Torpedo Heater Keeps Shutting Off? (Possible Causes & Fixes)

Torpedo-style heaters are a lifesaver in cold climates when you must work in an unheated space. However, these heaters are prone to problems that can cause them to shut off unexpectedly. Understanding how to remedy this situation can keep you warm and working.

Torpedo heaters are portable forced air heaters. The heater uses a fan to pull air through a long tube, much like in a jet engine. Torpedo heaters use a variety of fuels, but the most popular are kerosene and propane. Regular maintenance of a torpedo heater is necessary to ensure it runs efficiently and burns cleanly.

The best method for keeping your torpedo heater running at its best is to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance suggestions. If your torpedo heater does develop problems, you can easily address some common issues to remedy the problems.

Make sure your torpedo heater is getting the electricity it needs to operate correctly. Most torpedo heaters use a 120V 60Mz electrical service. The amperage your heater needs can vary depending on its size. A common problem comes from using a torpedo heater with a long extension cord. Resistance in the extension cord can cause a low amperage situation for the heater, and it will not run properly.

Use the proper size extension cord and ensure that the electrical service where you are running the heater can deliver the necessary power. Check the wire on the heater to make sure it isn’t damaged.

First, make sure the heater is full of the proper grade of kerosene. Running your torpedo heater with low-grade kerosene almost guarantees problems. Low-quality kerosene will clog the orifices and leave massive amounts of debris that can clog the burners. Check for water in the kerosene tank, especially if the heater is stored for any time.

If you run a propane-fired torpedo heater, check the level of propane in your cylinder. Several other vital parts of the fuel delivery system on a propane-fired heater need maintenance and inspection as well. Check the following parts of your propane system for damage.

Kerosene heaters depend on the air pump to draw fuel from the tank and inject it into the ignition chamber. A bad rotor, leaks, or improper pressure settings can cause your torpedo heater to fail.

Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on maintenance and repair of the air pump if it is not operating properly. The air pressure in the system is critical for proper torpedo operation.

Propane heaters typically inject the propane directly into the ignition chamber with an air pump. Check the orifice on the injection system and make sure it isn’t worn beyond specifications or clogged. Your user’s manual can give you the necessary information about replacing a worn or clogged gas jet.

Older kerosene or propane torpedo heaters may have a pilot light to ignite the fuel. If your torpedo heater has a pilot light, it should be visible near the orifice of the fuel delivery system. When it is functioning, the flame should be solid blue with just a tip of yellow.

If the pilot light doesn’t stay lit, the thermocouple may be bad. The best option is to replace the thermocouple with the correct part and retry the torpedo heater. Follow the directions on the heater to light the pilot light initially.

Some newer models of torpedo heaters use an electronic igniter or a hot surface ignitor. The ignitor systems will generate a small electric spark as an ignition source. Hot surface systems heat an electrical surface that ignites the fuel. If you don’t see a spark or the glow of the hot surface ignitor, your ignition system probably needs repair.

New torpedo heaters have both overheat sensors and anti-tilt sensors. These are essential safety items for any portable heating system. They function to protect against accidents or the failure of other control systems.

The overheat sensor will shut down the torpedo heater if temperatures inside the heater reach a pre-set level. You can usually restart the heater after it cools down. However, you should determine the reason the heater began to overheat and correct the problem.

The anti-tile protection turns off the fuel and the heater if the unit is accidentally tipped or falls over. The anti-tilt sensor keeps the heater from operating in an unsafe condition. On job sites, this can be an important safety feature.