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 01-07-2010, 03:38 PM   #1
Rivet Master
 
fotochop's Avatar
 
1969 23' Safari
New Orleans , Louisiana
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 699
Images: 18
Pix of Suburban NT-30sp replacing NT22

I wasn't thrilled to have the 'recalled' NT-22 furnace in my '69 Safari:

Click image for larger version

Name:	airstream-furn-2344.jpg
Views:	378
Size:	65.8 KB
ID:	93702

You can see in the photo above that the rubber combustion tube (cause of the recall) has a gaping hole in it. Many folks have successfully replaced this tube with new material but you're still kinda stuck with a 40 year old pilot light furnace... I decided to lurk on ebay and ended up with a "new" Suburban Nt-30sp from an rv salvage company for 300 bucks, which was about half the cost of a new store-bought one.... Inspection confirmed that the furnace had not been used and was, for all purposes, like new.

After pulling the old furnace I slipped the new one in the existing (larger) box and hooked it up to test. The burner came on for 10 seconds but wouldn't stay on. I emailed the ebay seller with my hunch that the board was bad and he was decent enough to send me a new Suburban board.

That false start killed my momentum and I put the furnace in the corner by the washing machine until my wife gently suggested I needed to get that "thing" installed and out of the house. She's only right about 99% of the time, which confirms she is, in fact, human ;-)

Here's a shot of the space after pulling the old furnace:

Click image for larger version

Name:	airstream-furn-2347.jpg
Views:	423
Size:	100.4 KB
ID:	93703

That supply line snaking up over the furnace (and it does get hot up there) really creeped me out (but the new furnace allows for "zero clearance" on top, btw) I pulled it. You can see the duct opening at the bottom, leading to fore and aft floor vents.

So I bench tested the new furnace after replacing the board (not hard, just a few plugs and connectors) and it worked fine. I was ready to install. I cut away the top and sides of the old furnace enclosure with my $20 mini grinder from Harbor Freight (best twenty bucks you'll ever spend!) and put two pieces of leftover 17" italian tile to raise the new furnace up to correct level for the intake/exhaust tubes to mate with the two holes in the exterior:

Click image for larger version

Name:	airstream-furn-5920.jpg
Views:	592
Size:	86.0 KB
ID:	93704

You can also see where I added a strip of aluminum at the top rear of that space to some wood that came really close to the top of the furnace box. Only took a few minutes, "zero clearance" notwithstanding...

Slid the new furnace in and made sure the tubes were properly aligned. I fabricated a new mini-duct out of flashing to move the hot air from the inside-front of the furnace down to the duct opening. It's a bit funky but works fine with a piece of aluminum tape on the right. Secured the furnace to the cabinet with 2" wood screws. The tight fit and security screw on the exhaust vent also stabilizes the furnace to trailer.

Click image for larger version

Name:	airstream-furn-5925.jpg
Views:	447
Size:	128.6 KB
ID:	93706

The exterior vent cover is a beautiful piece of industrial design, IMHO. It's a tricky little devil to install, though, but a fellow forums user turned me on to this little home-made wire tool that I used to PUSH the spring clip rearward onto the flange, which is the way to do it:

Click image for larger version

Name:	airstream-furn-5929.jpg
Views:	394
Size:	111.0 KB
ID:	93707

The finished installation (temporary wing nuts until the (lost) ones arrive from Suburban. Nice and toasty inside!

Click image for larger version

Name:	airstream-furn-5931.jpg
Views:	575
Size:	108.4 KB
ID:	93708
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	airstream-furn-5923.jpg
Views:	308
Size:	96.8 KB
ID:	93705  
fotochop is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2010, 06:56 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
silverleeper's Avatar
 
1967 22' Safari
1960 Caravel
Edmonds , Washington
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,499
Images: 8
Nicely done! Thanks for sharing.
__________________
Lee

1973 F-250 4X4 390
1965 Chevy Suburban 454
AIR 6030
WBCCI 4258
TCT

silverleeper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2010, 12:04 PM   #3
Registered User
 
1967 26' Overlander
Simpsonville , South Carolina
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 28
Rick,

Do you still have your NT22A? I'm searching for a few parts.

Tim
TCHANNEL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2010, 02:03 PM   #4
Rivet Master
 
fotochop's Avatar
 
1969 23' Safari
New Orleans , Louisiana
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 699
Images: 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by Channeti View Post
Rick,

Do you still have your NT22A? I'm searching for a few parts.

Tim
Sorry, Tim, I chucked it a while back except for a piece of gas pipe w/fittings.

One of the best things about having a warm trailer is that I can get back to interior renovations even in the cold.

I should also mention that the lag-time/momentum-kill gave me time to do a bunch of weatherstripping to exterior vents and door. AMAZING difference in coziness when the wind's not blowing into your rig anymore!
fotochop is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2010, 09:35 PM   #5
Registered User
 
1967 26' Overlander
Simpsonville , South Carolina
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 28
Rick,

Not a problem. Thanks for the reply. I'm working to get heat back in the camper so I can keep the interior work going comfortably. I'm slowly working towards a bathroom floor replacement. Someday I'll get to the weatherstripping....maybe 2012 at my current rate.

Have a good weekend.

Tim
TCHANNEL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-09-2010, 10:31 PM   #6
Rivet Master
 
RichHog's Avatar
 
2006 25' Safari FB SE
1972 23' Safari
Houston , Texas
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,355
Images: 7
NT22A Replacement

Tim i may be taking the NT22 out of my Tradewind next month. Let me know what you're looking for and I'll try to pull parts. Tried to get it to fire up and the gas lit fine but the blower or electric never fired, could be a wiring issue for all I know.

Thanks fotochop for the post and pictures and documenting the process. How many hours did it take?
RichHog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2010, 06:47 AM   #7
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
 
Andrew T's Avatar

 
2019 27' Tommy Bahama
London , Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,343
Hi Rick

Your ductwork is not likely suffiecient for a NT 30 which has a stronger blower and needs more air flow. This is not dangerous but it uses more propane and it is harder on the circuit board and other components. It is easy to add a duct off the side of the furnace. to increase the air flow.

Also check that it is getting enough return air. After adding the duct open the cabinate door and see if the air flow increases through the ducts. If it does just add a vent to let air into the cabinate area.

Andrew T
__________________
Andrew Thomson
London, Ontario

"One test is worth a thousand expert opinions."
Tex Johnston, Boeing 707 test pilot
Andrew T is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2010, 08:46 AM   #8
Rivet Master
 
fotochop's Avatar
 
1969 23' Safari
New Orleans , Louisiana
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 699
Images: 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichHog View Post
Tim i may be taking the NT22 out of my Tradewind next month. Let me know what you're looking for and I'll try to pull parts. Tried to get it to fire up and the gas lit fine but the blower or electric never fired, could be a wiring issue for all I know.

Thanks fotochop for the post and pictures and documenting the process. How many hours did it take?
I'd like to say it took the better part of an 8-hour day, but if I was to include research time, inspection, bench testing, buying a new battery, emailing to get the new board, etc etc etc etc....well, you get the picture. The ACTUAL install took up most of a Saturday....I'll let you guys ruminate on the other parts....
fotochop is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2010, 09:01 AM   #9
Rivet Master
 
fotochop's Avatar
 
1969 23' Safari
New Orleans , Louisiana
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 699
Images: 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew T View Post
Hi Rick

Your ductwork is not likely suffiecient for a NT 30 which has a stronger blower and needs more air flow. This is not dangerous but it uses more propane and it is harder on the circuit board and other components. It is easy to add a duct off the side of the furnace. to increase the air flow.

Also check that it is getting enough return air. After adding the duct open the cabinate door and see if the air flow increases through the ducts. If it does just add a vent to let air into the cabinate area.

Andrew T
THANKS, Andrew, I was a bit hesitant going with the higher btu unit, but it came available and seemed like the right choice. But I will take your recommendations to heart and do the tests. I wont be upset at all to actually ADD a side duct because my kid sleeps on the gaucho in the middle of the cabin and the two floor ducts are only fore and aft. You'll also note that there is a half-inch airspace at the bottom of the kitchen cabinet where the furnace lives so a side/down-facing vent SHOULD heat the middle of the cabin AND provide proper airspace for hot air movement. In fact, now that I think about it, there are four circular side-vent holes in the NT-30 but only three of them were plugged with sheet metal (I fabricated a circle to plug the fourth). It should be simple enough to remove that one and add a small round duct.

I know it can be an unpopular opinion here, but "commercial vendors" are often the first ones to notice little issues like this that can take your system up to where it should be. A hi-five to ya.
fotochop is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2010, 11:07 AM   #10
banjobill
 
wmarsha's Avatar
 
2000 30' Limited
battle ground, , Washington
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 516
yellow tag on flex fuel line

Hi Rick: I am a curious ol' f&%t, what is written on the yellow tag on the flex fuel line?
ol' bill
wmarsha is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2010, 11:46 AM   #11
Rivet Master
 
68 TWind's Avatar
 
1968 24' Tradewind
Oxford, , Mississippi
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,564
When I was trying to decide what to do about heat in my 68 TW, the NT-30 looked like the way to go. I called the tech rep at Suburban in Tennessee a couple of times. He said that 2 outlets were not enough but that if I added a 3rd outlet, the furnace would be fine. He said 2 were not a good idea. Because of the way my cabinets are configured it was not possible for me to add a 3rd vent in a way I liked. Because of that and because I will be camping a lot with no shore power, I decided to go with a catalytic.
68 TWind is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2010, 11:54 AM   #12
Rivet Master
 
silverleeper's Avatar
 
1967 22' Safari
1960 Caravel
Edmonds , Washington
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,499
Images: 8
Other post on this. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f427...ase-51378.html and http://www.airforums.com/forums/f427...0sp-41537.html.
__________________
Lee

1973 F-250 4X4 390
1965 Chevy Suburban 454
AIR 6030
WBCCI 4258
TCT

silverleeper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2010, 07:35 PM   #13
Registered User
 
1967 26' Overlander
Simpsonville , South Carolina
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 28
Rich,

I'm looking for a sail switch for the blower on my NT22A. Best I can tell, there aren't any replacement parts to be found.

Tim
TCHANNEL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2010, 10:35 PM   #14
Rivet Master
 
RichHog's Avatar
 
2006 25' Safari FB SE
1972 23' Safari
Houston , Texas
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,355
Images: 7
NT22A Furnace

Don't know when I'll get mine pulled, but hope within the next few weeks. If I decide to scrap it, which probably will then I'll shoot you an e-mail and pull what ever you need, I don't know the actual problem with it. She lights but doesn't fire.
RichHog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2010, 06:21 AM   #15
Rivet Master
 
fotochop's Avatar
 
1969 23' Safari
New Orleans , Louisiana
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 699
Images: 18
Quote:
Originally Posted by wmarsha View Post
Hi Rick: I am a curious ol' f&%t, what is written on the yellow tag on the flex fuel line?
ol' bill
That's probably the warning that says "don't bend this hose like the way it's bent in this picture", right? Soap-tested and LP gas detector....check....
fotochop is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2010, 10:44 AM   #16
2 Rivet Member
 
1974 25' Tradewind
Monument , Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 41
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichHog View Post
Tim i may be taking the NT22 out of my Tradewind next month. Let me know what you're looking for and I'll try to pull parts. Tried to get it to fire up and the gas lit fine but the blower or electric never fired, could be a wiring issue for all I know.

Thanks fotochop for the post and pictures and documenting the process. How many hours did it take?

I could use/pay for your gas valve and circuit board if you chuck the NT-22 next month. Please keep me in mind. Thanks.
seeflash is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2010, 09:44 AM   #17
2 Rivet Member
 
1974 25' Tradewind
Monument , Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 41
Thanks. Please email or PM me if you decide to scrap the old NT-22 as I need a gas valve, etc. Thanks.
seeflash is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2010, 11:35 AM   #18
Rivet Master
 
68 TWind's Avatar
 
1968 24' Tradewind
Oxford, , Mississippi
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,564
I have an NT-22 if anyone needs parts. The heat exchanger is shot. Gas valve, blower work. Sail switch is bad. Just let me know is anyone needs anything.
68 TWind is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2010, 06:28 AM   #19
2 Rivet Member
 
1974 25' Tradewind
Monument , Colorado
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 41
I could sure use the gas valve, control board, pilot assembly snd thermocouple.
Pm me or let me know how I can $$ hey these. Thanks a lot.
seeflash is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2010, 06:49 AM   #20
Moderator
 
Kevin245's Avatar

 
Vintage Kin Owner
... , ...
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,696
Images: 9
Quote:
Originally Posted by seeflash View Post
I could sure use the gas valve, control board, pilot assembly snd thermocouple.
Pm me or let me know how I can $$ hey these. Thanks a lot.
We're replacing the furnace in Avion and I'm pretty sure it's an N22-A. I'll confirm the model number and if the parts can help you out they're yours for the cost of shipping.

Regards,

Kevin
__________________

"One of the best lessons I've learned is that you don't worry about criticism from people you wouldn't seek advice from."

William C. Swinney

Kevin245 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
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


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
nt30 in nt22 case???? Raymond Furnaces, Heaters, Fireplaces & Air Conditioning 11 05-18-2009 08:37 AM
New NT-30SP fires 10 sec. then goes out, fan on fotochop Furnaces, Heaters, Fireplaces & Air Conditioning 3 01-06-2009 07:04 PM
NT-30MA to NT-30SP furnace change '79 Excella 500 SafeHarbor 1978- 1979 Excella 500 17 08-22-2007 08:36 AM
NT22 furnace trouble wfdyer Furnaces, Heaters, Fireplaces & Air Conditioning 2 01-25-2004 07:00 PM
68 sovereign pix shandyv General Interior Topics 10 11-30-2003 08:09 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:44 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.