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Retired and Happy · 12-11-2006, 07:48 AM

I've been running my furnace at a low setting for several days to offset the frigid weather we've had. Yesterday I noticed it was not running. There waqs propane and power available, so I removed the outside cover and found the blower not turning. A few hand turns got it going a little so I cleaned the rust around it and cycled it off and on a few times while lubing the shaft with WD40 as best I could reach it.

Now the blower turns by itself but doesn't seem to be fast enough to activate the sail switch, which just flutters up and down. If I hold the sail up, the gas comes on and begins the heating process. There is very little air moving in the registers. After a few minutes I released the sail and the heat continued at least while I was standing there. It may have shut off by now since I came in the house.

My question is whether the blower motor might run slow as it ages (and in this case after running well for a couple days), or have I just not gotten to the right spot with the lubrication?

We have a trip planned for this Thursday, so I need help right away.

Retired and Happy · 12-11-2006, 07:48 AM

I've been running my furnace at a low setting for several days to offset the frigid weather we've had. Yesterday I noticed it was not running. There waqs propane and power available, so I removed the outside cover and found the blower not turning. A few hand turns got it going a little so I cleaned the rust around it and cycled it off and on a few times while lubing the shaft with WD40 as best I could reach it.

Now the blower turns by itself but doesn't seem to be fast enough to activate the sail switch, which just flutters up and down. If I hold the sail up, the gas comes on and begins the heating process. There is very little air moving in the registers. After a few minutes I released the sail and the heat continued at least while I was standing there. It may have shut off by now since I came in the house.

My question is whether the blower motor might run slow as it ages (and in this case after running well for a couple days), or have I just not gotten to the right spot with the lubrication?

We have a trip planned for this Thursday, so I need help right away.

Hitchhiker · 12-11-2006, 07:54 AM

Is it getting good DC voltage? If under 10.5 volts it may not work, 11 - 12 volts may not run the motor fast enough?

troth · 12-11-2006, 10:44 AM

Ken, I hate to say it, but it sounds like your furnace blower motor is giving up.

Retired and Happy · 12-11-2006, 02:32 PM

I checked the voltage at the motor and it was 12.5-13 vdc, as best I can read my Radio Shack meter. I put some more WD40 on the shafts and the fans seem to be turning pretty fast. I don't know how fast the fans should be turning. It sounds like the combustion fan is dragging a little, but there's nothing for it to drag on, so It may be bearings at that end of the motor. The sail switch was not moving, so I may try to change it tomorrow. I saw it fluttering earlier, so I'm not sure what has happened there. When I held the sail up, the heater came on although there was still not much air moving in the MH interior.

Maybe it's just a 10 year old furnace and wants to retire.

At this late date if the sail switch doesn't fix it, I think my alternative is to carry a couple electric heaters and hope it doesn't get too cold in Orlando until early January.

NeilV · 12-12-2006, 12:12 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by retired and happy:
I checked the voltage at the motor and it was 12.5-13 vdc, as best I can read my Radio Shack meter. I put some more WD40 on the shafts and the fans seem to be turning pretty fast. I don't know how fast the fans should be turning. It sounds like the combustion fan is dragging a little, but there's nothing for it to drag on, so It may be bearings at that end of the motor. The sail switch was not moving, so I may try to change it tomorrow. I saw it fluttering earlier, so I'm not sure what has happened there. When I held the sail up, the heater came on although there was still not much air moving in the MH interior.

Maybe it's just a 10 year old furnace and wants to retire.

At this late date if the sail switch doesn't fix it, I think my alternative is to carry a couple electric heaters and hope it doesn't get too cold in Orlando until early January. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ken,

While WD40 (Water Dispacement Formula 40) contains fish oil and can get gummed up or dry bearings unstuck and going it really isn't a long term solution as you have already found out.

It sounds like the oil wicks on the bearings in your motors are drying up. Lubricating them with a bit of sewing machine oil or even ATF may get you by for a while however you will most likely by looking at replacing the blower motors.

If the sail on the sail switch is too dirty or too rusty it will probably not fly as it should and need replacing also.

Regards,

Retired and Happy · 12-12-2006, 04:47 PM

Well, the sail switch didn't help. We're going to WDW with three space heaters and hoping for the best. Thanks for the info, and I'll pursue it further after New Years.

My CampingTime RV (Snellville GA) is becoming a Camping World location. They've greatly increased their outside space and are renovating the inside. It's a mess right now, but they found me a sail switch. Should be a nice place when they finish.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.