Propane heater won't stay running after initial start up

Hold the Red Button for much longer than you think. It has to fully heat the thermocouple safety device. Then release VERY slowly. There are tips here

https://www.google.com/search?safe=off&rlz=1C1QJDB_enCA643CA644&sxsrf=ALeKk019mViwcH7XzWSqfLTcR2JQMQz9Og%3A1614104534374&ei=1kc1YNilFquawbkP3IGz8As&q=all+pro+propane+heater+won%27t+stay+lit

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Burners don't have anything to do with the problem of pilot not lighting. Is the problem that flame will not 'stay' lit? Or you can't even get a flame to ignite? If former: possible bad pilot generator or bad gas valve. If latter, possible bad gas valve or no fuel to ignite.

The new 20lb LPG cylinders now have what called an OPD Valve. Reconnect to a 20lb cylinder and turn the tank valve on very very slowly, This will help prevent the OPD Valve from locking up the heater's regulator. Your 1lb cylinder is not required to have this OPD Valve.

By the way, this happens quite frequently with LP Gas Portable Grills.

This sounds like a problem with your thermocouple.

Just remove the end of the thermocouple from where is goes into the gas valve and leave the end that goes into the flame in place.

Clean the end of the thermocouple connect by scraping off just a little metal from the end just about there the nut tightens the thermocouple into the gas valve. After you have exposed some new metal do the same inside the valve where the thermocouple seats into the gas valve.
Use a small pic or similar item to scrape inside the gas valve to expose some new metal there also.

Now reassemble the thermocouple into the gas valve and see if the heater works.

Here is a link with some more instructions.
http://www.msservice.net/ts/reseat_thermo-clean_pilot-ODS.htm

If this does not solve the problem you may need a new thermocouple and you can find that at www.desaparts.com

Thanks

Sounds like you have a bad gas hold on valve. I have a tip at http://www.fixya.com/support/r4258201-fix_gas_reddy_heaters_will_not_continue which explains the problem, how to fix it and where to get the parts. Let me know if you need more help.

Thanks for using FixYa and for the generous rating.

hardrocko

is the sensor for the thermocouple located in the right spot in the flame,remove it and if you have access to a propane torch,heat the end till its red hot and leave it connected to the gas valve,then start the unit and this will tell you if the sensor is properly positioned in the pilot flame on the unit itself,if not you could have a defective new thermocouple or another safety device keeping it from staying lit or the gas valve is faulty

Problem is either the thermocouple or the thermoelectric valve. I have one of these as well with the same problem. On mine it is not the thermocouple. I have replaced the thermocoupler and still have the problem. A thermoelectric valve is $42.25 at http://www.masterheaters.com/propane/
Im looking for a cheaper part. Any suggestions?
Gru es 1234 @yah oo.c om

believe it or not, the propane tank may be too full. The vapor space is taken up and you have very little vapor. Run some warm water over the tank. The garden hose may be enough but if you get no frost line the water will need to be warmer. The warm water causes the liquid fuel to turn into vapor. Do not use boiling hot water. Another thing is oening the valve. Most propane tanks have safety valves. If the gas escapes faster than a normal rate, the valve closes. Open the valve slowlyand lt it burn for about 10 minutes before opening the valve further. It will get better as the fuel is used up and the vapor space in the tank increases. In real cold climates a heater blanket, sleeve is used tho keep the bottle warm. The vapor also creates the the needed pressure to move the gas through the system to the burners. Good Luck-Ned_

Dear travelinman4, 02-21-2009 18:24 EST (USA)

Re: Reddy Heater "Won't Stay Running"
Model R150A

Old Fuel? Added a Can of Fuel Booster? Used Starter Fluid?
Spark Plug or Igniter?
Gas, Propane, or Kerosene?

jack

is this kerosene or propane. if kerosene, two types of ignition is used.  a spark plug or a hot surface ignitor.  the kero unit uses a cad cell flame detector, the propane unit uses a millivolt generator.
the kero unit uses an air pump that comes off the backside of the fan motor - this airline goes to the nozzle and acts like a siphon for fuel.  there is no air pump for the propane heater. the fan just accelerates airflow through the combustion chamber.  the cad cell of the kero unit sees the flame and varies its resistance.  it is sensitive to the infrared generated by the flame and feeds this signal to the lockout relay. no flame after a few seconds, opens and locks out the unit.  the propane unit uses a millivolt generator.  it is a copper cappillary tube that has two spade connectors on it. the spade connectors are connected to a high limit mounted on the backside of the combustion chamber.  under normal conditions the hi limit is closed and completes the electrical circuit to the main valve. the millivolt generator is electrically connected to the pilot/main valve electromagnet inside. with a flame detect signal the electromagnet is energized and holds the main valve slug open allowing the propane to feed to its nozzle in the chamber. as long as there is a flame the valve stays open. no flame, no signal and the unit releases the valve pellet and closes.  you can test the hi limit by jumping out the two spade connectors and see if the unit starts and stays running.