Hi everyone, new to the forums. I just bought another truck camper last night, and plan to use it this weekend. After verifying proper operation of all lights, plumbing, electrical, and now appliances, my furnace does not work. I've searched online and located a manual for the unit. It the sail switch is good, limit switch is good, gas solenoids are good, igniter is properly gapped and the board receives power. The fan activates, it never makes an igniter sound, and the gas solenoid only open for a second, if that. I'm pretty stumped as to the problem. I pulled the igniter and let it hang to the side to see if it did anything, and it doesn't. I suspect the igniter does not activate until the solenoid opens? I purged the air by lighting the stove and fridge, it has gas to the solenoid on a freshly filled tank. Local dealer recommended a new unit, but this seems like a simple thing I'm over looking. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks all!

I have this info if it helps. http://www.popupportal.com/index.php?topic=32560.0Bobp.s. it could have an on/off switch , hidden where its hard to see it . That happened to me once.

Thanks for the link Bob, I checked over everything they talked about and still nothing. My friend is letting me borrow his circuit board to verify mine is good. I hope that's it, at least finding a failed part wood be a start lol! Thanks again, Bob Brad

Even if the sail switch is good it still has to "sail" Are you getting adequate air flow? Batteries are in good shape so the fan turns at the right speed? No obstructions in air intake or outlet, clogged filters, nests, etc?It sure sounds like the sequence is stalling at the air flow established? step.

Airflow is good, physically watched switch sail, and it supplied power to the board once the fans were up to speed. I'm just not getting anything to the igniter and it seems like a board issue. We will swap the board for diagnostic purposes and go from there. According to the diagram, all is well in there. I've literally dissected this furnace all day verifying power, grounds, continuity, and resistance checks. Everything points to the board now. I'm hoping this solves it. Otherwise I'm using an electric heater for the weekend, then installing the tune up kit and go from there. Previous owner said it worked for him. Google has netted me more than enough results regarding board failure so I'll see what happens.

Can you use a butane lighter and get the pilot to light? Checks the gas valves unless the board doesn't send the demand.

hydroheat 7916 not working | Good Sam Community

21 Replies

Bob__B
Explorer
Oct 21, 2014
I actually stopped by Pontiac RV a few weeks ago to look at what they had.
They had about 500 TT and other RVs.....1 Used truck camper they had taken on trade.
I guess they may still do service work on them.
brdmh44
Explorer
Oct 21, 2014
Pontiac RV, they surprisingly still sell truck campers. It's really a shame that the six dealers within 25 miles neither stock nor carry parts for truck campers. "Can we show you our new travel trailers?" No. This past weekend reminded me why I love truck campers. While everyone else was leveling, maneuvering, and what not, I backed in, plugged the electric in, and cracked a cold beverage. I've owned two travel trailers and two truck campers, now that I'm on my third, I'm here to stay. Looking forward to visiting the U.P. next summer with the GF in our little camper.

Thanks again everyone for the help, what a stand up group of people!
Bob__B
Explorer
Oct 21, 2014
Who are you working with for a dealer? Hope they get you working.

I am from the Peoria area. There are no camper dealers near here who even deal with truck campers any more.
I traveled to Minneapolis to buy the used 1181 I just picked up.....fixing a few things on my old one before selling it.
brdmh44
Explorer
Oct 21, 2014
Thanks for the update Bob B! After returning from my maiden trip on Sunday, I've been too busy combining to mess with it anymore till we get rained out.

I finally find a dealer about an hour away who would not only test my board, but also price match a new one! Now I'm just waiting on the time.

Bob B, it says you're from central Illinois, I'm from the Aurora area.
Gripnriprod
Explorer
Oct 20, 2014
Great news and thanks for taking us along for the ride.
Bob__B
Explorer
Oct 20, 2014
brdmh44 wrote:
Bob B, if you could follow up, it would be much appreciated. I'm taking my board to the dealer for testing today, hopefully they find it to be bad. I really like that the new boards have led lights to keep you informed. I'll be heating with electric this weekend, but it bothers me when something doesn't work. Previous owner said he used the camper mainly for hunting so the furnace was constantly running. With a "tune up" kit and new board, if it is bad, should have me up and running for years to come.

Thanks again everyone, I really enjoy being a part of such an active forum!

The new board fixed my problem.....The board was plug and play for my furnace......The lights are a nice troubleshooting tool on the new board....There is even a little neon that shows when it is firing the ignitor.
bobndot
Explorer III
Oct 17, 2014
This is Dino I used , but like I said, it didn't make any difference on mine, maybe it will on yours.
It still didn't start and after I bounced around a bit, it started on its own as it always does. I reinstalled the OEM board and keep the new Dino as my backup.

Dinosaur Electronics 541 994 4344

sorry the pics are blurred but you can read the part # , call them to verify it will work on the unit you have. I think it will #8673.

One of many Bobs ,

Bob
Gripnriprod
Explorer
Oct 17, 2014
Enjoy your weekend trip!
brdmh44
Explorer
Oct 17, 2014
Bob B, if you could follow up, it would be much appreciated. I'm taking my board to the dealer for testing today, hopefully they find it to be bad. I really like that the new boards have led lights to keep you informed. I'll be heating with electric this weekend, but it bothers me when something doesn't work. Previous owner said he used the camper mainly for hunting so the furnace was constantly running. With a "tune up" kit and new board, if it is bad, should have me up and running for years to come.

Thanks again everyone, I really enjoy being a part of such an active forum!
Bob__B
Explorer
Oct 17, 2014
Sounds like the exact same problem my old Lance Hydroflame furnace has. Everything seems to work as it should except the ignitor.....I'm doing a few fixes before selling it.

I connected an insulated screwdriver via alligator clip to the coil output and held it close to a ground to check the output of the ignitor coil.....Nothing. I can hear the gas valve turn on for a few seconds and smell propane, so I think it must be the board. I can hear a high pitched sound when it should be sparking.
I ordered a UIB L board made by these guys http://www.dinosaurelectronics.com/Ignitor_boards.htm

They have a cross reference chart to the old board Part number.

I ordered it from Amazon, but still haven't gotten it yet.

I'll let you know if the board fixes mine