Furnace

[Combatcoal]

ive heard others complain of this same issue when it's wet for what it's worth.

[colourful64]

It's wet where I am too

[Combatcoal]

yea, i didnt get into the details on the web but that was a reoccuring thing they talked about

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by wayne and sherry

Right on. At the panel where you can push the button to check the battery's, gray and black and fresh water levels, put the slides in and out, start the generator, when l push the battery check button all the lights light up showing a full charge both when plugged into shore power and when not plugged into shore power. The battery's are full of water as l check them often and each battery shows 12.6 volts when l touch my meter to them.
We were in north and south Carolina and savanna GA 2 weeks ago when it was at first warm sun burn weather then it turned cold and wet. The furnace was working perfectly up until our last 2 nights.

Unplug from shore power, disconnect the negative (ground) cable, wait 10 minutes then put a volt meter across the battery. If your battery is fully charged it will read 13.2 to 13.6 volts. Anything less than 13 volts your battery is not charging.

[grotto69]

I recall something about making sure it's not on auto? I have taken mine off before and maybe that reset it because our issue went away. We had heat on and ac would also run at same time

[wayne and sherry]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

Unplug from shore power, disconnect the negative (ground) cable, wait 10 minutes then put a volt meter across the battery. If your battery is fully charged it will read 13.2 to 13.6 volts. Anything less than 13 volts your battery is not charging.

10-4 l will do that. Thanks eh

[knockando]

I wanted to add one more thing to this discussion that has not been brought up yet. I cannot confirm this yet but I think the propane regulator is freezing up after first run. We obviously only run the furnace when it's about 50 degrees or cooler I think that's where the propane gets weird. Might not be freezing up but getting to a point where propane doesn't flow like the furnace need to do.

[Scrapper]

"I recall something about making sure it's not on auto? I have taken mine off before and maybe that reset it because our issue went away. We had heat on and ac would also run at same time"

Only the A/C fan will run. They are set up so the fan will bring the warm air from the ceiling and make for a more consistent temperature throughout the trailer.

If somehow water got into the line then it could be possible. There is a small vent opening in the regulator that will get water in it if facing up and will cause the regulator to freeze at <32 degrees. It takes colder than -20 degrees temperatures for propane to freeze.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by knockando

I wanted to add one more thing to this discussion that has not been brought up yet. I cannot confirm this yet but I think the propane regulator is freezing up after first run. We obviously only run the furnace when it's about 50 degrees or cooler I think that's where the propane gets weird. Might not be freezing up but getting to a point where propane doesn't flow like the furnace need to do.

Easy way to tell would be to try and light the stove burners when the furnace acts up. If the regulator is frozen, the burners may not light or could have a very low flame.

[knockando]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Easy way to tell would be to try and light the stove burners when the furnace acts up. If the regulator is frozen, the burners may not light or could have a very low flame.

Good idea, which we did try when it happened and the stove lit and seemed normal, maybe a little low. After the furnace runs, it stops and then attempts to re-light. I hear the blower engage and the clicking of the electronic ignition but it doesn't light and the blower shuts off 10-15 seconds later. I suspect the flow of gas isn't there but I really have no idea.

I just know at 3 AM with a 8-week old in the Black Hills, 35 deg outside is not fun. I believe I ordered a electric space heater on amazon that night!

[Combatcoal]

make sure you have proper air flow, no wasp nests, etc, and check up on the sail switch.

[Scrapper]

If a mouse gets inside the furnace and builds a nest under the paddle for the sail switch. I forgot I had that happen in a 1989 Wilderness TT years back. We always wondered why the cat would stare at the cold air return. We found out when it started stinking.

[Combatcoal]

sail switch...sequence of operation
This is generic and applies to most DSI model furnaces.


Thermostat calls for heat.
Thermostat relay or time delay relay is energized and allows power to the blower.
Blower motor runs up to speed.
Sail switch closes at 75% of rated blower speed.
Power goes through the limit switch to the ignition control board.
The control board begins trial for ignition, opening gas valve and initiating ignition spark.
Burner ignites.
Thermostat reaches setting and opens.
Burner shuts down.
Fan runs briefly to cool furnace.

Definitions:
sail switch - micro switch with an arm that extends into the blower air stream which closes when the blower reaches approximately 75% of its rated speed. Also called an air prover switch.
watch for wires rubbing causing issues near the sail switch too.

[jp505smith]

I have a FR Flagstaff trailer and fought with a sail switch problem for a year before I INSISTED that the whole darn furnace be replaced...no problems since.

[ostmd]

Mine does it on shore power. I have been told by the dealer it was fixed 3 times now. I just got back from camping and I froze by button off again. It is costing me a fortune. Everytime I pick it up I have to pay shipping and some labor.

[colourful64]

When we purchased the fr3 two years ago we were told to use the furnace with the fan on low. And that's what we did because it used to cut out ... however we made an adjustment on the generator for the altitude and low and behold it works on auto .. perfectly

[colourful64]

The original issue we had was because of the battery

[ostmd]

When running on shore power does it go through the battery or does it bypass the battery. My furnace runs 1 time for a little and the turns cool air before it is at temp. Then never comes back on. This is while plugged in.

[wayne and sherry]

Originally Posted by Combatcoal

make sure you have proper air flow, no wasp nests, etc, and check up on the sail switch.

Where is that sail switch located?

[wayne and sherry]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

Unplug from shore power, disconnect the negative (ground) cable, wait 10 minutes then put a volt meter across the battery. If your battery is fully charged it will read 13.2 to 13.6 volts. Anything less than 13 volts your battery is not charging.

I'm going to get 2 new 12v RV deep cycle batts and just replace those stickers. Last rear they got low on water and went completely dead. Zero volts. I filled em with distilled water and used a ship to shore battery charger on then for 4 days and got life out of em. But l know they are junk so I'll just replace em.