ThermX heater

[danjoe91]

Who else has one of these heaters? How safe are they? This is a model 635. I have tried lighting it a few times, but the pilot light will not stay lit. I am trying to determine if I should repair it, or replace it with some safer model. I replaced the main furnace, so that works great to keep the rig warm. Since the trailer originally came with this option, I thought I should have this working.

[Nuvite-F]

We have a ThermX heater and find that it comes in handy. Unless there's something wrong with it, it's as safe as any unvented catalytic heater.

The advantage is that, unlike the forced-air furnace, it requires no electricity to operate. The disadvantage is that being unvented, you need to leave a window or door open a little for ventilation and you would not want to leave it running while you sleep. (As a general rule you should also have a working LP gas detector and carbon monoxide detector.)

Regarding the pilot light not staying lit, we have a different model with slightly different controls, but we have found that when lighting, you have to manually hold the gas valve open longer than the instructions say in order for the pilot light to stay lit. As I recall the instructions say 30 seconds, but it's more like a minute or two before the thermocouple will hold the gas valve open. If that doesn't do it you may need a new thermocouple.

[Wayward]

Originally Posted by Nuvite-F

Regarding the pilot light not staying lit, we have a different model with slightly different controls, but we have found that when lighting, you have to manually hold the gas valve open longer than the instructions say in order for the pilot light to stay lit. As I recall the instructions say 30 seconds, but it's more like a minute or two before the thermocouple will hold the gas valve open. If that doesn't do it you may need a new thermocouple.

If you do end up needing a new thermo couple (likely, if the pilot refuse to stay lit), consider replacing the whole pilot assembly with on that includes and oxygen depletion sensor (ODS).

You can also find them on eBay by searching for "ods pilot"

Carbon monoxide is produced after oxygen is depleted. An ODS pilot shuts off the gas supply before CO is produced.

PILOT ODS ASSEMBLY LPG GAS PROPANE