Cherokee Grey Wolf 20RDSE furnace-installed breaker switch, sail switch locations

Away1

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Where are the 2020 Cherokee Grey Wolf 20RDSE furnace-installed breaker switch, sail switch locations? Heat blower works and then shuts off without actual heat firing up. I checked propane tanks, checked turned water heater on (working), turned all range burners on for a few minutes (checking for air needing purged), cycled thermostat multiple times after checking if it would lockout on its own after it was supposedly going to automatically try three times on its own before lockout.

Anything else I should try before spending money at the RV repair?
 
Assuming your furnace is a suburban, it is a 12 volt appliance and will have a fuse, not a breaker. If you can hear the igniter clicking and the clunk of the gas valve, your sail switch is working. Mine takes 4 times with three attempts before it lights to purge the gas line. What make and model do you have?
 
Cherokee Grey Wolf 20RDSE

Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf (make) 20RDSE (model). Bought in December of 2020

I'll see if I can find the actual manual. I've been using the internet to download pdf of the manual(s). What I was finding within the troubleshooting was reference to the furnace-installed breaker switch and sail switch. The diagram that appeared to be the same as mine had an on/off switch near the exhaust vent on the outside wall. When I tried to access it from within the trailer, removing the vented air access cover (inside), the apparent cutout area where the diagram had indicated access to that switch was not cutout. So at this point I'm not sure where else to look. The pdf had shown three different furnace type diagrams and this was the only one that was more rectangular as is mine. The other two were more of a longer cube type.
 
Cherokee Grey Wolf 20RDSE

Also had checked the fuse (15amp) and it appeared fine and the red light that comes on when a fuse is bad only came on when I took it out to put in a new one. Replaced it anyway and the red light went off as it should.
 
Haven't heard the ignitor clicking. I'll check for the model number sticker tomorrow. Don't recall seeing it.
 
We had a similar issue on our last camping trip. It was the first time we needed heat since we bought the TT. What I found was a small rocker switch on the furnace (in a very hard to reach spot) was turned off. I wound up using an inspection mirror to see it based on where the manual said it was, then used the handle of another insulated tool to turn the switch on. The furnace worked perfectly after that. Apparently it was not turned on before installation, and it's not in a location where it can be reached with your hand (or even seen for that matter).
 
Jumping ahead on the steps of attempting to diagnose without furnace removal.

My suggestion is to remove the furnace.

Turn off the propane tank(s).
Run a range burner until the flame goes out.
This will prevent dumping unburned propane into your living space.

Pull the 12 volt fuse dedicated to the furnace.

In most cases, you can remove the furnace by removing the grill on the return air intake. There is also likely to be a removable cabinet panel (4 screws) to give you "easy" access to the furnace cabinet. That panel should be large enough to allow the furnace to slide out of the cabinet.
Typically, one must disconnect the propane line from the base of the furnace. Next there will likely be several flex ducts attached to the furnace body...in most cases, these are removed by simply rotating them counter clockwise about 1/4 turn. Then there will be several screws holding the furnace cabinet to the floor. At the rear of the furnace there is typically a bracket mounted on the floor and a lip on the bottom of the furnace body slips under that bracket to secure that side of the furnace body...no screws. Obviously, every installation is different, but just remember that all this stuff is designed to be assembled and serviced easily. Take your time and proceed cautiously, but it should be pretty easy.

In my experience, your furnace exhibits symptoms of a clogged/dirty or failed sail switch.

VERY IMPORTANT CAVEAT. The sail switch operates by the circulation fan building enough pressure to move the "sail" on the sail switch enough to close the sail switch. I had a situation where the switch itself had NOT failed, but the switch resisted operation by the sail despite being clean and lubricated. The fan would come on, and the sail was free to move, but it would not depress the switch enough to close the circuit. I tested my sail switch repeatedly, and when operated by hand, the switch functioned, but it did NOT function when being operated by the air pressure and sail.

My point is, get the sail switch part number and order a new one (or buy at an RV store) regardless of what you find or think you find. It's enough work to pull the furnace to warrant thowing a new sail switch at it to avoid the 3 times I had to remove my furnace because of the nature of the problem. I fiddle/farted around with mine twice, confirming that the switch worked by using the ohms test with a multimeter. The switch worked when I had it in my hand, but the sail could not operate the switch...a flaw in the sail mechanism of the sail switch.

Other bits...
In a situation like this, the typical appliance breaker will reset automatically, but while you have the furnace out, you can locate the switch and operate it several times...off/on/off/on...about 6 to 8 full cycles just to be sure.
When reinstalling the furnace, your "chimney" and combustion air intake system might be difficult to line up with the outside flange still installed. Be prepared to remove the outside chimney/cold-air-intake to allow easy installation of the furnace. From the outside, it's easy to line up the pipe(s) with the furnace pipes. BE CAREFUL WITH ANY GASKET MATERIAL AROUND THE FLANGE. Mine is a kind of flexible rope "caulk", and I can reuse it to make a good seal. I typically have to "re-mold" my caulk to seal the flange against the outside of the rig and prevent water intrusion past the flange.
In my case, I did NOT have to disconnect the wiring harness from the furnace. It was a bit of a pain to leave it connected, but I wasn't excited about taking things apart when I didn't have to. But while you're in there, check all the connections. On my first foray into fixing mine, I touched the harness, and a wire fell out of a crimp connector. Easy fix, but be prepared. These things are assembled in one hell of a hurry, and sloppy connections will drive you crazy. So check 'em out.
Once the furnace is re-installed and ready to test, don't forget to replace the fuse.
Next, to prime the gas line, get a good stick lighter and hold it next to a stove burner. It will take 5 to 10 seconds for the burner to light, and it will take 10 or more seconds for the flame to fully stabilize. This step will largely prime the propane line to the furnace.
Now uses the thermostat to ignite the furnace. If the sail switch fixed it, you should hear the igniter and the sound of the gas valve opening. If it doesn't start right away, try 3 or 4 times until the open gas valve has purged remaining air from the gas line.

If it's the sail switch, you're good to go. If it was a breaker needing to be reset, you're good to go. If it's neither of those you might need a pro to help you.

PS. Furnaces are in an inherently dirty environment. They inhale huge amounts of unfiltered air from the cabin through the return air vent. The circulation fan blows that air onto the sail switch and through the furnace heat exchanger. Over time, crud happens. And that crud is often microscopically fine dirt particles ... not big dust bunnies. But if you look at the furnace filter on your furnace at home, that's what's circulated through your RV furnace. And the sail switch is right there in harm's way.
 
Cherokee Grey Wolf 20RDSE (sail switch...)

I appreciate everyones posts. I checked for model info sticker. Wasn't able to see it. I used my phone camera video to record everywhere I could reach but did not see any useful information.

Without actual removing of the furnace, I'm going to vacuum as much as I can reach and then take it in and pay for whatever the fix may end up being. I'm guessing at this point, that since I don't hear any clicking, that it is probably the sail switch needing replacement.

I'm not physically able to do any more than just the aforementioned vacuuming.

Hopefully, the potential repair cost quote isn't too much or we'll just be waiting for warmer weather to travel.

Thanks again everyone!
 
I'm an amateur, and it took me less than two hours to figure out all the steps to remove the furnace, remove and test the sail switch, replace the sail switch, and reinstall the furnace.

I suggest you get an estimate for the repair and expect 2 shop hours or less for labor. I don't recall the price of a sail switch, but assume about $25 with shop markup. As you can see here, a whole kit runs $21, and the switch alone runs about $11 retail. A 25% markup might be typical. Expect labor to run up to $180/hour.

You might do better to call a certified mobile RV repair service to come to your home. These are typically independents, and they often charge less. BUT THE PROBLEM might be not having the part in stock and having to make two trips. OTOH, to drag your rig to an RV dealer or independent repair shop will cost you a minimum of $1.00 per mile...or more (typically quite a bit more), and then there's the time and hassle of hooking up, towing, unhooking, and reversing that process at the other end of the repair. If it's 25 miles to the RV shop, that's $100 for the two round trips plus your time and effort moving and then re-storing the rig for winter. That cost is relative, but if you physically can't perform this repair, perhaps that's more effort than it's worth to move the rig twice.

I recently had a mobile RV repair service come to my home to replace a broken main leaf spring. It took two trips...one for diagnosis (identifying the proper spring part from Dexter) and a second to install. Total for parts and labor, including his miles, was about $550. He was certified to repair furnaces, propane fridges, and much more. There aren't that many part numbers for sail switches, so I'd be surprised if he didn't carry a selection of spares with him at all times. Just a thought.

Good luck.
 
Cherokee Grey Wolf 20RDSE (sail switch...)

Thanks again! I'm just leery of oversight of something that could create a safety issue with propane. I don't have a meter to verify circuit status. Thought about buying one. I'm still hooked up from a recent trip since I anticipated the need for a repair trip (10 miles away).
I'll call them for a quote as well as checking for a local independent mobile repair service availability.
 
What power source were you using when trying the furnace?... battery or plugged in to shore power? What is your 12v voltage at the furnace?

You can spend a lot of time and money checking and replacing things like a sail switch but if you do not have adequate voltage to spin the blower motor fast enough to move the sail switch, it will never work.

One must start with the basics.
 
Cherokee Grey Wolf 20RDSE (sail switch...)

Initially 20amp shore power when heat first failed on trip.

Upon return to home 30amp shore power with heat still not working.
 
Initially 20amp shore power when heat first failed on trip.

Upon return to home 30amp shore power with heat still not working.

Well, that's a good sign you "could" have good 12v but not a guarantee.
The only way to know for sure is test it at the furnace.

Also are you now saying it was working fine and then just quit during operation?
 
Cherokee Grey Wolf 20RDSE (sail switch...)

It was working when we had gone to bed. Then about 3am it was not working.
 

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