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Italianhorn's avatar
Italianhorn
Explorer
Jul 22, 2013

Travel Star 17CK noobie

I just picked up my new to me 99 Travel Star 17ck. Unfortunately the previous owner has dementia so going to him for advice isn't possible. I have everything figured out except the hot water heater and furnace. The owners manual for the camper states to follow the directions on the inside of the exterior access panel for the water heater, and to follow manufacture instructions for the furnace . Well the English portion is faded so I cant read it. Does anyone have step by step, preferably with pics (I'm more of a visual learner) on getting the water heater prepped and then running. Same with the furnace?
  • The water heater can stay lit all weekend long. It cycles on and off. Our starcraft has the same propane only water heater that our pup had. No problems whatsoever. Someday the thermocouple may go bad, but that's a given. You will get it to light but it continuously goes out. Gets so hot that the gas will be let loose and you can toast the hair off your knuckles. I wouldn't stress too much about it until the thermocouple bales out. Any propane provider, problably lessig, pen argyl, or pocononrv can fix it.
  • Turns out I think the ignitor is just bad. Holding the button down does purge the air and it will light using a stick lighter. Looks like I'll just be doing that each time we want hot water (the mrs. is crazy and doesnt want it burning constantly)
  • What's up Pen Argyl? Our family owns KB express autos in Bangor. They currently have a 2006 8.1 Sub on the lot!!!!!
  • Try lighting the stove as a stove burner will help purge the air much faster than the tiny pilot light will. Might help you light it a little faster.
  • When there has been air in the line from being turned off, etc, it can take a while to get the air out and get the gas to the pilot light.

    Mine pilot light is unfortunately manual and I have to light it each trip by hand. First trip of the year it takes me a bit holding the pilot button in before I get gas to it and it will light.

    Ray
  • Finally had a chance to give mine a try. Hooked up the LP and water. Turned to pilot and I got nothing, tried pushing the piolt light and same result. When you adjust the t-stat you can hear a click, but thats it. I know my tanks have LP in them, and the furnace fired up just fine. Any suggestions?
  • poppin_fresh wrote:
    It would be nice to know what models furnace and water heater are in your trailer. The big question is whether they are spark ignition or if they require a pilot light.

    On my 2005, the furnace will start automatically when the thermostat is raised (and gas is on). The same is true for the water heater in which I simply have to flip the switch on the wall and I will hear it spark and fire up. You just need to make sure that the water heater is full of water. The owners manual should cover how to use make sure the bypass is not set on the water heater. To be sure its full, you can flip the pressure relief valve on it for a second and water should come out.

    If yours requires pilot lights you should see a big red dial when you open the access covers. It usually has you turn the dial to one setting, press a button and light the pilot and hold the button for 15-20 seconds after which the pilot is set and the items are ready to use.

    Try searching Youtube for videos on camper water heaters or furnaces and you can probably find all kinds of useful info for manual or auto.


    Mine appears to be manual as I have all the dials and buttons. I was watching some youtube vids but they were for all sorts of different models. Wasn't sure if they were all basically the same, or if each manufacture had their own specific unit.
  • Camper appliances seem to be either Suburban or Atwood brand and both companies have detailed websites with the information you need. Just Google them! ;)

    -- Chuck
  • It would be nice to know what models furnace and water heater are in your trailer. The big question is whether they are spark ignition or if they require a pilot light.

    On my 2005, the furnace will start automatically when the thermostat is raised (and gas is on). The same is true for the water heater in which I simply have to flip the switch on the wall and I will hear it spark and fire up. You just need to make sure that the water heater is full of water. The owners manual should cover how to use make sure the bypass is not set on the water heater. To be sure its full, you can flip the pressure relief valve on it for a second and water should come out.

    If yours requires pilot lights you should see a big red dial when you open the access covers. It usually has you turn the dial to one setting, press a button and light the pilot and hold the button for 15-20 seconds after which the pilot is set and the items are ready to use.

    Try searching Youtube for videos on camper water heaters or furnaces and you can probably find all kinds of useful info for manual or auto.