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Old 12-30-2012, 01:51 PM   #1
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Thermostat Problems or Furnace?

We just purchased a used 2006 Jayco JayFeather 29N with a Coleman Mach thermostat and tested everything in our driveway. Heat kicked on with slide out and life was good. Pulled it to hunting camp and couldn't make heat kick on but figured it wasn't cold enough. Left it on 55 and returned with wifey four days later with outside temp around 40.

Long story short, bedroom full of water (front storage door leaked) and trailer with no heat. Played with thermostat and finally tried to remove it from wall. On third tried it came out 1/8" and something inside popped. Heat came on.

Left it on 55 and came down two days later. Heater is kicking on, running for 10 minutes, kicking off for 5, then repeating continuously.

Last night bumped heat up to 75 and went to bed. Woke up at midnight with outside temp around 35, inside temp around 40, heater would not kick on. Went and moved switches on thermostat and finally pushed in on one switch and blower came on. No hot air, just blows for a couple of minutes and cuts off, then repeats. I swapped tanks and same thing. Then it completely quit working. Took it off the wall and finally heat kicked on. After an hour I got heat. Same thing 10 min on, 5 min off. Never got above 65 although set for around 75.

Is this thermostat, furnace, or both? Obviously wifey not happy, so any guidance would be appreciated!
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Old 12-30-2012, 02:54 PM   #2
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Could be either.
This is what I would do.
1. Check thermostat. There should only be 2 wires coming into thermostat. Twist those wires together and see if furnance operates but doesn't shut off.
If it works and keeps running, thermostat is bad.
2. It could also be a safety thermocouple in the furnance.
There is probably a thermocouple (thick looking wire) inserted into flame.
When the flame comes on, this gets hot and lets the control circuit knows that the gas lit.
If it has a break inside, the circuit thinks the gas didn't light and shuts off gas safety valve and furnance goes out.

3. If #1 solves your problem, check that the wires were tight and didn't have a break from vibration before replacing thermostat.

Heres a diagram of the 2 wire heat only circuit.

Best regards,
Doug
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Old 12-30-2012, 04:40 PM   #3
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Thermostat Problems or Furnace?

Wish there were only two!

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Would it still be the two colors you suggested?
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Old 12-30-2012, 05:12 PM   #4
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I would say yes. I googled some more color codes.
Looks like it should be a red wire attached to a spot marked RH and the white wire.

The fact that the furnace is coming on and kicking off makes me think it is more likely the thermocouple (flame sensor) that tells the control system you have a flame.

So, you get a flame, it burns for 5-10 minutes and then kicks off?

I am assuming you have an electronic ignition and not a pilot light?

Make sure the thermocouple wire in locted so when the flame is on, the thermocouple is in the flame.




If there is corrosion on the thermocouple, you might try cleaning it.

otherwise, the best thing would be to take the TC out and check continuity. That will tell you if its bad.

or

Just replace the thermocouple and see if that fixes it. Shouldn't be more than $10

Here's a color code for mulitiple wires.

You have a fancier system than mine lol

Best regards,
Doug

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Old 12-30-2012, 05:18 PM   #5
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Watch this video on the elctronic thermocouple. Corrosion can be removed with emery cloth etc.



I believe this may be your problem.

Best regards,
Doug
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Old 12-30-2012, 05:38 PM   #6
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Thermostat Problems or Furnace?

Thanks so much for the info! I'll let you know tomorrow if it works!
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Old 12-30-2012, 05:40 PM   #7
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Cool beans, I hope you get it fixed and it's a simple one.

Best regards,
Doug
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Old 12-31-2012, 06:02 PM   #8
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Thermostat Problems or Furnace?

Well, went down and tried to find a TC today with no luck. Took panels off inside and outside and couldn't come up with anything that remotely resembled the video.

On the positive side, tried to turn on heat with thermostat and all I could get was a buzzing and crackling out of the board. Cut the red and white wires and twisted together and heat kicked right on. Didn't leave it on long enough to see if it did the 10 min, 5 min, 10 min. routine but at least it kicked on immediately. Will find out this weekend if the TC may be involved.

Didn't realize those thermostats were all soldered, thought some would have screw terminals.

Thanks for the help!
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Old 12-31-2012, 07:07 PM   #9
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Good to hear you made some progress.
Yep, you would think it would be screw terminals.
You should be able to replace with a common thermostat from Home Depot or Lowes.
Just connect the wires the same and you should be good.

Hopefully a new thermostat does it and you don't have to worry about the TC.

I am realy surprised the TC wasn't easy to find. Has to be in the flame somewhere.
Keep us posted on the final fix.

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Old 01-01-2013, 05:25 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jester65 View Post
.

Didn't realize those thermostats were all soldered, thought some would have screw terminals.

Thanks for the help!
If you remove the thermostat from the wall you will find all the wires connected by wire nuts. You might just have a loose wire in the wall.
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Old 01-01-2013, 05:47 PM   #11
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Thermostat Problems or Furnace?

Bought a Hunter 42995 digital thermostat this afternoon ($21) and will try to install this weekend. Seems most folks have a Dometic AC and Atwood Furnace. I have a Coleman Mach Series 8000 AC and Atwood Furnace. Still trying to come up with wiring diagrams for that unit.
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Old 01-01-2013, 07:29 PM   #12
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Good luck.
They should all follow basic color coding.

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