Hello all,I've tried a bit of searching on the forums but couldn't find anything relevant.Basically I'm trying to answer the question, can I use any 1/8 inch gas pilot line and any universal thermocouple to repair my furnace, as long as they have the correct fittings/ferrulesfor where they thread into the gas valve and pilot assembly mounting plate?Backstory - I have an older Hydroflame 8012 P furnace in my truck camper. A previous owner broke the pilot gas line and removed the thermocouple. Likely while trying to diagnose a problem. I didn't receive either of the old broken parts so can't say for sure what they looked like. I do however still have the mounting plate with the pilot end thinamajig, the igniter electrode, and the pilot orifice which is a start. I would just buy a new complete pilot assembly but the part isn't made anymore, and doesn't seem available anywhere. I'm keeping my eyes open for a used donor furnace but no luck so far. So Any and all opinions welcome :)

I had the same furnace, and there's no pilot. According to the parts diagram it's electronic ignition. Are you looking for the igniter?

Hi BurbMan, you either have the HF8012 D (D stands for direct ignition), or the newer HF8012-II. Mine is the older HF8012-P and it definitely has a pilot. It was tough to even find a parts diagram for it.

BurbMan wrote:I had the same furnace, and there's no pilot. According to the parts diagram it's electronic ignition. Are you looking for the igniter?The one you had, may not be the same as the OPs.Hydroflame 8012 "P" is not the same as Hydroflame II.."P" is for Pilot..The II is DSI..I had a 1980s TT which had a 12K BTU Hydroflame, don't remember the exact model, but it indeed had a pilot light that had to be manually lit.I suspect as long as the pilot tube is correct dimension and has the correct fittings it should work. Just need a means of transporting the pilot light gas to the pilot lite at the burner..A universal Thermocouple as long as you have one with the correct electrical end fitting probably would work and if you can find one that isn't too short or too long of wire.I would be much more concerned about the condition of the heat exchanger as you are dealing with a 40+ yr old furnace..

Yes the furnace is pretty old, it dates from 1989. But it appears in good shape, very little corrosion visible. I bench tested the fan and it runs smoothly and quietly, which is good as it sounds like the motors in these don't have a great track record for longevity.Anyway, would a new pilot line be as simple as just picking up something like this and installing it? obviously I'd try to find something shorter than 5 feet! https://www.rsl.ca/Catalog/hvacr-supplies/pipe-and-fittings/pilot-tubing-and-fittings/robertshaw-aluminum-pilot-tubing-with-fittings-1-8-x-5-11-291-rsw

Ah OK, mine was from a 2002, that furnace looked like it was from Fred Flintstone's house, I didn't realize they made an older version with a pilot light...That should work, I would think getting the right specs on the thermocouple would be more critical.Clicky for the above link.

replacement gas pilot line and thermocouple | Good Sam Community

BurbMan
Explorer II
Feb 22, 2022
I had the same furnace, and there's no pilot. According to the parts diagram it's electronic ignition. Are you looking for the igniter?
Kevinski
Explorer
Feb 22, 2022
Hi BurbMan, you either have the HF8012 D (D stands for direct ignition), or the newer HF8012-II. Mine is the older HF8012-P and it definitely has a pilot. It was tough to even find a parts diagram for it.
Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Feb 22, 2022
BurbMan wrote:
I had the same furnace, and there's no pilot. According to the parts diagram it's electronic ignition. Are you looking for the igniter?

The one you had, may not be the same as the OPs.

Hydroflame 8012 "P" is not the same as Hydroflame II..

"P" is for Pilot..

The II is DSI..

I had a 1980s TT which had a 12K BTU Hydroflame, don't remember the exact model, but it indeed had a pilot light that had to be manually lit.

I suspect as long as the pilot tube is correct dimension and has the correct fittings it should work. Just need a means of transporting the pilot light gas to the pilot lite at the burner..

A universal Thermocouple as long as you have one with the correct electrical end fitting probably would work and if you can find one that isn't too short or too long of wire.

I would be much more concerned about the condition of the heat exchanger as you are dealing with a 40+ yr old furnace..
Kevinski
Explorer
Feb 22, 2022
Yes the furnace is pretty old, it dates from 1989. But it appears in good shape, very little corrosion visible. I bench tested the fan and it runs smoothly and quietly, which is good as it sounds like the motors in these don't have a great track record for longevity.

Anyway, would a new pilot line be as simple as just picking up something like this and installing it? obviously I'd try to find something shorter than 5 feet!
https://www.rsl.ca/Catalog/hvacr-supplies/pipe-and-fittings/pilot-tubing-and-fittings/robertshaw-aluminum-pilot-tubing-with-fittings-1-8-x-5-11-291-rsw
BurbMan
Explorer II
Feb 22, 2022
Ah OK, mine was from a 2002, that furnace looked like it was from Fred Flintstone's house, I didn't realize they made an older version with a pilot light...

That should work, I would think getting the right specs on the thermocouple would be more critical.

Clicky for the above link.
Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Feb 22, 2022
BurbMan wrote:
Ah OK, mine was from a 2002, that furnace looked like it was from Fred Flintstone's house, I didn't realize they made an older version with a pilot light...

That should work, I would think getting the right specs on the thermocouple would be more critical.

Clicky for the above link.

Thermocouples are pretty ubiquitous.. Output typically 750mv.

Problem you might run into is too long or too short of wire and possible different mounting configurations.

Typically you should be able to buy a thermocouple replacement kit, the kit contains several mounting adapters which should handle issues you may encounter with mounting the Thermocouple properly.

For lengths too long, OP will need to gently roll the excess wire up outside the burner chamber.

Typically available in 18", 24" and 36" lengths.

The only concern I have is if the gas valve they have on the furnace uses a non standard electrical connector size or configuration..

I did find a complete universal thermocouple AND pilot tubing assembly kit HERE for $19..

The length is 24" so if it is too long, OP will need to roll not only the thermocouple wire in a roll but the pilot tubing also. Not sure if that will be a issue for the pilot tubing or not, just don't want to kink the tubing so care needs to be taken.
Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Feb 22, 2022
Sorry, dreaded double post :(
larry_cad
Explorer II
Feb 22, 2022
Kevinski wrote:
Hi BurbMan, you either have the HF8012 D (D stands for direct ignition), or the newer HF8012-II. Mine is the older HF8012-P and it definitely has a pilot. It was tough to even find a parts diagram for it.

Did you find a parts diagram??
Kevinski
Explorer
Feb 22, 2022
larry cad wrote:
Kevinski wrote:
Hi BurbMan, you either have the HF8012 D (D stands for direct ignition), or the newer HF8012-II. Mine is the older HF8012-P and it definitely has a pilot. It was tough to even find a parts diagram for it.

Did you find a parts diagram??

yes, I found and printed a copy the original manual complete with parts list and exploded parts diagram. Of course the part descriptions aren't super useful, but the diagrams have helped.
Kevinski
Explorer
Feb 23, 2022
Thanks Gdetrailer,

lots of good info here. I do have a universal thermocouple on hand that came with the camper, but the little threaded adapter doesn't fit the assembly mounting plate - the thread size and pitch doesn't match. Doesn't seem like any of the thermocouples I can find online actually say what the adapter thread pitches are, you just have to guess. I did find "new old stock" Jade thermocouples on canadian ebay, so maybe those threads would match.

And as long as the various gas pilot line kits all use the same standard ferrule threads, might be able to lick this.

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