentle when blowing out the low oxygen sensor, or you will ruin it. It's best to use very low pressure dry air. I use canned air meant for cleaning computers.

Bruce(OR) · Nov 4, 2017

I picked up a Kerosene bullet heater last year. It started and ran a few seconds and quit. I found a cracked rubber line sucking air at the metal connection. I also researched my make and model on line for a trouble shooting guide.

GVSII · Nov 4, 2017

(quoted from post at 07:49:31 11/04/17) I bought this small master heater, propane heater at an auction. It will light as long as I hold the ignitor button down. As soon as I let up on it, the flame will go out. I'm following the directions and holding it down the prescribed time (even a lot longer) but it doesn't help. I'm thinking thermocouple but I'm not sure about it & I know some of you guys will know what to do. Keith

1st thing to do is make sure the tip of the thermocouple is close enough to the pilot flame.They often get bumped out of adjustment.Then make sure the control valve is clean.The over temp. sensor(if it has one, can cause that problem as well).The heat output regulator can give you fits also.

Jon Hagen · Nov 4, 2017

I have one sold by TSC. In the off season the steel burner head rusts, clogging some of the gas jet holes. It refuses to stay lit when some of the burner holes aimed at the thermocouple probe clog and no longer heat the thermocouple. When clean, the burner flame is a nice sunflower pattern, when clogged, some of the flame petals that heat the thermocouple stop burning. The fix is to remove and rod out the burner holes.

School me on propane bullet heaters

Keith Molden

Well-known Member

David G

Well-known Member

rustyfarmall

Well-known Member

Smalltowner

Member

37chief

Well-known Member

tim s

Well-known Member

LarryH

Member

Oregon Tractor Jack

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Ronnie Budd

Member

Bruce(OR)

Well-known Member

GVSII

Member

Jon Hagen

Well-known Member

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