Forum Discussion

travistodd1's avatar
travistodd1
Explorer
May 19, 2014

I need help.... again....

So I recently had a bunch of problems getting my hot water heater to work in my 1990 Lynx 5th Wheel. I received some great help and got what I thought was the last of the bugs worked out of my camper....

Unfortunately at about 2 am while camping in the White Mountains I discovered a new problem. While I thought my furnace was acting as it should... turns out after it shuts off from warming up the camper to the desired temperature, the pilot goes out. Of course, I did not realize this until it was circulating some nice cool air in the middle of the night when it kicked back on. I had to restart the pilot each time I wanted to use the furnace. Then at the end of the trip, the pilot just would not restart at all.

Any suggestions?

Thanks guys,


Travis
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer II
    May 19, 2014
    wa8yxm wrote:
    Well.. There is basically NOTHING that can go wrong with a thermocouple flame sensor save for bad connections.

    I disagree with this statement. I have had thermocouples die on me before. Cheap and easy fix. Replace it.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    May 19, 2014
    Well.. There is basically NOTHING that can go wrong with a thermocouple flame sensor save for bad connections.

    BUT there is plenty that can go wrong with the flame it senses.. I would start with proper cleaning and adjusting of the pilot burner ... If there is anything obstructing the pilot that can cause a reduced flame.

    Also, You say the pilot goes OUT when the main burner kicks in This strongly suggests that the problem is NOT the flame sensor (Thermocouple) since if it were not sensing flame the main burner would not kick in.

    But it also suggests a bad pilot flame.. So again, I'd clean the pilot first.
  • naturist's avatar
    naturist
    Nomad
    May 19, 2014
    I'll second the thermocouple. Classic symptoms. Cheap and easy fix.
  • BoonHauler's avatar
    BoonHauler
    Explorer
    May 19, 2014
    pianotuna wrote:
    Hi Travis,

    Check the flame sensor (millivolt generator). If it is not being sufficiently heated by the pilot light the gas valve may be shutting it off.


    I agree with Don, replace the Pilot Light Thermocoupler. I'll bet that will fix it.
  • travistodd1's avatar
    travistodd1
    Explorer
    May 19, 2014
    It is an Atwood. I believe it said Hydra Therm or something similar. I will need to go look to verify. It heats well for the duration that it is on. It brings the camper up to temperature well and once it reaches the desired temp set on the thermostat it shuts down as is it should. It has a push button igniter on it that lights the pilot. Kind of like a BBQ grill. I went out earlier and the pilot fired right up.
  • mobilefleet's avatar
    mobilefleet
    Explorer
    May 19, 2014
    I'm with calamus. air in lines or maybe a wasp/dirt dobber nest in the exterior outlet
  • calamus's avatar
    calamus
    Explorer
    May 19, 2014
    What kind of furnace is it?? A 1990 should not have a piolt light it should have an auto ignighter. Sounds like air in the lines. A little more info would be helpful.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    May 19, 2014
    Hi Travis,

    Check the flame sensor (millivolt generator). If it is not being sufficiently heated by the pilot light the gas valve may be shutting it off.

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