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Furnace Rumble

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13547
Printed Date: 23 May 2024 at 9:19pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Furnace Rumble
Posted By: Rpoder76
Subject: Furnace Rumble
Date Posted: 13 May 2020 at 7:44pm
I have a rumble in my furnace (2017 RP-178). It sounds like an Australian didgeridoo. Louder softer, louder softer.

I've noticed several things:

1. Before the burner lights (furnace fan running), there is no rumble. It only starts once the burner lights.
2. Sound is more noticeable in colder weather.
3. Sound is very noticeable from the outside furnace vent.
4. Hand over outside furnace vent makes the sound worse.
5. Sound is associated with a vibration that can be felt inside the Rpod.
6. Stove has a flame that jumps more than expected (not a very consistent flame).

I have had the propane pressure measured multiple times, and had the propane regulator replaced and recalibrated. The sound continues. I think someone else must have this problem?



Replies:
Posted By: Kup-Pod
Date Posted: 13 May 2020 at 8:00pm
I'm not sure how severe your rumble is, but I know that the burner has a bit of a "roar" to it that can be defined a rumble which will also have a slight vibration to it.  Think of it as a bit of torch that has been lit.  The sound will change when you put your hand over the vent because you are preventing the exhaust from venting out. 

As far as my stove is concerned, I have not noticed the flame "jumping" but there is always a bit of variation in the flame height especially after you are just done purging the line.

Again, it's tough to troubleshoot based on words (kinda like when you tell you mechanic that the noise sounds like "shanana bop fweet":-)) so I hope my response is helpful!


-------------
2017 RP-178
2021 F150 5.0l
"Lead me on a level path"


Posted By: Rpoder76
Date Posted: 13 May 2020 at 8:07pm
It's not the normal whoosh f lighting the burner. It's a deep on and off rumble. It's way beyond the normal furnace sound. I've noticed there are three stages to the furnace.

1. Fan comes on (no abnormal sounds).
2. Burner lights (tink sound followed by on and off abnormal rumbling),
3. Burner turns off (fan still on to blow out remaining heat - no abnormal sounds).

It is only when the burner is lit that the sound happens, and you can hear and fell the rumble going in and out during that time.


Posted By: Kup-Pod
Date Posted: 13 May 2020 at 8:12pm
I wonder if the heat from the burner is causing the metal in the casing to expand (tink sound), which may be making the mounting of the fan to change slightly - perhaps the fan is not secured properly and it only make the vibration when the area around it gets hot from the burner?

-------------
2017 RP-178
2021 F150 5.0l
"Lead me on a level path"


Posted By: Rpoder76
Date Posted: 13 May 2020 at 8:19pm
Well the tink sound I think is just a normal burner lighting sound. As far as things expanding, not sure. What I can say is the sound is a lot like one of those cars with huge speakers. When they hit a bass note, you here this extreme low rumble, and then it fades out, and comes back. That's what this is like. The vibration from a huge speaker on a bass note.


Posted By: Kup-Pod
Date Posted: 13 May 2020 at 8:24pm
Playing Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin!?? :-)

I would check to see if your fan is either loose or the bearings are shot - sort of like the bathroom fan that is worn out.

that's the extent of my insight Confused


-------------
2017 RP-178
2021 F150 5.0l
"Lead me on a level path"


Posted By: Rpoder76
Date Posted: 13 May 2020 at 8:25pm


Posted By: Rpoder76
Date Posted: 13 May 2020 at 8:29pm
I do thank you for your thoughts. The problem I have with the fan theory, is that it's not a problem until the burner lights. The fan comes on before the burner lights, and stays on after the burner turns off, and during these times there is no problem. It's only when the burner is lit. I've had it looked at 3 times with no luck. It seems related to propane/propane lines/burner. But I'm willing to entertain any theory :)


Posted By: Rpoder76
Date Posted: 13 May 2020 at 8:30pm


Posted By: Rpoder76
Date Posted: 13 May 2020 at 8:32pm
I can see from your reply though, that there's a small chance the fan behavior could change depending on whether the burner is lit or not. Thanks.


Posted By: Kup-Pod
Date Posted: 13 May 2020 at 8:36pm
no problem
If you do figure it out, don't forget to post the solution - I have used the search tool plenty of times to figure out what was wrong.
Everytime I fix something on our Pod, my wife and kids sarcastically ask me, "did you learn that from the RPod forum?"Smile


-------------
2017 RP-178
2021 F150 5.0l
"Lead me on a level path"


Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 13 May 2020 at 8:56pm
https://www.airxcel.com/rv/suburban/service-support - https://www.airxcel.com/rv/suburban/service-support

I think you might be better off having a qualified technician check this out. Depending on the age of your RPod, it may be something covered under warranty. Even so, it is better to be safe than sorry. See page 2 of this document:

https://www.airxcel.com/docs/default-source/suburban/warranty-documents/two-year-limited-warranty.pdf?sfvrsn=f6fb0e6b_6 - https://www.airxcel.com/docs/default-source/suburban/warranty-documents/two-year-limited-warranty.pdf?sfvrsn=f6fb0e6b_6

It it turns out that it is just a burner adjustment issue, that is not covered under the warranty. If you try to fix it yourself while any warranty is remaining, you will void your warranty.

Edit: I re-read the original post. While the 2 year warranty has expired, the additional 3 year heat exchanger warranty is still in effect.


-------------
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS


Posted By: Rpoder76
Date Posted: 13 May 2020 at 8:58pm
I have had this inspected several times by qualified technicians. That's why I'm posting it here, because technicians can't figure it out, and maybe someone else has had the same problem. I'll register the fan behavior being different with burner lit as a possible theory. I'd like to hear though, if anyone else has had this problem.


Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 13 May 2020 at 9:04pm
I have not noticed this behaviior. Why don't you contact Airxcel and describe the issue? They might be better able to give you an answer.

I just had a thought. Have you checked the air inlet side to see if there are any obstructions (such as a wasp nest) in there? I have screens over all the vents in our RPod because I did have a problem with a mud-dauber nest in the refrigerator burner when we first bought our RPod.


-------------
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS


Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 14 May 2020 at 6:23am
Hmm. Interesting problem, seems from the description like it might be a fuel delivery issue but you've already replaced the regulator. Maybe a kinked line or water in the line? 

One thing you could do to be certain that the problem is in the furnace itself and not the propane delivery system is to connect a regulated propane cylinder directly to the furnace itself. If the problem goes away then focus on the trailer propane system, if its still there then maybe the furnace gas valve or burner. 


-------------
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold


Posted By: Rpoder76
Date Posted: 14 May 2020 at 7:53am
Thanks, yes this is an interesting thought. Someone once mentioned "grease" in the line, though I don't know how that would get there.


Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 14 May 2020 at 1:34pm
Propane is a petroleum product. Over time, oils will accumulate in the line as the propane reacts with the lining of the hose. I have gotten a significant amount of liquid out of the lines when I was troubleshooting why my refrigerator was not cooling adequately. It could very well be why your furnace is misbehaving. Take the line loose from the regulator. Take it loose from the furnace. Using an air hose at the furnace end, blow out the line. Have something under the end of the hose from the regulator. I think you will be surprised at the amount of liquid in the line if you have never done this before.


-------------
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS



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