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Well, it finally happened, the furnace crapped out.
Symptom: Furnace clicks on, but only blows cold air.
not the best situation with current temps.
Anyone use rv style furnaces [hydroflame] or know how to trouble shoot them?
i've read about possible causes..."sail switch" and such. But can not find good info for troubleshooting/diagnosing.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Symptom: Furnace clicks on, but only blows cold air.
not the best situation with current temps.
Anyone use rv style furnaces [hydroflame] or know how to trouble shoot them?
i've read about possible causes..."sail switch" and such. But can not find good info for troubleshooting/diagnosing.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
posted by:
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Anchorage
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Re: Furnace Question
Thu, December 14, 2006 - 12:21 PMIs it propane? Is propane getting to the furnace? -
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Re: Furnace Question
Thu, December 14, 2006 - 12:40 PMyep. sorry it is propane
I checked the propane regulator and it seemed fine.
No obstructions of any vents, fans etc.
thermostat seems to work because it clicks on and runs, just doesn't seem to want to shut off, blows through hot air, then blows cold air until i turn the furnace completely off.
I'lll keep tinkering I guess -
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Unsu...
Re: Furnace Question
Thu, December 14, 2006 - 6:10 PMOkay so assuming it has gas for flame, electricity to run on, and no obstructions to either the air supply for combustion or obstructions for where the heated air goes...
does it have a constant pilot or electronic?
Either way that is the next step - there has to be flame.
Then once there is a flame, is it proven?
There is a little guizmo called a thermocouple which when it gets hot makes electricity (or allows it to flow) and it has to *see* the heat from the pilot (constant flame or electric) in order to turn on the main gas valve - once the main gas valve is on the furnace should burn and make heat...
however if it gets too hot (typically because the blower fan doesn't run) the thing will shut down.
This is all for informational purposes only and I highly recommend taking the thing to the shop to have it fixed.
More info home.howstuffworks.com/pilot-light.htm -
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Re: Furnace Question
Fri, December 15, 2006 - 10:55 AMThanks, I tried to troubleshoot everything and NADA. we do have an electric pilot. The thermocouple looks totally worn. it's 25 years old so it has that right.
I read on some website to turn the heat down all the way, then when the furnace stops blowing, turn power off; wait a few minutes, turn on and turn heat up.
It worked Once. For a minute.
So, it is the limit switch, the board, ignitor maybe. Time to call in a pro.
SEE. I never would have learned any of this had we not gone mobile!
At least we have some killer northern lights to keep us warm! They're callin for 5 below tonight. Woo-hoo! -
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Re: Furnace Question
Fri, December 15, 2006 - 11:07 AMI highly recommend candles and space blankets to stay warm tonight. Hang the space blankets all around you like a tent, and then burn a candle just for a couple minutes to warm it up. You can also put a space blanket between your regular blankets and tho it'll crackle when you move it'll keep you toasty. -
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Re: Furnace Question
Fri, December 15, 2006 - 11:16 AMAnother good call; I've been insulating everything and using the hot bottles in bed.
I feel really bad for the folks out on the streets in weather like this. We've got it easy. -
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Re: Furnace Question
Fri, December 15, 2006 - 11:54 AMIf this is a built in furnace and you don't want to move your trailer(RV? bus? I forgot) you could get a Mr. Heater. It's a propane heater and they make them with oxygen depletion sensors (carbon monoxide sensor, I think) that shuts them off when the oxygen is too low. I got one a few weeks ago and it works really well. Plus, you don't have to use the fan so it doesn't suck up so much electricity. It's a good back up source of heat.
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Unsu...
Re: Furnace Question
Fri, December 15, 2006 - 6:34 PMPut the space blanket between the mattress and mattress pad - then it reflects your body heat back up to you with no crackling and you stay nice and toasty.
I think if I were full timing again in cold country I'd have a spare furnace to slap in if the one in place broke down...
jus' sayin. -
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Re: Furnace Question
Sat, December 16, 2006 - 4:03 AM"Put the space blanket between the mattress and mattress pad - then it reflects your body heat back up to you with no crackling and you stay nice and toasty."
Wow. You just changed my life. -
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Unsu...
Re: Furnace Question
Sat, December 16, 2006 - 6:54 AMI have a futon mattress with one of those space man pads and a down comforter...
snuggly. -
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Re: Furnace Question
Thu, December 21, 2006 - 10:02 AMRepair person wanted $115 per hour here. I asked what he was going to do, he said "pull it out, pull it apart, look at it."
So I did it myself, and the thing was just totally clogged with carbon/sut. Works great now! -
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Re: Furnace Question
Thu, December 21, 2006 - 10:08 AMExcellent! Thanks for letting us know the outcome.
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Unsu...
$115/hour
Thu, December 21, 2006 - 11:11 AMHAHahaaAAAAAaa!!!!
So next summer what will you be doing...? -
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Re: $115/hour
Thu, December 21, 2006 - 11:25 AMExactly. Alaska prices are a bit rough but we do have a foot of fresh snow to play in.
And, I rigged a small wind generator to power a battery, which I use to run a heated mattress pad. A bit goofy I know, but absolutely amazing for the below zero nights!
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Re: $115/hour
Thu, December 21, 2006 - 11:38 AMTell us about your wind generator! Where did you get it? How much was it, how hard was it to rig it up? Excellent idea! -
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Re: $115/hour
Fri, December 22, 2006 - 10:19 AMI actually got it off of craigslist from someone who bought the system and never used it. $75 to "get it out of the garage for them." They are normally quite pricey. Here is a link to a pretty comprehensive site:
www.absak.com/basic/wind-power.html
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Re: Furnace Question
Sun, March 18, 2007 - 3:57 PMGlad to hear you got your furnace working...Just goes to show you you CAN do most anything if/when you put your mind to it...Especially when you're faced with a $115 an hour repair bill !
I've owned a few RV's over the years and i've found that most of the systems are pretty easy to maintain and repair. Finding information for a particular appliance can be a real pain, especially if it's an older unit. Most manufacturers have pretty comprehensive websites and a lot of times they show exploded views of the appliance with parts lists. These can be real helpful. And a lot of times you can download the information.
Give yourself a pat on the back, saved yourself a wad of cash and you'll probably be more willing to tackle future repair jobs yourself.
