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Topic Closed2013 R-Pod furnace problem?
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: 2013 R-Pod furnace problem?
    Posted: 26 Feb 2017 at 3:23pm
So the motor ran fine with no fan and on a bench supply. Is it possible the motor shaft is freezing up with run time and heat, including from the combustion itself? Seems like the fan ran for a short time early in the AM. BTW, that second wheel on the motor shaft forces air into the combustion chamber. That's what keeps it burning at higher altitudes, as opposed to the free air design of the WH.
Charlie
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Feb 2017 at 3:41pm
Just to clarify, I did have shore power plugged in. With the small battery, I do not want to overtax it. I think it would be good for a few hours, but it does not have but a fraction of the capacity of my dual 6V batteries. I have not tried running my furnace or anything in the R-Pod on the converter only except for the LED lights and that for a short period.
StephenH
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ToolmanJohn View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Apr 2014
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Posts: 451 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Feb 2017 at 5:03pm
 I thank everyone for their input!

 The fan motor is dual shaft, one end has the squirrel cage induction blower, and the other end has the interior circulation fan. When on a battery the motor alone is fine. No bad bushings at all. no hesitation at all. Runs fine.

 The board motor relay, also tested good. I put 12 volts on the coil and it closes the relay, tested and it's OK. 

 That leaves the whole thought now that the furnace actually NEEDS to have a battery because the converter can't run it alone, which to me is really bananas. If you were at a camground in cold weather and needed the furnace and for some reason your 12 volt battery went bad, the furnace shuts down??

I'l be testing that theory out tomorrow when I get it wired back into the camper. If it turns on lickety split with a 12V battery, I'll now that the converter can't do it alone due to ugly DC output voltage.

 The whole thing is very annoying, because I have shown it to 3 couples now and the furnace doesn't work.. Embarrassing. But I really hope installing the battery cures the behavior!!
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Feb 2017 at 7:02pm
I hope it does too! Please let us know how it turns out.
StephenH
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ouR escaPOD mods
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JandL View Drop Down
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Posts: 364 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Feb 2017 at 10:54pm
I have the Suburban Furnace NT-20SE in my 2012 Rpod and I have service manual and installation manual. I think they would help in trouble shooting your furnace but I don't see any way to down load PDF anymore. If some one can let me know how to download PDF's please post the answer
JandL
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ToolmanJohn View Drop Down
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Posts: 451 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Feb 2017 at 5:15pm
     Thumbs Up  SUCCESS 

 I put it back together, reconnected the electrical and the gas line, checked the gas line for leaks using bubble test, installed the 12 V battery, and it fired right up.

 So in fact, the converter cannot supply a nice stable DC voltage all by itself that the furnace likes.

The battery acts as a stable buffer it appears. I ran it 12 volt only, but I expect that connecting to shore power will also now yield the same result with the battery installed.

 While I was in the furnace and it was apart on my kitchen table I found some burned/charred pieces of wood shavings, probably from the construction of the Pod. They looked like small burnt potato chips. They fell out when I took the furnace apart. I had smelled this every time I fired up the furnace in the Spring, but ignored it because I don't require the furnace on my trips. The furnace is now odor free, and about a loud as before, so no change there. 
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Feb 2017 at 5:23pm
Great! I'm glad you got it worked out without having to spend a lot of money on parts you didn't need.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Feb 2017 at 6:32pm
I love it when a plan comes together! Thumbs Up
Charlie
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Leo B View Drop Down
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Joined: 13 Jan 2012
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Posts: 4508 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Feb 2017 at 6:52pm
Nice work!!
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ToolmanJohn View Drop Down
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Joined: 23 Apr 2014
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Posts: 451 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Feb 2017 at 7:50pm
Originally posted by StephenH

Great! I'm glad you got it worked out without having to spend a lot of money on parts you didn't need.
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It was very very close!! I actually had ordered a motor on Amazon, then decided to remove the old one and bench test. Glad I did! I was able to cancel the order before it shipped. I also had a furnace control in my cart!! After I went back and re-read the advice and also several other web searches for furnace issues, I decided I had better try a bench test of the main board as well with a solid 12 vdc. Relief....
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