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evergladesgator's avatar
Apr 26, 2018

Propane leak

Constant smell of propane inside camper. Narrowed the smell down to the furnace. Disconnected the furnace and plugged off the supply line. Checked for leak around the valve and exhaust . Nothing Not even a little bubble. Removed valve, plugged off outlets and applied propane and immersed in bucket of water, Not even a sign of a bubble. Reinstalled the valve and checked for voltage to valve. I read 4 to 7 volts applied to coil with tstat off. Would this be enuf to energize the coil ?? Disconnect stat still get voltage applied to coil. Turn rocker switch to off and no voltage. Could it be the board ??? Thanks

5 Replies

  • Hi Chris. Thought y'all lived in Texas. Walk into camper with propane bottle valve turned on & extremely heavy smell of propane INSIDE camper. Dangerous situation so i disconnected the supply to the furnace after process of elimination to delete which device was causing the leak. . I also changed the coil from one valve that was changed out on my HWH.
  • Atwood Excalibur 8525-111 . Valve no installed now. Checked voltage from ground and red wire that activates the coil. Gas is plugged off now to prevent leak.
  • 2 points, it just about has to be the board, as the valve is directly controlled by it. Only other fault would be shorted wiring.
    With the valve leaking, you shouldn't have gas inside the rig, it should be sealed to the outside. A thorough inspection of the heat chamber is in order.
  • check the wiring harness carefully, for signs of being 'rodent' chewed
    a mouse or a rat might have nibbled the wiring creating a short
    it has to be either wiring or the board

    other wise, yes the control board has a failure
  • 4 to 7 DC Volts on gas valve solenoid is enough to energize just enough to allow 'leakage' thru valve

    Really strange that you have ANY DC at gas valve...........lots of 'safeties' to get thru (FAIL) for DC to get that far in the circuit

    Timed Delay Relay energized/coil made up so DC is allowed on fan side of relay
    Fan running ---up to speed
    Sail Switch made up
    THEN DC goes to circuit board and allows DC to ignition/gas valve


    DC Voltage comes from a fused source thur that ON/OFF rocker switch then to the Timed Delay Relay.....is triggered/allowed to go to fan motor WHEN t-stat contacts make up and sends DC to other side of Timed Delay Relay

    Then fan runs and moves paddle wheel on sail switch which allows DC to go thru High Temp Limit Switch (always Closed unless tripped) then to circuit board

    So would need to TRACE where/how DC getting to circuit board and then to gas

    Is Fan side of Timed Delay Relay HOT...
    Is DC going thru Sail Switch (micro contacts stuck closed)

    Post Brand/Model for a wiring scheme of furnace circuits

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