The pilot light on my propane cast iron stove won't stay light.It is an
Empire Comfort/American Hearth product. I found a Troubleshootingt mfg.
guide on line and it advises to test thermopile MVolt and gas valve MV
readings. MY question is: what kind of electrical tester do I need to
measure up to 325 millivolts or more. Is there an inexpensive and easy to
use model? Thanks. John

John F. wrote:
The pilot light on my propane cast iron stove won't stay light.It is
an Empire Comfort/American Hearth product. I found a
Troubleshootingt mfg. guide on line and it advises to test thermopile
MVolt and gas valve MV readings. MY question is: what kind of
electrical tester do I need to measure up to 325 millivolts or more.
Is there an inexpensive and easy to use model? Thanks. John

Usually they are so cheap, they are just replaced not tested.

Today most digital multi-meters will do the job.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

Thanks for input. John


"Joseph Meehan" wrote in message
...
John F. wrote:
The pilot light on my propane cast iron stove won't stay light.It is
an Empire Comfort/American Hearth product. I found a
Troubleshootingt mfg. guide on line and it advises to test thermopile
MVolt and gas valve MV readings. MY question is: what kind of
electrical tester do I need to measure up to 325 millivolts or more.
Is there an inexpensive and easy to use model? Thanks. John

Usually they are so cheap, they are just replaced not tested.

Today most digital multi-meters will do the job.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

"John F." wrote:

The pilot light on my propane cast iron stove won't stay light.It is an
Empire Comfort/American Hearth product. I found a Troubleshootingt mfg.
guide on line and it advises to test thermopile MVolt and gas valve MV
readings. MY question is: what kind of electrical tester do I need to
measure up to 325 millivolts or more. Is there an inexpensive and easy to
use model? Thanks. John

They probably run about $30 so it probably isn't a bad idea to have
one around for when one fails. But before I replaced it, I'd give
the area a shot with some compressed air.

I replaced mine fhe first two seasons--- Then, 5 yrs or so ago,
someone told me about the compressed air and I haven't replaced one
since.

Jim

Jim Elbrecht wrote:
"John F." wrote:

The pilot light on my propane cast iron stove won't stay light.It is
an Empire Comfort/American Hearth product. I found a
Troubleshootingt mfg. guide on line and it advises to test thermopile
MVolt and gas valve MV readings. MY question is: what kind of
electrical tester do I need to measure up to 325 millivolts or more.
Is there an inexpensive and easy to use model? Thanks. John

They probably run about $30 so it probably isn't a bad idea to have
one around for when one fails. But before I replaced it, I'd give
the area a shot with some compressed air.

Good point. Dust or misalignment can keep the thermocouple from
becoming hot enough to work.


I replaced mine fhe first two seasons--- Then, 5 yrs or so ago,
someone told me about the compressed air and I haven't replaced one
since.

Jim

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

Found a local stove guy opened on a Sunday who had acomparable thermopile
to mine. Interestingly the old one tested to almost half a volt indicating
it was good. Bought the new one anyway ($39.00) and installed it. She
fired up right away. SoI guess the test isn't the final answer. Thanks
again for input.

"Joseph Meehan" wrote in message
.. .
Jim Elbrecht wrote:
"John F." wrote:

The pilot light on my propane cast iron stove won't stay light.It is
an Empire Comfort/American Hearth product. I found a
Troubleshootingt mfg. guide on line and it advises to test thermopile
MVolt and gas valve MV readings. MY question is: what kind of
electrical tester do I need to measure up to 325 millivolts or more.
Is there an inexpensive and easy to use model? Thanks. John

They probably run about $30 so it probably isn't a bad idea to have
one around for when one fails. But before I replaced it, I'd give
the area a shot with some compressed air.

Good point. Dust or misalignment can keep the thermocouple from
becoming hot enough to work.


I replaced mine fhe first two seasons--- Then, 5 yrs or so ago,
someone told me about the compressed air and I haven't replaced one
since.

Jim

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit