Troubleshooting A Camco Olympian Wave 8 LP Heater That Won't Stay Lit

Updated 04/25/2026 | Published 12/01/2024

Question:

I bought a wave 8 last year and now it’s cold in Ga so I hooked it up where my old red brick heater was and the plot light want stay lit Never been hooked up until today. Shortly the thermocouple already bad on the first try. I’ll keep trying any suggestions. Tony

asked by: Tony W

Helpful Expert Reply:

Hey Tony,

Since you're saying it won't stay lit it's likely either a lack of LP pressure or a bad thermocouple. I would start by ensuring the tank it's connected to is full and then test the hose and regulator with another appliance to see if the hose is the issue. I've personally ran into issues with propane hoses in the past where they won't allow enough LP through to fuel the appliance and had to swap them out. The regulator you're using may also need to be adjusted to meet the Olympian's # CAM57351 11" WC requirement.

If you test the hose and regulator with another appliance and find that it's working fine then we've narrowed the issue down to the unit itself. This unit has a 3-year manufacturer warranty so at that point I would reach out to Camco and make a warranty order to get yours replaced.

expert reply by: Kevin C

Bennard

4/25/2026

This is a flameless heater. It has no pilot light. The little flame is only there when the valve knob is pressed, and it is only there to heat the catalyst. After holding the valve down for 30-45 seconds, with the little flame lit, the thermocouple should be open and the face of the heater getting hot. Then you release the valve and turn it counterclockwise. It heats up more. There is no pilot light. BTW, it can be easier to light the heater when it is dark, because you can see the red color propagate across the face of the heater.