[VAL] Glyn's Water Heater

[Courtney Gwyn <rufuscourtney@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Glyn,
 
Paul & David are right.
 
The pilot light system provides a very small flame via it's own gas supply 
tube. It's only function is to heat the termocouple probe.
 
The thermocouple is a sensor. When it is heated it supplies a signal that 
allowes the main gas supply valve to open.
 
The main gas supply is the thing with the temp dial etc. It will never 
provide propane for the main burner unless it has been activated by a 
signal from the thermocouple, telling it that there is a flame in the tube 
already....or a propane torch poking around!
 
As Paul said. The heat from the propane probably triggered the 
thermocouple allowing the main valve to open. When it cooled down, the 
valve closed, just as it is supposed to.
 
I'll bet your pilot is OK. Mine was, I was just trying to light it in the 
wrong place.
 
C