6 weeks on the road gives me furnace questions

[willbrackman]

The wife and I are just about to finish up a 6 week 6,000 mile road trip in our 87 Sovereign. That much time on the road has given me reason to ask a few questions about our furnace.

First, the fan in the Suburban furnace we currently have is quite noisy. If I were to replace the fan or the furnace itself with newer, modern technology, would I be likely to see a reduction in the noise level?

Second, the existing thermostat is the original electro-mechanical Suburban model. It has a small, very difficult to use, lever on the bottom to turn the furnace on or off. And, it's very difficult to set the thermostat to a desired temperature. Is it possible to replace this thermostat with a new, digital model? An RV repair person told me that any 12 volt, 2-wire thermostat should work. Is he right?

Lastly. we experience some problems with the furnace refusing to ignite. The thermostat would call for heat, the fan would start, but we'd never hear the "click" that indicates the fuel has ignited. I've been told that I need to clean the burner but no one has told me exactly how to do that. What exactly is required to do this? Are there You-Tube videos or something similar showing the process?

Thanks so much for your help.

The trip has been fantastic. This is the first time that we've done an extended trip.

We've spent every night but two in the trailer. We live in Oregon and got as far east and south as Pensacola, Florida. Spent two weeks with our kids in Kentucky. The place we liked best was the gulf coast of Alabama. Tonight we're in Carlsbad, New Mexico and should be back in Oregon in about 10 days.

Our truck (2003 Silverado Duramax with 115,000 miles) has performed flawlessly and has delivered a hair over 16mpg while towing.

[Mike Leary]

That's about all the years you get out of a Suburban; replace it. The fan noise will end.

[mandolindave]

TURN IT OFF, let it cool down. I use a toothbrush. I brush cobwebs, bugs, etc, out of the nozzles and tubes.

Some of the newer heaters are quieter, use less electricity. Some of the bigger units have 2 blower speeds.

I had no luck finding an exact replacement for my 1973 furnace. My new furnace had to be slightly modified. I think the gas hook up was in a different spot. The ducts were in a different spot. I think the technicians used the cover from my old furnace.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, one of the best things I have done to my trailer is to replace my manual thermostat with a digital one. I can set it at the exact temperature I want. If I set it at 70 degrees, it will turn on at 69 degrees and shut off at 71 degrees. You want a low voltage thermostat; They are rated to work on 24 volts or less.

[samb]

I replaced just the fan in my Suburban furnace. It went from sounding like a small rock crusher to just a light hum. A very noticable difference and worth the effort.

I switched to a Honeywell thermostat and have had no problems. I think any two wire unit will work.

About your furnace not lighting, I don't know. If your fan is operating poorly enough it may not be activating your sail switch which allows the propane to flow.

Sounds like you had great first major trip.
Sam

[garry]

This is a digital thermostat that should work just fine.

Hunter Model 42999B digital also can use RiteTemp electronic thermostats model 6020 "Universal" from Home Depot.
I have not upgraded yet so can only repeat what others have said.

There are several post on types and wiring the thermostats so do a search and get plenty of info.

[garry]

I forgot, if you decide to fix your furnace when you take it out look very close at the hose connection between the burner and heat exchanger.

A dangerious situation and there is a recall for the hose breaking down I replaced mine with a radiator hose from NAPA. Others have said that would not take the heat but I have not had a problem and know others that have done the same thing.