If you have taken your RV on several camping trips over the years, you have probably already experienced spending cold nights inside your vehicle. Even during the warm summer months, it is common for the nights to be very cold in some areas.
You can always add on extra blankets or use the RV’s built-in heater, but many RV owners find it more convenient to use a portable heater instead.
Mr. Heater is considered to be one of the best portable heater manufacturers. Their rugged and easy-to-use heaters are some of the best in the industry. Although they are great products, some users have had issues with them, the same as any other appliance type.
One of the biggest issues that customers have with Mr. Heater portable heaters is the pilot light not staying lit. The pilot light lets you know that the heater is on and functioning as it should. When this light is not working properly there are a few reasons why you are experiencing problems.
1. Problems with the Sensor
Anytime your heater’s pilot light will not stay lit, it is a good indication that the sensors on your heater are damaged or need to be replaced. The sensors on your propane heater may also recognize there is an issue with the flame.
If this occurs, it will cause your heater to trigger its safety features and put down the flame. In many cases, this is the reason why your pilot light will not stay lit. But if you have checked your flame and are still having the same problem, that could indicate your sensor is no longer working.
You can solve this issue using sandpaper to remove any excess material covering the device. After that, make sure the flame covers over half of the sensor. This should help the sensor to detect the flame and ensure the light remains lit.
2. A Dirty Pilot Tube
There are times when the pilot tube on your propane gas heater becomes dirty. You should clean these tubes regularly because dirt and debris will get stuck in between them. You will need to check the pilot flame of your heater through the small window located near the knob.
If the color of your flame is blue, there is no issue with your pilot tube. However, if the flame is yellow in color or if it is flickering, the tube will need to be cleaned.
To clean your pilot tube, you will first need to turn off your gas valve. Afterwards, use a paperclip or other pointy object to poke the top of the pilot tube. Be sure to use caution when you gently insert the pin inside the pilot tube.
If you exert a large amount of pressure on the tube you could damage it. If this doesn’t resolve your problem with the pilot light not staying lit, you should replace your pilot tube.
While you can replace your tube on your own, it may be best to contact a professional for assistance with this repair job if you do not have any prior knowledge of doing this.
3. Damaged Thermocouple
If the thermocouple on your Mr. Heater doesn’t detect the flame, it will deactivate the pilot light. A thermocouple is a safety feature that automatically shuts off the gas when it detects any fire. That allows the heater to prevent any gas from leaking. In many cases, the thermocouple on the heater is moved too far away to detect the flame.
If that is the case, you can fix the issue by shutting down your heater and then manually moving the device back into its original position. Be sure that you wait for the interior of the heater to cool down before you attempt this.
If that doesn’t correct the issue, you will need to check the gas cylinder because it could be empty. Another reason is that the gas valve could have some dirt or debris stuck inside it.
You can clean your gas valve by following the same steps given for cleaning your pilot tube. If, after cleaning your valve, the pilot light is still not working. You will need to have your thermocouple replaced. Keep in mind that you should turn off the gas before you attempt any repairs or inspections.
4. Faulty Spark Electrode
If the pilot light for your Mr. Heater will not stay lit, there could be an issue with your spark electrode. If the electrode doesn’t produce a spark, you should check to see if it is broken. Or you may need to replace the Oxygen Depletion Sensor.
Other issues include the igniter wire not being attached to the spark electrode, the ignition wire has been damaged, or your Piezo igniter has become defective, and you will need to replace the control valve.
If your spark electrode produces a spark, but the pilot doesn’t light up, you should check if you have gas in your heater. If that is the case, install a disposable cylinder or connect the hose and filter as required before turning on the valve at the remote cylinder.
If your pilot position is not aligned correctly, you will need to turn the gas control knob to the pilot position and depress it. If you are still having problems with the pilot flame not staying lit when the knob is released, you need to be sure that the knob is completely depressed or held in long enough to purge the air from the line.
Keep in mind that the pilot flame should not be surrounding the thermocouple. And if the pilot assembly appears to be defective or damaged, you should replace it.
The Mr. Heater portable propane gas heater will make a great addition to your RV on those cold winter nights. These heaters are some of the best in the industry and have been trusted for many years by RV owners. They are safe and reliable products that are designed to last for many years.