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02-15-2015, 06:52 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 12
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CO2 Levels too high
First winter owning a class c and was told by a few people to be careful because in our area we have lots of rodents and I should make sure I cover any opening into the RV to make sure none get it. So the genius that I am I covered the intake/exhause ports for the heater. No problem, except that my inlaws decided to come and visit during winter and they stayed in the rv. We turned everything on for them and ran the heater to get it warn. Long story short the heater wouldn't start, kept trying and trying and I could hear it trying to ignite but nothing. I finally realized the problem but again genius that I am I didn't let it air out first and removed the tape cover off the intake first and as soon as it took in some fresh air, boom! A rather large explosion happened that actually ripped the tape off the exhaust port. The heater began to work after that. It heated up right away, the problem is that right before they got here I go out to the rv to put some drinks and snacks in and I hear the new CO2 alarm going off like crazy, warning us to evacuate. Levels were at something like 180ppm. Of course we aired it out and ran an electric heater the entire time they were here. I figured I blew a crack in the heat exchanger or somewhere on the exhaust pipe. I finally got around to removing the heater today and find that what is actually broken is the plastic cover for the intake fan. It was cracked and pieces where laying inside. To the point that I think the plastic wheel was not spinning. Nothing else seems to be cracked. I checked inside the heat exchanger with an inspection camera and nothing. so my question to you guys is this, could that cracked fan housing be causing my extremely high c02 levels?
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02-16-2015, 08:24 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Posts: 4,040
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First off, it's CO (carbon monoxide) and not CO2 that is the problem. Both are by products of combustion but CO is formed when there is too little oxygen to support complete combustion.
Blowing the back off your furnace exhaust fan is allowing pure exhaust into your coach. You need to replace the fan but it would probably be a better idea to replace the furnace.
And this time, read the manual. In fact, you might want to read manuals on all the systems in your motorhome before someone gets hurt.
__________________
Roger & Mary
2017 Winnebago Navion 24V (Sold)
2014 Tiffin Phaeton 36GH (Sold)
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02-16-2015, 09:55 AM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 12
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Thanks Luvlabs for the chemistry lesson and the scolding. I have read the manuals its how I know how to use the fridge, the oven, etc. No where in the manual did it say to make sure you remove the tape you place over the intake vents to prevents rodents from getting in. The cover that it blew off is not the exhaust fan cover its the intake fan cover, the one that sucks fresh air in to heat up. I think your theory that there is not enough oxygen in the mixture is correct though, since it is not able to get fresh air from the outside it is using the CO infused air from the inside and adding more CO. I have ordered the parts which were around $30 for all including new gaskets. Will install them and run and test with detector and my buddies CO tester and see what reading we get. Thank you for the help.
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02-16-2015, 11:40 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Denton, TX, 76207
Posts: 2,160
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Not to insult anyone's intelligence but I have found but using obnoxiously colored tape as a temporary cover on anything like a vent is a good way to give you a visual cue to remove before use. Adding a loop of tape makes it even more noticeable.
Just my personal experience
Steve
__________________
Steve Pinn
2008 Newmar Essex-4514
2009 Honda CRV
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02-16-2015, 11:50 AM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spinn
Not to insult anyone's intelligence but I have found but using obnoxiously colored tape as a temporary cover on anything like a vent is a good way to give you a visual cue to remove before use. Adding a loop of tape makes it even more noticeable.
Just my personal experience
Steve
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Thanks Steve, not a bad idea. I see they do that with airplanes to cover the pitot tubes and antennas. I wanted it to be water proof and all I had was chrome colored duct tape. It blended right in with the chrome colored vents....
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02-17-2015, 04:27 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,143
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CO2 Levels too high
Looking forward to hearing the results after you do the fan housing replacement.
Some folks install screens to protect the fridge, water heater and furnace that can stay on 7x24 and during operation. Mud dauber wasps are a common pest as can be spiders, etc.
The Camco ones are of lower quality and some complain that they can clog.
These are some possibilities on Amazon that are stainless, inexpensive and well regarded. Search for below names for examples.
JCJ W-100 Mud Dauber Screen for RV Water Heater
JCJ M-300 Mud Dauber Screen for RV furnace Outside Fitting
JCJ R-600A Mud Dauber Screen for RV Refrigerator
Disclaimer: I've not needed to install them yet in my area, but will do so for good measure this spring.
There may be some on this forum that may not recommend them. I suggest also balancing that with reviews on Amazon and elsewhere when making an informed decision. Both together have been very helpful.
__________________
History:'05 Concord, '08 View, '05 Chinook, '01 Jamboree 24D, '78 Apache Popup, 81 Komfort Tlr,
84 Mazda B2000 'w canopy,Tent from wedding in '96
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