Furnace questions

frank_a · 06-06-2012, 08:55 AM

We have yet to try our furnace in our new-to-us 1983 T-1550, but sure would like to give it a try. Problem is, I have absolutely no experience along these lines and am looking for help.

We have a thermostat and a furnace cover inside under the frig. What do I do?

Does turning the thermostat on light the furnace? I tried that briefly the other day and that doesn't seem to work.

Do I have to remove the furnace cover and light it? If so, how do I do that (i.e., where specifically do I light it), and what should the thermostat be set at when I do?

Is there any power to the furnace, either 12V or 110V, in an '83 rig? If there is, what is it doing?

Thanks for any help. This is about the last thing I have questions about until I get the fun job of replacing the water heater!

Frank

Jim-Bev-2363 · 06-06-2012, 05:15 PM

Frank, You will need to make sure your LP is on and lines filled, run burner at stove till it ignites. Then turn thermostat to on, the switch on the bottom, and the temperature setting turned up. It should werk after awhile.

frank_a · 06-06-2012, 07:12 PM

LP is on and all 3 burners work great Jim, just used them this past weekend, mostly to heat water (till we get a new water heater), but some to cook too. So what's a while? 5 minutes? 10? I mean, when should I give up if it doesn't come on?

Thanks for getting back to me on this. All this stuff is new to me and I don't want to screw anything up!

Frank

Jim-Bev-2363 · 06-07-2012, 04:46 AM

Frank, When I turn my thermostat on and calling for heat the heater fan starts to blow and maybe a couple of minutes, three at most, the burner fires and we have heat. Maybe your older model unit is different.

frank_a · 06-07-2012, 05:14 AM

I'm gonna give it a try this a.m. Jim. I have a feeling my older model is a bit less sophisticated, but no time like now to find out. Gotta take a shower and get ready for work 1st.

Thanks!

Frank

frank_a · 06-07-2012, 06:13 AM

Like the idiot I am, I sit there after the fan has gone on for a while, figuring "Oh well." Then take the cover off the furnace and discover an off-pilot-on switch that is turned to off. Hmm, maybe a problem? I turned it to pilot and will try again tonight or tomorrow a.m. Busy fellow!

Frank

mainah · 06-07-2012, 06:44 AM

Oh that is an old one. Looks like there are instructions just to the right of the valve have not seen one of them in a long time most are electronic. The pilot will have to be lit with a match/lighter.

1982 21RB · 06-07-2012, 07:23 AM

I have that model of heater. It takes awhile for the propane to purge the air from line. If you look under the camper you will note that the line to the heater and fridge is "t'd" off the line to your range. First set your thermostat to On and Increase the Temp Setting to full hot "90º Plus." This will cause the heater fan to run (purging the fire box of any built up propane as you attempt to light the pilot.) Place the red knob in the pilot position and push it in - hold it in for a good long time and then occasionally push the piezo sparker (silver shaft beside the knob.) There is a small hole in the firebox where you can look in and see the pilot light when it lights. At this point you are on your knees, butt in the air with cold blower air hitting you in the face with a sore thumb from holding the pilot knob in and pushing the piezo with your other hand praying that it will light on the next push. Once it lights, continue to hold the pilot knob in for a minute or two to warm the thermocouple (that automatically kills the propane to the unit should it detect that the pilot has gone out - a safety feature.) After that minute or two slowly release the pilot knob and watch to ensure that the pilot stays lit. If it starts to go out, immediately push it back in so that it stays lit and hold it awhile longer. Once you have let go of the pilot light and it stays lit, move the pilot knob to ON. You should hear the roar of life in the fire box and that cold air in your face should start to warm. Stand up, set the thermostat to a comfortable temp and smile. Oh and make sure that your children are not standing near the exhaust on the outside of the trailer because it gets mighty hot (happened to us once - who would have thought they would have been standing right there in their little nylon parkas - No injuries thankfully.) Good Luck!

frank_a · 06-07-2012, 09:46 AM

Wow! Great info! Gonna copy it and keep it in the trailer. Thank you VERY much!

Frank