Pool heater pilot will not stay lit?

Answer 1

Make sure the gas valve that is part of the supply line is on.

There is another gas valve inside the heater, which has three positions: OFF, ON, and PILOT. Turn the valve to PILOT, then press it down. This will allow gas to flow to the pilot light, so that at this point it should be able to be lit with a match or better yet, one of those butane fire starters.

Continue to hold the valve down, for about 30 seconds.

When you release it, the valve should come up, so that you will be able to turn it to the ON position.

If the pilot is still burning, you should be good to go.

If the pilot goes out, however, there is a chance that the pilot generator, a $50 or so brass cylinder that is positioned near the pilot light and which produces about 500 mv, is bad.

The pilot generator puts out enough power, using the heat of the pilot light, to energize a coil inside the gas valve to keep the gas flowing to the pilot. If there is no power generated by the pilot light, the gas valve will shut down (it's a safety feature so that the gas to the non-burning pilot does not continue to flow and create an explosion hazard).

You will need a digital voltmeter to check the pilot generator, and some other wrenches to replace it if it proves to be not producing at least 400 mv when hot.

Assuming the pilot stays lit, your next job will be to ensure the other limit switches in the circuit are OK, and that the thermostat is working OK to actuate the second coil inside the valve the turns on the gas to the burners. Your question, however, was only about the pilot light, so I will leave it at that.

I also have a Teledyne Laars natural gas pool heater and I found this answer when trying to figure out how to light mine. The previous answer was correct although it didn't tell you where the pilot light was (where you put the flame in order to light it).

On mine, you should follow a thin pipe from where the blue circular pilot/on/off switch is. It goes from left to right and then goes back.

On the right hand side, there should be a sign that says "pilot light here" with an arrow pointing back. The actual tube it points to is the pilot light.

You should use a long match or a butane fire starter to place a flame along the top of this tube.

Turn the blue switch until it can be pressed down. When you press it down you should hear gas flowing (a light hissing). If you don't, there is no gas getting to the appliance. Follow the pipe from the meter to the appliance and check for the gas turned off along the way (I have two shut-offs - one at the meter and one at the heater).

While pressing the blue switch down, hold a flame to the tube on the right. It should light the gas. Continue to hold the blue switch down for 30 seconds or so. I think it is heating something at the back. If you release the blue switch and the flame goes out, repeat the process.

Eventually, you'll see an orange flame at the back as things start to heat up. When you release the switch, it should stay lit.

Please note these instructions are from my perspective - your situation may differ. Use these instructions at your own risk. If in doubt, have your pool heater serviced by a furnace cleaner.

Jim

Answer 2

The flame should generate a micro amount of voltage which keeps the burner going. If the burner won't stay lit the problem could be caused by a lazy pilot generator, dirty wire connections, high wind conditions, or even something more serious or clogged. Your best bet is to have a trained service technician from your local swimming pool company come out and give your heater the professional testing it deserves. You will find a properly tuned and installed heater will save you quite a bit these days with the high cost of fuel.

Answer 3

Most pool heaters are propane fueled. A match or lighter lit near the pilot light opening should suffice.

Hum, I would not say, "most" --- some would be a more adequate word.

The above previous answer would apply if you had an older style heater. All new heaters for the last several years have electronic ignition.

k

Answer 4

Firstly, how old is your heater? Do you in fact have a pilot light or is it an electronic ignition heater? If the latter, it has no pilot.

Older heaters have a gas valve knob that is rotated to "pilot" and then when ready with the ignition source, match, push the knob down and hold while holding the ignition source near the pilot flame outlet. Hold knob down for about 1 min. while pilot generator heats from that flame then let go and if the flame stays lit then rotate the knob to "heat" or "fire" or "run". In a brief amount of time the heater will fire. BE SURE TO KEEP FROM LOOKING INTO THE FIRE BOX TO WATCH THE HEATER FIRE!!!!!! STAND BACK FROM THE OPENING - YOU COULD GET BURNED OR AT LEAST LOOSE A LOT OF FACIAL HAIR AND/OR BE TERRIBLY FRIGHTENED BY THE RESULTING BLAST. Close and secure the heater door and listen for the combustion chamber to run continually.

If pilot does not stay lit then it is possible that the pilot generator needs to be replaced.

K

Answer 5

Have you turned the temperature regulator up

Answer 6

Africa