Where is the Suburban Furnace Shut-Off Valve/Switch?

[MrHenrietta]

Trying to operate my furnace for the first time. The directions say to turn the Shut-Off valve on the furnace to the On position. I'm having trouble locating the Shut-Off Valve. Not sure what model I have but my conversion was done in 2000 and it's a suburban furnace.

Thanks in advance.

[Ford_6L_E350]

On my van the only shutoff valve is at the propane tank.

Mike

[MrHenrietta]

Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350

On my van the only shutoff valve is at the propane tank.

Mike

If that's the case and I have the propane valve open, inverter on, breaker on and thermostat on with temperature set should it fire up? Am I missing something?

[MrHenrietta]

Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350

On my van the only shutoff valve is at the propane tank.

Mike

I dont' have any other valves near my propane tank other than the propane flow valve.

[Ford_6L_E350]

You shouldn't need the inverter on, most of the RV furnaces run on 12VDC, not on AC power.

Has the furnace sat for long time?

Does the fan come on? But no heat?

Or, nothing happens?

If nothing, then verify the 12V is getting to the furnace. Verify the thermostat is closing.

If the fan comes on but no heat, you may have a stuck sail switch. Inside the furnace is a flap that moves when the fan runs. It makes sure the fan is running before the propane is allowed to flow. Try blowing air through the fan vent outside of the van. A vacuum cleaner outlet makes a good air source. An air hose can work, but it can make enough air pressure to damage the furnace, so be careful. Blow in the bottom hole - stand aside, alot of dust may come out.

Good luck,

Mike

[larrie]

Originally Posted by MrHenrietta

If that's the case and I have the propane valve open, inverter on, breaker on and thermostat on with temperature set should it fire up? Am I missing something?

That is it. You should hear the fan come on. Once air flow is established by the internal sail switch the internal gas valve will open to allow gas to flow. At the same time the spark igniter fires lighting the gas. If the gas does not ignite the furnace keeps running but with no heat coming out.

I always travel with the main propane valve in the closed position. If the van has been sitting for a long time the propane will have leaked out of the pipe. If this is the fan is running and there is no heat after about a minute I set the thermostat to low wait of the fan to turn off and then set the thermostat back to the desired temperature. It usually takes the furnace two or three times to get started. You can speed up the process by also turning on the one of the stove burners.

[MrHenrietta]

Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350

You shouldn't need the inverter on, most of the RV furnaces run on 12VDC, not on AC power.

Has the furnace sat for long time?

Does the fan come on? But no heat?

Or, nothing happens?

If nothing, then verify the 12V is getting to the furnace. Verify the thermostat is closing.

If the fan comes on but no heat, you may have a stuck sail switch. Inside the furnace is a flap that moves when the fan runs. It makes sure the fan is running before the propane is allowed to flow. Try blowing air through the fan vent outside of the van. A vacuum cleaner outlet makes a good air source. An air hose can work, but it can make enough air pressure to damage the furnace, so be careful. Blow in the bottom hole - stand aside, alot of dust may come out.

Good luck,

Mike

Yes the furnace has sat for a long time.
Fan does not come on. Heat does not come on.
Nothing happens.

I will try blowing air through the fan vent outside the van.

[larrie]

If the fan does not come on check check the fuse panel. Check for power at the thermostat and that the thermostat is actually closing he circuit. On my manual T-stat there is an audible click when it opens and closes the circuit.

[MrHenrietta]

Originally Posted by larrie

If the fan does not come on check check the fuse panel. Check for power at the thermostat and that the thermostat is actually closing he circuit. On my manual T-stat there is an audible click when it opens and closes the circuit.

Thanks I'll check the fuse. I"m not hearing a click.

[mikracer]

On my thermostat, there is an on/off switch on the bottom of it. Maybe thats what the manual is referring to as the shut off valve?