'82 Sunline...furnace issues

silky'smom · 12-23-2007, 02:45 PM

I just bought and brought home a 1982 travel trailer. I'm trying to get the furnace to fire up, but no luck. The previous owner--not having used it in years--didn't know what to do either. To the best of my knowledge I followed the directions on the inside of the furnace door, but I can't get the starter to fire. I also tried using a fireplace match (not exactly sure where the pilot hole is). I know I have propane because the stove lit up. If someone has a manuel that would be great. Or any advice would be welcomed. Thanks!

Al in PA · 12-23-2007, 05:10 PM

I don't remember the procedure for lighting the furnace on my 15.5' TT, but I do remember you had to be persistent and have patience. It seemed to take forever for all of the air to bleed out of the line so the furnace or hot water heater would light. Some of the older thermostats had the temperature setting on the top and an on/off switch on the bottom. The fan would kick in shortly after turning the switch on, but the heat kicked in a minute or so later. I used to leave the stove burning while starting the hot water heater, fridge and furnace because once the air was out of the line to the stove the others seemed to light easier.

Mooney · 12-23-2007, 06:19 PM

OK, we sold my little bro our 1981 (as seen in photo) just this year, so this should be how it works (if yours is the same...)

There should be a push-in piezo style striker to create the spark that you can see once you remove the grille.

It is the shiny metal piece... just to the right should be a dull aluminum panel with a VERY small hole in it.

OK, get it as dark as you can, and get on the floor and try to look through the hole (NO GAS SUPPLY TO THE FURNACE YET- OK?).

Push the shiny piece in and you should hear it "CLICK"- and see a spark though the witness hole.

If no spark, try, try again- it's hard to see through the hole. It's a flint setup like high school chemistry...I don't know that you would be able to get a match in to light it...

If yes spark, then turn on thermostat on wall (just crank it all the way up- this should turn on the fan).

Once the fan is going, turn the gas dial to "Pilot" and hold it there while you look through the hole and push the igniter (like lighting the fridge on gas). If the furnace fires up, you'll hear it go like the water heater does- hold it on pilot for a few seconds (and enjoy the dust bath you'll take from the fan blowing in your face ....). This should let the furnace run on its own, and don't forget to adjust the temp.- it'll get hot in there really quickly.

Please post ASAP whether you are successful or not- I'm FINALLY going to be over my dad's to get the brochures to scan for Jon, and I'll try to get photos of our furnace that we used to have to see if I can help more (I'll have my brother bring his keys just in case).

silky'smom · 12-23-2007, 07:27 PM

Eureka! It worked! I'm letting it run right now to warm the TT up. It's cold here in Colorado--about 23 degrees. Thank you so very much! I'm hoping to go to my sister's in a few days, and I really needed the furnace to work. Thanks again.

Mooney · 12-25-2007, 05:39 AM

That's great! We all love to help- glad to hear that we were of assistance-
NOW GO ENJOY THAT CAMPER!!!!

-Greg

OPIE · 12-25-2007, 09:02 AM

What do you do if you don't get a spark....just wondering, I have an 83 T1550, but I've never been able to fire it up.

OPIE · 12-25-2007, 09:04 AM

Merry Chistmas by the way.

**Sunline Fan** · 12-25-2007, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OPIE

What do you do if you don't get a spark

You probably don't have gas coming through the line yet. Try lighting your WH first to get gas all the way to the back. If the WH lights and the furnace still won't, you'll probably have to pull apart and clean out the burner tube. Most likely, there are spiders making a home in there.

Jon

Al in PA · 12-28-2007, 04:29 PM

silky'smom,

It's great that you were able to get the furnace working. I hope you didn't get caught in the 2' of snow we heard about on today's news. If you did, brush the snow off the roof and sit tight until the roads are cleared.

silky'smom · 12-28-2007, 05:40 PM

Thanks for your concern. No, I live in Colorado Springs, and the snow passed us by. I actually haven't taken off yet. I'll be leaving tomorrow, heading south, and the roads should be just fine. It will still be very cold, though...below freezing. Thanks again.