What
is an ODS and how does it work?
The ODS is an oxygen detection safety pilot system.
It is designed to shut off the gas supply to the heater
if the oxygen content in the room drops to 18% from
a normal 21%+. In this event the pilot flame actually
lifts off the thermocouple cooling it down and causing
the gas valve to close and the heater to shut off.
Also, each ODS has a tamper resistant pilot orifice
assembly, so do not try to drill or clean out the
ODS pilot with a hard object as you will damage it.
Follow the cleaning instructions located below.
How
do I clean the ODS pilot assembly?
If your pilot will not stay lit, try cleaning it.
Use a can of compressed air, such as is used to clean
a computer, to blow dust out of the pilot assembly.
Sometimes just blowing air back through the pilot
will get rid of the dirt.
If
that fails, turn off the gas supply to the heater.
As indicated in Figure 5 below grab nut A with an
open -end wrench and loosen nut B from the pilot
tubing with another small adjustable wrench. Blow
air pressure through the holes as indicated. This
should blow out any foreign materials. To reassemble,
tighten nut B by grabbing nut A with the open-end
wrench. WARNING: When the heater is reassembled,
always check for gas leaks. Apply a soap and water
solution to all joints and watch for bubbles to
check for gas leaks. Never use any open flame to
check for gas leaks.
If
that fails, you need to remove the orifice from the
pilot burner cartridge using your wrenches to unscrew
the orifice (Item A) and blow air through the pilot
burner as show in Figure 5. If the pilot burner remains
blocked you will need to use a soft brush (pipe cleaner
will also work) to dislodge a spider web or other
obstruction. To prevent damage to this assembly, follow
the instructions below for disassembly and assembly
of the ODS for cleaning.
WARNING: Never use needles, wires, or similar
cylindrical objects to clean the pilot orifice. This
will only damage the calibrated pilot orifice (about
the size of the head of a pin) which controls the
pilot gas flow. Simple rinsing with water and blowing
air over it should clean the orifice.
How
does this SunStar Corcho Model CK18 heater work
again?
(Applies to Manual ONLY) It’s slightly different
than some 3-plaque heaters you may have seen previously.
Instead of turning on the pilot and then one, two,
and three plaques, the SunStar Corcho Model CK18
uses just two burner chambers and operates first
on the single plaque burner. After the single plaque
comes on, the double plaque is turned on –
giving you three full plaques of operation. If only
two plaques are needed, then the double plaque burner
may shut off leaving just one plaque burning.
Can
a SunStar Corcho heater be converted to Natural
or Propane Gas? No, each heater is specifically
designed to work on either Natural Gas or Propane
Gas. Each heater is certified only for use with
the type of gas indicated on the heater nameplate
(data plate). It is not designed for use with other
gases and is not convertible to use with other gases.
Why
doesn’t it need electricity? Each SunStar
Corcho heater is equipped with a thermocouple incorporated
in the ODS assembly. This is also the flame failure
safety system. The heat from the pilot light warms
the thermocouple and the dissimilar metals in the
thermocouple react to the heat from the pilot flame
and create a small amount of electricity (e.g. millivolts
of electricity). This electricity from the heat
is then used to energize a magnet in the gas valve
to open it against the tension created by a spring
in the gas valve. This allows gas to go to the burners.
When the pilot flame is extinguished and is no longer
generating heat on the thermocouple and, thereby,
millivolts of electricity, the magnet de-energizes
and the spring shuts the valve off. This is designed
to turn off all the gas to the burner and pilot
system. The use of this safety system and the gas
fuel are the reasons that no electricity is needed
to operate a SunStar Corcho heater. This product
will still provide heat to your home even during
power outages.
Can
these heaters be installed in bedrooms or bathrooms?
Only the model CK-6 (rated at 6,000 Btu’s) can
be installed in a bathroom. Both the CK-6 and the
CK-10 (rated at 9,500 Btu’s) can be installed
in bedrooms. All other models are too big. The National
Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54) permits wall mounted installation
of vent-free gas heaters of 10,000 Btu’s or less
in bedrooms and 6,000 Btu’s or less in bathrooms.
Please check with your gas supplier to determine if
installation of these heaters in bedrooms and bathrooms
are permissible by your state and local codes.
Can
this heater be installed in mobile homes? Yes,
this heater may be installed in what’s termed
"aftermarket" manufactured (mobile) homes
where it is not prohibited by state or local codes.
An "aftermarket" mobile home is defined
as any type of mobile home that has already been sold
to an end user or homeowner. It cannot be installed
in a new mobile home on the dealer’s lot, before
it has been sold, but it can be installed in any mobile
home after it has been sold (e.g. aftermarket). When
installing this heater in a mobile home, the same
safety rules of confined and unconfined spaces and
clearance to combustible materials should be followed.
