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Heater stopped working.

Discussion in 'Propane - Got Gas' started by MyName, Nov 26, 2018.

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  1. Nov 26, 2018 #1
    MyName

    MyName Active Member

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    Jan 12, 2018
    Ca
    Hi all,

    I was driveway camping this weekend and we were using the heater to stay warm at night. In the middle of the night the the heater stopped. Boy did it get cold. I still have propane based on the fact there is a little flame visible for my refrigerator. Any Ideas?
     
  2. Nov 26, 2018 #2
    PopUpSteve

    PopUpSteve Administrator

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    Malvern, PA
    I assume you changed the thermostat, moving it to a lower temp to try to get the heater to kick on?
     
  3. Nov 26, 2018 #3
    MyName

    MyName Active Member

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    Jan 12, 2018
    Ca
    I turned it off and on. I also slid the thermostat back and forth. I had it set for 90 F. Normally after 30-90 seconds the fan kicks on and about 10 min after that the heat starts. (I think its because the gas is moving through the line).
     
  4. Nov 26, 2018 #4
    SteveP

    SteveP Well-Known Member

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    May 21, 2015
    Are you running on shore power or battery?
     
  5. Nov 26, 2018 #5
    MyName

    MyName Active Member

    178
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    Jan 12, 2018
    Ca
    Shore Power (120v AC)
     
  6. Nov 26, 2018 #6
    emoney

    emoney Well-Known Member

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    Jul 7, 2018
    I'd check the stove to make absolute sure there wasn't just gas left in the line to the fridge. Otherwise,
    troubleshoot the thermostat.

    Related side note; best $30 I've spent was on a LP tank gauge. Between the
    TT and the house I have 3 LP tanks so I move it between them. Takes all the
    "guesswork" out of the equation.
     
  7. Nov 26, 2018 #7
    jmkay1

    jmkay1 2004 Fleetwood/Coleman Utah

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    Oct 10, 2013
    Northern Virginia
    Just verifying, when you say heater stopped. Does the fan kick on but not the heat, or is the fan also not turning on? Id double check the propane tank just to absolutely rule out that as a possibility. You may have enough propane to for a pilot, but not enough for the furnace. The furnace does eat up propane fast, but normally Im able to get a couple nights using the furnace. Keeping the temperature reasonable.
     
  8. Nov 26, 2018 #8
    SteveP

    SteveP Well-Known Member

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    Assuming the fan is not running. Check the fuses in the power center, the heater may or may not be on the same circuit with the lights so if they're not labeled check them all. Then I would try to jump across the wires in the thermostat. Then you'll have to go into the heater to see if the fan motor is locked up.
     
  9. Nov 27, 2018 #9
    MyName

    MyName Active Member

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    Jan 12, 2018
    Ca
    @jmkay1 To clarify. The heater fan stopped blowing. The tank was full when I started running the fridge that day. I Don't use the stove ever. I'll double check the propane tank.
    @SteveP I checked the fuses on the power center and nothing was tripped. I also check the 2 fuses attached on the wire and both look good.
    I opened up the thermostat and it also appear to be in working order. I'll jump the wires in the thermostat tonight.
     
  10. Nov 27, 2018 #10
    chambo

    chambo Active Member

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    Apr 27, 2015
    Southern California
    Do you have a volt meter to check if power is making it to the furnace? My guess is the thermostat is the culprit.
     
  11. Nov 27, 2018 #11
    MyName

    MyName Active Member

    178
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    Jan 12, 2018
    Ca
    @chambo I do have a volt meter, but I don't see easy access to the furnace wiring. Do I just pull off the face plate? I know the thermostat wires travel below the kitchen/Sink top down a hole to the left of the refrigerator.
    [​IMG]
     
  12. Nov 27, 2018 #12
    joet

    joet Well-Known Member

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    Elkins WV area
    The only voltage you will see at the t-stat is milvolts, so don't expect to see 12 volts.. Just tie the t-stat wires together. This will eliminate the t-stat as the problem
     
  13. Nov 28, 2018 #13
    MyName

    MyName Active Member

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    Jan 12, 2018
    Ca
    Hi I tied the thermostat wires together and waited about 10 min. Nothing happened. I opened the front of the heater and tested the white and orange wire. They had 12V DC at all times, with or without the thermostat wires together.
    Edit. I also check the propane tank and it was heavy.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2018
  14. Nov 28, 2018 #14
    nineoaks2004

    nineoaks2004 Every meal is a picnic and every Day is a holiday

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    Graceville, Florida
    try closing the LP tank and very slowly open it up. The safety at the tank will close and allow little or no LP thru if it is opened quickly this acts like a large leak and will shut down the flow.
     
  15. Nov 28, 2018 #15
    bols2Dawall

    bols2Dawall S.W. Ontario

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    May 19, 2010
    also check to see if your stove will fire up just to eliminate the tank or regulator as the problem
     
  16. Nov 28, 2018 #16
    MyName

    MyName Active Member

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    Jan 12, 2018
    Ca
    My stove is in the attic because I never take it camping. :sad:. Ok I'll drag it down tonight. I'll even try my other full tank. It's safe to run the heater without the grate on correct?
     
  17. Nov 28, 2018 #17
    SteveP

    SteveP Well-Known Member

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    May 21, 2015
    The furnace is not going to light until the fan starts and closes the sail switch. First you have to determine why the fan is not running.
     
    Spridle and neighbormike like this.
  18. Nov 28, 2018 #18
    chambo

    chambo Active Member

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    Apr 27, 2015
    Southern California
    The fan doesn't kick on at all, right? No air movement whatsoever? If the fan never kicks on then the propane isn't the problem. I'm leaning towards a bad motor or module board.
     
  19. Nov 28, 2018 #19
    Halford

    Halford Well-Known Member

    3,351
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    Sep 28, 2011
    Santa Clarita, California
    I NEVER use the furnace in my popup. I just use the ceramic heater or big buddy when needed. I am thinking about replacing the furnace with reel in power cord.

    [​IMG]
     
  20. Nov 28, 2018 #20
    MyName

    MyName Active Member

    178
    43
    Jan 12, 2018
    Ca
    No air movement at all. Both the motor or board are about $75 each. :( . I guess I can take the heater out and see if any TLC will fix it. I'll probably end up buying a Mr. Heater or something similar.
     
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