What needs to happen that may not be obvious is that you have to heat the thermal tube long enough for it to expand and open the gas valve. No heat and the system should shut down flow immediately.
The thermal tube is copper in color and runs between the gas valve and the pilot flame.
So, there is an override. usually spring loaded (heavily) and you press some button or know, this manually opens the fuel valve.....You light the pilot, still holding button......Pilot lights, holding, holding...maybe 10 to 15 seconds.
Then the secret is that you SLOWLY let up on the button, observing the pilot....If it starts to go out, push the button all the way in and continue heating the thermal tube. Soon, you should be able to release the button, and the pilot remains lit. You are good to go, and you can open the gas valve the rest of the way, for normal use. (usually past the pilot position.
Answers & Comments
What needs to happen that may not be obvious is that you have to heat the thermal tube long enough for it to expand and open the gas valve. No heat and the system should shut down flow immediately.
The thermal tube is copper in color and runs between the gas valve and the pilot flame.
So, there is an override. usually spring loaded (heavily) and you press some button or know, this manually opens the fuel valve.....You light the pilot, still holding button......Pilot lights, holding, holding...maybe 10 to 15 seconds.
Then the secret is that you SLOWLY let up on the button, observing the pilot....If it starts to go out, push the button all the way in and continue heating the thermal tube. Soon, you should be able to release the button, and the pilot remains lit. You are good to go, and you can open the gas valve the rest of the way, for normal use. (usually past the pilot position.