furnace operation when propane runs out

[Jim]

hi..i have a 2001 itasca 35u and i think it has a suburban furnace..i am away and left the thermostat on 55.. does anyone know if the furnace shuts off when there is no propane..thanks and merry christmas..jim..

[nightriderrv]

The older models would run till the battery is dead but the newer models have a feature built in the control board that will shut off the fan after 20 or 30 mins of no burner action

[doit2010]

so is a 2001 a older model???

[Mike and Pat]

Your should try and light and if there is no propane then the unit will run for a few minutes to clear any unused propane and the shut down. The thermostat should not call for the heat again until it has be reset.

[Jim]

hi..it is a 2001 itasca..i am away from the rv and will be away longer than i planned so i am now concerned that the propane will run out..i don't see any freezing weather there in the next ten days forecast so my concern is not that pipes would freeze but that the furnace would continuously run for a week or more without gas..not that i can do anything about it , but i would hope it shuts down if it runs out of gas..just a peace of mind issue..thanks..jim..

[crisputer]

Originally Posted by Jim

hi..it is a 2001 itasca..i am away from the rv and will be away longer than i planned so i am now concerned that the propane will run out..i don't see any freezing weather there in the next ten days forecast so my concern is not that pipes would freeze but that the furnace would continuously run for a week or more without gas..not that i can do anything about it , but i would hope it shuts down if it runs out of gas..just a peace of mind issue..thanks..jim..

Correct, when it runs out of gas the module board will try (3) times to light the furnace and then lockout and shut the motor off in 90 seconds. It wouldn't try again unless power was interrupted but without gas it would still do the same thing. It will not run and run.

[puttin]

Hello Jim,

If you have house electricity where your motorhome is now- you could use lights to keep it from freezing instead of using up propane.

[JohnBoyToo]

good thought.... but to be clear, you are suggesting using incandescent bulbs not leds for heating...

and how many and where ?

1 200 watt in the basement,
1 200 watt in the bedroom,
1 200 watt in the living room ?!?!

and open all cabinet doors so the heat will get under the counters ?

[Jim]

hi..hearing that it will shut off without propane makes me feel better..i should have topped off the propane but you know how it goes..anyway a happy new year and thanks to all who responded..jim..

[bachler]

I wired 3 thermo switched in our coach. when pluged into power they come on automaticly at 36 degrees and turn off at near 40 degrees, You can buy them at most box stores. they are only a few bucks . and have worked for us. even when snowmobiling in Yellowstone at 37 below zero

[doit2010]

bachler,

Tell me more about the " thermo switched " what are they and how do they work, and where do you place them?

[bachler]

There are several Kinds. One is just a plug in. I use that kind in my rental pumphouse, They Plug into the regular outlet and have 2 plugins on them Most are rated For up to 15 amps.. I say even at that rating only use 1/2 = 6 amps, I plug heat lamps in, I use two because one may burn out. And i only use the completly shielded mount as I do not want it to touch anything and start a fire.. People have questioned that. I say stupidity can be Fixed.. But to help you with your application. Look up thermo cube on the internet.. As there are also differant temp; and Power ratings. We also used them when I built Fireplace Inserts, To turn on the fans. In the right application they work wonderfull.. Life is good.

[puttin]

JohnBoy,

You should only need a 25W in the basement. Also, have you actually seen how cold it gets inside? You might not need much heat in there if it stays above freezing, but 200W would be more than needed- I'd suggest 150W in both inside areas.