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EricSirianni · 11-14-2016, 11:40 AM

I'm having a difficult time tracking down a place that would inject the methanol. Still calling around though.

I have good voltage at the heater. Do I need to remove the furnace in order to get to the electrode and check the gap? Doesn't seem to be accessible from the access panel.

The fan noise could definitely be a contributing factor.

I still think a propane flow issue seems possible because the furnace is the only appliance with a low point in the piping to it.

okcnewbie · 11-14-2016, 11:44 AM

Are you already using heated blankets? Would save a bunch of propane.

EricSirianni · 11-14-2016, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okcnewbie

Are you already using heated blankets? Would save a bunch of propane.

You mean on our bed?

CampingCajun · 11-14-2016, 12:57 PM

We use a small ceramic heater in the bedroom & a tower type in the living area. They keep our 40' coach as warm & toasty. Got tired of buying propane & the 2 furnaces dry out our sinus pretty quick.

EricSirianni · 11-14-2016, 01:02 PM

I've been curious about that actually. Get two high efficiency electric heaters instead of dealing with all of the moisture issues and needing to pick up propane. Any downsides to this?

okcnewbie · 11-14-2016, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricSirianni

You mean on our bed?

Yes, or the couch if you were a bad boy!

Use the electricity as much as possible and save the propane to help take the chill off and occasionally to keep the plumbing from freezing.

Tony Lee · 11-14-2016, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricSirianni

I've been curious about that actually. Get two high efficiency electric heaters instead of dealing with all of the moisture issues and needing to pick up propane. Any downsides to this?

Yes can be some serious downsides depending on the set up. Most furnaces have a duct directing heated air down into the inaccessible parts of the basement so without the furnace you might get freezing of hidden pipework.

Indy54 · 11-14-2016, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okcnewbie

Yes, or the couch if you were a bad boy!

Use the electricity as much as possible and save the propane to help take the chill off and occasionally to keep the plumbing from freezing.

Well, that's the problem when using space heaters in 20 degree or less weather. You are toasty warm so your gas furnace will never be called upon to run. You risk freezing in the wet bay and fresh water pump area.

EricSirianni · 11-15-2016, 06:08 AM

Haha! 5 years of no couch but who knows! We have two heating blankets but I'm wondering if I should get rid of one as an incentive to be a good husband...

That's a good call with the basement issues that could arise due to not having the furnace running. I do have a 60w lightbulb in the wetbay that has kept it above 55 down there even during freezing temps when the furnace shut down. I would be worried about the rest of the basement though. Wish the heat pump was designed for colder weather at least as a backup. Doesn't do much below 35.

I'm picking up a 100lb external propane tank to alleviate the inconvenience of packing up the house just to fill the tank and then use the internal tank as backup. I installed an auto transfer regulator to make the switch seamless if it happens in the middle of the night.

ernieh · 11-17-2016, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricSirianni

I'm having a difficult time tracking down a place that would inject the methanol. Still calling around though.

I still think a propane flow issue seems possible because the furnace is the only appliance with a low point in the piping to it.

You need to find a dealer that services homes and businesses, not your local campground or RV store.

EricSirianni · 12-12-2016, 09:33 AM

It ended up being the motor! Should have known from the start to just replace the only thing that was obviously not right(the motor squeal). Thanks for all the input!

If anyone is wondering, the motor's product # for a Suburban SF-42 furnace with a serial number lower than 012305119 was updated from 232212 to 233103. Make sure it is a 2 1/2" motor as there seems to be confusion with the product numbers and sometimes they'll have a 3" motor listed as 233103.

Thanks for the input!

okcnewbie · 12-12-2016, 09:45 AM

That's great news. I have to admit I wouldn't have really thought it was the motor. I had the squeal. It got progressively worse (most problems do) but never caused the furnace to stop working correctly.

Thanks for the update.

EricSirianni · 12-13-2016, 06:51 AM

That was my thought too! Obviously the blower was working enough to heat the place most of the time so I couldn't imagine to cold effecting it that much. But then through discussion with everyone on here it started to be the obvious first thing to replace as it was going bad anyway. When I pulled the motor out to replace it the shaft moved in and out about a quarter inch and when I would manually spin it there was certainly more resistance than normal.