Intermittent propane heater ignition

[littleboomer]

The factory propane heater in our 2002 SMB does not always ignite. I can smell the propane outside near the heater and hear the ignition firing, but the propane does not light. It most often happens at higher elevations when cold (just when you need it most), but also might happen in other situations. Last week at Mesa Verde (~8000 ft) it worked in the evening (snowing), but not in the morning (~31 deg. outside, 41 inside). Any suggestions? We live about 800 miles from Fresno.

[photographix]

Can you tell us what brand of heater and the model number? For example, SMB put a Suburban NT-16SE in my 2008.

[Scalf77]

Battery voltage will have a direct impact on the RPM of the blower and the altitude on the density of the air. Both of these can cause the sail switch not to close. Try starting, the van to see if the voltage increase will get it going. Also, I found the ground connection for the heater to be (some what compromised) that could also be a issue.

also the propane tank may need to be purged. see John Kalmbach's post in this link.
http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/vie...hilit=suburban

-greg

[yvrr]

Also, after purging, try to keep the propane tank relatively full. I rarely let our tank get below "half" full.

[littleboomer]

Thanks all for the suggestions and link to previous thread. I will try some of these things and let you know what I find.