How to remove Atwood furnace from 19RD

[boblanglois]

Hi, I was deeply researching this site over the past weekend when my Atwood 8520-IV DCLP furnace would not fire in my 2014 Jayco 19RD. Two nights were very chilly but alas no heat.

I ran through all the troubleshooting tips posted on this site, including flipping the reset switch on the unit once I could get to it. I can hear the gas valve open but not the ignitor sparking so I assume its the board, ignitor or electrodes. My water heater board went bad a couple years ago and a replacement Dinosaur board fixed it, so I went ahead and ordered a Dinosaur board for this as well expecting it as likely culprit.

By the way, on the morning we were leaving, it started working
However, I am expecting it to be an intermittent issue.

This unit is mounted under the jack-knife couch, and is covered with a wooden box with a grate on one side. I have the box off (and will cut an opening for reset switch in future). The next question is how do I remove this unit from under the couch? I am sure someone has done this, and I am comfortable doing it, but it would be helpful to follow someone else's prior experience if available.

On a related note, when I was under the couch, I can see a wire coming from the wall that is cut. I know previous owner and I did not do this, so i wonder if its from factory this way? perhaps for an option not installed in this camper?

thanks

[ALJO]

The problem might be as little as adjusting the ignition - but you have to bench test the furnace as there's no outside access door.
Winter season is hard on electronics and wiring in colder climates but also in damp weather as corrosion can take place. Always check for the cause instead of ordering in the wild parts for an RV.

Seems like it is the #10 entrance wire and might have been located, for this it needs a closer look.

[Route 66 Traveler]

Where are the heating ducts exiting the furnace?? How does the furnace heat the trailer without ducting??

[boblanglois]

this unit has underfloor ducting, so I believe that there is an opening on the left side to the ducting feed.

[JFlightRisk]

We have a 2912 19RD, and I believe I'd have to remove the sofa completely, to get to ours. I'll be checking in on this for ideas for the future.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by boblanglois

snip......The next question is how do I remove this unit from under the couch? I am sure someone has done this, and I am comfortable doing it, but it would be helpful to follow someone else's prior experience if available.......snip

I have a 24RBS with the furnace under my jackknife sofa and removed my furnace last winter..., and yes, had to remove the jackknife sofa.

Before removing the furnace, first remove the outside chrome exhaust plate/tube and plastic housing from the furnace. When re-installing, set the furnace in place (no connections & not screwed down)..., then re-insert the outside exhaust tube assembly to insure proper alignment within the furnace exhaust port.

Some are one piece, mine was a two piece assembly:



Bob

[JFlightRisk]

Good tip Bob. Thanks. I'm really hoping I don't have to ever remove it.

It's nice to see the pictures of what's under that wooden box in ours, that boblanglois posted. I don't have any idea what that wire in the wall he has is for, though.

[Rustic Eagle]

JFlightRisk,

What's interesting is that my Atwood documentation states very clearly not to install the Atwood furnace under furniture. True, a wood box was installed under the sofa, not a furnace.

Bob

[JFlightRisk]

The whole floorplan is mostly furniture. The only exception is the sink, fridge, and bath tub. The bed, dinette, and couch take up most if the room, so maybe the box makes it ok!

[boblanglois]

Rustic Eagle, thank you!

this is super helpful!

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by JFlightRisk

snip..... so maybe the box makes it ok!

IMO it may be pushing the safety envelope, but that's just me.

When you have the opportunity...., let the furnace run awhile, then open the jackknife sofa (furnace still running) and put your hand on top of the wood box...., I didn't like how warm a portion of the wood panel top was.

Also, when my jackknife sofa is 'opened' for sleep use the sofa-back now closes-off the "only" dedicated return air opening between the sofa-back and wall.

Bob

[Racinforthefinish]

I just had my furnace out yesterday. On my unit it is behind a panel to the right of the kitchen sink with 3 screws holding it in. I then unhooked two furnace ducts on one side and one on the other side. They just twist a ways until you find the slot and they will unhook. Then I went out and removed 4 screws to remove the exhaust vent. Then back inside there were two screws, one on each side of the front that were holding the furnace in. Now the furnace will slide right out. My furnace had quit working in the middle of the night, I would use the reset switch and tap it and it would work for a bit and quit. I took the sail switch and it looked good so I sprayed it with WD40 and cleaned it and put it back. I found several wires that were crimped that I straightened out and I tightened all the connections. There are two wires that lay right near the outside exhaust and one of these fell off the connection with no pressure so I tightened them especially tight. After I put it all back together I have recycled the furnace at least 20 times and it has worked every time. It was either the sail switch or a loose connection, I don't know. What I do know is that it works now.

[JFlightRisk]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

IMO it may be pushing the safety envelope, but that's just me.

When you have the opportunity...., let the furnace run awhile, then open the jackknife sofa (furnace still running) and put your hand on top of the wood box...., I didn't like how warm a portion of the wood panel top was.

Also, when my jackknife sofa is 'opened' for sleep use the sofa-back now closes-off the "only" dedicated return air opening between the sofa-back and wall.

Bob

Thanks Bob. Maybe we'll get a chance to run it next season to check that out. It's getting tucked in for winter now, and we weren't in cold enough temps this year to fire it up. Well, we were, but someone likes it cool when she sleeps...

It's just the three of us in it, and the dog doesn't need it opened up at night! He has two layers of fur, so he's happier when it's cold enough for goose bumps.

[Richfishn]

Hello gentlemen,

I'm scratching my head at this same question. I could just go ahead and start taking it apart but like to know what I'm up against first.

I have a Jay Flight 20BH and have the bottom couch cushion off exposing the furnace. Wood box if off. I only see 2 screws to the floor, could that be it? I have no outside door, just the exhaust pipe and shroud.

So it looks like I would do the following:

Remove exterior shroud and pipe.

Remove 2 screws into floor at the back of the furnace.

Undo the gas line to the furnace.

Remove furnace?

I need to replace the gas valve.

Thank you

Rich

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

I have a 24RBS with the furnace under my jackknife sofa and removed my furnace last winter..., and yes, had to remove the jackknife sofa.

Before removing the furnace, first remove the outside chrome exhaust plate/tube and plastic housing from the furnace. When re-installing, set the furnace in place (no connections & not screwed down)..., then re-insert the outside exhaust tube assembly to insure proper alignment within the furnace exhaust port.

Some are one piece, mine was a two piece assembly:



Bob

[boblanglois]

Hi Richfishn,

did you actually do this work? I started the thread but did not have any trips where I would need the heat so this has remanined on my to-do list. A fall trip to Lake George is coming up so I figured it was time. I went to start and realized I needed to recheck this thread for updates.

I think my steps are the same as yours though I am tempted to try this without pulling the sofa out - I am used to working in tight spaces

If and when I do get this done, i will post some photos.

Bob L

Originally Posted by Richfishn

Hello gentlemen,

I'm scratching my head at this same question. I could just go ahead and start taking it apart but like to know what I'm up against first.

I have a Jay Flight 20BH and have the bottom couch cushion off exposing the furnace. Wood box if off. I only see 2 screws to the floor, could that be it? I have no outside door, just the exhaust pipe and shroud.

So it looks like I would do the following:

Remove exterior shroud and pipe.

Remove 2 screws into floor at the back of the furnace.

Undo the gas line to the furnace.

Remove furnace?

I need to replace the gas valve.

Thank you

Rich

[Richfishn]

Hi Bob,

Yes I did tackle this. It's actually quite simple. I actually have to pull it again to change the burner element. It's got a couple more seasons before it'll throw a fault and not fire at all.

Go for it'll be fine.

R

[boblanglois]

Hi, I decided to tackle this.

Troubleshooting first.

Turned up tstat
Fan comes on
I can then hear gas valve open (and can smell at exhaust),
I can hear the electrode clicking
No light.

I am thinking i need to check the electrode but I can't figure how to get to it!

[stinger608]

Hey Bob,

I've found that this fella has some pretty good videos regarding all kinds of repairs and how-to-DIY.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sZdA8wnlrw

I know this is kind of a general furnace walk through, but it might give you some ideas on how to remove and bench test your furnace as well as checking the burner assembly.

[boblanglois]

hi Stinger608,
This was super helpful! Very similar to mine. Will try this first thing tomorrow!

[JFlightRisk]

Darren on RV Works has the best how-to videos on several systems and appliances in Rvs. He's a self-employed mobile tech in Washington State that selflessly shares his expertise without the usual 10 minutes of talk in the beginning. He gets right to the matter at hand in the most methodical method I've ever watched.