Replacing the LP Auto-switchover Regulator

[Rossue]

Doug- sure am frustrated for you. Met a Wyoming 21 owner in Lander last August who had their sail switch go bad. His RV tech claimed the space under the rear driver's side bench(models up to late 2014 I believe) has restricted air flow due to the size and put in a larger sail switch FYIW. So far we've not had any issues and we do store stuff, however leave a good distance to the intake area empty.

[drpaddle]

Thanks to all for suggestions. We can't find any air blockages and at present we have the door to the dinette compartment open (useful for installing and un-installing furnace, over and over again, no this isn't bothering me. :-|

After the football game -- priorities demand a pause for football -- I will take apart again and try to see if motor could be dirty / binding / sluggish.

I don't think I have the know-how (or the right kind of bench) to check voltage at the battery while the fan is running because it seems the furnace has to be installed to make that happen. I'll have to think about that. Maybe it can be tested during the 15-second delay after the fan starts.

DW points out that I'm going to become an expert 'whether I want to or not.' Well, more knowledgeable anyway. Can't hurt!

[steve dunham]

What I have done is attach a pair of wires to the terminals on the sail switch making the wires long enough to extend beyond the face of the furnace . I then connect a single pole switch to the end of the 2 wires. Start the furnace and after the fan starts and runs for 4 or 5 seconds close the single pole switch. If the furnace goes into ignition mode and the burner comes on then you know there is an issue with the fan or fan switch.

**When done with the test , remove the sp switch and cap the wires**.

[drpaddle]

Hey Steve,

I never would have thought of that. I just tried it and... sure enough, I Have An Air Flow Problem. When I close the single-pole switch, the furnace happily lights up.

I have ordered yet another sail switch on the assumption that if one sail switch goes bad, so can another. When it arrives I'll swap it out and see if anything magical happens. If it doesn't.... new motor, I guess. Unless there's some way to "lube" the existing one.

Fascinating problem. At least this is all happening during a time we didn't plan to be camping!

[StarvingHyena]

drpaddle .... I know the solution! Its easy. Go down to the Tides Tavern and order a couple Tides Long Ass Day Double IPA's - 7.7% ABV. If after the first two the solution has not been found, then order two more. Surely, that will do.

Good Luck!

Tom

I used to live in Gig Harbor

[StarvingHyena]

Originally Posted by drpaddle

Well I guess I celebrated too soon. Went out this morning and got that last half-inch, buttoned everything up and... furnace won't light. Same single-flash red light.

Took it all apart. Sail switch looked fine. Put all together again and re-tested. No go.

Took it all apart again and tried the other sail switch. No go.

Out of ideas. Doubt I have two bad sail switches. Limit switch tests okay. Reluctant to buy another igniter board because I did that already and the fix (done by ETI) only lasted a day. Might have to take it to a shop... there's an Atwood "certified service center" about 35 minutes' drive from here.

Hate it that I can't solve this.

I haven't seen a "sail switch" so only a wild guess here. Your furnace was working with new switch 'cept furnace wasn't lodged completely back in. You got the furnace in and it stopped working. When ETI installed new switch and furnace quit you found the sail switch jammed up against the squirrel cage. Something is going on here at the last of the re-install. What would happen if you took one of your spare switches and reefed that sail a bit ... as in trimmed it down so it can't jam against the cage .... or look for something getting in the way for that last 1/2"?

Sorry you are having so much trouble,

Tom

[fudge_brownie]

I had the same problem, after reinstall the new switch would not work. The second time was easier. It appeared to have become hung up during the first install. I would start by retracing your steps.

[drpaddle]

Originally Posted by StarvingHyena

drpaddle .... I know the solution! Its easy. Go down to the Tides Tavern and order a couple Tides Long Ass Day Double IPA's - 7.7% ABV. If after the first two the solution has not been found, then order two more. Surely, that will do.

Good Luck!

Tom

I used to live in Gig Harbor

That is very sound advice. I'll let you know how that works!

[drpaddle]

I pursued two parallel strategies: getting beer at The Tides, and ordering another sail switch from someone online.

This morning, I installed the new sail switch. Pushed the furnace back in part-way, as before... ignition.

With DW's help, pushed it all the way back in. Ignition!

Set the louvers on the front of the furnace back to their proper position. Would air flow be restricted too much? No! Ignition again.

Went out for afternoon chores. Then...

Re-mounted the ignitor board and put the front cover back on the furnace.

Ignition!

I don't know if the "fix" was a less restrictive final install, or a better-functioning sail switch. I wish I did know. But I don't.

Tomorrow morning I'll fire it up again, just to make sure. But I think... it's fixed! Woo hoo! It appears we may be able, after all, to make our planned, two-month winter trip through southern California and Arizona this winter -- with heat when we need it. It's a good thing -- the winter rains are setting in with a vengeance.

Thanks again for all the ideas and commiserations. A glass raised to each of you!

[float5]

Do I dare say, "Good going!" again?

[Steve Clark]

Originally Posted by drpaddle

I

Set the louvers on the front of the furnace back to their proper position. Would air flow be restricted too much? No! Ignition again.!

Congratulations! There must be 50 ways to leave your louvers!

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by Steve Clark

Congratulations! There must be 50 ways to leave your louvers!

Oh, my word. A million laughs here.

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by Steve Clark

Congratulations! There must be 50 ways to leave your louvers!

Originally Posted by KarenH

Oh, my word. A million laughs here.

Add another million laughs from our place .

[drpaddle]

2: number of consecutive days Toto's furnace has worked flawlessly.

Thanks again to all for your ideas and encouragement.

[gbaglo]

But, what about the beer?

[Rossue]

Originally Posted by KarenH

Oh, my word

.....and stars, as Donna would say