Fix for furnace cycling too often

[Robot9000]

So last week we took our last trip to Cedar point in our '11 Daybreak. Since we got it in the spring, I noticed the furnace cycles a lot - on for a min or so, then off for a few, then on again. I just assumed it was just how it was.

When I went to check the temp, I noticed that that the thermostat is mounted DIRECTLY above a heat vent. With the furnace running I could feel the air flowing past the thermostat. Uh, thats not right !!

Obviously I can't move the vent, and really can't move the thermo without leaving marks, so I slid the carpet runner we have in that little hallway over about 6 inch to cover the vent completely.

The furnace then ran for about 20 min and I felt the whole rig finally heat up! I don't remember it coming on again by the time I went to bed. Problem solved.

But my bigger question is: Who at Damon didn't see this? Someone didn't think that putting the heat vent 4ft directly below and next to the wall the thermostat is located in would be a problem? Sheesh....

[ctpres]

If close to factory - let them fix it they are set up to really serious work there. Or consider another thermostat for heat only in different location and keep existing for a'cond. or find something to put over holes, maybe floor register that directs airflow in a differend direction. They do need to know before many more roll off the line.

[Robot9000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctpres If close to factory - let them fix it they are set up to really serious work there. Or consider another thermostat for heat only in different location and keep existing for a'cond. or find something to put over holes, maybe floor register that directs airflow in a differend direction. They do need to know before many more roll off the line.

I'll either leave the carpet over it or buy a deflector (its in prime 'Kick Me' zone).

Its a little inconvenience, but it proves that the people that design and build these things don't apparently use them, lol. It is SOOOO obvious once you see it....

[bluepill]

Sign of the times. Design it quick then blow it out. It seems that most companies don't have an adequate review of plans or the kid they just hired fresh out of school didn't have the benefit of learning from the old pro that he just replaced as a cost-cutting measure.

[radams]

You just have to wonder some times, don't you? There was a post not long ago about a new Winnebago coach without return air vents on the Aqua Hot heat system. That didn't work too well either.

[TXiceman]

I don't think that the RV "designers" actually are RVers and thus do not have a clue. It is amazing at the lack of thought that goes into the design of an RV.

Ken

[powerboatr]

we use the magnetic vent covers...most home improvement places have them for large residential vents, then we cut them to fit
plus you can walk on them and they dont catch a toe
plus the fire risk goes way down compared to a rug...

being an engineer type...it floors me to find things that get looked over

our ceiling unit has the temp sensor up there for the heater and a/c...guess whats almost directly below the sensor??? a huge 42" flat screen that creates a bunch of heat
so we have to run the temp desired in winter up past 78 to get the heater to come on...
then in summer we freeze if it set at 78..

[Yaj]

The instructions for the thermostat that came with our MH explicitly say do not mount on a outside wall... thats right where Holiday Rambler put it!

[JC2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robot9000 So last week we took our last trip to Cedar point in our '11 Daybreak. Since we got it in the spring, I noticed the furnace cycles a lot - on for a min or so, then off for a few, then on again. I just assumed it was just how it was. When I went to check the temp, I noticed that that the thermostat is mounted DIRECTLY above a heat vent. With the furnace running I could feel the air flowing past the thermostat. Uh, thats not right !! Obviously I can't move the vent, and really can't move the thermo without leaving marks, so I slid the carpet runner we have in that little hallway over about 6 inch to cover the vent completely. The furnace then ran for about 20 min and I felt the whole rig finally heat up! I don't remember it coming on again by the time I went to bed. Problem solved. But my bigger question is: Who at Damon didn't see this? Someone didn't think that putting the heat vent 4ft directly below and next to the wall the thermostat is located in would be a problem? Sheesh....

You floor vent is most likely retangular in size and probably can't be closed. I would measure the dimensions, probably somewhere around 2"x10" or so, and go to Lowes, Home Depot or Menards and get a replacement that can be shutoff. We replaced all of the floor vents in our mh several years ago with adjustable ones from Menards. Also check that a ceiling vent is not directly above the stat or you'll have the same short cycling when using the ac.

[max49]

I copied this from RV. Net. It seems like it may be a good tip from Good Sam ERS.

Do you have a yo-yo heating issue in colder weather? You know, when your furnace kicks on and heats up your RV to much, and then kicks off but won't come back on until after it seems downright frigid to you? One way to help alleviate this hot/cold/hot/cold cycle is to locate the anticipator adjustment. It is the slide or rotary device just under the thermostat cover. It typically has numbers such as 1.0, .7, .6, etc. These are often set by default at 1.0, but that allows for the widest temperature-cycle swing. changing the calibration to a mid-range setting of around .4 or .5 may slow or solve the yo-yo! Tip courtesy of Good Sam Emergency Road

If the anticipator is set at .10 this could cause "short cycling". Try a less sensitive setting in any case. Also make sure warm air is not blowing on the thermostat. This will also cause "shot cycling" (On, off, on, off etc.)

[PNV]

I've spent the last 30 plus years consulting on HVAC problems. I have hundreds of photos showing things such as fans and lights aimed directly at thermostats installed by "qualified" commercial HVAC "specialists". ( Resturants are the worst offenders ).By far the most common issue is thermostat location. In your case readjusting the heating anticipator will not solve the issue. You need to either relocate the thermostat, replace it with one that has a remote sensor, or block the airflow from the vents.

[donandmax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNV I've spent the last 30 plus years consulting on HVAC problems. I have hundreds of photos showing things such as fans and lights aimed directly at thermostats installed by "qualified" commercial HVAC "specialists". ( Resturants are the worst offenders ).By far the most common issue is thermostat location. In your case readjusting the heating anticipator will not solve the issue. You need to either relocate the thermostat, replace it with one that has a remote sensor, or block the airflow from the vents.