Heating system

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Heating system

November 02, 2010, 04:28:46 pm

I am trying to determine how we can find out what kind of heating system we have on our 97 U270. If we have an AquaHot system, I want to ensure it is properly winterized.

We have two grilles on the right hand (passenger) side of the coach. One is behind where I believe the Magic Chef 4-burner gas cook top is located. the other one is a short distance behind that grille. Inside that grille, I presume is the hotwater heater. It has a screwed fitting where it looks like a heating element screws in. The heating element is there and an electrical cable/connector that looks like it connects to the heating element is there also. In addition, it looks like a gas train for a gas burner is there too.

On the left hand (driver) side of the coach, there is one grille that looks like it is behind the refrigerator.

I have not yet seen what I think is the furnace or heating system. But I don't know that I know what to look for.

Can someone guide me?

Thank you very much.

Re: Heating system

Reply #1 – November 02, 2010, 04:54:43 pm

Morris,

The Aqua Hot is diesel fired so there are two exhaust pipes on the driver's side. One up front is the generator and if you have an Aqua Hot another one somewhere in front of the rear tires.

Only one exhaust pipe up front is clear indication of propane furnaces.

Hope this helps.

Re: Heating system

Reply #2 – November 02, 2010, 04:57:43 pm

Morris,

I might be able to help. If you have a thermostat in your bathroom, push it past 80 degrees. If you get instant warm air coming out of an air register, you have an Aqua-Hot.

Another clue. Go to the driver side of your coach and stand by the front wheel. If you see a thin chrome-tipped exhaust piple extending from the coach that would be from the Aqua-Hot.

One more. On our 2000 and just below the kitchen counter and near the sink we have a swithc that is labeled Aqua-Hot.

Hope this helps. It would be unusual, but not impossible, to have an Aqua-Hot in a 270.

Re: Heating system

Reply #3 – November 02, 2010, 05:01:20 pm

Quote from: Rudy – November 02, 2010, 04:54:43 pm

Morris,

The Aqua Hot is diesel fired so there are two exhaust pipes on the driver's side. One up front is the generator and if you have an Aqua Hot another one somewhere in front of the rear tires.

Only one exhaust pipe up front is clear indication of propane furnaces.

Hope this helps.

Thank you very much. I know we have the exhaust pipe up front. But I don't recall seeing one any where close to the rear tires.

But I have not seen what I thought was any furnaces either.

Is it possible that we do not have any furnaces but only the heat strips in the Duo Therm roof top units?

Re: Heating system

Reply #4 – November 02, 2010, 05:14:35 pm

Morris,
U270's had to be custom ordered with an Aqua-Hot. Since most U270's were built on speculation by the factory, very few have the optional Aqua Hot.
Rudy's already helped you with the extra (second, small) exhaust pipe on the street side of the coach, if you have an Aqua-Hot.
Is your floor plan with the table curbside and the kitchen all on the street side, or is it the U270 3600 CSGI?
At any rate, the three vents that you have should be the Refrigerator, the Propane furnace (small cover maybe 10" X 16" and it sounds like your furnace may be under your cook top) and the even smaller Propane Hotwater Heater aluminum vent in the water pump bay door.
Neal

Re: Heating system

Reply #5 – November 02, 2010, 05:20:19 pm

Aquahot was not an option on a 270. If you have a propane water heater, you don't have it. If you have one or two propane heaters, you don't have it.
Chances are really, really high you don't.

Re: Heating system

Reply #6 – November 02, 2010, 07:23:00 pm

You most likely have propane powered forced air system that is located below the refrigerator. It is most likely 30,000btu.
If you turn up the furnace thermostat you probably can find all of the circular heat outlets. Under the reefer you will probably find a metal grill about 12" x12" which is your COLD air return. Do not set a box of stuff in front of it when you expect the furnace to be operating.
I suggest that you have your burner plenum checked for big mud nests from mud dauber wasps. THEY CAN GET THROUGH THE SCREEN that covers the exhaust tube/pipe. Spiders can also ruin your furnace reliability. Most likely plug your gas orifice.
On the outside of the coach, there is a door that you can open by unscrewing two large screws. You will find that there are actually TWO doors. Open the black one too so you can peer inside. Cleanliness is a good thing. Before you decide to blow out the furnace area, be sure to tape a plastic bag over the COLD AIR return AND the various heat outlets or your partner will be beating you with a hammer. If she takes pictures, she will get off without jail time because, the jury will rule "Justifiable Homicide".
Very reliable furnace but very inefficient. We have gone to catalytic heaters for efficiency and NO electricity useage. The furnace will be a backup.
Regards,

Re: Heating system

Reply #7 – November 02, 2010, 07:35:23 pm

Jon, I'd like to hear more about the catalytic heaters you are using.

Re: Heating system

Reply #8 – November 02, 2010, 10:36:23 pm

Here you are:
http://www.amazon.com/Camco-57341-Olympian-Wave-6-Catalytic/dp/B000BV01CK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1288751696&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-57331-Olympian-Wave-3-Catalytic/dp/B000BUV1RK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1288751696&sr=8-5

Be sure to order the LEG KIT for them unless you will be attaching them to a wall.

Regards,
JON TWORK KB8RSA

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Heating system

Reply #9 – November 02, 2010, 10:43:06 pm

How did you plumb the gas line? How many do you use? If two do you use the 6,000 for the front and 3,000 for the back? Where do you place them? How much improvement in efficiency do you think the provide?

Sorry for all of the questions but this looks very interesting.

Re: Heating system

Reply #10 – November 02, 2010, 11:04:17 pm

The spouse uses the 3000 across from the dinette late at night or early in the morning to get the chill off. It is plumbed into the supply line of the existing furnace due to not using both at the same time.

Front unit is plumbed into the main propane tank manifold. Using a valve and quick disconnect for both heaters with rubber hose inside the coach.

Regards,
JON TWORK KB8RSA

Re: Heating system

Reply #11 – November 03, 2010, 11:57:34 am

Quote from: Neal Pillsbury – November 02, 2010, 05:14:35 pm

Is your floor plan with the table curbside and the kitchen all on the street side, or is it the U270 3600 CSGI?
At any rate, the three vents that you have should be the Refrigerator, the Propane furnace (small cover maybe 10" X 16" and it sounds like your furnace may be under your cook top) and the even smaller Propane Hotwater Heater aluminum vent in the water pump bay door.
Neal

Our floor plan is the CSGI.

I will check on the various things suggested next time I am at the MH. I do remember a grill with two reasonably large screws. I have not opened it at this time. If time permits the next time I am there, I will try to open it.

Re: Heating system

Reply #12 – November 03, 2010, 01:21:57 pm

Quote from: ncaabbfan – November 03, 2010, 11:57:34 am

Our floor plan is the CSGI.

.......................I do remember a grill with two reasonably large screws. ...............................

Morris,
That's the one The approx. 10" X 16" propane furnace access/vent cover with two large flat blade screws holding it in place
Neal .

Re: Heating system

Reply #13 – November 03, 2010, 01:46:44 pm

Quote from: Jon Twork – November 02, 2010, 07:23:00 pm

You most likely have propane powered forced air system that is located below the refrigerator. It is most likely 30,000btu.
If you turn up the furnace thermostat you probably can find all of the circular heat outlets. Under the reefer you will probably find a metal grill about 12" x12" which is your COLD air return. Do not set a box of stuff in front of it when you expect the furnace to be operating.
I suggest that you have your burner plenum checked for big mud nests from mud dauber wasps. THEY CAN GET THROUGH THE SCREEN that covers the exhaust tube/pipe. Spiders can also ruin your furnace reliability. Most likely plug your gas orifice.
On the outside of the coach, there is a door that you can open by unscrewing two large screws. You will find that there are actually TWO doors. Open the black one too so you can peer inside. Cleanliness is a good thing. Before you decide to blow out the furnace area, be sure to tape a plastic bag over the COLD AIR return AND the various heat outlets or your partner will be beating you with a hammer. If she takes pictures, she will get off without jail time because, the jury will rule "Justifiable Homicide".
Very reliable furnace but very inefficient. We have gone to catalytic heaters for efficiency and NO electricity useage. The furnace will be a backup.
Quote from: Neal Pillsbury – November 03, 2010, 01:21:57 pm
Quote from: ncaabbfan – November 03, 2010, 11:57:34 am

Our floor plan is the CSGI.

.......................I do remember a grill with two reasonably large screws. ...............................

Morris,
That's the one The approx. 10" X 16" propane furnace access/vent cover with two large flat blade screws holding it in place
Neal .
Regards,

Thank you very much. This is very helpful to me. I will check our MH for this when I am over there again. Thanks again!!

Morris

Re: Heating system

Reply #14 – November 06, 2010, 08:36:17 pm

Quote from: Neal Pillsbury – November 03, 2010, 01:21:57 pm

Quote from: ncaabbfan – November 03, 2010, 11:57:34 am

Our floor plan is the CSGI.

.......................I do remember a grill with two reasonably large screws. ...............................

Morris,
That's the one The approx. 10" X 16" propane furnace access/vent cover with two large flat blade screws holding it in place
Neal .

When I was at the MH today, I checked on the furnace. I opened the panel with the 2 larger screws and found the following:

Atwood Mobil Products, model number 8940-111DCLP
Input - 40,000 BTU/hr, 11.8 kw; Output - 31,200 BTU/hr, 9.2 kw
propane/LP

I found a KoolMatic thermostat just below the ceiling and just to the left of and above the microwave. It has a switch for High-Off-Low and the dial for temperature selection.

I found 3 short rectangular grilles in the kitchen area. 1 under the sink and at floor level, 1 under the set of drawers to the left of the cooktop and 1 under the two large drawers under the cooktop.

We have a plastic cover in the ceiling above the cooktop/microwave. It looks like it is approx. 14" square. It looks like it should slide out as it appears to be in a track. But it is so very tight, I have not been able to budge it and I fear I will break it.

1. So it looks like we have the LP gas furnace. I checked inside and found a carpeted "box" in the storage area under the kitchen sink. I presume the furnace is inside this carpeted "box". Does anyone else have this furnace and in this location? If so, what has been your experience with it?

2. Does anyone know if the carpeted "box" can be removed to access what I believe is the furnace to clean it?

3. Does anyone have any idea what the plastic cover is, whether it is supposed to be removed or not? If it is supposed to be removed, any idea how to do it without breaking the plastic cover?

Thank you very much.

Morris

Re: Heating system

Reply #15 – November 06, 2010, 10:13:15 pm

The thermostat in the kitchen is for the exhaust fan and the plastic cover is for it. Yes, the cover is tight but you should be able to bend it enough to remove it, then open up the two levers that control the louvers. The thermostat portion of the fan allows you to use it like an attic fan. Set the temperature you want it to come on at and open the windows. If you do much frying on the stove you will find that you have to use it to avoid setting off the smoke detector.

I have two gas furnaces in my '91 GV and each has a separate thermostat. I think that the later units have a thermostat more like what you would find in a house.

The furnace is accessed from the outside of the coach, see Jon's reply.

Re: Heating system

Reply #16 – November 06, 2010, 10:39:05 pm

Quote from: Jon Twork – November 02, 2010, 07:23:00 pm

You most likely have propane powered forced air system that is located below the refrigerator. It is most likely 30,000btu.
If you turn up the furnace thermostat you probably can find all of the circular heat outlets. Under the reefer you will probably find a metal grill about 12" x12" which is your COLD air return. Do not set a box of stuff in front of it when you expect the furnace to be operating.
I suggest that you have your burner plenum checked for big mud nests from mud dauber wasps. THEY CAN GET THROUGH THE SCREEN that covers the exhaust tube/pipe. Spiders can also ruin your furnace reliability. Most likely plug your gas orifice.
On the outside of the coach, there is a door that you can open by unscrewing two large screws. You will find that there are actually TWO doors. Open the black one too so you can peer inside. Cleanliness is a good thing. Before you decide to blow out the furnace area, be sure to tape a plastic bag over the COLD AIR return AND the various heat outlets or your partner will be beating you with a hammer. If she takes pictures, she will get off without jail time because, the jury will rule "Justifiable Homicide".
Very reliable furnace but very inefficient. We have gone to catalytic heaters for efficiency and NO electricity useage. The furnace will be a backup.
Regards,

It appears we do have the propane furnace. There is no grill under the refrigerator on our unit. There are 2 cabinet doors to a storage area underneath the refrigerator. Any idea where the grill might be?

I did see the black plastic door after I opened the outside door. That is where I found the Atwood Mobile Product information.

Also, how is the burner plenum accessed for cleaning? How is the gas orifice accessed for the cleaning?

Thank you very much.

Re: Heating system

Reply #17 – November 13, 2010, 10:34:04 pm

A quick lesson.....No two Fore-travels were ever made the same, at least thats the perception that I've come up with. I have a 96 U270, the furnace is under the fridge. Next thing I have to figure out is how to get at it. I suspect I have to take the fridge out and lift out the floor. The fan motor started squalering in this cold weather.

Re: Heating system

Reply #18 – November 14, 2010, 08:23:13 am

Our furnace is under our fridge. I changed out our motor completely from the outside of the coach.

Use a long Allen wrench through a cutout in the squirrel cage blower to loosen blower.
Remove single motor clamp. Motor comes out and a new one goes back in.

Squealing motors are common and replacement motors are readily available. We also changed out one blower as we thought it may have lost its balancing weights.

You can do it yourself

Re: Heating system

Reply #19 – November 14, 2010, 12:13:14 pm

Thanks, I'll give that a try. Now to go find a long allen wrench.....

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