Hiya!
I'm doing a renovation on a 1995 Firan Raven. In 2004 when I invested a full 45 minutes into the selection, inspection, purchase and driving off with this RV the salesman told me that it didn't have an Artic Package installed. I said OK and assumed that meant that even though I had a thermostat and floor vents - I didn't have a heater or a way to heat the RV in cold weather. I didn't plan on traveling in the winter much, so that was OK with me.
I went on several trips where I ran a radiating heater and a small blow heater to heat the rig when necessary.
Today, 9 years later, I was wondering what this one panel was for on the side of the RV. I thought it was for the oven since it is all metal and appears to have a heat escape, but doesn't quite line up with the oven. I open it and find... a heater.
I share this information because it's reality, it's funny, I'm learning and to communicate that my experience with an RV heater prior to today is zero.
I've now read up on a general RV heater and its process and from my research it seems like I need to do the below checklist to start this up.
Is there anything I'm missing to set up, troubleshoot or check before lighting this thing up?
Any precautions I should be aware of?
Will this start/run on Battery, or do I have to have the generator on or be plugged in?
HEATER TO DO:
- Paint the propane tank so someone will fill it. (rusted!)
- Get propane in the tank (it's under 1/8 right now)
- DONE - Blow out the heater area, remove the white connector thing and blow that out to make sure it's clear of dust and there's no other cobwebs or items that could prevent the pilot from starting.
- DONE - Check all connections and make sure they're all tightly connected.
- DONE - Make sure that the switch on the heater is turned to ON. (It was ON, I've turned it OFF for now)
- Clean out the floor vents since there's stuff in there from the renovation and 9 years.
- Use the dryer vent vacuum hose attachment to try to clean out any other dust or items down in those vents (I've never used them and can only imagine what's down there).
Are there any other areas where I can gain access to do any other vent clean out?
- Have the carbon monoxide detector turned on and stopped its initial beeping.
- "Bleed" (right word?) the gas lines of air by turning on the stove top, and turning on the hot water heater
- On the thermostat turn the little lever to ON and set it to a temp higher than the inside temp of the RV.
- Listen for the pilot to light up and air to begin blowing from the vents. If it doesn't light up, then turn it off and turn it on again.
Anything else? =)
Thank you all for your time! =)
Lorelei