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 02-09-2006, 06:09 PM   #1
4 Rivet Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 307
The furnace stopped working

It turns on, the cold air starts blowing but I do not hear that "click" that comes on 30 seconds after it starts blowing. Not at all. I tried about 10 times.

Any suggestions what to do, does something need to be cleaned, or replaced?
__________________
Justice - When you get what you deserve. Mercy - When you don't get what you deserve
Grace - When you get what you don't deserve
ipso_facto is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2006, 06:23 PM   #2
Retired Moderator
 
john hd's Avatar
 
1992 29' Excella
madison , Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
Images: 40
you have plenty of gas?

shut it off and try to light the stove top to purge your lp system. if you can get the stove lit you have verified you have gas. after that, retry the furnace and see if it lights.

john
__________________
you call them ferrets, i call them weasels.
john hd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2006, 06:35 PM   #3
Rivet Master
 
Tinsel Loaf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 790
Do you have a switch on the furnace circurt board. If so, try switching it on and off a few times. That switch prevents the power to prevent ignition. It may have a poor connection in it. Check that the spark electrode is clean. Unplug and reseat all connector and plugs. Then get back to us. Do you have a picture of your furnace electrics. It helps to know what type your dealing with.
Tinsel Loaf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2006, 06:38 PM   #4
4 Rivet Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 307
Quote:
Originally Posted by john hd
you have plenty of gas?

shut it off and try to light the stove top to purge your lp system. if you can get the stove lit you have verified you have gas. after that, retry the furnace and see if it lights.

john
Yeah, I have plenty of gas, and I purged the system of air. Hot water heater works, the catalytic heater works, the burners work (which is what I used to stay warm in this weather)


Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinsel Loaf
Do you have a switch on the furnace circurt board. If so, try switching it on and off a few times. That switch prevents the power to prevent ignition. It may have a poor connection in it. Check that the spark electrode is clean. Unplug and reseat all connector and plugs. Then get back to us. Do you have a picture of your furnace electrics. It helps to know what type your dealing with.
I don't know where the "circuit board" is. Or where the switch is. My furnace is by the entrance, on the floor, under the stove.
__________________
Justice - When you get what you deserve. Mercy - When you don't get what you deserve
Grace - When you get what you don't deserve
ipso_facto is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2006, 06:57 PM   #5
Rivet Master
 
Tinsel Loaf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 790
I thought you had an exterior type entrance to your furnace. I am lost on your 86 Excella. Sorry.
Tinsel Loaf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2006, 07:37 PM   #6
Rivet Master
 
davidz71's Avatar
 
1986 25' Sovereign
Southern Middle , Tennessee
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,319
Images: 23
Ipso,
Are you hooked up to shore power while doing this or just off batteries? Every once in awhile the furnace in my '77 would not light when running just off batteries. It would light every time when hooked up to shore power. The batteries were fully charged but it would do some strange things sometimes.
__________________
Craig

AIR #0078
'01 2500hd ext. cab, 8.1 litre gas, 5 sp. Allison auto
3.73 rear end
Mag-Hytec rear diff cover
Amsoil Dual by-pass oil filtration system
Amsoil synthetics all around
265 watt AM Solar, Inc. system
davidz71 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2006, 09:09 PM   #7
RivetAddict
 
swebster's Avatar
 
1986 34.5' Airstream 345
Louisville , Kentucky
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,861
Images: 4
Quote:
Are you hooked up to shore power while doing this or just off batteries? Every once in awhile the furnace in my '77 would not light when running just off batteries
Good question. Most furnaces have a "sail switch" as a fail safe when you have low battery power. The switch is blown out of the way by airflow from the fan, closes the contact and completes the circuit to the ignitor. This prevents ignition in a low-voltage/low airflow situation.

If your batteries are low then even if the fan comes on it might not have enough voltage/airflow to push the sail switch into the "ON" position.
__________________
Steven Webster
1986 Airstream 345 Classic Motorhome
AIR 1760
swebster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-09-2006, 09:22 PM   #8
2 Rivet Member
 
basecamp's Avatar
 
1996 30' Excella
Bowmanville , Ontario
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 86
Last year after picking up my 96 classic from winter repair at Airstream I headed down to the Kentucky Horse Park for a long weekend. After a day, my furnace stopped working but I was able to get by in the 50 degree weather with the air con heat strip. Gee I just picked up my trailer now what? Well on the way back up north to Canada I was able to drop into Airstream and they were good enough to fix the furnace without an appointment even though they were swamped. I stayed there the night before and showed up at the office first thing. Well they replaced the regulator off the tanks and replaced the furnace circuit board. I think it cost me about $350.00. Strange as it seems, your stove may light but there may not be enough gas pressure to run the furnace or fridge. Sometimes I think what the heck, replace the parts so I don't have a problem when I'm vacationing. Good luck!
__________________
Hensley Hitch, Jordan controller
basecamp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-11-2006, 04:10 PM   #9
4 Rivet Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 307

Good question. Most furnaces have a "sail switch" as a fail safe when you have low battery power. The switch is blown out of the way by airflow from the fan, closes the contact and completes the circuit to the ignitor. This prevents ignition in a low-voltage/low airflow situation.

If your batteries are low then even if the fan comes on it might not have enough voltage/airflow to push the sail switch into the "ON" position.


Interesting that you mention this, before right prior to this failure, I had a breaker trip and my batteries ran down to 8 volts. The univolt was not working, nor were some of the power outlets. Once I turned the breaker back on, the batteries got charged but the furnace does not cut on.
I may have external access to the furnace, I am not sure. How do I access this fail-safe switch?
__________________
Justice - When you get what you deserve. Mercy - When you don't get what you deserve
Grace - When you get what you don't deserve
ipso_facto is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2006, 07:39 PM   #10
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
 
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples , Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
Ipso,

The sail switch is located in the blower housing and is directly in the path of the air flow from the squirrel cage. You will see 2 wires coming from the switch. You can test it for continuity with an ohm meter to see if it is working. If you get continuity when you manually activate the switch, you might have a bad igniter board. There is also a thermal limit switch that can be open and will also cause the board to not get the current to open the gas valve and send the spark to the igniter electrode, thus causing a non-ignition condition (a bit of poetry, eh?! )

Anyway, PM me if you need some specifics on the continuity test or further T/shooting.
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
lewster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2006, 09:53 AM   #11
Rivet Master
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,335
Images: 4
Quote:
Originally Posted by ipso_facto
How do I access this fail-safe switch?
Ipso, unfortunately, you need to pull the furnace forward and out of its enclosure to access the sail switch. You need to disconnect the flexible large tubes which duct the hot air, disconnect the gas supply union after turning off the gas, disconnect the electrics at the wire nuts resting on top of the furnace(after switching off the 12 volt supply at the master switch, remove a trim piece (2 screws) to the left of the furnace to give access to a hold down screw, and remove hold down screws at the front and right. IIRC, the furnace then pulls out into the passageway. The sail switch has an actual sail which sits in the air stream from the blower. However, before doing any of this, I would check with a digital voltmeter that there is over 12 volts at the front left of the furnace. After removing the trim piece, you should see a round flat disc component with a diameter of about one inch, with two wires leading to it.This is an overheat safety limit switch. The power to the furnace goes through this, AFTER it has been switched on at the sail switch. If there is over 12 volts at the limit switch when the fan is running, then the sail switch is operating correctly. If the overheat limit switch is operating correctly, there will be over 12 volts between each of its connecting wires and ground. If it is defective, there will be zero volts between the output wire and ground , and over 12 volts between the other wire and ground. Testing this might save you unnecessarily pulling the furnace to check the sail switch. At the end of the day, I suspect you may have to replace the circuit board. If you do, I recommend the Dinosaur UIB (Universal Ignition Board). Soldered on both sides, fuse protected, and 3 tries at ignition, for about $110. Good luck in the hunt. If you are not confident on dealing with the dangers of the mixture of propane and electrics and carbon monoxide, I humbly suggest a visit to a qualified professional might be your best course of action.
Nick.
__________________
Nick Crowhurst, Excella 25 1988, Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel. England in summer, USA in winter.
"The price of freedom is eternal maintenance."
nickcrowhurst is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-18-2006, 01:46 PM   #12
Rivet Master
 
dscluchfc's Avatar
 
1984 31' Excella
Abernathy , Texas
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 865
Sounds like time to bench service the furnace.
This is the one applaince in the trailer that can KILL you if it malfunctions pumping CO into the trailer.
Bench service by qualified technician is not expensive compared to the alternatives.
__________________
David
TAC # TX-18

AIR # 410
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dsphotoscapes
dscluchfc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2006, 03:46 PM   #13
Rivet Master
 
1976 25' Caravanner
Vintage Kin Owner
Campton , New Hampshire
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,113
You may also want to see if there is any blockage of the intake and or exhaust tubes ( mice , hornets) this will also hold back the sail switch. I've learned to cover mine for storage.
ticki2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2006, 02:04 PM   #14
1 Rivet Member
 
1980 28' Excella II
bainbridge island , Washington
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 11
Ipso..........I had same problem, fan but no ignition. Needed new circuit board. Stove worked. Installed new regulator at tanks.........still no go.......finally discovered gas lines were partially clogged with oil build-up. After new line from regulator to main gas line, it was fine! The replacement line is rubber on mine.
woodnhair 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
72 Airstream International Furnace parts loechli Furnaces, Heaters, Fireplaces & Air Conditioning 7 08-20-2008 07:17 PM
Furnace stuff... Chuck Furnaces, Heaters, Fireplaces & Air Conditioning 11 12-02-2002 05:36 PM
Jingle Bell Furnace Fix Pahaska Furnaces, Heaters, Fireplaces & Air Conditioning 5 11-19-2002 09:59 PM
Forced Air furnace Joan D'Andrea Furnaces, Heaters, Fireplaces & Air Conditioning 16 11-02-2002 09:41 PM
Two ?'s Furnace and weather stripping escapeez Leaks - Weatherstrips, Gaskets, Caulks & Sealants 2 09-15-2002 06:10 PM


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 02:58 AM.


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