| The Furnace is ALIVE! [message #228220] |
Sat, 02 November 2013 21:21  |
Steve
Messages: 506
Registered: September 2013
Location: East Greenville, Pa
Karma: 1
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One more system on my coach is up and running. Once again I offer many thanks to all who have responded to my repair posts. The Suburban technical literature was very helpful. I was down to the last stage of the starting sequence and was getting spark but no gas. The gas valve was getting voltage but not full12. I considered the need for a circuit board but really suspected the gas valve.
I tried to fire the furnace many times and finally got the gas valve to open using a special tool (hammer). I used my favorite small hammer to gently tap on the valve and solenoid while the ignition was sparking. When that did not work I tapped a little harder (a lot harder) and she lit right up.
The burner is burning perfect blue. I cycled the system off and on numerous times today and have checked for leaks. Tomorrow I will run it withe the C02 detector from my truck camper as a safety check. I don't. Have a propane detector but will research.
It has taken a lot of research and a lot of trouble shooting but so far I have been been able to get everything up and functioning correctly; engine, brakes, starting, charging, fuel, compressors, generator, and now furnace. I think dash heat is next, then hot water heater. Been lots of fun so far. I have also been trying to drive at least a few miles every week. She runs and drives nice and I will continue witn safety and reliability upgrades.
I have also been thinking about a name for my coach?
1978 GMC Royal
Eastern Pennslyvania
1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue
1992 Camaro 25th Anniversary Heretage Edition Black
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| Re: The Furnace is ALIVE! [message #228223 is a reply to message #228220] |
Sat, 02 November 2013 21:28  |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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Good news Steve but if it sticks again which it probably will you will need to take the top of the valve clean iit with alcohol and graphite or replace the valve with a new one been down that road.
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
[Updated on: Sat, 02 November 2013 21:29] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: The Furnace is ALIVE! [message #228224 is a reply to message #228220] |
Sat, 02 November 2013 21:29 |
Gary Mau
Messages: 152
Registered: February 2004
Location: Davenport, Iowa
Karma: 0
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Steve,
Congratulations. Did you determine why the voltage was low, a bad connection or what? My Suburban is acting almost like yours, except sometimes it lights and sometimes it doesn't. I too suspect the gas valve. My hesitation is its age and the possibility of pin holes or cracks in the heat exchanger. Wonder how many are still running their original furnaces?
Gary Mau
Former 76 Royale owner
Davenport, IA
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| Re: The Furnace is ALIVE! [message #228227 is a reply to message #228220] |
Sat, 02 November 2013 22:03 |
Steve
Messages: 506
Registered: September 2013
Location: East Greenville, Pa
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Cleaning the valve would have been my next step. Alcohol makes sense to me but not sure what you mean by the graphite? Any more details would be appreciated.
On the voltage issue, my house batteries were charged over night it only read 12.2. This morning. I was also showing 12.2 at the fuse panel and furnace, but only measuring 10.5 at the gas valve. My main house battery is old and sat for many years but seems to be doing ok. It will crank the Onan and power the lights for a while. My second house battery is up front and is not a deep cycle.
I don't think voltage was my main issue.
In terms of priorities I will put Bearings (front wheels) ahead of batteries.
1978 GMC Royal
Eastern Pennslyvania
1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue
1992 Camaro 25th Anniversary Heretage Edition Black
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| Re: The Furnace is ALIVE! [message #228228 is a reply to message #228220] |
Sat, 02 November 2013 22:11 |
Steve
Messages: 506
Registered: September 2013
Location: East Greenville, Pa
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Gary,
I am concerned about age as well. That's why I am going to test with a C02 detector. I think I would buy a new furnace before buying a circuit board and valve. It seems like parts are quite expensive and it would seem smart to put those funds toward a new furnace.
I am still running the original furnace in my 1968 truck camper. I really like it because it runs in radiant mode and uses no electricity. Blower is optional and propane controls are old school pilot light. Simple stuff that even I can figure out
1978 GMC Royal
Eastern Pennslyvania
1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue
1992 Camaro 25th Anniversary Heretage Edition Black
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| Re: The Furnace is ALIVE! [message #228231 is a reply to message #228227] |
Sat, 02 November 2013 22:25 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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If you clean it with only alcohol or something similar the flapper valve will probably still be a little sticky I had some graphite in a can which I coated it with worked like a charm. As far as the heat exchanger goes a close look at it with the naked eye should reveal if it is rotted out or cracked either would require a new furnace
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: The Furnace is ALIVE! [message #228235 is a reply to message #228227] |
Sat, 02 November 2013 23:39 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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| Steve wrote on Sat, 02 November 2013 22:03 |
Cleaning the valve would have been my next step. Alcohol makes sense to me but not sure what you mean by the graphite? Any more details would be appreciated.
On the voltage issue, my house batteries were charged over night it only read 12.2. This morning. I was also showing 12.2 at the fuse panel and furnace, but only measuring 10.5 at the gas valve. My main house battery is old and sat for many years but seems to be doing ok. It will crank the Onan and power the lights for a while. My second house battery is up front and is not a deep cycle.
I don't think voltage was my main issue.
In terms of priorities I will put Bearings (front wheels) ahead of batteries.
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Your voltages are very low for running a furnace. I suggest that you try plugging in the converter or running the main engine to bring up the voltage and then try starting the furnace while reading the voltage at the gas valve.
While 12.2 volts is very low, I'm really concerned by the 1.7 volt drop to the gas valve. You need to find those voltage drops and correct them before you start tearing valves apart.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] The Furnace is ALIVE! [message #228282 is a reply to message #228247] |
Sun, 03 November 2013 10:39 |
Ronald Pottol
Messages: 505
Registered: September 2012
Location: Redwood City, California
Karma: -2
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Senior Member |
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CO2 will kill you too, but that your body notices (that smothering
feeling), so not a risk. You don't notice a lack of oxygen, you do notice
high CO2.
CO (carbon monoxide) is bad news.
Plato seems wrong to me today.
On Nov 3, 2013 5:04 AM, "D C _Mac_ Macdonald" <k2gkk@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Good morning, follks.
>
> I frequently see reference to "CO2" detectors here on the list.
>
> CO2 (carbon dioxite) is a basically harmless substance commonly used as a
> fire extinguisher and is also what makes up "dry" ice.
>
> CO (carbon MONoxide) is the stuff formed by incomplete combustion which
> will kill you, and quite quickly at that!
>
> CO detectors are what we all need to have in our coaches, boats, and homes!
>
>
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> ~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
> ~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
> ~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
> ~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
> ~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
> ~ ~ ~ ~ TZE166V101966 ~ ~ ~ ~
> ~ ~ ~ '76 ex-Palm Beach ~ ~ ~
> ~~ k2gkk + hotmail dot com ~~
> ~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
> ______________
> *[ ]~~~[][ ][|\
> *--OO--[]---O-*
>
>
>
> > To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> > From: sjadams@ptd.net
> > Date: Sat, 2 Nov 2013 22:11:39 -0500
> > Subject: Re: [GMCnet] The Furnace is ALIVE!
> >
> > Gary,
> > I am concerned about age as well. That's why I am going to test with a
> C02 detector. I think I would buy a new furnace before buying a circuit
> board and valve. It seems like parts are quite expensive and it would seem
> smart to put those funds toward a new furnace.
> >
> > I am still running the original furnace in my 1968 truck camper. I
> really like it because it runs in radiant mode and uses no electricity.
> Blower is optional and propane controls are old school pilot light. Simple
> stuff that even I can figure out
> > --
> > 1978 GMC Royal
> > 1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
> > 1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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1973 26' GM outfitted
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| Re: The Furnace is ALIVE! [message #228301 is a reply to message #228220] |
Sun, 03 November 2013 12:06 |
Steve
Messages: 506
Registered: September 2013
Location: East Greenville, Pa
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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My bad on the C02. I never studied in high school, been paying for it the rest of my life.
1978 GMC Royal
Eastern Pennslyvania
1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue
1992 Camaro 25th Anniversary Heretage Edition Black
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| Re: The Furnace is ALIVE! [message #228359 is a reply to message #228227] |
Sun, 03 November 2013 21:09 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Steve I used to have some where around a couple of volts loss between my battery and the furnace what I did to correct it was to add a number 8 wire in the ground circuit and another number 8 from the fuse panel to the furnace.to over come the loss in the thermostat wires I added a thermostat relay at the furnace using a relay that had a very small current draw for the holding coil.i also installed a digital thermostat at this time to replace the mechanical one . The digital stat is a really nice improvement if you go this route make sure you get a stat that is battery powered only.
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: The Furnace is ALIVE! [message #228484 is a reply to message #228220] |
Mon, 04 November 2013 21:28 |
Steve
Messages: 506
Registered: September 2013
Location: East Greenville, Pa
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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It looks like I may have bigger prroblems. I ran the furnace for a while, then put fresh batteries in the CO detector. I got an instant and continued Alarm. This was an alarm only device installed by PO, so it is pretty old. I could not find my newer detector thAt also displays the amount of CO and retains the peak reading.
These things have a 5 year usefull life so I will get a fresh one and test again. I like the ones with a meter so you can watch the reading increase if you have a problem.
I will have to review the cut sheet for the new Suburban NT 30 furnace to see if it will be a direct replacement for the old NT 30. The current NT 30 was installed in my 78 coach in 1981 when the original furnace was recalled. It should fit in the space, just not sire if the vent will line up. Maybe I will just call Suburban.
1978 GMC Royal
Eastern Pennslyvania
1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue
1992 Camaro 25th Anniversary Heretage Edition Black
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| Re: The Furnace is ALIVE! [message #228486 is a reply to message #228484] |
Mon, 04 November 2013 21:41 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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Get a new CO detector and try it first. They have a useful life and some of them will go off after that useful life has timed out. I have no idea how they accumulate time if the batteries are removed but they do.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: The Furnace is ALIVE! [message #228603 is a reply to message #228220] |
Tue, 05 November 2013 20:34 |
Steve
Messages: 506
Registered: September 2013
Location: East Greenville, Pa
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Ok. Hopefully my last furnace post. New CO detector, ran the furnace for about an hour with no reading on the digital CO meter. Not sure if an hour test is long enough but it is a good sign. Then I started the car in the garage to test the meter and got nearly an instant reading.
Next weekend project is dash heat.
Thanks for all the help on the furnace.
1978 GMC Royal
Eastern Pennslyvania
1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue
1992 Camaro 25th Anniversary Heretage Edition Black
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| Re: [GMCnet] The Furnace is ALIVE! [message #228622 is a reply to message #228603] |
Wed, 06 November 2013 06:27 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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SSteve -
What make and model CO detector? And from a big box, otr Amazon, or eBay or where?
Thanks,
Johnny
From: Steve Adams <sjadams@ptd.net>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Tuesday, November 5, 2013 9:34 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] The Furnace is ALIVE!
Ok. Hopefully my last furnace post. New CO detector, ran the furnace for about an hour with no reading on the digital CO meter. Not sure if an hour test is long enough but it is a good sign. Then I started the car in the garage to test the meter and got nearly an instant reading.
Next weekend project is dash heat.
Thanks for all the help on the furnace.
--
1978 GMC Royal
1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: [GMCnet] The Furnace is ALIVE! [message #228651 is a reply to message #228622] |
Wed, 06 November 2013 11:45 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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| Johnny Bridges wrote on Wed, 06 November 2013 06:27 |
SSteve -
What make and model CO detector? And from a big box, otr Amazon, or eBay or where?
Thanks,
Johnny
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I got mine from Menards. They are cheap.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] The Furnace is ALIVE! [message #228660 is a reply to message #228651] |
Wed, 06 November 2013 13:16 |
Ronald Pottol
Messages: 505
Registered: September 2012
Location: Redwood City, California
Karma: -2
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Senior Member |
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This looks quite interesting,
http://www.amazon.com/Nest-Protect-Carbon-Monoxide-S1001BW/dp/B00FN4EWAM/it's
a smoke and carbon monoxide detector from the Nest thermostat people,
it will give a quite warning that you are approaching an alert threshold,
tells you which detector in your house is alerting, and for what (not sure
you'd need more than one in a GMC, but handy at home), wave your hand at it
to mute, etc.
On Wed, Nov 6, 2013 at 9:45 AM, Ken Burton <n9cv@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>
> Johnny Bridges wrote on Wed, 06 November 2013 06:27
> > SSteve -
> > What make and model CO detector? And from a big box, otr Amazon, or
> eBay or where?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Johnny
>
> I got mine from Menards. They are cheap.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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--
Plato seems wrong to me today.
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1973 26' GM outfitted
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| Re: The Furnace is ALIVE! [message #228668 is a reply to message #228220] |
Wed, 06 November 2013 14:48 |
Steve
Messages: 506
Registered: September 2013
Location: East Greenville, Pa
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Ken,
Not sure what model. Home Depot so I am sure I over-paid. I liked it because it was a sealed 10 year battery and had the digital meter. $50.. Ouch! I use similar units in the other RV and in the house because we heat with wood and coal.
1978 GMC Royal
Eastern Pennslyvania
1968 Chevrolet C20 396 Camper Special
1969 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special
1985 Buick Electra Park Avenue
1992 Camaro 25th Anniversary Heretage Edition Black
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