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Old 04-22-2017, 05:54 PM   #1
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2801 Furnace problems

I'm on my first trip of the year and my furnace won't light in my 2801qs. It's a suburban with a digital thermostat. Last year it worked fine. I've been through the procedure in the manual a few times which is shut of the gas and run the blower.
But now when I turn on the furnace the air conditioner comes on as well and the furnace is trying to light but quits.
I've got gas to the stove, fridge, and water heater but the tank was completely empty this spring when I filled it I think maybe the vent was loose and the -30 temperatures probably didn't help.
Any help would be appreciated it's down to zero tonight lol.
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Old 04-22-2017, 06:02 PM   #2
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The AC is probably just the thermostat fan set to on instead of auto.
Is the furnace at the end of the propane run? If so turn the furnace off wait a minute and try again, maybe a couple of times.

Is your battery voltage good?
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Old 04-22-2017, 06:15 PM   #3
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I'm sure you checked but since first trip of year did you check the entire furnace air / gas tube for possible spider web blocking gas
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Old 04-22-2017, 06:45 PM   #4
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Thanks guys I'm plugged into 30 amp, but I didn't check for spider webs. I'll have to check the manual I haven't done it before.
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Old 04-22-2017, 08:34 PM   #5
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It's a good idea to get some screens for the vents on your furnace, water heater and fridge if you don't already have them. I've read some ugly stories about insect infestation of those appliances and personally had a huge wasp nest in the water heater when it was unused for a couple of months. Just Google RV vent screens. I got mine from Amazon.
Hope you get it going.
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Old 04-22-2017, 10:06 PM   #6
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I'll have to check them out thanks, I'm still wondering why the AC comes on too when I have it set to furnace. It's never done that before.
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Old 04-22-2017, 10:11 PM   #7
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I'll have to check them out thanks, I'm still wondering why the AC comes on too when I have it set to furnace. It's never done that before.
Check your thermostat to be sure that the fan setting is set to auto instead of on.
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Old 04-22-2017, 11:26 PM   #8
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Yes AC fan should be on auto.
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Old 04-23-2017, 12:23 AM   #9
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This my thermostat, just has fan high or low no auto. When I run the fan now the ac comes too same as the furnace.Click image for larger version

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Old 04-23-2017, 12:37 AM   #10
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Found the auto fan but it's not on
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Old 04-23-2017, 01:11 AM   #11
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Oops, sorry, different thermostat.
I don't know where to go from here. Still seems it would have an auto mode.
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Old 04-23-2017, 01:13 AM   #12
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Found the auto fan but it's not on
What happens if you turn it on?
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Old 04-23-2017, 01:17 AM   #13
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Press the bottom button until led at fan lights. Then press + or - until display shows "au" (auto). Press bottom button to select furnace.
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Old 04-23-2017, 01:26 AM   #14
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Sounds like you may have moisture in your propane tank causing the regulator to freeze up and limit the amount of propane. This happened to me in my old Winnebago and every time the outside temperature dropped below 45˚, the regulator would freeze up and no heat. But fridge worked.
Temporary fix is to pour warm water over the plastic regulator cover. Permanent fix if this is the issue was to have methanol injected into the tank when refilling. That removes the moisture.
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Old 04-23-2017, 06:22 AM   #15
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Press the bottom button until led at fan lights. Then press + or - until display shows "au" (auto). Press bottom button to select furnace.
X2, must be set to "AU"
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Old 04-25-2017, 10:59 AM   #16
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2801 Furnace problems

I have the fan set to aux that solved the ac coming on.
I think we might be on the right track with regulator freeze up. I lit a burner and tried the furnace and the burner just about went out. I'm on 30 amp and not using propane for anything else. Tried the oven the other night and couldn't get it above 350.
I poured hot water on the reg but no luck yet hopefully it will warm up here.
Thanks for the help everyone I think we're on the right track.
Time to fish
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Old 04-25-2017, 11:29 AM   #17
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Have you recently filled the propane? Are other propane appliances working? If the propane lines are empty ( after refilling propane or running appliance with tank off) and you turn on the tank valve quickly, you can activate the free flow prevention valve. If this happens, turn off propane, Let sit for a minute then turn it on very slowly until you hear propane flow. Stop and wait two to three minutes for lines to charge. You can then open valve all the way.
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Old 04-25-2017, 11:50 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tombsy View Post
I have the fan set to aux that solved the ac coming on.
I think we might be on the right track with regulator freeze up. I lit a burner and tried the furnace and the burner just about went out. I'm on 30 amp and not using propane for anything else. Tried the oven the other night and couldn't get it above 350.
I poured hot water on the reg but no luck yet hopefully it will warm up here.
Thanks for the help everyone I think we're on the right track.
Time to fish
Not enough propane flowing. Is your tank valve completely open? If yes, try Flybob's suggestion - turn off tank valve, wait a few minutes, barely crack open tank valve, wait a few minutes to pressurize lines, then open tank valve completely. Doubt you have regulator freeze up - while possible and does occur, that problem (water in the propane) is very rare. Possibly defective regulator (they're cheap and easy to change out).
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Old 04-25-2017, 12:15 PM   #19
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When I had the freeze up and finally found the reason, I removed the regulator and found it to be gummed up with white/yellow goo like butter. Probably from propane and water vapor mixture. Might start there.
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Old 04-25-2017, 01:48 PM   #20
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When I had the freeze up and finally found the reason, I removed the regulator and found it to be gummed up with white/yellow goo like butter. Probably from propane and water vapor mixture. Might start there.
It is coming from the propane. Propane has water in it. If you ever looked at the exhaust pipe from a propane powered forklift while running you will see water dripping from it. Just like the tailpipe on your car or truck.
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