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Old 09-01-2017, 11:59 AM   #1
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Furnace not lighting at higher altitudes

2017 spirit 31g. At home and local trips under 1000 ft in elevation the furnace works as expected. I was camping at 7500 ft two weeks ago and the furnace would not light. All other appliances on LP worked with no issues. Once back home the furnace lit normally. The dealer service has been zero help. I have talked with two local rv repair shops. Neither had heard of such a thing. The repair shops recommendation was to replace the regulator. How could that be the problem?
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Old 09-01-2017, 06:49 PM   #2
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You didn't mention the make and model of the furnace. Generators (gas and LP) often have carburetor settings for high altitude camping. They do generate less power at altitude, there are calculations that can show how much.

The recommendation to replace the LP regulator might help, IF you replaced it with one that can be adjusted easily. Did either shop use a manometer to measure the gas pressure at the furnace? Typically at lower elevations, most gas appliances want 11 inches of water column (WC) Because of reduced air pressure and oxygen at altitude, it' suggested to reduce the gas pressure to as low as 5" WC. You could also make sure the mixing tube, where air and gas mix right before the ignitor, is clean and free of cobwebs, dirt, etc.

Other suggestions are to exchange with a smaller jet so the gas is restricted at the orifice. I saw one suggestion to take a single strand of copper stranded wire, bend a hook in the end so you don't lose it in the jet, and insert it into the orifice to reduce its size at altitude. That could easily be removed when you come out of the clouds.

Many folks report no issues camping at higher altitudes, others have trouble as you report. I've personally camped from sea level to 10,000 ft (Leadville, CO) without problems, water heater, furnace, stove, and refrigerator worked fine. Just lucky I guess.

Some appliance manuals suggest you don't try to use LP mode of the refrigerator above 6,500', 120v electric only. That limits you to electric campsites.
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Old 09-01-2017, 11:10 PM   #3
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Most of the time, you'll find specific instructions about using the furnace at high altitude in the user's guide. Your rig is new enough that it should have been with it when you bought.

I really wonder about those shops and techs you talked to about the issue. It's well known.
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Old 09-04-2017, 04:31 PM   #4
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Jim_HiTek,
The first thing I did was consult the manuals that came with my motorhome. The manual for the furnace did not have any information about high altitude operation. I have seen online that there are many reports like mine, but I have not seen any resolutions. This week I am planning to call the furnace manufacturer. Please let me know if you have any suggestions.
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