Return to original Furnace

WyzrdX · August 27, 2015, 02:44 PM

I am working on getting a few last things done before we move into Trolley and start the major projects.

One thing I have is the PO installed a huge LP/Propane tank under the carriage as in this pic.

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The other is a furnace the PO installed.

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What I am wanting to do is buy a new furnace and re-install as it was from factory. However I have been unable to find any information on doing so via google or the site. I am not 100% sure what furnace was originally there and where the lines ran.

Does anyone have any ideas or pictures, manuals, diagrams, etc.? Any help would be appreciated.

DaveVA78Chieftain · August 27, 2015, 07:03 PM

That looks like one of the infrared style heaters. Requires cracked open window and vent to allow fresh air to enter the rig for fuel burning and exhaust removal. Original furnace was a Coleman furnace (no longer made) of either 23,000 BTU or 28,000 BTU ( 1974 Indian Brochure). Replacement furnaces (Atwood or Suburban) can be adapted to fit in the original location however I doubt you will find an exact fit do to design differences.

WyzrdX · August 28, 2015, 09:41 AM

Thanks Dave. The furnace in there is only a 6000 btu and it is blue flame ventless (supposedly per mfg). I thought about an Atwood as replacement however all of the ductwork is missing and I have no idea where the original was unless it was here.
[smg id=7461 type=preview size=400]

If this is where the original was then I can probably find an EverestStar 7900 II or similar model and retrofit it. Problem is going to be exhaust. I dont know if there was/is an exhaust vent and cant find any information on the original heating layout for these older coaches. Would Winnebago be able to send me this information?

WyzrdX · August 29, 2015, 12:31 AM

There is currently a vent in the bathroom (rear) and one in the dinette area (front). Was there an exhaust vent in your '74 Indians? I am having all kinds of trouble finding any information on the original layout and what I have found conflicts with each other.

DaveVA78Chieftain · August 29, 2015, 07:37 AM

In this photo the original furnace combination intake/exhaust port for combustion air is located just forward of the generator access door.

In this picture the inside air intake (like the picture you posted) is shown under the drivers side bunk. Thermostat is located on the monitor/control panel above that bunk.

A few more views of that 74 Indian (rear bath)

WyzrdX · August 29, 2015, 10:17 AM

Thanks Dave that is the same model as mine. It appears that the PO used a plate and covered it from the outside. and then they caulked around it.

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So I will remove the plate once I get a furnace, and then I will get the correct parts to restore it.

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Also looks like they removed the water access box and also added a plate with holes to put the fill spout and shore water into. I will be removing that as well.

Thanks for all the help. It seems easier to do now that I know where to do it. The hardest part was not knowing and trying to figure it out. I will update once I have a new one in.

Rickf1985 · August 30, 2015, 11:44 AM

He even used the original screw holes to mount the plate over the heater exhaust. There could possibly still be parts left in there.
Before you go crazy on the water inlet, that may have been an upgrade to replace a broken original. If it is working I would leave it alone. Trying to find all original, or NOS, parts adds no value to these things.

WyzrdX · August 30, 2015, 04:46 PM

Rick

Yeah After inspecting more, there is nothing left from the original furnace except a vent piece in the rear bath and the vent cover in the pic. There are a few wires here and there but not sure if they are working. I will likely replace the thermostat as well.

As for the water inlet, I replaced those myself a few weeks ago when I ran new water lines. The original recessed box had been removed (for who knows what reason) but the cutout is still there and solid. No rot or broken wood. So I will likely replace that plate with a new box of the same dimensions as the hole and once again have a recessed inlet but one I can lock. In our area there have been city council meetings to address kids (or somebody) dumping sand, oil and fuel into rv fresh water tanks by the fill valve. So far there have been about 6 reports and none in the last month or so but still better to be safe than sorry.

As for going original, I merely meant replacing with actual RV parts. Tomorrow I am taking her over to a nearby RV place to have the huge propane tank removed. I dont trust it and sure dont want a ticket for it not being road legal.

Rickf1985 · August 30, 2015, 06:16 PM

I was going to mention the Chain holding the tank in there. I couldn't tell of it was a horizontal tank or a 100 lb. bottle on it's side which would NOT be good.

WyzrdX · August 30, 2015, 07:57 PM

It is a horizontal tank but I have 2 problems with it.

1. I didnt put it in so I have no idea the age, condition etc.

2. Who in the world uses an 8ga chain to secure a 100# steel bottle onto something that can reach speeds of 55+ going down the highway. D:oH!

DaveVA78Chieftain · August 30, 2015, 08:43 PM

I think the original tanks where the 20lb vertical stored in the right rear compartment. Generator was in the left rear compartment.

rustyzman · September 27, 2015, 10:45 AM

For that horizontal propane tank, take a look at the data plate welded on it for more info. That plate will have a manufacture date on it as well.

Horizontal permanent mount tanks are ASME certified tanks and have no expiration date. Even the old tanks marked as 21year units are grandfathered in to that catagory. The old ones do not have an OPD (overfill protection device) and can not be retrofitted, but are grandfathered none the less. I believe this is covered under NFPA 58. It is worth printing the details of that out to have on hand when you need to fill it as some places don't know about ASME tanks or understand the laws regarding them. I engraved a placard and mounted it by my remote fill detailing all this, which for my old one with no OPD is actually a requirement. Have not had any issue filling it around here at all.

The chain is a bad idea, as you noted. There should be some sort of flange mounts welded to the body of the tank for mounting. They are very nice tanks if it is in good condition and are very expensive to replace (think $300 plus). My original still works great ('73). I did remove it, clean and repaint it. Remember that the paint has to be a light color, by law. No dark painted tanks allowed.

Just a thought to take a good look at it first and consider just improving the mounting before giving up on it. If it is in reasonably good shape and you don't want it, offer it up for sale. There are probably people out there that would want it.