GaryS1953
Apr 11, 2017Explorer
Atwood Furnace AND Fridge work intermittant
Hello All - The last couple of seasons we've had intermittent furnace issues. Atwood 8500 series iii. After non-use for a period of time (weeks to months) furnace goes through normal lighting procedure and blows warm air. After achieving proper temp furnace shuts down. On the next cycle the fan blows but there is no ignition, and I don't hear sparking. I opened the exterior panel and did clean out and vacuum out various insect debris, inspected and checked for loose contacts and found none. Then I removed and bypassed the sail switch. That didn't solve the problem, though I have a new sail switch on order anyway since I have it out and it's old. Oh, also, I replaced the propane regulator thinking maybe it was a gas flow problem, and we had occasionally smelled propane when using the furnace. That didn't solve the problem.
Now a new wrinkle. We had always before run our fridge on AC shore power. I had tested it once or twice on propane, but never long term as I didn't have adequate batteries. Now we have installed 2 6 volt GC2's in series, along with 320 watts solar in preparation for some longer term dry camping. With that setup providing plenty of DC power I decided to go ahead and run my fridge longer term on propane to test it out. At first it seemed fine, getting very cold in the first 12 hours of operation. The next day, however, I check it after work and find the check light is on, and fridge is warm. So I go ahead and turn it off and back on, and again it seems normal. This morning I go out and check before work, and the first thing I notice is a light smell of propane, and the fridge check light is on.
My question, could these two situations be related to some singular component that I could replace, or do you think it's time to take it to the RV dealer? Any help / ideas appreciated.
Now a new wrinkle. We had always before run our fridge on AC shore power. I had tested it once or twice on propane, but never long term as I didn't have adequate batteries. Now we have installed 2 6 volt GC2's in series, along with 320 watts solar in preparation for some longer term dry camping. With that setup providing plenty of DC power I decided to go ahead and run my fridge longer term on propane to test it out. At first it seemed fine, getting very cold in the first 12 hours of operation. The next day, however, I check it after work and find the check light is on, and fridge is warm. So I go ahead and turn it off and back on, and again it seems normal. This morning I go out and check before work, and the first thing I notice is a light smell of propane, and the fridge check light is on.
My question, could these two situations be related to some singular component that I could replace, or do you think it's time to take it to the RV dealer? Any help / ideas appreciated.