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Old 10-16-2020, 10:57 AM   #1
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Urgent: Furnace not working. Cold!

We are in Wyoming on our way to MN. We have a Dometic digital thermostat in our 2017 5.0 TA. When we turn the thermostat on for heat, the fan comes on but there is no ignition or heat. All other gas appliances are working normally. The blower comes on for 15 seconds, blows cold air, and shuts off. Except for the outside vent, there appears to be no simple heater access. Please help. Any suggestions?
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Old 10-16-2020, 11:27 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zahuta View Post
We are in Wyoming on our way to MN. We have a Dometic digital thermostat in our 2017 5.0 TA. When we turn the thermostat on for heat, the fan comes on but there is no ignition or heat. All other gas appliances are working normally. The blower comes on for 15 seconds, blows cold air, and shuts off. Except for the outside vent, there appears to be no simple heater access. Please help. Any suggestions?
Our furnace did the same thing— bad circuit board - bad sail switch
You have to pull the furnace to get to the board / sail switch , not difficult but it takes time
It’s snowing in Minnesota and Wisconsin so I suggest you buy an electric space heater for the trip home . We carry a 1500 watt electric heater as a furnace backup in the Spring & Fall
Wish we had purchased the strip heater in the A/C .
Good luck with your furnace, hopefully it’s a simple , quick repair .
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Old 10-16-2020, 12:39 PM   #3
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Thank you for your response. Fortunately we have a small portable heater with us but had planned on staying in campgrounds without hookups--most of the campgrounds with hook-ups are closed for the winter. When we get to Minnetonka, we can plug in at our son's house and work to find someone to help us with the repair. Could you tell us what the sail switch is?
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Old 10-16-2020, 12:46 PM   #4
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is a video by Reace that explains the sail switch. It is a version of the furnace that has outside access - yours (like mine) is old enough that to get to the switch you must pull the furnace. There are also videos in the series that cover removal, reinsertion, etc.
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Old 10-16-2020, 12:50 PM   #5
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Outstanding! As soon as we get off the road we will take a look at the videos. Thank you
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Old 10-16-2020, 01:47 PM   #6
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Beth and Bruce: To salvage your trip and to be able to continue without hookups consider picking up a Mr. Heater "Buddy" or "Big Buddy" portable propane heater. The smaller Buddy is 9,000 BTU/H on high and the Big Buddy is 9,000 BTU/H on medium which should be plenty as that equals the output of the stock Escape furnace. The smaller Buddy can run off a single 1# bottle and the Big Buddy runs on 2 bottles. Both models have low oxygen shutoff and tip over safety shut-off but you still should crack a window in a confined space like a trailer. I found that they are available in stock at some Ace Hardware stores in Wyoming....not sure if you are near Riverton, Worland or Lander but they show them in stock. If you give me some information of where you are I might be able to help zero you in one you can pick up during your travels.

https://www.acehardware.com/departme...eaters/4120747

https://www.acehardware.com/departme...eaters/4000358
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Old 10-16-2020, 01:48 PM   #7
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I've had similar issues. Brrrrr! If you google "KOA year round" you may be able to find sone available open campgrounds along your route. Not cheap but worth it for electricity.
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Old 10-16-2020, 02:01 PM   #8
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Sounds like a great idea. We are 30 west of Laramie, having lunch in a trailer rocking in the wicked wind.
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Old 10-16-2020, 02:11 PM   #9
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We are 20 miles west of Laramie. Have not found one in Laramie or Cheyenne ACE stores online
Big thanks for your help!
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Old 10-16-2020, 02:13 PM   #10
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Sounds like a great idea. We are 30 west of Laramie, having lunch in a trailer rocking in the wicked wind.
It looks like the Ace Hardware in Laramie has the Big Buddy in stock. Give them a call.

611 E Grand Ave
Laramie, WY 82070
(307) 755-0781
M-F 7AM-8PM
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Old 10-16-2020, 02:19 PM   #11
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It looks like the Ace Hardware in Laramie has the Big Buddy in stock. Give them a call.

611 E Grand Ave
Laramie, WY 82070
(307) 755-0781
M-F 7AM-8PM
I just spoke to this store and they have one in stock. Try to get the one in Laramie as they don't appear to have any in stock in Cheyenne.
FWIW I have a Buddy and a Big Buddy and they are great heaters.
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Old 10-16-2020, 02:19 PM   #12
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I've overnighted at the Cheyenne KOA, nice park and owners. Snowed lightly that night. That was the first night my furnace failed to work so having electricity and a portable heater saved the night.

Holiday RV park in North Platte, NE was also open, cash in envelope for payment.

Stay warm and safe, especially in that cold and wind.
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Old 10-16-2020, 02:30 PM   #13
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I did. They have the Little Buddy in stock too. We were hoping for the mid range buddy but Bruce is leaning toward the Little buddy. Wuddya think? Too small for a 5.0?
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Old 10-16-2020, 02:45 PM   #14
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I did. They have the Little Buddy in stock too. We were hoping for the mid range buddy but Bruce is leaning toward the Little buddy. Wuddya think? Too small for a 5.0?
I think 3800 BTU isn't going to cut it with temps overnight in the 20's and 30's in a 5.0 unless it is up in the loft with you (not really safe). The Big Buddy is large and overkill. I would try for the mid-range Buddy with 4,000 and 9,000 BTUH settings. There is one in stock in Ogallala NE and Oshkosh NE which are quite far to the east from you. Wouldn't make it there today.
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Old 10-16-2020, 03:26 PM   #15
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Stopped in Laramie. You are right. Gotta have the mid size one. Ordered one for pickup in Olagalla were we have planned to spend the night.

You are a champ! You ALL are! Thank you for your efforts to help us out. We should be able to continue our trip as planned.
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Old 10-16-2020, 03:46 PM   #16
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The Walmart store in Laramie shows it has the 9,000 BTU Mr. Heater in stock. Store location:

Your Store
Laramie
Supercenter #1412
4308 E Grand Ave, Laramie, WY 82070
307-745-6100
In Aisle L.17

Should show up on this link:

https://www.walmart.com/store/1412-l...opane%20Heater
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Old 10-16-2020, 03:51 PM   #17
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Stopped in Laramie. You are right. Gotta have the mid size one. Ordered one for pickup in Olagalla were we have planned to spend the night.

You are a champ! You ALL are! Thank you for your efforts to help us out. We should be able to continue our trip as planned.
The Buddy is the right choice. It's the right compromise between size and capacity. You'll be able to easily find a spot by the door or under the dinette table out of the aisle. Plus much less costly than the Big Buddy.
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Old 10-16-2020, 03:55 PM   #18
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My Mr Buddy heater goes through a 1lb cylinder of propane pretty fast especially when on high
I would suggest you get a couple extra 1lb cylinders to make sure you have enough
I use my Mr Buddy in my deer stand which has 4ft walls and then is open to the atmosphere so I bought a Mr Buddy propane hose and use a 30 lb propane tank
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Old 10-16-2020, 04:00 PM   #19
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The Walmart store in Laramie shows it has the 9,000 BTU Mr. Heater in stock. Store location:

Your Store
Laramie
Supercenter #1412
4308 E Grand Ave, Laramie, WY 82070
307-745-6100
In Aisle L.17

Should show up on this link:

https://www.walmart.com/store/1412-l...opane%20Heater
Good find Jake! If they are past Laramie now they are also in stock in Cheyenne. Since Walmart is open until 10PM they could have it in their hands today.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mr-Heater...eater/55234301
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mr heater buddy cheyenne walmart.jpg  
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Old 10-16-2020, 04:04 PM   #20
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