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Lars(wi) 
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Permian Basin
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 Topic: RV furnace Suburban…………
Posted: 11 Dec 2024 at 8:56pm |
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model SF-30FQ, in our new to us 2018 Forest River. Heat ducted thru the floors, barely any air moving up thru the floor vents. Investigated today and discovered this furnace has warm air discharge thru the furnace bottom only. The problem is when the front cover is in place, 90% of the warm air trying to exit the furnace is blocked. Does anybody else have this model furnace ducted for bottom only warm air discharge?
Edited by Lars(wi) - 11 Dec 2024 at 8:57pm
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I tried to follow the science, but it was not there. I then followed the money, and that’s where I found the science.
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steve(ill)
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Location: illinois
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Posted: 11 Dec 2024 at 10:12pm |
https://techsupport.pdxrvwholesale.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Suburban-Gas-Furnace-Installation-Instructions-SF-FQ.pdf
im not sure i understand how this is setup... You have a size 30 so i think you have about 30 square inches OPEN on the discharge side and 30 square inches on the RETURN side.. There should be no "cover" to get in the way..
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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DMiller
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Location: Hermann, Mo
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Posted: 12 Dec 2024 at 4:22am |
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Start looking for the Nest(s), Mouse or other vermin in ducting. A waste pipe snake may help in feeling out the ducting.
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Lars(wi)
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Location: Permian Basin
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Posted: 12 Dec 2024 at 6:10am |
Thats what is strange about this Steve, seems really weird. This is a 30,000 btu sized, this front cover when removed, exposes the heat exchanger, I can see the cold air channel from the blower, and I can see the bottom duct knock out. When the front cover is reinstalled, this cover pushes up against the heat exchanger, and almost pushes against the sail switch. If the cover is off, and I start the furnace copious amounts of warm shoots into the room, reinstalling the cover drops the volume of air by 90%. The heat exchanger when in the furnace cabinet virtually fits almost ‘tight’ side to side, front to back. The previous owner claimed the ‘never used’ the furnace, instead they used the electric fireplace, and a ‘milk house’ heater in the far back bedroom, because they did want bother changing propane tanks, going to town and refilling them.
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I tried to follow the science, but it was not there. I then followed the money, and that’s where I found the science.
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jaybmiller
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Greensville,Ont
Points: 22722
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Posted: 12 Dec 2024 at 6:37am |
OK, curious.... googled 'sf-30fq, found the website, the unit, read this...
Discharge Type: Side Discharge
So I wonder if it's been 'modified' by the installer ?
for sure I'd email/call the manufacturer !
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3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112
Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor)
Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water
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jaybmiller
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Posted: 12 Dec 2024 at 6:39am |
might help ??? there's another manal on the website too !
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3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112
Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor)
Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water
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jaybmiller
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Location: Greensville,Ont
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Posted: 12 Dec 2024 at 7:34am |
Ok, this has been bugging me..... have another idea..
if the 'sail switch' is the 'have good air flow' switch, then it's in the wrong location. if the hot air came out the front, it's in the correct spot BUT.... the furnace has been modified for 'out the bottom' use. I suspect the 'kit'( it's listed in one of the PDFs... ) actually has another 'sail switch' or instructions to move this one.
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3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112
Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor)
Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water
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steve(ill)
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: illinois
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Posted: 12 Dec 2024 at 8:08am |
Lars, you have to have RETURN air to the furnace to get any flow OUT of the heater.. By removing the FRONT PANEL , you are getting that RETURN air... If your panel is solid, then you are SUPPOSE to have a bunch of louvers in the back that breath thru the kitchen cabinet... If the wood cabnet is pretty well enclosed, then you need a LOUVER on the door or face to get MORE AIR into the cabinet...
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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steve(ill)
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Location: illinois
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Posted: 12 Dec 2024 at 8:13am |
, I can see the cold air channel from the blower, and I can see the bottom duct knock out.
Im thinking the cut out in the cabinet for the RETURN AIR ( maybe in the floor) is partially covered by the wood floor or cabinet wall ??? ... You can fix that by putting a LOUVER in the FRONT ( similar to leaving the front cover off)..
Edited by steve(ill) - 12 Dec 2024 at 8:13am
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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Lars(wi)
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Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Permian Basin
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Posted: 12 Dec 2024 at 8:38am |
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The ‘front cover’ I mention, is the metal front of the furnace plenum. The illustration showing the cabinets is close to what I have, the ‘cabinet grate’, I also have, the furnace is set a few inches behind that. The big difference is the warm air exits my furnace only out of the ‘bottom knockout’ into the ductwork that is beneath the floor. I have the owners manual for this furnace, at the time of manufacture, it lists the various options for warm air exits points; two sides, front, top, and bottom.
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I tried to follow the science, but it was not there. I then followed the money, and that’s where I found the science.
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steve(ill) wrote:
