RV Heater Troubleshooting
Driving across the country in an RV or motorhome is fun, but spending the night in one with a malfunctioning heater isn’t. Heating is crucial in an RV, especially during the colder seasons, where the temperatures can drop fast. Furnaces are used as the heating system for RVs, and there are plenty of times that they decide to stop working. Fortunately, there are ways to fix it. Here are a few ways to troubleshoot your RV’s furnace.
One of the simplest reasons that the furnace in your RV isn’t heating is that the pilot light has gone out. There could be several things causing this. First, the simplest thing to check would be the propane tank. Check to see if the propane tank is turned off or just empty. You can also test the regulator on your tank to see if it’s still working properly. Attach the regulator to another burner and see what color the flame is. If the fire stays consistently blue, then it’s working fine. Otherwise, you’ll need to replace it.
The next item to check would be the thermocouple to make sure that it is positioned correctly in the pilot flame. If it is misaligned at all, it will prevent the pilot light from being lit. If the thermocouple is broken, then you’ll need to get a replacement. You can also check the furnace vents to see if there is sufficient airflow. If there is a blockage, then the furnace will detect the lack of airflow and automatically prevent ignition.
The furnace fan could be the source of the problem. Fans often encounter common issues like a low or dead battery or a bad connection. If you are unsure that the battery still has power, you can use a battery tester to see. There needs to be a minimum of 12 volts being put out, otherwise, you’ll need to purchase a new one. To know if it’s a bad connection, you can try resetting the circuit. If you have blown a fuse, you should replace the fuse, and it should get the fan working again.
RV’s use a heating system that consists of a furnace and a fan, and over time, these components can wear down or break. Fortunately, there is usually a simple fix. If you wish to learn more about RVs, feel free to contact us or visit our dealership today.
