Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-27-2013, 02:55 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Denn & Carolann's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
Has anyone had trouble with their furnace. Ours just stopped working for no reason, plenty of propane, all three burners on the stove will light. no blown fuses, no changes in operating procedures, no blockage of vents inside or outside. This is the beginning of the second season of use. When I raise the temp setting on the thermostat it will operate the fan for exactly 30 seconds and then shutdown. It was working yesterday and today it is not.
__________________
2012 Redwood 36FB
2012 Dodge Ram Laramie 3500 DRW
Denn & Carolann is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2013, 04:08 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Diesel chaser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 101


Take the thermostat off and jump the heat wires together- if it is wired like a house furnace these should be RED and WHITE - if it runs this way your thermostat is bad. Also could be a bad high limit ( don't know where or if its accessable) Good luck
__________________
Tom and Jane
Diesel chaser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2013, 04:51 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
rcflame's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 619
It could also be the gas valve or the igniter. When the thermostat calls for heat, the fan comes on to clear any combustion air from the combustion chamber, than the gas valve is supposed to open and the igniter spark to ignite the burner. It it doesn't ignite in a certain amount of time, it shuts down. You should be able to remove the outside cover, and check if the igniter is sparking and check the gas valve and make sure it is getting juice If not, it could be problems with the control board. . Also, if you haven't had it running recently, check to make sure your intake and exhaust is clear. Sometimes as little as a spider web can affect the furnace operation. Just some things to check, you may have to end up calling a service person.
__________________
Roger & Cheryl Full Time since 2002, RVing since 1975 2008 Chevy 3500 Crew Cab Dually, 2012 RW 36RL
rcflame is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2013, 06:47 PM   #4
Junior Member
 
Denn & Carolann's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
I want to thank you both for your help. I was digging into some of the other rv forums and happened upon a suggestion the was not mentioned anywhere in the repair manuals or even a logical direction that I would consider. On Outbackers.com a suggestion was made... When you trip a breaker while the heater is running you have to shut
down all the power from your 12 volt battery in order to reset the
emergency shut off valve on the heater..........OK...........we did trip a breaker.......I turned the battery disconnect to the off position and waited a few minutes and then turned it back to the on position. Went inside and turned the thermostat up and was surprised when the furnace started to blow out hot air. I am not sure how the 12 volt system is affected by tripping a breaker on the 110 volt side, I thought they were two separate systems, but the furnace is now working again.
__________________
2012 Redwood 36FB
2012 Dodge Ram Laramie 3500 DRW
Denn & Carolann is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2013, 08:16 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Diesel chaser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 101


Another benefit to our group we all learn from each others problems. Glad to hear you have heat again.
__________________
Tom and Jane
Diesel chaser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2013, 10:02 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
sinder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 506
I heard about a couple in AZ that had to leave their RV for a couple of weeks and decided to leave the heat on due to cold night-time temperatures. While they were gone their RV Park had a brief power outage and when they returned to their RV the heat never came back on. All of their water lines froze and they had major water damage. I now wonder if their emergency shut-off valve was the culprit.
__________________
Dean & Pam - SOB
sinder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2013, 10:18 PM   #7
Dan
Senior Member
 
Dan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 619
More great information, got to love these forums, lots of good people
__________________

07 Dodge 3500, Exhaust Brake, Edge Programer, Killer "B" Turbo
13 RL ALL options except Gen and W/D
Dan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-28-2013, 09:34 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 370
I've been running the furnace in the Redwood as it's been cool here (with some snow ) and I don't want to winterize as we head south in a week or so. The batteries are completely disconnected from the trailer, I'm plugged into shore power and the 12V power is being supplied by the convertor. I had set the temp at 45 F to keep the pipes warm but to conserve propane. We had a series of short power failures due to the wet snow and when I went into the trailer to check the temp after the power failures the temperature was a toasty 72 F, looks like the thermostat resets itself to this default temperature after a complete power failure.
__________________
2013 Redwood 36RL, 2011 F-450, Sat Internet, Sat TV
almcc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2013, 08:28 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
KR2011's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 959
Quote:
Originally Posted by almcc
I've been running the furnace in the Redwood as it's been cool here (with some snow ) and I don't want to winterize as we head south in a week or so. The batteries are completely disconnected from the trailer, I'm plugged into shore power and the 12V power is being supplied by the convertor. I had set the temp at 45 F to keep the pipes warm but to conserve propane. We had a series of short power failures due to the wet snow and when I went into the trailer to check the temp after the power failures the temperature was a toasty 72 F, looks like the thermostat resets itself to this default temperature after a complete power failure.
I would put the batteries back in your rig because if the power goes again the furnace will operate as if you were dry camping and keep everything at the temp that you had set it at. If the power goes out for a while you could freeze your pipes. Besides that your convertor is not designed to take that kind of load for very long which will end up in a replacement of the convertor at a hearty price.
__________________

"75 FEET OF FUN ON THE RUN"
KR2011 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2013, 09:30 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 370

KR 2011, just for giggles I pulled out the document package received with my trailer and checked the specs on the furnace and on the PD convertor. The Suburban furnace is fused at 20 amps and the PD convertor can produce 100 amps at 13.6 volts. From this data it's clear that the convertor is designed to take much more load than the furnace is drawing. I also understand that some RV manufacturers run the units down the assembly line using the convertor to supply lighting to the trailer without batteries installed.

I do agree that keeping the batteries in the circuit will preserve the set temperature on the thermostat, but I do have a problem with keeping the batteries connected for an extended time when on shore power because of the boost charge from the convertor that comes on every 24 hours or so, and I learned that if you use the battery disconnect switch the batteries will completely discharge over time because the phantom electrical draws that bypass the disconnect switch, freezing and cracking the batteries then becomes a more severe problem.

Edited by: almcc
__________________
2013 Redwood 36RL, 2011 F-450, Sat Internet, Sat TV
almcc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2013, 11:37 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
KR2011's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 959
Quote:
Originally Posted by almcc
KR 2011, just for giggles I pulled out the document package received with my trailer and checked the specs on the furnace and on the PD convertor. The Suburban furnace is fused at 20 amps and the PD convertor can produce 100 amps at 13.6 volts. From this data it's clear that the convertor is designed to take much more load than the furnace is drawing. I also understand that some RV manufacturers run the units down the assembly line using the convertor to supply lighting to the trailer without batteries installed.

I do agree that keeping the batteries in the circuit will preserve the set temperature on the thermostat, but I do have a problem with keeping the batteries connected for an extended time when on shore power because of the boost charge from the convertor that comes on every 24 hours or so, and I learned that if you use the battery disconnect switch the batteries will completely discharge over time because the phantom electrical draws that bypass the disconnect switch, freezing and cracking the batteries then becomes a more severe problem.
Your correct that the convertor can produce more power than is required from the furnace but is not designed to be the main source of power. Yes there are manufactures that might use the convertor power independently of the batteries. In all of my factory tours I have seen the batteries installed as soon as the 12 volt system is ready to go live.
__________________

"75 FEET OF FUN ON THE RUN"
KR2011 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2013, 01:12 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 370
I guess they may install batteries to test, but our dealer receives his units without batteries, the haul guy has to install a temporary battery to bring it to the dealership, the dealer installs batteries as part of the work he does when the trailer is sold.
__________________
2013 Redwood 36RL, 2011 F-450, Sat Internet, Sat TV
almcc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2013, 02:33 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
rcflame's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 619
Depending on brand, the factory either ships the unit with a cheap battery or no battery at all. As for keeping the batteries connected when on shore power, I see no reason to disconnect them. We have kept our batteries connected in our last three campers 24/7/365 without any negative effect. One had 5 years on the original battery's. Just have to top off the water once or twice a year. One big advantage to keeping connected is if we lose shore power, I still have the 12V.
__________________
Roger & Cheryl Full Time since 2002, RVing since 1975 2008 Chevy 3500 Crew Cab Dually, 2012 RW 36RL
rcflame is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-29-2013, 06:32 PM   #14
Site Team
 
Dave&Ginny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 5,407
I keep my batteries connected all the time, even in the winter. I start my generator every week throughout the winter and let it run for about an hour. This keeps them charged and a charged battery has less chance of freezing.
__________________
SOB "The RV Wiseguy"
Dave&Ginny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2013, 11:12 AM   #15
Site Team
 
hoosierguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,340


My coach came from the Redwood factory with one cheap (size 24) battery and the dealer added an Interstate (size 24) battery. The coach has been connected to line power virtually 100% (even in storage)of the time since we took ownership in Septermber 2011. I checked the batteries this summer and they were maintaining a full charge. No evidence of any degradation.

I do wish the dealers were a little more proactive about the batteries. I would have preferred two Interstate size 27 batteries, but, that is what I will do when it comes time to replace what I have.

__________________
Guy & Phyllis
2012 RW36RL,DualA/C,KodiakDiskBrakes,TrailAir Tri-Glide,GY_G614's,Roadmaster Comfort Ride Slipper Spring Suspension
2011Dodge3500Laramie,CrewCab,4x4,SRW,Michelins, LongBed,6.7LCTD,3.73,PullRiteSuper5th20.5KHitch, BlueOxBedsaver

hoosierguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2013, 11:28 AM   #16
Senior Member
 
atom ant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 7,101


I should have pushed the Dealer better on my batteries, but I had thoughts of 6V. After the first month out with the single 24 causing alarms in the fridge everytime I turned on lights, I surrendered and went with two 27s. The boat appreciated a fresh 24 that it wasn't expecting .
__________________
Brad & Dory - Lone Tree, CO
CURRENT - 2013 Itasca Meridian 42E/2013 Wrangler 4dr Sahara
SOLD - 2014 Redwood 36RL/2014 F350 DRW
atom ant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2013, 12:13 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
KenM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 104
I had our dealer add the 6 volts batteries when we ordered the coach for additional $124.00 including box's. They were installed and ready for our PDI.
__________________
2013 31SL Full Body Paint, 12CF Fridge, Dual pane windows, Genny,Custom sound system & Upgraded TV's 2010 Ram 2500 CTD QCSRW
KenM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2013, 12:15 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 370
The reason that I'm disconnecting the batts is that I've had problems with battery life on a previous RV with a PD convertor. I only got around 2 years out of two group 27 Interstates before the capacity went low. We were boondocking overnight with some 12V usage, the batteries were discharged enough in the morning that the electric landing gear wouldn't work without the truck umbilical plugged in. Still don't understand why the PD puts a boost charge into fully charged batts every 24 hours or so when the batt manufacturers call for this procedure much less frequently.

If you are plugged into 120V power all the time you wouldn't notice the loss of battery capacity until you need to use it in a boondocking situation.
__________________
2013 Redwood 36RL, 2011 F-450, Sat Internet, Sat TV
almcc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2013, 12:47 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
rcflame's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 619
I have kept mine plugged in 24/7 except when boondocking. Have spent a week parked on BLM land several times, and with conservation have went the whole week on batteries. If this was a one time incident, maybe it had another cause.
__________________
Roger & Cheryl Full Time since 2002, RVing since 1975 2008 Chevy 3500 Crew Cab Dually, 2012 RW 36RL
rcflame is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2013, 02:16 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
atom ant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 7,101



Quote:
Originally Posted by almcc
Still don't understand why the PD puts a boost charge into fully charged batts every 24 hours or so when the batt manufacturers call for this procedure much less frequently.

If you are plugged into 120V power all the time you wouldn't notice the loss of battery capacity until you need to use it in a boondocking situation.
I know you said you had trouble with your last one, but are you sure this one does the same thing?Edited by: atom ant
__________________
Brad & Dory - Lone Tree, CO
CURRENT - 2013 Itasca Meridian 42E/2013 Wrangler 4dr Sahara
SOLD - 2014 Redwood 36RL/2014 F350 DRW
atom ant is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Redwood RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:26 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×