Furnace doesn't ignite

[Geo78]

I just got back from our second trip with our Roo 17. The furnace did not work. We woke up with a freezing 21 month old. I turned the furnace off and flipped it back on. The fan wod start but no heat. It shut off after about 30 seconds and would not blow again until it was switched off and back on. We did have plenty of propane as the one saving grace was we could still make coffee in the morning. I am calling the dealer tomorrow, but thought I might be missing something simple. Checked battery level, fuses and breaker. Last thing, it also seems like it takes forever for my fridge to light. Twice it has failed to and the Check light has come on.

[cadman99]

Here are the rules - You must have a good fully charged battery (at least 12.5VDC)

If in very cold weather you must have a propane tank at least 1/2 full.

Go from there.

[Geo78]

So to test, I need a volt meter right? Both batteries were fully charged, 1 is new and the second is 1 year old. If the 2nd is not great will it drag the 1st down?

[fonzie]

By the description above, it sounds like you are low on propane as it also affected the fridge?? or you have restriction in the flow delivery. I would close both propane tanks, then bleed propane at stove. Re-open propane valves very slowly and try your appliances again.

[Todouble]

Also could be your regulator. There notorious for taking a crap when you need them most

[Timex]

Originally Posted by Geo78

I just got back from our second trip with our Roo 17. The furnace did not work. We woke up with a freezing 21 month old. I turned the furnace off and flipped it back on. The fan wod start but no heat. It shut off after about 30 seconds and would not blow again until it was switched off and back on. We did have plenty of propane as the one saving grace was we could still make coffee in the morning. I am calling the dealer tomorrow, but thought I might be missing something simple. Checked battery level, fuses and breaker. Last thing, it also seems like it takes forever for my fridge to light. Twice it has failed to and the Check light has come on.

Can you light the stove? Let it run for a few minutes. That will help the flow and try the close/open procedure as stated above. If you have 2 tanks, try switching to the other tank. I thought I hadn't used one tank much when it showed empty. I thought the dealer had filled it when I bought the TT, but he probably didn't(of course).

And where are you that you would need a furnace?

[cadman99]

If none of that works -

The circuit board requires good voltage - at least 12VDC or better. Yes your second "bad" battery will reduce the voltage available. I very cold weather the pressure in the propane tanks drops dramatically if they are below half full. The furnace takes the most.

[Geo78]

Got it. I will buy a volt meter. How do I check? Do I need to have anything drawing power when I check?

[Ford Idaho]

Read the part about testing AC and DC power output and AMP's in the owners manual.

https://www.google.com/webhp?tab=ww&...w+to+use+a+mul

And yes the device being tested must be on, just do not touch any wires with your elbow.

[cadman99]

It helps if there is some current being used. Simply set the meter to DC and touch the probes to the battery. Do not check immediately after removing it from a charger. If you can put a load on it it tells you more about condition.

12.7 VDC if full charged
Anything less than 12 it is discharged.

[Geo78]

So I forgot to check this while drawing a load, but I was at 12.73 without a load. I checked each battery independently and both were identical. I did a bleed the propane, but I hadn't disconnected it. I did check the furnace operation and it worked tonight at 5000 feet. Could a low propane tank at 8800 feet in CO be the culprit? It was not that cold, probably 45 as the low. If the furnace does not fire once will it not try again until shut off?


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[cadman99]

Altitude and weather might well be the problem.

Yes the furnace must be shut off and back on to get it to try re-ignition.

[Geo78]

So bottom line is have good batteries and a full tank of propane to ensure success. Thanks for the help.


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[cadman99]

Good batteries and full propane but it is not a guarantee - I think altitude is also a factor - plus there are other devices that can fail.

[Geo78]

Ok. I just took my propane tank in to get filled. It was about 1/2 full. I am going to bleed it next time really well. Hopefully I am fixed up then.


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[5er_tom]

Mine did a strange thing last winter. It would not ignite. We were at a campground in myrtle beach. I had the service folks come out and they blew compressed air into the heater exhaust vent. Bingo! It worked. They told me that sometimes small bits of stuff fall onto the pilot light area causing the heater to not ignite. No cost to give it a try.


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[OldCoot]

At that altitude and temp, there is also a remote chance depending on where you got the tanks filled that they might have filled it with butane or a butane/propane mix instead of 100% propane which would definitely affect the furnace. Butane does not vaporize at as low a temperature as propane. IIC butane does not vaporize at temps below 32° F.

[Geo78]

I broke down and took the camper in. The service department said I need to open up air flow by removing the cover or replacing the orifice in the furnace. Does this sound right? Hopefully the air flow fix is the one that works. Leaving for 10 days tomorrow.


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[RamblerGuy]

Should not have to remove inlet grill for furnace to operate properly.

Our furnace and refrigerator work okay down to 10.5 volts. Had to do it several times. Ruining batteries is less pain on me than letting dearly beloved's little dog get cold.