Does furnace need propane to work?

Since we're talking about problems with two entirely separate components - Water Heater and Furnace - in which both are malfunctioning in a similar manner, wouldn't it makes sense to look at the common denominator between the two? In this case, the fuel source (propane) in some manner being the problem for both of the components?

The furnace was eventually put back into service by resetting a gas detector. Now that the problem with the furnace seems to be solved and is working...The question is, is the water heater even seening gas at the component that ignites the gas? Also, does the Water Heater have a dual heating source (Propane/Electric)? That would certainly solve the problem of having no hot water.

I looked up the info on a 2007 Georgetown and that model 350DS seems to be one of their higher end models. It's indicated that it comes with a "10 Gallon Gas/Electric Water Heater with DSI". So, somewhere in that coach should probably be a switch to heat the water electrically while on shore power. That would provide hot water until returning from the trip and a correct diagnosis can be made as to why the water heater is not working on propane. 2007 GEORGETOWN

Just tossing ideas out there...

Does Furnace need propane to work: YES, also 12 volt DC

Does hot water heater.. This is a bit more complex.. Some folks have dual power water heaters (120vac/propane) these also usually need 12 volt for control

Some older ones you manually light a pilot, they may not have 120vac option (You can add it) or need 12 volt for control (you can not add this)

Wishbone51 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Water heater....
Uses 12V DC power to operate propane (and electric heat element if it is an Atwood Brand)

Mine has both, but I thought the electric heating element was running off of shore power.

Suburban uses 120V AC power directly to electric element. Doesn't use circuit board to control electric

Atwood (since 2004) uses 12V DC power to circuit board and then to DC Relay to activate the 120V AC power to element...so w/o good DC neither electric or propane will function on Atwood. That is HOW they utilize only one set of t-stats for BOTH.

Prior to 2004 Atwood used separate t-stats and control circuit for electric and propane.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Water heater....
Uses 12V DC power to operate propane (and electric heat element if it is an Atwood Brand)

Mine has both, but I thought the electric heating element was running off of shore power.

Water heater is direct spark ignition, it does not have a pilot, only a main burner.

That behavior in the water heater, if Atwood, is the result of the ignition controller failing to recognize that the burner has lit, then shutting off the gas supply to the burner for safety. There are two common sources for this failure: the sparker/flash sensor has a discontinuity (cheap part to replace) or the control board is defective (more expensive to replace).

In a Georgetown, your furnace is also propane, direct spark ignition, working pretty much the same way: turn on the blower, turn on the gas, spark the gas, then shut off if it fails to detect a flame. The controller is a little more complex, it checks also for other problems like the blower not moving enough air through the combustion chamber and heat exchanger (sail switch) and thermostatic cutoff to prevent overheating. So there are a lot more things to keep the furnace from working, including not getting gas, not having enough 12V DC power, or failure of any of the components feeding information to the control board.

Hope they got a good deal on the rental. :)

Old-Biscuit wrote:
OP......

It sure would be nice if you would take a deep breathe, relax and THEN post what the problem is.

You talk about furnace,then reference water heater.........then back to furnace

Furnace
Runs on 12V DC power....fan motor and controls
Gas valve opens via DC power at same time ignitor sparks.
Turns ON/OFF via thermostat control/temp set point.

Fan has to run first to purge & establish air flow BEFORE ignition/gas valve
Can take several attempts to light after prolonged periods of non-use

Main flame generates a signal that goes back to circuit board via spark electrode to prove flame lit. No signal...gas valve closes



Water heater....
Uses 12V DC power to operate propane (and electric heat element if it is an Atwood Brand)

Propane ON.....DC power goes thru t-stats to circuit board then to gas valve and ignitor.
Main flame lights off then generates signal that it is lit. IF spark electrode is dirty or out of position (engulfed in flame)...signal will not get back to circuit board so gas valve closes.
Also can take several attempts to light off after prolonged periods of non-use

Spider webs/mud dabbers/bugs etc. can disrupt propane flow....doesn't take much.
A good cleaning at beginning of season will usually prevent most issues

Took a deep breath. Thanks for talking me off the cliff.

OP......

It sure would be nice if you would take a deep breathe, relax and THEN post what the problem is.

You talk about furnace,then reference water heater.........then back to furnace

Furnace
Runs on 12V DC power....fan motor and controls
Gas valve opens via DC power at same time ignitor sparks.
Turns ON/OFF via thermostat control/temp set point.

Fan has to run first to purge & establish air flow BEFORE ignition/gas valve
Can take several attempts to light after prolonged periods of non-use

Main flame generates a signal that goes back to circuit board via spark electrode to prove flame lit. No signal...gas valve closes



Water heater....
Uses 12V DC power to operate propane (and electric heat element if it is an Atwood Brand)

Propane ON.....DC power goes thru t-stats to circuit board then to gas valve and ignitor.
Main flame lights off then generates signal that it is lit. IF spark electrode is dirty or out of position (engulfed in flame)...signal will not get back to circuit board so gas valve closes.
Also can take several attempts to light off after prolonged periods of non-use

Spider webs/mud dabbers/bugs etc. can disrupt propane flow....doesn't take much.
A good cleaning at beginning of season will usually prevent most issues

Do you have an electric or gas furnace system? I bet it is gas as in propane.

The pilot is a far cry from the burner!