Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Sunline RV Forum
Sunline User Photos

Go Back   Sunline Coach Owner's Club > Sunline Club Community Forums > Sunline Community
Click Here to Login

Join Sunline Club Forums Today


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 10-15-2016, 06:03 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Florida
Posts: 6
SUN #8596
tbroton is an unknown quantity at this point
Getting furnace to work

Our first fall trip and we don't know how to get the Atwood hydroplane furnace to kick in. We turned thermostat from OFF to On, move desired temp and heard the magnet click in , but no result to heater??? Oh, yes the gas is turned on...

We got it to work last trip on a test run, but neither of us remembet how...
__________________

__________________
tbroton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2016, 05:20 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
j52wf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 544
SUN #2366
j52wf is an unknown quantity at this point
Is it an older model with a pilot that has to be lit manually? If not, it should automatically ignite. First time might take a few tries to clear air from the gas line.
__________________

__________________
j52wf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2016, 07:04 PM   #3
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Florida
Posts: 6
SUN #8596
tbroton is an unknown quantity at this point
thanks for the reply.

No, it is a 2004 unit.

Is there anyway to "reset" it?

My wife read a string stating there is a reset button. I openned the exterior panel and found a button with a red V on it. Didn't. Help...

The maddening part is it worked on our trst 2 months ago...
__________________
tbroton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2016, 11:51 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Steve Collins's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: New York
Posts: 1,846
SUN #264
Steve Collins is an unknown quantity at this point
Quote:
Originally Posted by tbroton View Post
Our first fall trip and we don't know how to get the Atwood hydroplane furnace to kick in. We turned thermostat from OFF to On, move desired temp and heard the magnet click in , but no result to heater??? Oh, yes the gas is turned on...

We got it to work last trip on a test run, but neither of us remembet how...
The manual for your furnace should be in the FILES section here on Sunline Club. It includes full operating instructions. If you don't have it yet, it's a good idea to do so. If it's not there, the manufacturer's website will have it available in their support area.

RV furnaces all run through a purge cycle when they first turn on, usually by the thermostat. A fan should come on almost immediately and run by itself for a while blowing cold air out through the vents. 30 to 90 seconds is not unusual. When the purge is done, the furnace should fire up and begin to blow hot air into the ducts.

There's a little switch in the furnace called the sail switch. It is integral to the purge cycle, and they are known to fail. Replacement is quick and easy. It's been a while since I worked on an RV furnace, but I believe you can bypass the sail switch to see if the furnace fires up properly.

If you are DIY inclined, I am pretty sure there is a service manual in the FILES area.
__________________

'12 F250 4x4 Super Duty PowerStroke 6.7 diesel
2011 to present: '11 Cougar 326MKS
1999 to 2011: '99 Sunline T-2453
SUN264 * Amateur Radio kd2iat monitoring 146.52
Steve Collins is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2016, 05:54 PM   #5
Moderator
 
JohnB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 12,643
SUN #89
JohnB is on a distinguished road
If you have a 2004 unit, then you have a newer all electronic ignition furnace. As Steve stated, once the T stat calls for heat, the blower should run a purge cycle. Then it will attempt to auto ignite the gas, if it is firing and you listen real close you can hear the constant sparking sound and the clunk of the gas valve opening.

And to the sail switch, Yes, yours has one and your camper must either be plugged into shore power (120VAC) and the power converter working or if running on battery only, have a well charged battery to create enough power to run the blower hard enough (fast enough) to close the connection on the sail switch. If the voltage it too low, the blower will run and not much else will happen.

To help you better, we need to know what the furnace does or does not do once you turn on the T stat and the call for heat is above the current temp in the camper. Does the blower run but not ignite or do you not ever get the blower to run?

Some answers to 2 questions helps point you to the next steps.

Hope this helps

John

PS. the sail switch in the newer Atwood furnaces is buried deep inside the blower housing. It is not easy to change. However if you are electrically handy, a volt meter can tell if it is closed to rule it in or not.
__________________
Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
2005 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.8L V10 W/ 4.10 rear axle, CC, Short Bed, SRW. Reese HP trunnion bar hitch W/ HP DC

Google Custom Search For Sunline Owners Club
JohnB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2016, 08:30 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Steve Collins's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: New York
Posts: 1,846
SUN #264
Steve Collins is an unknown quantity at this point
One more important point that I forgot to mention. If you have the DuoTherm thermostat that looks like the one pictured below, they are notorious for inaccurate settings. You may have to move the temp setting lever way up beyond what you think it should be to get it to close the relay and fire up the furnace.

If that's the case, replacements are available, but run $30 to $50 depending on where you get it. A better solution is a digital thermostat replacement. But let's get your furnace running first. If the thermostat is faulty, we can talk about replacing it later.

__________________

'12 F250 4x4 Super Duty PowerStroke 6.7 diesel
2011 to present: '11 Cougar 326MKS
1999 to 2011: '99 Sunline T-2453
SUN264 * Amateur Radio kd2iat monitoring 146.52
Steve Collins is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2016, 09:31 AM   #7
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Florida
Posts: 6
SUN #8596
tbroton is an unknown quantity at this point
Thanks for all the help.

I took it in to Perdido Air and Heating, a local HVAC vendor, and they found a disconnected sensor wire behind the thermostat. How'd that happen?! Hover, it only cost $88. I think anytime you can return with a fix with either a Trailer or boat under a hundred dollars, you're a winner!!!!
__________________
tbroton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2017, 06:29 PM   #8
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 6
SUN #9423
Pete 1 is an unknown quantity at this point
Water heater problem

We are having problems with our water heater staying on. I can light pilot but it will not stay on.
__________________
Pete 1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-25-2017, 10:10 PM   #9
Moderator
 
Sunline Fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,155
SUN #123
Sunline Fan is an unknown quantity at this point
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete 1 View Post
We are having problems with our water heater staying on. I can light pilot but it will not stay on.
Sounds like you might have some spiders in the burner assembly/orifice. Have you cleaned that out lately?

If you pull the tube assembly off, I found a bent paper clip fit in the orifice well. A little compressed air should help clean the rest out.
__________________
2007 T-286SR Cherry/Granola, #6236, original owner, current mileage: 9473.8 (as of 6/18/21)
1997 T-2653 Blue Denim, #5471
1979 12 1/2' MC, Beige & Avocado, #4639
Past Sunlines: '97 T-2653 #5089, '94 T-2251, '86 T-1550, '94 T-2363, '98 T-270SR
Sunline Fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2017, 06:04 PM   #10
Moderator
 
JohnB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 12,643
SUN #89
JohnB is on a distinguished road
Hi Pete,

Did you get your HW heater working? If you are still having problems, please post a brand and model number of the heater so we know which model you have. And a picture with the outside door down of the heater helps too.

Thanks

John
__________________
Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
2005 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.8L V10 W/ 4.10 rear axle, CC, Short Bed, SRW. Reese HP trunnion bar hitch W/ HP DC

Google Custom Search For Sunline Owners Club
JohnB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2017, 08:49 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,357
SUN #2097
mainah is an unknown quantity at this point
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete 1 View Post
We are having problems with our water heater staying on. I can light pilot but it will not stay on.
If it lights with a decent flame but goes out it's most likely the thermocouple most RV stores will have a replacement.
__________________

__________________
mainah is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
heater first-trip newbie


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
Ford Towing - Blind Spot Mirrors that work JohnB Towing and Tow Vehicles 7 02-11-2013 09:40 PM
Work Camping and How We Found our Jobs emam Work Camping 26 12-19-2009 06:48 PM
Furnace doesn't work.... WandaLust Sunline Community 3 11-10-2008 01:23 PM
Jensen range hood fan: How does it work? Hematite Sunline Travel Trailers 9 08-29-2008 07:54 AM
Warranty Work solaris Sunline Community 1 09-13-2006 01:12 PM


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sunline RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:44 PM.


×