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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: gm4106 on December 10, 2010, 02:40:34 PM

Title: Running a Suburban Furnace going down the road?
Post by: gm4106 on December 10, 2010, 02:40:34 PM
This is an old unit for the late 80"s  NT-45S
Works great never had any trouble.
Can I run this furnace while drive the bus down the road?
I have hear the newer RV  can. Just wanted to check before I try it.
Title: Re: Running a Suburban Furnace going down the road?
Post by: TomC on December 10, 2010, 03:16:53 PM
All you can do is try-if it is too windy it won't ignite.  Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: Running a Suburban Furnace going down the road?
Post by: oldmansax on December 10, 2010, 04:09:59 PM
I run mine all the time. Never had a problem.

TOM
Title: Re: Running a Suburban Furnace going down the road?
Post by: Lin on December 10, 2010, 04:43:42 PM
For those that do not have OTR heat anymore, there is little choice but to run the furnace if you need to.  I think that the main difference between running an older unit and a newer one is whether it has a pilot or electronic ignition.  It is possible for the pilot to get blown out while traveling, so the furnace will just shut down.  If it has electronic ignition, it should work.  An alternative could be to get something like the Olympian catalytic type heater for road use.  We have one as a backup.
Title: Re: Running a Suburban Furnace going down the road?
Post by: jjrbus on December 10, 2010, 05:05:04 PM
I had a unit with electronic ignition and had no problem using it.  The best option of course is staying out of cold areas. JIm
Title: Re: Running a Suburban Furnace going down the road?
Post by: redbus on December 10, 2010, 05:05:46 PM
I would pull the furnace out and take it to a R-V dealership and have it checked for a cracked chamber. The older furnaces tend to crack sometimes due to metal fatigue.
Title: Re: Running a Suburban Furnace going down the road?
Post by: gm4106 on December 11, 2010, 04:59:01 AM
Thanks for all the replies
It does have electronic ignition. So no worry about a pilot. The only thing different on this one is it has 3 hole on the out side. 2 must be exhaust and one is an intake.
I think I'll give it a try
Title: Re: Running a Suburban Furnace going down the road?
Post by: DMoedave on December 11, 2010, 05:22:34 AM
It cant be done! Thats what i always thought  till i got educated about 11 years ago!  I had always been taught by my dad and grandad to shut off all propane while rolling. I  used to look like Nanook's outcast northern cousin driving in the winter. I block off the rear portion OF the bus interior, and it works fine. 40,000btu unit  
Title: Re: Running a Suburban Furnace going down the road?
Post by: kingfa39 on December 15, 2010, 05:40:42 PM
Run mine all the time as well as the gas fridge
Frank Allen   4106
Title: Re: Running a Suburban Furnace going down the road?
Post by: Dave5Cs on December 15, 2010, 05:51:45 PM
It is illegal to run with gas turned on in some states. Don't know which ones. For safety reasons. With joints always moving etc. they figure they can loosen up and ignite. FWIW

Dave
Title: Re: Running a Suburban Furnace going down the road?
Post by: gus on December 15, 2010, 06:11:01 PM
The only restriction I've ever seen is in tunnels.

Spark igniters won't work if the wind hits the igniter. Mine wouldn't light once when an open baggage door was allowing a very strong wind into the heater.
Title: Re: Running a Suburban Furnace going down the road?
Post by: Chopper Scott on December 15, 2010, 07:28:10 PM
I've ran with mine on. It was that or freeze to death although it really didn't keep it all that warm anyways. Nice and toasty in the drivers seat however with the factory defrost. Does it make a difference? Mine quit working before we headed home last spring. It makes a huge difference!!
Title: Re: Running a Suburban Furnace going down the road?
Post by: Mex-Busnut on December 16, 2010, 02:22:27 PM
I know it used to be (25 years ago) legal to use it driving down the road in Texas, but you were required to turn it OFF, before entering fuel (propane or gas) stations. Is this still true anywhere else?