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Dometic furnace reliability

heater furnace

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#1 jdavis

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Posted 11 May 2022 - 01:41 AM

Hello!,

 

 I picked up my new camper about 3 months ago. I have slept in it maybe 15 nights in the Wisconsin cold. The furnace decided to fail as it is want to do. I spoke with FWC asking if I could just get a refund on it and return it. I don't want a heater failing in spring or fall in Wisconsin. They told me they would not give me a refund but would send me some parts or have it serviced by someone in my area. I opted to have the parts sent, a new sail switch and a circuit board.

 

In my mind I had already decided to remove it and install a diesel heater. However, since they are going to send me the parts I figured I'd give a go and try to repair the Dometic furnace.

 

I see a lot of threads on here about peoples furnaces breaking down, but I have not seen much about people fixing them and how the performance is after that. I am hoping you guys could chime in and tell me if after fixing they found the heater to be reliable. I'm trying to decide now if I should invest time into this heater or just go ahead and install a diesel heater.

 

Any input would be appreciated.

 

Thanks!

 


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#2 DaveL

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Posted 11 May 2022 - 02:00 AM

Check out the Facebook FWC Group Page (join it!) -- LOTS of discussions & ideas.  Stan with FWC has a major fix-it post as does KP Pawley.  Most of the problems seem to stem from the sail switch, weak batteries, and/or the ducting which can be removed.  I haven't seen much regarding the circuit board being the problem.  Many have reported success after following some of the solutions.  I personally have no experience with the Dometic heater because I have the Atwood heater which was available in 2015 (they are out of business, hence FWC uses Dometic now). 


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2020 Ram Power Wagon 4x4, 2015 Hawk Shell w/ side dinette & heater


#3 jdavis

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Posted 11 May 2022 - 02:21 AM

Thanks Dave. After scrolling for ages I found the thread :D

 

For anyone interested:

 

https://www.facebook...97301547012592/

 


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#4 Jsoboti

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Posted 11 May 2022 - 09:32 PM

when you say "failing" what are the symptoms? Will it refuse to light? Does the fan blow but no ignition? Does it light for a few seconds then go out? Any error lights (indicated on the control panel located behind the external cover on the outside of your furnace)? 


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2014 F-350 | 2019 FWC Hawk | King Suspension 


#5 jdavis

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Posted 11 May 2022 - 09:38 PM

I'm not really looking for trouble shooting help specifically. More wanting to hear peoples experience with this heater over long periods of time. Even more interested if they have had to fix it a some point. That said, It will not light. The fan will come on for 30 seconds or so, no igniter noise, then shut down. For a while I could open my camper door when the fan was on, then it would light. Now that doesn't even work. My battery is at 13.3v.  I suspect the sail switch. Once I got the new switch I'll take off the panel and have a look. Thanks.

 

Edit: forgot to mention I have removed the grill and small piece of ducting.


Edited by jdavis, 11 May 2022 - 09:39 PM.

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#6 Cpt Davenport

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Posted 11 May 2022 - 10:13 PM

Why do they continue to instal units that are prone to early failure? Concerns me for my new Hawk coming in July.


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#7 jdavis

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Posted 11 May 2022 - 10:20 PM

Why do they continue to instal units that are prone to early failure? Concerns me for my new Hawk coming in July.

That facebook thread goes into the history of the different furnaces they have used and some of the reasoning behind their current offering. Apparently they have looked at others, but for one reason or another is was decided they are not a good fit.

 

When I spoke with FWC about my furnace Brenda told me that usually they will swap out a part or two and not hear back from the customer. I'm hoping that means they found a long term fix and not that it blew up :D


Edited by jdavis, 11 May 2022 - 10:21 PM.

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