Atwood Heater Model 8156-IV-DCLP Fix?

[4wheelColeman]

Hello Wander the West Community,
So over a year ago, I purchased a 2005 Eagle. I Love it!
I noticed the eagle had a heater and I decided to see if it would work. I turned on the breaker, gas, and dialed up the thermometer. It started up but made this god-awful banging sound. So I disconnected everything and pulled the heater out of the camper. I found that parts of the heater had melted. It looked like this happened a long time ago. Pics below.

I noticed the plastic on top holding the circuitry board was melted. Also, a round piece that looked like it kept the fan inside from bopping around had melted and was jammed into the fan. The fan turned fine as soon as I pulled it out. I assume that's what was making the banging sound. I tried to find parts but was unsuccessful.

1. Should I just mount the circuit board and try to rerun it without the round melted piece?
2. Can I run it without the gas line attached? For testing purposes.
3. Does anyone know where I can find replacement parts for this model?

Thanks for the help. Coleman

Melted circuit board holder

Round melted peice

 

[Jon R]

I would be hesitant to invest time and money trying to rebuild a 20 year old melted rv furnace where i didn’t know exactly what happened.

On the other hand, if you fully understand what needs to be replaced to make it safely useable, I support your DIY spirit. I kept a home furnace going myself for 32 years. I only had to replace it because the control card died and no replacement that worked correctly was available.

 

[OregonOzzy]

Coleman, you could take JonR's lead and chuck the whole thing and replace with a modern unit, but I like tinkering too and the joy it brings when something works again, almost better than new.
Here are a few places that show parts for your model:


RV Shop

PDX RV Wholesale

Panther RV Products

Good 'ol Amazon

Atwood Parts on AMZN

Best of luck on your project.

Ozzy

 

[4wheelColeman]

Thanks for the tips. I think I am going to chunk it for safety reasons. I have a small Mr. Heater that I use when it's super cold in the morning. I'll stick with that until I find a better option. Currently, I am using that extra heater space to store tools and stuff. Cheers

 

[superduty]

I just posted a practically new heater for sale in the gear section.

 

[Wyo4Life]

Sounds like superduty may be able to fix you up with one he has for sale. My two cents would be if you are going to keep the camper long term if superduty's heater is not a fit for you, I would look at putting the new Truma varioheat heater in your camper. I have no idea what kind of job it would be but after having the industry standard heaters that have been in use since the beginning, and now having the Truma in my new FWC I can say the Truma is a game changer. I love it and everything I read about them is what made me wait to get my FWC until they started using them.
I do believe I read where Truma requires an authorized dealer to do the installs on the furnace and instant hot water heaters so you might want to ask FWC about that.

 

[4wheelColeman]

Having a heater in a camper is cool, but I get nervous about gas and flame in such a confined space. Its very dangerous. My old gas stove in the camper works, but even using that is a little spooky. I cook all my food outside the camper with my Camp Chef Everest V2. Amazing stove, highly recommend it. Everest 2X and More | Camp Chef

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Sounds like superduty may be able to fix you up with one he has for sale. My two cents would be if you are going to keep the camper long term if superduty's heater is not a fit for you, I would look at putting the new Truma varioheat heater in your camper. I have no idea what kind of job it would be but after having the industry standard heaters that have been in use since the beginning, and now having the Truma in my new FWC I can say the Truma is a game changer. I love it and everything I read about them is what made me wait to get my FWC until they started using them.
I do believe I read where Truma requires an authorized dealer to do the installs on the furnace and instant hot water heaters so you might want to ask FWC about that.

As much as I like Truma, they can be fallible. We have the Truma Aqua Go water heater in the travel trailer, and there is a recall for potential fires (there have been a few) due to a faulty burner bracket. I’m not sure if this is just for Oliver TTs, or more widespread. I remain a fan of Truma products.

 

[Wyo4Life]

As much as I like Truma, they can be fallible. We have the Truma Aqua Go water heater in the travel trailer, and there is a recall for potential fires (there have been a few) due to a faulty burner bracket. I’m not sure if this is just for Oliver TTs, or more widespread. I remain a fan of Truma products.

You are absolutely right, Wandering Sagebrush but my point is compared to the old furnaces and water heaters that have been used by the industry for eons, the Truma is definitely a game changer. Like the old saying goes, they all have issues it just comes down to how much you are willing to put up with!