|
|
Post by joecamper on Aug 7, 2013 10:38:53 GMT -5
Ok, this is a pretty weird thing, but hoping somebody has heard of it or something close.
Our heater works great ... most of the time. The issue was thermostat ... or so I thought. It's been cool where we are at, so have the thermostat set at 63 for night. The heater comes on when it needs to. Then ... maybe on the next start up or maybe a couple later, it doesn't run. The only way I can get it to start back up is to put the thermostat switch to off and then back to on. Then it operates "normal" ... sometimes. Always starts back up, but eventually it will fault.
I thought it was the thermostat, so bought a really nice digital one. Same thing. So, it's not the thermostat. When this first happened, I included it in the list of issues we had with the unit, but the dealer obviously couldn't find anything wrong (BTW, very few issues and dealer fixed all our list, which was pretty short). I think the only way this can be duplicated is to live in it where it's pretty cool or even cold.
So, anybody have any body have any ideas. I'm thinking either the control board for the heater or the heater itself.
Oh, we have a 2012 325RL, and the heater is a Suburban.
|
|
|
|
Post by shortlance on Aug 7, 2013 17:01:27 GMT -5
Looks like you got a lot of looks but no answers. I wish I could help but don't have a clue. Let us know what was wrong once they get it fixed.
|
|
|
|
Post by joecamper on Aug 7, 2013 17:20:48 GMT -5
Yeah, just weird. I already have an appointment for a different issue (minor), but we won't be back from this trip until next week. Sure glad it's under warranty still.
|
|
quark
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 9
|
Post by quark on Aug 13, 2013 10:06:28 GMT -5
Hi, Joe. This is Roger from Grand Junction. As you may remember, I have a 325RLS also.
I have some general knowledge about gas furnaces. I messed around with my home gas furnace, and most gas furnaces operate the same way. Gas is dangerous, so engineers build safeguards into the startup mechanism to make sure you don't blow up the next time the furnace kicks off. There are sensors to make sure all the startup steps proceed in an orderly fashion. If any step does not complete properly, OR if a sensor is giving false readings, the whole process stops in it's tracks. The fact that you had to recycle the process by powering off and on suggest it is a sensor or some associated piece of control electronics.
We're having a great time with our Durango traveling around the Northwest.
Safe journeys.
|
|
|
|
Post by joecamper on Aug 13, 2013 20:57:31 GMT -5
Thanks, Roger. I sent an email to Suburban and got a reply back pretty quick, I was impressed. Their suggestion pretty much mirrors yours. They said they aren't allowed to suggest fixes on propane "appliances" to end users, but that most likely it is a hard shutdown by one or more sensors. I printed out their response and will take it with me to the dealer next week.
|
|
|
|
Post by joecamper on Sept 3, 2013 20:31:30 GMT -5
Ok, update. I got the camper back today. Haven't had a chance to test the heater yet, but am reserving a camping spot for next week.
They told me there were two issues. I'm going to believe they tested it, as the thermostat was set at 87 when I got it home! Anyway, they said the delivery of propane was not quite what it should be and that there was oil in the propane regulator (sounds like related issue). They replaced the regulator.
I will update after the camping trip next week.
|
|
|
|
Post by shortlance on Sept 4, 2013 14:37:59 GMT -5
Now that you told us, that rings a bell. At work we were having all sorts of problems with our forklifts and it turned out to be bad propane. I wish I would have remembered that when you first posted your problem. As long as you are all fixed up and ready to roll is all that matters.
|
|
|
|
Post by joecamper on Oct 2, 2013 11:27:54 GMT -5
Ok, the heater is still not working correctly. Stopped during the night and the only fix was the off/on procedure.
I have another unrelated issue, so it's going back again. I think I'm going to try and politely recommend they just replace the heater. They've had two shots at it now and it's really annoying to wake up to 45 degrees because it stopped running and didn't restart.
|
|
|
|
Post by joecamper on Nov 23, 2013 14:31:21 GMT -5
At last, at last ... the heater has been fixed. The dealer tried all kinds of stuff to get it running and finally called Suburban and talked to them. The heat "hoses" that came from the heater and go to the camper's duct work had some pretty sharp bends in them and they "straightened" the hoses. They also connected an additional 2" hose that simply dumps into where the water heater is. Finally (we had a really nice long chat and on site explanation of everything) he noted that the sliding panel that's between the heater and the "garage" might be blocking the intake of air for the heater. He suggested leaving the panel slightly open. I think I will probably put some sort of vent device so as to stop any critter attacks (we don't currently have critter issues ... but you never know). Now I'm "Joe Happy Camper".
|
|
|
|
Post by iamagoner on Nov 2, 2014 17:20:53 GMT -5
How is your airflow on the heating system we removed all the flex piping on ours and installed rigid 4" ducting and elbows we now can feel the heat hitting us in the face when standing in the living area this made a lot of difference in the heating up of our Durango
|
|
|
|
Post by joecamper on Nov 3, 2014 12:35:50 GMT -5
Well, the issue has returned. We have good airflow. The dealer can't fix it (can't duplicate). And now it's out of warranty. I can't believe we spent so much on a 5th wheel and the heater doesn't work. Next spring, I'm just going to replace the heater, $800 or so out of my pocket to fix something that has never worked right.
So disappointing ...
|
|
|
|
Post by johnr on Nov 3, 2014 13:09:43 GMT -5
They won't cover it even though it's an issue that was reported and not fixed properly during the warranty period?
|
|
|
|
Post by joecamper on Nov 4, 2014 12:03:13 GMT -5
They won't cover it even though it's an issue that was reported and not fixed properly during the warranty period? Yeah, they (the dealer) made that perfectly clear the day the warranty expired. |
|
|
|
Post by johnr on Nov 4, 2014 15:46:55 GMT -5
Gosh, that stinks. I'd be tempted to contact KZ and the owners of the dealership and state your case. It's obviously been an issue since you got the camper. The dealership should stand behind you and KZ should stand behind their product.
Of course, my wife says that I really have a way with words and can write letters to companies that generate action. My alternate persona is called "Angry Letter Guy". LOL
|
|
|
|
Post by joecamper on Nov 5, 2014 12:46:00 GMT -5
I totally agree. The real issue is that it isn't KZs problem (they say), it's Suburban's issue. Trying to get both of them to agree is just not going to happen. Really bummed.
|
|
|
|
Post by johnr on Nov 6, 2014 8:23:44 GMT -5
Are you going to replace the heater yourself or have the dealership do it? I've never done one of those on an RV before and wonder how difficult they are?
|
|
|
|
Post by joecamper on Nov 6, 2014 12:17:07 GMT -5
I've researched pretty thoroughly, and while I "think" I could do it, I will probably let the dealer do it. I've already talked to them about it and they say 2 hours tops labor. When I discussed doing a new furnace with them, they thought I was crazy ... because a new one is $1200. I have found them online for $600 shipped to my home ... hence the $800 number I came up with.
|
|
|
|
Post by rvclark on Nov 14, 2014 11:08:01 GMT -5
Lots of things can cause the furnace to go in to lockout. My guess is that it may well be the high temp limit sensor. They do go bad. I would recommend not taking it to the same dealer (if no longer under warranty). sensor replacement is cheep compared to the cost of a new furnace. Good luck..
|
|
|
|
Post by joecamper on Nov 14, 2014 12:54:10 GMT -5
The issue, I guess, is that it is really random. The dealer can't duplicate the issue. If it's so random, I don't think another dealer could do that, either. Sometimes it works normally for a couple days, then faults. Other times it faults almost constantly. Really annoying.
|
|
|
|
Post by buoyantc on Dec 6, 2014 20:39:45 GMT -5
This sounds very similar to a problem with our home furnace some time ago. On that furnace it was a simple fix. There was a sensor rod that sensed the flame ignition and this would get a film on it that "delayed" the sensing of heat just enough the furnace would shut the gas valve as if there were no ignition. A little light steel wool cleaning cured it.
I don't know much about rv heaters, but it would be nice if your solution were so simple.
|
|
