Troubleshooting
& Diagnostics

The most common reason a heater won't ignite. Verify the propane tank valve is fully open.

1. Locate the valve handle on top of your propane cylinder.
2. Turn it fully counterclockwise until it stops.
3. Wait 10 seconds for gas pressure to equalize, then attempt ignition.

Common after connecting a new tank or after extended storage. The line needs to be purged.

1. Turn the cylinder valve ON.
2. Hold the control knob (or POWER button on 2G/Opus) depressed for 1–2 minutes to bleed the line.
3. You may notice a faint gas smell — this is the air clearing. Once you smell propane consistently, release and attempt ignition.

If the cylinder is cold to touch with frost on the outside and outdoor temperature is below 40°F, the tank can't vaporize fuel fast enough.

1. Turn the cylinder valve OFF.
2. Replace with a full cylinder, or wait until the tank warms up and frost dissipates.
3. Heaters operate at reduced efficiency below 40°F (5°C).

If the POWER indicator does not light when you press the button, the ignition batteries are likely dead.

1. Open the front panel of the control box.
2. Open the battery compartment lid and replace the 2× type D 1.5V batteries (observe correct polarity).
3. Close the lid, return the front panel, and try ignition again.

Your heater has a safety switch that disables ignition if the unit is leaning. The heater must be on a hard, level surface.

1. Move the heater to flat, hard ground (not grass or soft surface).
2. Verify all four base feet are firmly contacting the ground.
3. If still no ignition, the anti-tilt switch may be faulty — contact customer service.

The thermocouple needs time to heat up before it will hold the pilot valve open on its own.

1. Light the pilot following normal procedure.
2. Continue holding the control knob depressed for a full 30 seconds after the pilot is lit.
3. Release slowly. The pilot should remain lit.

Debris or insect nests near the pilot can cause an unstable flame.

1. Turn off gas and allow heater to fully cool.
2. Inspect the pilot area for dirt, debris, or spider webs.
3. Clean gently with compressed air or a soft brush.
4. Re-light following standard procedure.

The connection between gas valve and pilot assembly may have loosened over time.

1. Disconnect propane tank.
2. Tighten the fitting where the pilot tube meets the gas valve.
3. Reconnect tank and perform a soapy-water leak check before relighting.

If the pilot reliably extinguishes within seconds of releasing the knob, the thermocouple has likely failed.

1. Contact customer service for a replacement thermocouple.
2. This is a serviceable part — provide your model number when ordering.

The most common cause of weak flame. Tank may be nearly empty.

1. With the cylinder valve fully open, lift the tank to assess weight.
2. If less than 1/4 full, replace with a full cylinder.
3. Use only standard 20 lb. propane tanks.

Verify the knob is rotated all the way to the HIGH position.

1. Push the control knob in.
2. Rotate counterclockwise to the HIGH setting (full stop).
3. Release.

Spiders and insects love to nest in burner orifices. This is a frequent issue after seasonal storage.

1. Turn off gas and allow heater to fully cool.
2. Disassemble the reflector and remove the protective guards on one side.
3. Inspect the burner and orifices for webs, nests, or debris.
4. Clean burner holes with a heavy-duty pipe cleaner. Compressed air helps clear smaller particles.
5. Reassemble and test.

If the tank is full, the knob is on HIGH, and the burner is clean — but the flame is still weak — the regulator may have failed.

1. Contact customer service to order a replacement hose & regulator assembly.
2. Use only the manufacturer-specified replacement.

By far the most common cause. Insects nest inside the burner tube during storage, restricting airflow.

1. Shut down the heater and allow to fully cool.
2. Disassemble: remove the reflector, take off the screen, remove one side of the protective guards, and lift out the glass tube.
3. Wash the glass tube with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly.
4. Clean the burner inside and outside with a heavy-duty pipe cleaner.
5. Use compressed air to clear any remaining particles from the orifices.
6. Reassemble all components in reverse order.

If the burner inside the control box has shifted, the flame pattern can become uneven.

1. Open the front panel.
2. Inspect the position of the control box assembly — the burner should be centered and level.
3. Adjust gently if needed and resecure.

Buildup on the reflector or screen affects heat distribution and the visual appearance of the flame.

1. With the unit fully cool, wipe down the reflector with warm soapy water.
2. Brush the burner screen to remove dust and debris.
3. Never use flammable or corrosive cleaners.
4. Do not apply automobile wax to the emitter screen or reflector domes.

Same root cause as yellow flame — partial blockage causes irregular combustion bursts.

1. Shut off and allow to cool fully.
2. Follow the burner cleaning procedure described in "Yellow tipped flame" above.
3. A slight popping sound when extinguishing the burner is normal.

The burner can be noisy when first turned on — this is normal.

1. Turn the control knob to the PILOT position.
2. Wait a few seconds for the burner to settle.
3. Turn back up to the desired heat level.

Remote control is a feature on 2G and Opus models only. Capri, Palermo, Lava Lite, Opus Lite, and Positano use direct-knob control.

1. Open the battery compartment on the back of the remote.
2. Replace with 2× AAA alkaline batteries (1.5V each).
3. Note polarity orientation.

1. The IR receiver is on the control box. Maximum range is 8 meters (~26 feet) within a 30° cone.
2. Point the remote directly at the heater's control panel.
3. Hold the POWER button for 2 seconds, release, then press again to start ignition.

For the very first ignition, use the controls on the heater itself — not the remote. The valve and gas line need to be purged before remote control will function reliably.

Run this test outdoors any time you connect a new tank, after seasonal storage, or whenever a connection has been loosened.

1. Mix 2–3 oz of leak detection solution: 1 part liquid dish soap to 3 parts water.
2. Make sure all heater valves are OFF.
3. Apply solution generously to: the hose-to-regulator connection, the regulator-to-cylinder connection, and all valve fittings.
4. Turn the cylinder valve ON.
5. Watch for bubbles. Bubbles = leak. No bubbles = secure.

1. Turn cylinder valve OFF immediately.
2. Disconnect, apply Teflon tape to the threads, and reattach using two wrenches.
3. Repeat the leak test.
4. If bubbles persist, the hose assembly is defective and must be replaced.

1. Turn cylinder valve OFF.
2. Disconnect and reconnect the regulator to the cylinder.
3. Repeat leak test.
4. If bubbles persist after several attempts, the cylinder valve is defective. Return the cylinder to its place of purchase.