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Sol-aire furnace [message #308805] Sun, 16 October 2016 12:32 Go to next message
mantaman is currently offline  mantaman   United States
Messages: 10
Registered: October 2016
Location: Eau Claire, WI
Karma: 0
Junior Member
Hello all
I'm new to this forum and the GMC world. Been reading alot about these machines on this forum and there is a lot of knowledge out there. I am currently working on the sol-aire furnace and have found that I need the ignitor module. Has anyone have an extra one they would like to let go? Is there a newer board that can replace the old one?


1975 eleganza, 3 stainless steel fuel tanks holds 90 gal., Thorley headers and 3" SS exhaust pipe, 6 Wheel disc brakes, Quad airbag system
Re: Sol-aire furnace [message #308806 is a reply to message #308805] Sun, 16 October 2016 13:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mghamms is currently offline  mghamms   United States
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Registered: March 2016
Location: Ware, Massachusetts
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Senior Member
I have a Duo-therm 90030-813 furnace that I am going to replace within a month or so.
No clue if any parts are interchangeable.
Anyhow the whole unit, or parts are free just pay shipping.

On another note anyone know what furnace would be the best replacement for the duo therm?
I would like to use the vent hole as it is.


1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts

[Updated on: Sun, 16 October 2016 13:22]

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Re: Sol-aire furnace [message #308822 is a reply to message #308805] Sun, 16 October 2016 17:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
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Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
Senior Member
mantaman wrote on Sun, 16 October 2016 13:32
Hello all
I'm new to this forum and the GMC world. Been reading alot about these machines on this forum and there is a lot of knowledge out there. I am currently working on the sol-aire furnace and have found that I need the ignitor module. Has anyone have an extra one they would like to let go? Is there a newer board that can replace the old one?

Tim,

Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum.....

Sol-Aire heaters are known to be a problem. I am not just sure how hard I would work a saving it. The new Suburban units are so well behaved that I am not sure that you would not be better off cutting your losses on the Sol-Aire.

Next Question: What is your coach?
I ask this because I had to replace my heat early on and didn't ask enough questions. I took out a bad but repairable Suburban 24KBTU and put in a new 30KBTU in a 23' 73 build. It works, but it was a bad choice. Had I known, I would have put in a 16KBTU. And, saved a lot of propane over the last ten years. There are also newer models that have smaller cases.

Problem: All the heaters for GMC are special because of the sloping coach side. You can work around this by using a standard unit but putting it on an sloped platform. Or, you can put a back cover in it and get the extensions for the pipes to outside.

Next thing: Build a sigfile. (Control Panel/Account Settings - scroll down, write one and click "update") It should have a real name, a short bit about the coach and a geographic reference. The first is so that when you meet other GMCers, (and you will) they will have some idea who you are. The short about the coach should be at least the year, length and model because there are some differences that matter a lot (include any serious mods). The geographic is simply because there may well be someone that can offer personal assistance and he needs to know if he is in striking range.

Another important thing: If you do not have all the manuals for everything, they can be downloaded. Start at http://www.bdub.net/GMCLinks.html and go hunting.

Now, all that be said, you have found your way here and that is a good thing. But, the best thing is what here is...
This is a community like few others. (I only know of one other.) It will cause you to soon understand that your coach is more than just another thing to play with because it attaches you to a very intelligent, supportive and helping community. If you need information, or just plain have questions, ask here. These people have been keeping these old girls in top shape for over 40 years. You can't be the first one with any problem. Someone will know more about it. So, come on and meet people. As soon as you can, get to a rally. The other community that I know of like this is that of the watermen of my world. For that reason, I have taken to welcoming any and all new owners much as a new owner or vessel would be welcomed there, So,

May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within her.

Welcome Tim

Matt





Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: Sol-aire furnace [message #308846 is a reply to message #308805] Sun, 16 October 2016 21:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JohnL455 is currently offline  JohnL455   United States
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
Senior Member
In any event buy and use a CO detector. The 12V or 3 x AA type are not cheap but the Solaire has a history of heat exchanger leaks. Beats waking up dead.

John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
Re: [GMCnet] Sol-aire furnace [message #308959 is a reply to message #308805] Mon, 17 October 2016 23:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jimk is currently offline  jimk   United States
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Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
Senior Member
Tim,
Try Dinosaur Electronics.
Should they not want to sell direct , let me know as we are a dealer for
them.

On Sun, Oct 16, 2016 at 10:32 AM, Tim wrote:

> Hello all
> I'm new to this forum and the GMC world. Been reading alot about these
> machines on this forum and there is a lot of knowledge out there. I am
> currently working on the sol-aire furnace and have found that I need the
> ignitor module. Has anyone have an extra one they would like to let go? Is
> there a newer board that can replace the old one?
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>



--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
Re: Sol-aire furnace [message #309012 is a reply to message #308805] Tue, 18 October 2016 15:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Chris Tyler is currently offline  Chris Tyler   United States
Messages: 458
Registered: September 2013
Location: Odessa FL
Karma: 7
Senior Member
From what I recall most of those ignitor boards in the 70s era were much the same. With a little tinkering, you can adapt a known woking one after verifying / modifying the terminals.

But in reality, you pretty muchch need to pull it to service it and check the chamber anyway. Im in the same situation, but I just plan to upgrade. Fortunately dont need heat here in FL too much


76 Glenbrook
Re: [GMCnet] Sol-Aire furnace [message #361023 is a reply to message #308959] Sun, 20 December 2020 12:50 Go to previous message
Dolph Santorine is currently offline  Dolph Santorine   United States
Messages: 1236
Registered: April 2011
Location: Wheeling, WV
Karma: -41
Senior Member
I’ll second what Sully said, and add this- do you want to trust your life to a 40+ year old piece of stamped steel that is in a bad location to rust, and one that is nearly impossible to visually inspect?

I put in an Atwood, using these instructions:

Swartzendruber_Atwood_Furnace_Install.pdf


Dolph

DE AD0LF

Wheeling, West Virginia

1977 26’ ex-PalmBeach
Howell EFI & EBL, Reaction Arms, Manny Transmission

“The Aluminum and Fiberglass Mistress”

|[ ]~~~[][ ][] \
"--OO--[]---O-"

> On Dec 20, 2020, at 1:39 PM, Todd Sullivan via Gmclist wrote:
>
> I know that this is un solicited advice but,
> A furnace from any manufacturer that old is a potential hazard. Especially
> a Sol-Aire. I had a solaire in my 77 and it worked but was noisy. The noise
> in conjunction with my fear of dying in my sleep made many nights far less
> restful than optimal. I was able to find a salvaged Dometic furnace after
> looking for a few weeks on CL for $250. Was able to buy the install kit for
> less than $50. Since the newer furnaces can be worked on from the outside
> which is a hell of a lot less labor than removing the kitchen cabinet which
> was necessary with the oe solaire.
>
> Sully
> Bellevue wa
>
> On Sun, Dec 20, 2020 at 9:51 AM Jim via Gmclist
> wrote:
>
>> My spark pack is not working in my Sol-Aire furnace. Looking to see if any
>> one had any I could buy. I have read all the information on them. As long
>> as I have all the safety items needed I should be ok. Don’t plan on using
>> it much anyway. I was thinking I could put a suburban board in it to make
>> it work as a last resort.
>> --
>> Hager and Sissy
>> 1975 Eleganza #5 of that year
>> Has a plaque on the glove box from GMC
>> Mostly stock with a few changes to the interior
>> Eagle rims and through the bumper hitch
>> Granite City Illinois
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>>
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