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IBcarguy's avatar
IBcarguy
Explorer
Jun 18, 2016

Install a oven igniter?

The oven in our new trailer is a pain in the neck to light the pilot when DW wants to use it. I have to literally get on my hands and knees to light the pilot to turn it on. Has anyone installed a battery operated igniter? I'm surprised that the manufacturer doesn't do this as a standard feature. I've seen igniters for sale where BBQs are sold and I don't think it would be a big deal. I would have to make a small bracket to mount it, run the wire so it wouldn't get in the way of anything and find a easy place to locate the switch. Do you think the heat from the oven would hurt the igniter or wires? I think they are heat resistant since I see them all the time in BBQs.
  • fj12ryder wrote:
    ^^^^^^^Sound scary. I thought all gas stoves with pilot lights had to have a thermocouple due to safety regs. Learn something new every day. What stops gas from flowing if you just turn the oven on and the pilot isn't lit?


    On ovens with this design, which was actually quite common for many years, there is a safety valve between the thermostatic valve and the main burner that is activated by heat from the pilot flame.

    When on standby, the pilot flame is very small--not much bigger than a pinhead. When the thermostatic valve determines that heat is needed, it turns on the gas to the safety valve and simultaneously increases the gas flow to the pilot, making it more candle-flame sized. The enlarged pilot flame heats up the safety valve's sensor and soon it opens, letting the main burner ignite. If the pilot has gone out, the safety valve never opens.

    Assuming one isn't attempting to use the oven, the rate of gas flow into the oven cavity from a pilot that goes out is quite small, but it still could conceivably collect enough in time to cause a rather impressive result when it does ignite.
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    One thing with those battery igniters - besides the bracket that you might need to attach the sparky thingy, the hole in front panel should match the button. If you need to enlarge it, it's a bit of work. But the result is worth it.

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