| Furnace replacement [message #371008] |
Wed, 25 January 2023 16:39  |
LNelson
Messages: 335
Registered: December 2008
Location: Springfield, MO
Karma: 0
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I have the 30,000 btuh Sol-Aire that I fear has died. I have it out of the coach and have gone thru all of the diagnostics in the Sol-Aire manual as well as the GMC maintenance and Owners manuals.
Being the pessimist that I am, what is the closest replacement? I know nothing will match up with the vent holes, but what have others done? Thanks.
Larry
Larry Nelson Springfield, MO
Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut
now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
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| Re: Furnace replacement [message #371010 is a reply to message #371008] |
Wed, 25 January 2023 18:27  |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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I have found you can buy high temp silicone hose from mcmaster carr that allows flat mounting of the furnace and hook to the angle of the vents on wall.
I installed a sf version of a suburban because it was smaller, but wider then cabinet openinb. So you cant just install it directly from front of cabinet. But are a higher amp draw. .
The larger NT versions fit i think better for width but are tall and use less 12v amps.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: Furnace replacement [message #371014 is a reply to message #371008] |
Thu, 26 January 2023 11:47 |
LNelson
Messages: 335
Registered: December 2008
Location: Springfield, MO
Karma: 0
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I may have bought myself some time. I have been doing bench testing on my Sol Aire furnace. I believe my initial problem was that the control box was loosely fastened to the furnace coupled with a defunct thermostat. I also had a problem with the fuse socket. I removed the fuse socket and replaced it with an inline fuse. I used a small propane bottle and single stage regulator and got it to fire ONCE, and that was it. I decided to use a two stage regulator, and that did the trick. You would think that 11" w.c. was 11" w.c. but I am suspicious in that the single stage regulator that I tried was mounted vertically, the two stage horizontally. Go figure. I only go by the results. I am ready to slide it back in. Also, this unit will not remove thru the cabinet door. Someone, possibly the P.O. or a service person, removed the lower portion of the END of the cabinet. I have a switchblade couch and unfastening that from the floor and propping it up allowed me to remove the furnace from the end of the cabinet. I live not too far from Colaws RV Salvage (Carthage, MO) and I saw myself schlepping thru their RV graveyard looking for parts. Anyway that is where I am now. Fingers crossed.
Larry Nelson Springfield, MO
Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut
now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
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| Re: Furnace replacement [message #371027 is a reply to message #371014] |
Mon, 30 January 2023 14:44 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Larry,
If you DO ditch the old SolAire, please remove the flame sensor switch and send it to me. I'll pay a reasonable price and, of course, shipping.
I'm probably going to end up replacing mine with a Suburban or something (ideally a Truma Combi Comfort Plus) soon anyway, but if I can get the SolAire working again, I could get by for a bit longer with it.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Furnace replacement [message #371036 is a reply to message #371008] |
Tue, 31 January 2023 11:11 |
kingd
Messages: 592
Registered: June 2004
Karma: 2
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I vaguely remember a long ago discussion on the FORUM about a furnace brand that came "stock"
on GMCMH's that was susceptible to heat exchanger leakage, letting Carbon Monoxide into
the coach interior
What brand of furnace was this ? I "thought" it was Solair.
Can anyone help with this question ?
Still a mannabe.
DAVE KING
lurker, wannabe
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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| Re: Furnace replacement [message #371037 is a reply to message #371036] |
Tue, 31 January 2023 11:48 |
boybach
Messages: 566
Registered: December 2020
Location: Vancouver Island
Karma: 4
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kingd wrote on Tue, 31 January 2023 09:11I vaguely remember a long ago discussion on the FORUM about a furnace brand that came "stock"
on GMCMH's that was susceptible to heat exchanger leakage, letting Carbon Monoxide into
the coach interior
What brand of furnace was this ? I "thought" it was Solair.
Can anyone help with this question ?
Still a mannabe.
Yes that was the one, the Solaire. Because the part that leaked CO was made from mild steel, it eventually rusted and pinholes formed.
I replaced mine last year with an Atwood. Managed to modify the install to retain the exterior louver vent appearance (blanking intake but leaving vent trim in place)
Larry
Larry - Victoria BC -
1977 ex-Palm Beach "Ol' Leaky" 40,000 miles, PO said everything working but forgot the word NOT. Atwood helium fridge, water heater & furnace. SS exhaust system, Onan, Iota Converter, R134A, New fuel lines & heat exchange hoses
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| Re: Furnace replacement [message #371041 is a reply to message #371036] |
Tue, 31 January 2023 20:24 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Sol Aire furnaces DO have that reputation. I had mine checked with a Co sniffer and found out it was okay. If it wasn't, I would not hesitate to replace it.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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