How to start furnace

[nesoutlook]

Thermostat does not have a furnace mode. Is there a separate switch? I am new to rving and could really use someone's help. I have a 2013 Interstate EXT. Thanks.

[Protagonist]

Are you sure? Every Interstate I've seen— though admittedly I haven't seen them all— has a single thermostat that controls both the air conditioner and the furnace, with a small three-position switch labeled "Cool/Off/Heat" or maybe "AC/Off/Furnace" or some such. There would also be a switch for the fan, labeled "on/auto" but that only works the air conditioner fan, not the furnace fan, so that one is best left off.

[nesoutlook]

The modes on my thermostat are cool, off, fan.

[Boxster1971]

You should have the Dometic Comfort Control thermostat like I have in my 2013 Interstate. Try the MODE switch:

Press the MODE button to cycle through the mode options. A mode is an operation that can be performed by the unit and is controlled by the Dometic Comfort Control Center 2 thermostat. The available modes are:

OFF, COOL, HP (HEAT PUMP), HS (Heat Strip), FAN, FURN (Furnace), and AUTO. The available modes are determined by your system options.

Copy of user manual for the Dometic Comfort Control attached for your reading pleasure.

Cute dog!

[nesoutlook]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

You should have the Dometic Comfort Control thermostat like I have in my 2013 Interstate. Try the MODE switch: Press the MODE button to cycle through the mode options. A mode is an operation that can be performed by the unit and is controlled by the Dometic Comfort Control Center 2 thermostat. The available modes are: OFF, COOL, HP (HEAT PUMP), HS (Heat Strip), FAN, FURN (Furnace), and AUTO. The available modes are determined by your system options. Copy of user manual for the Dometic Comfort Control attached for your reading pleasure. Cute dog!

If the available modes are determined by my system options why isn't furnace one of my available options. How do I change my system options? The cute dog is named Prince. He is a Cavachon. (King Charles Cavalier and Bichon mix)

[Silver Goose]

You most likely have a Dometic CCC (thermostat). This is from the manual:

"When your unit was installed the appropriate dip switches on the electronic control
board were turned on to match your system configuration. Any time these settings
are changed, a system reset will need to be done before the CCC 2 thermostat will
recognize the updated selection. To do a system reset:
• Make sure the CCC 2 thermostat is in the OFF mode.
• Simultaneously press the MODE and ZONE buttons. The LCD will display
“IniT” and all available zones.
• Release the MODE and ZONE buttons.
• Press the ON/OFF button to exit system set up."

The CCC sometimes gets a case of amnesia usually if 12V is interrupted for some reason, maybe for other unknown reasons that seem to cause glitches in a lot of our high tech gadgets. The reset often puts everything straight again.

If this doesn't fix it, it might be time to call or take it to the dealer. As mentioned above, the switches on the control board may not have been set correctly assuming this has never worked or the board may be kaput.

[nesoutlook]

Tried a reset. No luck. Bringing it in next Friday.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by nesoutlook

Tried a reset. No luck. Bringing it in next Friday.

Yes -- take it to dealer since the furnace may not be connected properly.

[nesoutlook]

Turns out dip switch #5 was not set on the outside air conditioner. Once that was set, the thermostat showed furnace as one of the mode options. I am good to go.

[Silver Goose]

Glad to hear it turned out to be a simple fix, but shame on whoever installed it for forgetting to set the switch and causing an inconvenience to you.

[Dick Brown]

Anyone with 2013 interstate lounge EXT who has had Atwood furnace issues ..need advice furnace will not blow have jumped the blower direct runs great! Installed new circuit board and reset thermostat still will not blow do not believe the sail switch would affect this condition. Have been unable to find anything on line that trouble shoots this condition.HELP

[Hawk-ination]

I just watched a troubleshooting video on the sail switch being dirty with hair. They removed it, cleaned it, and it worked fine after. I’ll see if I can’t find the You Tube link for you.

The thermostat in our 2014.5 gave me nothing but fits last year. I reset it multiple times. It finally works normally this year, but have no idea why.

One thing I just came across is our AC fan blows when I put it on furnace mode. Just saw in a different video or place that I believe they said your fan needs to be set to auto to run the furnace only. I’ll see if I can’t find that one, too.

Try resetting your thermostat more than once, it might not help, but did in our case I believe. They are fussy, for sure.

[Hawk-ination]

Here’s the video on the sail switch.
Good luck, hope it fixes your furnace.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g3_Y7MqChE

Found this one informative, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t8vRuGdZLw