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Old 12-30-2024, 08:26 PM   #1
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Hello all! I've been peeking in here since last spring, now it's time to get serious. '93 Saturn 1550 that needs replacement Duraflame heater, Dometic fridge and Attwood water heater. ANY tips or referrals will be very appreciated.
Thnx
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Old 01-01-2025, 06:40 PM   #2
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Welcome Strack,

If we can determine the model of the furnace, fridge, and water heater in your camper now, we can help with them. If they do not exist, as they were not in the camper when you bought it, well, let us know that also, as we can ask for different questions to have new ones fit in the space Sunline created.

Sunline used Atwood-brand water heaters, Atwood Hydroflame furnaces (you said Duraflame, maybe a typo), and Dometic-brand fridges. If you still have those brands, replacements are available; we need your model numbers. Dometic bought out Atwood, and it now offers parts for the older Atwoods and makes updated versions of water heaters, furnaces, and fridges.

If a previous owner changed the brand, tell us what it is. We can also help with that.

I want to ask: Do you know that none of these three appliances can be fixed?

I'm just asking because the cost of all new replacements may determine what you want to do. I do not know which versions you have, but this will start the conversation.

A new Domeitc 6-gallon all-gas or gas/electric water heater can cost $450 to $600 plus tax and possibly shipping. You need a conversion kit to adapt to the new heater size and piping that fits the size of the hole in the camper.

A new furnace: I think Dometic may have discontinued making the new 79/80 series Atwood furnaces that Sunline installed in the smaller campers. Because these furnaces had no ducts, the heat came out of the front of the grill inside the camper. Again, pending what you have, installing a new furnace in the side of the camper can cost $1,000 or more and require some camper rework.

- A new fridge, Dometic, now offers a 12-volt compressor fridge and still some models in the LP gas/ electric version. A new Dometic 3 cubic ft LP gas/electric fridge can be in the $1,700 range plus tax and shipping. Looks like this. https://www.dometic.com/en-us/outdoo...4?v=9105306315

As you can see, the cost of all new appliances adds up quickly. We have not yet investigated the details of the installation, as there may not be a drop-in, and some camper mods would be required to make the new versions fit.

There are other options for the furnace; Suburban, another RV brand, makes a direct discharge furnace in the $800 + tax and shipping range. We would have to drill into the details on fit etc, but it is an option if Domietc no longer offers these smaller direct-discharge furnaces. Like this Suburban NT-SEQ series https://suburbanrv.com/climate-contr...eries-furnace/

If you "only" camp with shore power, many install a dorm-style compressor fridge at a fraction of the cost. You have to deal with some cabinet mods and the lower vent on the side of the camper, but many have gone this route as they never camp off-grid.

The water heater cost is lower than the other two items. This is what it involves with the Dometic https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f...avy-20522.html

OR you go with a Suburban brand that fits in the old Atwood hole. https://suburbanrv.com/water-heating...r-heater-door/

Give us the make and models of what you have, and we can hone in on this closer. If any of the three can be fixed, we can see if parts are still available once we know more about what does not work on them.

I hope this helps.

John
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Old 01-02-2025, 08:55 PM   #3
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Saturn repairs

Hi, John!
Thanks so much for the reply! And on New Year's day nonetheless!
I have all the model numbers somewhere, and the trouble list long, so I'll get my act together and post again, maybe this weekend.
Thanks again!
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Old 01-02-2025, 11:14 PM   #4
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Hi Strack,

You are very welcome.

OK, get your model numbers and other info to see if we can help better.

Thanks

John
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Old 01-07-2025, 03:25 PM   #5
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John,
I'm working on a 1993 Saturn 1550. We'll start with the wall heater. Its a Hydro Flame HF 8012D. It works, but my HVAC guy says the fan is really squeaky and noisy. I've lost all my high end hearing, so I can't hear it. And he tells me it will be very difficult to get at to replace the fan or the unit. I've looked it over, but I think I need some guidance.
Anything you can suggest will be appreciated.
Thanks, Strack
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Old 01-07-2025, 11:33 PM   #6
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Hi Strack,

Yes, the motor bearings have gone out before. Your HVAC guy is correct. To replace the fan motor, you will have to remove the furnace from the camper to access it. Once the outside air intake/exhaust ports, gas line, and wiring are unhooked, the furnace will pull out as a unit inside the camper.

A potential hard part in removing the furnace is the air intake and exhaust tube in the side of the camper. That tube comes out from the outside. Take the screws out outside, and then the tube will come out. However, the tube is often rusted into the furnace, where it plugs into the furnace, making it hard to get the tube out, pending the version.

I'm not sure which vintage you have, but you may get luckey. See this link to SunlineFan's 79 camper he is restoring. It shows a pic of the outside air intake/exhaust tube. His was made differently, and it came apart more easily after he sheared the rivets off. When the outside cover came off, the pipes could stay attached to the furnace, allowing you to remove the furnace inside the camper. Please scroll down for more pictures. https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f...tml#post147243

On some versions, the outside air intake/exhaust tube has pipes attached directly to the ends of the siding flange. The tubes have a male/female pipe that can telescope to fit the wall and furnace mounting cavity. On that type, the connection between the inner and outer tubes can rust together, making it hard to get them apart. The design has changed over the years. I know on the newer furnaces, those telescoping tubes for sure rust together on the exhaust port due to the heat and moisture leaving the furnace. The coating starts to flake, and rust starts. Yours being older, the galvanizing may be better so as not to rust as badly.

I hope this helps

John


This might help your HVAC guy, as page 28 shows an exploded view of the HF-80 series furnace. https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/d...o=file&id=5645
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Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
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Old 01-08-2025, 09:16 AM   #7
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Thanks, John! I'll check it out.
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