A Dyna Glo propane heater may sometimes fail to light. If you wonder why this happens and want to know how to resolve the problem, this post will provide you with an answer. We researched the topic to help you diagnose the heater and restore its functionality.
Your Dyna Glo propane heater may fail to light if the burner orifice is clogged, the propane tank is empty, or the gas supply pressure is low. To rectify this, you may need to clean the burner orifice or contact your propane supplier to refill the tank and reset the supply valve's pressure.
There is still more to learn about propane heaters. So, please keep reading to find an elaborate discussion of how you can diagnose your Dyna Glo propane heater when it fails to light. We will also tackle other relevant topics.
Diagnosing A Dyna Glo Propane Heater That Won't Light
Your Dyna Glo propane heater provides relief from the cold winter chill. So, it can be rather frustrating when it fails to light. But you can try diagnosing the heater before calling a Dyna Glo agent, as you may be able to resolve the problem yourself.
Here are some reasons why your Dyna Glo propane heater may fail to light:
Dirty Burner Orifice
The orifice regulates the amount of fuel that flows into the heater's combustion chamber via a small, high-precision hole.
The high-precision hole is designed to allow just enough fuel to pass through. The fuel then mixes with enough oxygen to create a flame. This flame generates the heat you need to keep your home comfortable.
Dirt blocks the hole through which fuel passes. It can also alter the hole's diameter, thus reducing the quantity of fuel that passes to the combustion chamber. If little or no propane enters the combustion chamber, your heater will not light.
It is best to clean the orifice every three months or after about 2,500 hours of use. If you live in regions where you only heat your home in the winter, you can consider cleaning the orifice right before the onset of winter.
What To Consider When Cleaning The Burner Orifice
It is vital to clean the orifice carefully to avoid making the hole larger since its size is proportional to your propane heater's BTU ratings. Enlarging the hole can cause too much propane to flow into the combustion chamber, resulting in an abnormally large flame that may pose a safety risk.
In addition, do not use items that can damage the pilot unit. These may include wires, needles, or even drill bits. It is best to use compressed air whose pressure does not exceed 30 PSI. You can also use a vacuum in the blow position.
If you opt for compressed air in a can, such as that used to clean computer equipment, ensure that you follow the instructions on the can to avoid damaging the pilot assembly.
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How To Clean The Burner Orifice
Once you've gathered the right tools, proceed as follows:
- Shut off the propane heater's gas supply. You can let it idle for a few minutes to be safe and to avoid burning your fingers.
- Use a Phillips screwdriver to unfasten the screws on the heater's front panel. Then, remove the front panel by pulling it forward.
- Blow air through the holes in the burner assembly. You can also use toothbrush bristles or a toothpick to remove stubborn blockages. You may also need a wrench to unfasten the orifice to blow air through the pilot assembly.
- If you removed the orifice, fasten it back, then check for gas leaks. You can apply a soap and water solution to the joints and look for bubbles. If you notice any bubbles, tighten the joints further.
- Screw the front panel back in place.
Please note that keeping the area surrounding the heater free of dust will reduce the rate at which dirt accumulates in the orifice. Therefore, remember to clean around the heater often.
Low Gas Supply Pressure
If temperatures fall below -44 °F, liquid propane can shrink, thus reducing the tank's internal pressure. The chilling temperatures can result in very low propane pressure levels in extreme circumstances.
Since propane is stored in the tanks in liquid form, it requires sufficient pressure to convert to its gaseous state. Propane mixes with oxygen when it is in gas form. This mixture is then ignited to generate heat.
The low-pressure levels can cause your heater to fail to light since the liquid propane does not turn to gas and cannot be drawn from its tank.
You may need to contact your propane supplier if you suspect that the low-pressure levels may be causing your Dyna Glo heater to fail to light. But it is best to take preventative measures to avoid these weather-related propane tank problems.
How To Avoid Pressure Changes In Your Propane Tank
These measures can help keep the pressure levels at the desired levels so your heater keeps running even in chilling weather conditions:
- Refill your propane tank before the onset of the cold season. If the propane tank is full, it is less likely to undergo shrinkage, thus retaining the desired pressure levels.
- Strategically position your propane tank in a well-ventilated area where direct sun rays can easily reach the tank.
- Avoid using a tank cover or insulation blanket since it can prevent sun rays from hitting the tank and keeping it warm. Consequently, propane in the tank can undergo a lot of shrinkage and experience extreme pressure loss.
- Use an electric heating blanket specially made for propane tanks to keep the liquid propane at an ideal temperature. That way, it easily converts to gas form for combustion and heat generation. Also, ensure the blanket fits well to avoid cold patches where propane freezing can occur.
- If your propane tank is above ground, regularly clear any ice or snow that builds up. The snow or ice can encourage shrinkage of the propane gas, leading to pressure loss.
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Choose a reliable propane supplier who can respond even in emergencies to ensure your home remains warm throughout the chilling winters.
Safety Precautions When Determining How To Keep Your Propane Tank At A Suitable Temperature
While there are other methods you can explore to keep the propane flowing in the dead of winter, it is vital to avoid compromising your safety.
As tempting as it may be, please avoid using space heaters, boilers, or even blow torches to keep your tank warm. The open flames that these methods generate increase your risk of exposure to sparking and explosions which will likely have greater adverse effects than being cold for a day.
Although you can pour hot water on the propane tank to thaw it, this method is neither reliable nor safe. The hot water works temporarily and then increases the freezing risk as the hot water present in the gauges and valves becomes cold and reaches below-freezing temperatures.
No Gas
Unlike natural gas, propane is supplied via tanks instead of gas lines. Therefore, you can run out of propane if you fail to monitor the propane levels in your tank and schedule refills or replacements. Your Dyna Glo heater won't light when you run out of propane.
If your heater sparks but does not light, you probably have an empty propane tank. You can check the gauge readings on your above-ground or underground propane tanks to assess if any propane is left. You will then need to contact your gas supplier for a refill.
How To Determine How Much Propane Your Tank Contains
Please note that the gauge readings tell you the proportion of propane left in your tank rather than the actual quantity. So, you can calculate the actual propane quantity by converting the percentage to a decimal and multiplying that by the tank's total capacity.
For instance, assume that we have an above-ground propane tank whose maximum capacity is 500 gallons. If the dial on the gauge displays 70, then the tank contains approximately (70/100*500=350) 350 gallons of propane.
It is best to refill the propane tank before it becomes empty. Generally, it is wise to refill the tank before the dial reading reaches 20. Setting the refill level for when the dial reading is at 30 provides a nice safety buffer to handle any delays that may arise.
You want to avoid the inconvenience of having an empty propane tank. In addition, in the absence of propane, air can enter your heater, resulting in costly repairs. Furthermore, you may need a certified propane expert to restart your tank if it becomes empty.
How Long Can A Gallon Of Propane Fuel A Propane Heater?
Knowing how much propane your propane-powered appliances use per week is vital to determine an appropriate refilling schedule.
One gallon of liquid propane contains approximately 91,500 BTU of heat energy. We also know that propane-powered heaters are rated in BTUs per hour. So, to determine how long a gallon of propane would fuel a propane heater, we divide 91,500 BTU by the heater's BTU per hour rating.
Assuming that your Dyna Glo heater has a 30,000 BTU rating, a gallon of propane will power it for (91,500/30,000= 3.05) 3.05 hours.
If you run the heater for a whole day, you will need approximately (24/3/05 = 7.87) 8 gallons of propane to power it. Running the heater for the entire week would require about 56 gallons of propane.
These calculations can help ensure that your propane supply does not become depleted during the heating season.
Wrapping Up
Check whether the orifice is dirty if your Dyna Glo propane heater doesn't light. You may also need to check whether the tank has any propane left or sufficient pressure to convert the liquid propane to gas.
Clean the burner orifice to restore the heater's functionality. You may also need to contact your gas supplier for a refill - refilling the tank can increase the pressure in the tank. Also, refilling the tank ensures that there is enough fuel to power your heater.
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