Heater problems... I think. (FWC)

[Rot Box]

First and foremost I better bring this out in the open :sombrero: I am all thumbs when it comes to this stuff and I really don't quite know what to look for as this is the first camper I have ever owned with a heater of any sort lol :snorkel:

Anyway I'm having an issue with the heater in my FWC. I don't know the brand of heater, but the camper is an 81 and it looks to be original to the camper.

When I turn on the power and adjust the t-stat to max temp there is a delay then the fan turns on. A few seconds later the igniter lights off and everything sounds fine. You can hear the whhoooof of the propane lighting and it sounds like it is burning in there like it should.

My questions are:

1. Should the igniter keep clicking the whole time the heater is running? Mine does and I don't think it should.

2. The burner (I think that's what its called) gets hot if I reach inside there and touch it with my hand, but I can't seem to get anything more than lukewarm air to blow out of the vent. I left it running this morning with the t-stat set on 90* and an hour later I didn't think the inside of my camper was any warmer than it was outside at 60*. Shouldn't this thing blow out hot air? Or does it just provide enough heat to keep you from freezing to death?

Thanks for any tips or advise!

Andrew

[Jeff Wanamog]

No, the igniter should not keep clicking or igniting.
The problem starts with the install, there is no separation between the air intake and the supply side. This cooked the control panel in my Eagle. I installed a new control panel and built a metal divider the separated the supply and return. Pull off both of your air grills and you can see from one plenum to the other. Air will take the path of least resistance and circulate through the burner overheating the control panel. I also added a different air grill to the supply side that has adjustable fins so I can direct the air. The original installs use two return air grills.
My heater now runs less than half what it used to!
This is what worked for me. Hope it helps.
Jeff

[Rot Box]

That makes perfect sense. Great advice thank you! :wings:

I'll give that a try and see what happens.

[Stan@FourWheel]

You might want to see if you can find the model number and then do an internet search for an owners manual.

That furnace is almost 30 years old.

Check this thread out too. This guy has an older FWC and is also working on his furnace ...

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/index.php?/topic/3197/


good luck on getting it working again


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That makes perfect sense. Great advice thank you! :wings:

I'll give that a try and see what happens.




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