2011 324FWBHS Furnace issue

KingRanch6.4 · 10-13-2024, 09:22 PM

So I've got this 2011 copper canyon.
It's starting to get colder at night and while I'm not using the camper yet I wanted to make sure the hear was working. And as soon as I went to kick the furnace on it blew the 15 amp fuse. So I replaced just in case it was the fuse and it immediately blew again.

It sounds like it was trying to start a fan or something then shuts off. What do you guys think it could be.

Also how do the furnaces work in this. This is my first camper so I'm new to all this. Thanks

NH_Bulldog · 10-14-2024, 05:28 AM

In general, RV furnaces have remained largely unchanged over the years.

The process would follow this series of events: When first activated, the furnace turns on the fan to act as a purge cycle clearing the system of any potentially accumulated gas. The air flow would then activate the sail switch ensuring that there is enough air flow to safely operate the burner, and then the igniter would activate and then the gas valve followed by (hopefully) ignition of the gas.

If any of the checks and balances along the way fail, the furnace will not operate, or will stop at a certain point.

In your case, the fan itself (the first step) is the suspect. Either the fan motor is shot, or the blower wheel is jammed with debris (mice love it in there). You will need to pull the furnace, and check/clean the entire system.

Camping family · 10-14-2024, 06:21 AM

Most common problem is the sail switch, dirt in exhaust. Check both of those

**chuckster57** · 10-14-2024, 06:43 AM

If your blowing the fuse, it’s time to take the furnace out and check the wiring.

**JRTJH** · 10-14-2024, 07:24 AM

As Chuck said, if you're blowing fuses, it's time to take the furnace out and check the wiring. Also, check the squirrel cage fan blower. If your furnace has not been used for a prolonged time, mice and voles seem to like to nest in the squirrel cage. So, when, after a couple of years, you turn the thermostat to heat, you've got 2 years of "chewed paper towels, straw and maybe a lot of "mouse hair" that has the squirrel cage fan "stuck in one place"... That's a perfect setup for blowing fuses.

As said previously, take a bright flashlight and just after dusk, shine it into the exhaust port/ports. Make sure there are no dirt dauber clay nests and no "mouse house" in the exhaust ports.

My bet would be a dirty/stuck squirrel cage blower

KingRanch6.4 · 10-14-2024, 07:25 AM

Alright I can handle that. I'll report if I have any issues. Thanks

KingRanch6.4 · 10-23-2024, 02:29 PM

Alright well im finally getting to looking at this. Where exactly is the furnace fan and stuff at?

**JRTJH** · 10-23-2024, 06:09 PM

Here's the basic parts diagram for the Atwood brand furnace. Different models will vary slightly, but this diagram should give you a general idea of where things are located. If you have a Suburban furnace, let us know, the same type diagram is available, but overall, both Atwood and Suburban have parts, more or less, is the same location on the furnace assembly.

rhagfo · 10-23-2024, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

As Chuck said, if you're blowing fuses, it's time to take the furnace out and check the wiring. Also, check the squirrel cage fan blower. If your furnace has not been used for a prolonged time, mice and voles seem to like to nest in the squirrel cage. So, when, after a couple of years, you turn the thermostat to heat, you've got 2 years of "chewed paper towels, straw and maybe a lot of "mouse hair" that has the squirrel cage fan "stuck in one place"... That's a perfect setup for blowing fuses.

As said previously, take a bright flashlight and just after dusk, shine it into the exhaust port/ports. Make sure there are no dirt dauber clay nests and no "mouse house" in the exhaust ports.

My bet would be a dirty/stuck squirrel cage blower

Well even on an active system a mouse might find the fan attractive.

We woke up one morning to the furnace making a loud sound, thought the motor had a bad bearing, found this guy inside.

NH_Bulldog · 10-24-2024, 05:17 AM

well geez, how are you supposed to generate power now?

rhagfo · 10-24-2024, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nh_bulldog

well geez, how are you supposed to generate power now?

lol!

Craig G · 10-30-2024, 04:23 AM

Not trying to hijack the thread, but this seemed like a good place to get some answers.
Is it normal when running the furnace, for the A/C ducts to be blowing air as well?

**chuckster57** · 10-30-2024, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig G

Not trying to hijack the thread, but this seemed like a good place to get some answers.
Is it normal when running the furnace, for the A/C ducts to be blowing air as well?

Only if you have the fan control set to hi or lo. If it’s set to off or auto it won’t blow air.

Craig G · 10-30-2024, 04:39 AM

That's clear, I forgot about that! This last week was our first time to go camping this year. Amazing what you forget when you don't use the knowledge all the time.

NH_Bulldog · 10-30-2024, 04:48 AM

When I tested the furnace in my new Cougar, the AC fan came on to help circulate (as it was intended to do). But when I set the fan mode on the thermostat to Auto, it stayed on. So I set the fan mode to Off and the AC fan turned off and the furnace continued to work as intended.

We haven't camped in weather that was really cold yet, but I was pleased that there was plenty of air volume at the register in the rear bedroom and also at the two in the main living area. The bathroom and front bedroom didn't have as much air flow as I would have expected with them being closest to the furnace, but once I saw the positions of the various duct runs on the furnace, it makes sense. It would be easy enough to move around the duct connections to balance the flow better, but I will wait until we can really test it in cold weather to see if it needs to be done.

ChuckS · 10-30-2024, 05:07 AM

Back to OPs issue.. fuse blows immediately when furnace mode selected.

Your issue is at the furnace itself..
.. Blower motor bearings froze up
.. issue with furnace control board

If you have not already got to this then gain access to furnace and with furnace OFF spin the blower motor wheel a few times to free up the motor bearings... If the motor spins freely when you first try to spin it then...

Issue is with either the control board or the resettable switch located on the outside of the case of the furnace ( If its an Atwood ) furnace.

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