The 1974 Class C has a Sol Aire furnace manufactured by Tri-Men Manufacturing. Tri-Men is out of business and I haven't been able to find a link to any parts/service for the Sol Aire furnace, which isn't working. The fuse and cap that hold it in are missing, the wiring has been tampered with, and the reset button won't reset.. Does anyone happen to have one of these laying around or know of a place where they might have some old parts? I know I should probably replace it, but want to save the money right now.

Thanks

Jim

there is actually a Solaire manual "PDF" here:

http://www.bdub.net/manuals/index.html

GMC Motorhome Documentation---
....Various Component Manuals
...scroll down
.. to Solaire Furnace


However---
quote: Unfortunately, the Sol-Aire had a propensity for the burner to literally burn away...

http://www.rvdoctor.com/2010/0...lete-rv-furnace.html

In a recent phone conversation with Jim, I told him that Smiley would come up with information for your furnace!

Yes, thank you, Doug. What I've determined so far is that the fuse that is supposed to be there is gone and the cap that holds it in place is also gone. Also, there is a switch on the wall of the bathroom that is attached to an extension cord that is then wired into the furnace. I'm thinking that this was an attempt to bypass something that was not working correctly. But with no parts available and a firebox that was know to fail, and a 43 year old design, would the smart thing to be to replace it? Any ideas? the area that it sits in is 23" wide x 26" long and 17" high. There are 4 supply runs going to different places in the motor home. This is a small-19'-class C and the furnace was rated at 16000 BTUs. Pics later.

I'm beginning to think that the current design was a bit of overkill. 4 outlets in a 19' motor home . I calculate that it's about 150 square feet. Maybe a good electric heater in a central place would be a sensible option. And we seldom do any cold weather camping. If I go this route, would you take the existing furnace out and make an extra outside storage place?
Jim

I have been experimenting with a 1500 watt electric heater in my 25 footer. It really only is good for in the 40's any thing colder it is too cold and low 40's is like 60 or so inside, but I have a lot of windows, single pane glass.

I also have a suburban heater, about the size you have. I took it apart re-oiled the fan and it works ok. I reduced the air outlets to 3 of 4 due to some routing problems with the ducts and now it runs to hot and trips the safety systems. I am going to try a smaller gas orifice.

I thought I just might buy a replacement furnace, but it was about $1000 bucks. Like you I do not much cold weather camping so I hope I can fix it. Good luck!!

Jim, I just came across this in Fort Myers Fl. Craigslist under RV parts: used Duo-Therm heater in good working condition, came out of a 1985 RV. size 9 1/2"H X 16"W X 20"D, call 239-543-8640 $100. Add did show pictures.

You might want to check Criagslist in your area.


Jim

British: Heating your motorhome

https://www.practicalmotorhome...ating-your-motorhome

Never occurred to me to look on Ebay for a RV furnace, geez found all kinds and lots cheaper than my local dealer.

Jim, Is this what that old furnace looks like?

---

That's it, very compact and probably would work fine if I could figure out how to do that.
J

What?? No experts on 43 year old Sol Aire furnaces?? Careful, Barthers--we might lose our mojo