Upgrading your old Suburban heater

[pcdarks]

Those of you that still have a vintage Sportsmobile van Circa 1990s-2000 with the penthouse. I have a 1995 Dodge B3500 with a suburban NT12-Se propane heater. I go many cold places and researched getting a larger hear to help. what I found was a new heater was $500+ My research showed that There is virtually no difference between the NT12 and the larger NT20SE. The 12 is 12,000BTUs and the 20 is 19,000btus. All of the parts are interchangeable except for the orifice which is larger for the bigger heater. $7 for the orifice here, https://pdxrvwholesale.com/products/...orifice-180231.
While I was at it I changed the fan from the SE series to the SEQ which is a more modern design and runs quieter here. https://pdxrvwholesale.com/products/...mpeller-350207.
As a result I was able to do the upgrade for less than $30 and My heater puts out much more heat and runs for shorter times because of the upgrade. It is also quieter. Both parts install easily for the average do it yourself-er and are a direct fit on the motor and burner.

[N147JK]

Originally Posted by pcdarks

While I was at it I changed the fan from the SE series to the SEQ which is a more modern design and runs quieter here. https://pdxrvwholesale.com/products/...mpeller-350207.

This is interesting. I have an old NT-12 and the fan is very noisy. The website doesn't list the model 12 as applicable for the upgraded fan. But you installed it in a 12 "chassis" and it fits and works?

[pcdarks]

Originally Posted by N147JK

This is interesting. I have an old NT-12 and the fan is very noisy. The website doesn't list the model 12 as applicable for the upgraded fan. But you installed it in a 12 "chassis" and it fits and works?

Yes, It still makes noise but much less early serial # too 0227X

[bisonthecruiser]

Was the upgrade worth it?

[pcdarks]

Originally Posted by bisonthecruiser

Was the upgrade worth it?

I went on an overnight-er to test it. It ran strong,heated much quicker and ran quieter. It's also pretty easy to pull the heater out,dismantle it to replace the fan and orifice. The only thing to watch for is damaging the gaskets. I was able to reuse mine. $30 you be the judge.

[bisonthecruiser]

Sorry, somehow missed your review in the original thread. Yeah, certainly looks worthwhile.

[Stone Cite]

Thanks for sharing this excellent info with links !

[pcdarks]

I took it out for a trial run. 28 degrees it worked perfect heats faster and the sound of the fan actually lulled me to sleep.

[pcdarks]

https://www.sportsmobileforum.com/fo...ade-30811.html

[bisonthecruiser]

How bad was swapping the orifice? Seems like a disassembly is in order. Swapped in the new fan super quick, just not sure on this next part...