Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: pocketchange on January 06, 2014, 11:19:31 pm

Title: Front (95') Atwood Furnace
Post by: pocketchange on January 06, 2014, 11:19:31 pm
I've noticed a couple of issues that need attention. 
When it heats.. it's a blowtorch (which isn't the issue).
It needs a new board (the board is physically falling to pieces) and the blower windings are going away (i looked).
Since I know zero about furnaces, would it be an issue to replace the old one with a new and lower BTU unit??  35,000 to 25,000 BTUs
I've located one that's fairly reasonable.  pc
Title: Re: Front (95') Atwood Furnace
Post by: RRadio on January 07, 2014, 11:33:13 am
The lower capacity furnace will be more comfortable, with longer run times for each heating cycle and less of the hot, cold, hot, cold feeling. The higher capacity furnace will heat up your coach faster when you come home to a cold coach at the end of the day. The higher capacity furnace will have shorter run times for each heating cycle and use less battery power when you're boondocking in cold weather. There are some 2,000 sqft houses with a 30,000 btuh furnace installed, so you'll have adequate heating capacity either way... I'd probably decide based on the likelihood of boondocking in cold weather. Every bit of battery savings will matter in a situation like that.
Title: Re: Front (95') Atwood Furnace
Post by: Gary Bouland (RIP) on January 07, 2014, 12:38:09 pm
Pocketchange, I'm Curious about how you determined that the blower windings are going bad. On my coach the motor is sealed and windings are not visible.  Did you cut the blower motor apart to inspect them, If so how did you reassemble the motor ?
Gary B
Title: Re: Front (95') Atwood Furnace
Post by: pocketchange on January 07, 2014, 02:19:15 pm
I found another motor.. but, 2part epoxy and a couple of rubber bands would have done the trick too.
I'm headed in the direction of replacing a nearly 20 year old furnace,
in effort to maintain the value of the MH. 
I also have a Mr. Buddy heater that's plugged into the stove LP and its wall wart (6V blower) does a good job. 
The big issue is the age of the unit. pc