|
|
12-07-2010, 06:38 AM
|
#1
|
1987 Excella 32'
1987 32' Excella
Kennewick
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 19
|
Suburban nt-30SP will not start
December 7, 2010
December, 2009, I installed a new suburban nt-30sp furnace in my 1987 Airstream Excella 1000 travel trailer. It worked fine until it quit when I ran out of gas while it was operating. After refilling the propane bottles, the furnace would not come on – that is, I could hear the thermostat “click” but the furnace did nothing – no fan, nothing.
I had a repair facility look at it and they said that my pressure regulator was faulty and not providing enough pressure, even though the other appliances worked fine (stove, oven, refrigerator, hot water heater). But the new pressure regulator seemed to fix the problem as the furnace once again worked fine – until now. I have once again run out of propane and, after filling both tanks, the furnace will not come on just as previously stated. No fan, nothing!
Is there some procedure to reset a safety feature when this happens? I don’t have a gage to check the actual pressure but once again, all other appliances are working fine.
|
|
|
12-07-2010, 06:51 AM
|
#2
|
Site Team
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa
, ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
|
On our TT, if a tank is removed and re-installed, we have to be patient to get the furnace re-lit. It helps to start the cooktop (all four burners) for a few seconds. It might still take many clicks of the lighter to get the pilot lit though.
I think that it's air in the line that needs to be exhausted...
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ...John Wayne...........................
|
|
|
12-07-2010, 06:59 AM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
1965 22' Safari
Vassar
, Michigan
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 848
|
Furnace no start
I had the same experience with my new Suburban NT 30. It took about 20 start up cycles before it fired. I now turn both tanks on with the lever pointed to one tank. When that tank goes empty the regulator automatically switches to the other tank. I can check the first tank as it shows red on the indicator. I then turn the indicator over to the tank that is running and then take the empty tank in for refill. This way my tanks will not go empty with the furnace in the middle of a cycle. By the way I also had the same problem if I shut the furnace down in the middle of a burn.
Hope this helps.
__________________
Tim
TAC MI 14
Everyday is a Saturday
|
|
|
12-07-2010, 07:18 AM
|
#4
|
x
XXXX
, XXXX
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,601
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tkasten
I had the same experience with my new Suburban NT 30. It took about 20 start up cycles before it fired. I now turn both tanks on with the lever pointed to one tank. When that tank goes empty the regulator automatically switches to the other tank. I can check the first tank as it shows red on the indicator. I then turn the indicator over to the tank that is running and then take the empty tank in for refill. This way my tanks will not go empty with the furnace in the middle of a cycle. By the way I also had the same problem if I shut the furnace down in the middle of a burn.
Hope this helps.
|
NEVER NEVER NEVER run your propane system without both tanks attached. Yes the switchover regulator should not leak but you are leaving a line open with a tank open. This is a huge potential for a serious propane leak. If you want to run your system like this while filling the empty tank attach a third tank to the line. You can use the tank from your BBQ or any empty tank.
|
|
|
12-07-2010, 07:24 AM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
1965 22' Safari
Vassar
, Michigan
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 848
|
wasagachris - You are right. I did not mention that I wait until the furnace cycles off, shut system down and then fill tank. Everyone knows what happens when I "assume".
__________________
Tim
TAC MI 14
Everyday is a Saturday
|
|
|
12-07-2010, 07:26 AM
|
#6
|
x
XXXX
, XXXX
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,601
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by bmccomb
December 7, 2010
December, 2009, I installed a new suburban nt-30sp furnace in my 1987 Airstream Excella 1000 travel trailer. It worked fine until it quit when I ran out of gas while it was operating. After refilling the propane bottles, the furnace would not come on – that is, I could hear the thermostat “click” but the furnace did nothing – no fan, nothing.
I had a repair facility look at it and they said that my pressure regulator was faulty and not providing enough pressure, even though the other appliances worked fine (stove, oven, refrigerator, hot water heater). But the new pressure regulator seemed to fix the problem as the furnace once again worked fine – until now. I have once again run out of propane and, after filling both tanks, the furnace will not come on just as previously stated. No fan, nothing!
Is there some procedure to reset a safety feature when this happens? I don’t have a gage to check the actual pressure but once again, all other appliances are working fine.
|
Gas pressure will have no effect on your 12VDC suppiled to the furnace. It should try to light by running the fan first, then open the gas valve and start trying to ignite the gas (fan comes on, 30 seconds later loud clunk of gas valve opening at furnace followed by a series of smaller clicks as the ignitor tries to light the gas. The furnace should try to do this three times before the circuit board goes into lockout mode. This already may have happened). At the thermostat turn the furnace switch right off by lowering the control for temperature all the way down until you can feel it click into the off position. Wait 30 seconds and turn the furnace on again and see what happens. If this does not work you have some other problem and without more information cannot be properly assessed here by computer.
|
|
|
12-07-2010, 07:31 AM
|
#7
|
x
XXXX
, XXXX
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,601
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tkasten
wasagachris - You are right. I did not mention that I wait until the furnace cycles off, shut system down and then fill tank. Everyone knows what happens when I "assume".
|
No problem Tim I feel better now knowing that you are doing it right. I just had to mention it in case others tried this and left the system open. I was imagining airstreams all over the place blowing up!
|
|
|
12-07-2010, 10:50 AM
|
#8
|
Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
|
It has to be a electrical problem, no matter what the condition of the propane is, it'll at least fire the fan. Bad wiring (an intermittent short somewhere) or the card could be the problem. Suburban cards are infamous for failing.
If it is the card, don't replace it with a Suburban.
|
|
|
12-07-2010, 12:46 PM
|
#9
|
Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
Vintage Kin Owner
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Greeeneville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,301
|
Mike, by saying "card" are you referring to the Suburban circuit board?
|
|
|
12-07-2010, 02:06 PM
|
#10
|
Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silverhobby
Mike, by saying "card" are you referring to the Suburban circuit board?
|
Yes, they are junk. Every appliance we have has had the cards replaced with "Dinosaur", which are far and away, superior. Even if it was warranty, I'd have a Dinosaur card installed. Check to see if the thermostat is working by connecting the wires together, by the way. Could be a faulty fuse connection, also.
Dinosaur Electronics Home. High quality circuit boards for RV appliances.
|
|
|
12-08-2010, 05:44 AM
|
#11
|
1987 Excella 32'
1987 32' Excella
Kennewick
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 19
|
Thanks everyone for a very informative discussion. I've also heard from Suburban and they feel it is a furnace problem and, since it is still under warranty, I'll be calling in a mobile tech to take a look. The circuit card angle seems the most likely.
Thanks again,
Bruce McComb
|
|
|
12-08-2010, 07:41 AM
|
#12
|
Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
|
Let us know what happened, Bruce. I've prolly spent more on our Suburban than I've spent on our dog, which is saying something!
|
|
|
12-08-2010, 01:55 PM
|
#13
|
1 Rivet Member
1969 31' Sovereign
Hadensville
, Virginia
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 9
|
I'm having problems with our NT 30SP too. We just bought the trailer a couple months ago, and the price was right enough that I wasn't too worried about the status of the furnace, and the owner wasn't sure if it worked or not. But it'd be nice if it worked and I've been trying to solve the problem with it - the blower comes on, but it never lights. I don't feel as if its a gas problem, but if it hadn't been used could there be air in line? We've been using cook top just fine.
I'm wondering how to test the voltage that is actually getting to the furnace, because I pulled out the fridge to patch the floor and see the wires coming from the thermostat are worn bare in a spot where it enters the wall. I read that it could lose voltage prohibiting the sail switch from ever connecting?? It sure does sound like its blowing enough to do the trick, but what do I know.
Any troubleshooting hints for us? I hate to take the darn thing anywhere, it doesn't tags but I really don't want to pull the furnace out unless I'm sure its busted. I'm sure a housecall if they even do that would be expensive. Maybe there is something simple I'm overlooking.
I'm new to airstream as well as this forum, but i've been learning here and there by following some threads.
....um.. and the kicker is we're actually living in the airstream currently and it's getting to be a bit chilly. We've been using a kerosene heater while we're there, but coming home to a chilly bed is no fun. We're in the slow process of renovating an old house so we have it parked on the land. Figured that we'd save money not renting somewhere for the long and expensive process and its nice to be on site. And it gave us an excuse to use what little money we did have on an airstream. Its me, my hubby, and our dog.
Any help and expertise is most appreciated.
Betsy
|
|
|
12-08-2010, 03:41 PM
|
#14
|
x
XXXX
, XXXX
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,601
|
Betsy can you describe exactly what you can hear once the fan comes on.It should try to light by running the fan first, then open the gas valve and start trying to ignite the gas (fan comes on, 30 seconds later loud clunk of gas valve opening at furnace followed by a series of smaller clicks as the ignitor tries to light the gas. The furnace should try to do this three times before the circuit board goes into lockout mode.
Can you here all three things, fan, gas valve clunk, and ignitor clicks?
|
|
|
12-08-2010, 04:18 PM
|
#15
|
1 Rivet Member
1969 31' Sovereign
Hadensville
, Virginia
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 9
|
The fan for sure. But not the gas valve clunk and ignitor clicks. Especially if the clunk is supposed to be fairly audible then I don't think its happening.
The handle on the propane pipe supplying the furnace is set to what I believe to be open which is in line with the pipe, is this correct? I assumed it was the same as water lines where if the switch was in line-it's on and if the switch is perpendicular to the line-its off. -Just to make sure I'm supplying it in the first place.
|
|
|
12-08-2010, 04:55 PM
|
#16
|
x
XXXX
, XXXX
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,601
|
Well It sounds like the same problem with the circuit board. If you can get access try cleaning the electrical connections and see what happens. You can have the circuit board tested but that would require a service man to come there or remove the furnace and take it in to tested and serviced.
|
|
|
12-08-2010, 05:07 PM
|
#17
|
3 Rivet Member
2000 23' Safari
Vero Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 180
|
The gas valve sounds like it is in the correct position. The circuit board logic opens the gas valve and then fires the igniter. Since the gas valve doesn't seem to open it points to a circuit board. If you have the knowledge check to see if the gas solenoid gets a pulse. An analog meter comes in handy here. You can see the needle deflect when the pulse happens. Better yet, hire a furnace fixer to check it out. You can be in dangerous territory when dealing with propane! It isn't always too forgiving!
|
|
|
12-08-2010, 05:11 PM
|
#18
|
3 Rivet Member
2000 23' Safari
Vero Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 180
|
Sorry wasagachris! Didn't mean to step on your toes. We must have been typing at the same time.
|
|
|
12-10-2010, 08:13 AM
|
#19
|
1 Rivet Member
1969 31' Sovereign
Hadensville
, Virginia
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 9
|
Thank you for replying. Everything in there looks amazingly clean to me, but unfortunately I don't have the knowledge to check the solenoid. I'll be calling a technician to look at it more than likely. It'll probably be for the best since both my husband and I are leary messing with it too too much due to the whole explosion factor.
Thanks again!
Betsy
|
|
|
12-10-2010, 08:45 AM
|
#20
|
Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by bootsie c
my husband and I are leary
|
Umm, the spelling needs some tweaking, I'm LEARY, you're LEERY!
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
Similar Threads
|
Thread |
Thread Starter |
Forum |
Replies |
Last Post |
How to start a Suburban Furnace
|
Steve Lou |
Furnaces, Heaters, Fireplaces & Air Conditioning |
9 |
04-07-2015 07:46 AM |
Pix of Suburban NT-30sp replacing NT22
|
fotochop |
Furnaces, Heaters, Fireplaces & Air Conditioning |
29 |
02-24-2012 01:46 PM |
Suburban NT-30SP installation tip
|
Starscream |
Furnaces, Heaters, Fireplaces & Air Conditioning |
7 |
10-25-2010 04:01 AM |
Suburban furnace where to start?
|
Pacerized |
Furnaces, Heaters, Fireplaces & Air Conditioning |
37 |
09-12-2009 12:36 PM |
blower of suburban does not start when cranking up thermostat
|
turfclubroad |
Furnaces, Heaters, Fireplaces & Air Conditioning |
13 |
09-11-2009 12:38 PM |
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|