What's the new furnace being installed by FWC?

[esimmers]

The FWC web site says they've switched over to a 12,000 btu furnace. It's supposed to use less battery power to run the fan and be quieter than the old Suburban and Atwood furnaces used in the past.

Has anyone had this new furnace installed in their camper? What make and model is it? What do you think about it?

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

Here are the details of the furnace we are using in all of the new campers.

Atwood Mobile Products
Hydro Flame
Model 8021-II
Item # 33491
Everest Star II
1.8 amps
12,000 BTU

Other information on the outside of the box ...
8012-IIDCLP6 F NV ND


Just to give you a comparsion. The older furnace we use, and that the other guys are still using (I think?) is 16,000 btu and drawns 4.6 amps.


So far, so good with the new furnace.

I have not heard of any customer complaints so far.

I REALLY like the fact that it is quieter and uses less amps per hour.

The new location where we are installing the furnaces seems to be much better as well.

Installing a furnace directly under the ice box or refrigerator was not the best place. The heat generated from the furnace melted the ice in the ice box too fast.

In all of the new FWC's we are installing the furnace to the side of the refrigerator.





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[Hayduke]

I threw one of those 8012 2's in my shell model. It works great, even if I haven't used my camper after a couple years. That doesn't happen very often, but once in a while, women can get in the way. I mean the X, not women in general.

 

[MarkBC]

Here are the details of the furnace we are using in all of the new campers.
Atwood Mobile Products
Hydro Flame
Model 8021-II
Item # 33491
Everest Star II
1.8 amps
12,000 BTU

Just to give you a comparsion. The older furnace we use, and that the other guys are still using (I think?) is 16,000 btu and drawns 4.6 amps.
So far, so good with the new furnace.
I have not heard of any customer complaints so far.
I REALLY like the fact that it is quieter and uses less amps per hour.


My 2005 Hawk came with the Suburban DD17DSI furnace, and the mfg specs for that one say it draws 2.8 amps. So, the new-above furnace would draw about 40% less current than what I've got.
Hmmm....I wonder how much quieter the 8012-II would be than my DD17DSI?

I'm just trying to decide if the co$t would be worth it -- to me -- to replace my loud-and-'lectric-hungry furnace with this new alternative. One way to look at it, I guess, is that the cost to buy a new furnace (not counting installation) is less than it costs me for truck-fuel for a single trip to/from southeast Utah.

 

[craig333]

Stan, is it a direct replacment? Drop it in and go?

 

[InspectorLance]

Stan, is it a direct replacment? Drop it in and go?



Is this a direct replacement for the Suburban dd-17dsi ??

Lance

 

[pods8]

Is this a direct replacement for the Suburban dd-17dsi ??

Lance


Dunno how direct it is but it looks like the dimensions are slightly smaller all around than the dd-17dsi so one could likely make it work if they were inclined.

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

No, I don't think so.

They changed the cabinets a little with the new Atwood furnace and the camper framing for the exaust port is different.

It can be retrofitted, but I don't think it is a "plug & play" swap out.

Chicali or Terry in our service dept. would be able to tell you the specifics / tips / tricks / etc. if you were going to attempt to tackle it yourself.


FWC SERVICE
800-242-1442


Hope this helps


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Is this a direct replacement for the Suburban dd-17dsi ??




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[Neversummer70]

I was just camping and noticed a really bad propane smell I turn off the propane after testing the furnace was trying to light and it wouldn't light so I think I need a new furnace my four wheel camper. Can I just order it from you guys? It's an 02 Eagle

Here are the details of the furnace we are using in all of the new campers.

Atwood Mobile Products
Hydro Flame
Model 8021-II
Item # 33491
Everest Star II
1.8 amps
12,000 BTU

Other information on the outside of the box ...
8012-IIDCLP6 F NV ND


Just to give you a comparsion. The older furnace we use, and that the other guys are still using (I think?) is 16,000 btu and drawns 4.6 amps.


So far, so good with the new furnace.

I have not heard of any customer complaints so far.

I REALLY like the fact that it is quieter and uses less amps per hour.

The new location where we are installing the furnaces seems to be much better as well.

Installing a furnace directly under the ice box or refrigerator was not the best place. The heat generated from the furnace melted the ice in the ice box too fast.

In all of the new FWC's we are installing the furnace to the side of the refrigerator.

.






.

 

[Wallowa]

Here are the details of the furnace we are using in all of the new campers.

Atwood Mobile Products
Hydro Flame
Model 8021-II
Item # 33491
Everest Star II
1.8 amps
12,000 BTU

Other information on the outside of the box ...
8012-IIDCLP6 F NV ND


Just to give you a comparsion. The older furnace we use, and that the other guys are still using (I think?) is 16,000 btu and drawns 4.6 amps.


So far, so good with the new furnace.

I have not heard of any customer complaints so far.

I REALLY like the fact that it is quieter and uses less amps per hour.

The new location where we are installing the furnaces seems to be much better as well.

Installing a furnace directly under the ice box or refrigerator was not the best place. The heat generated from the furnace melted the ice in the ice box too fast.

In all of the new FWC's we are installing the furnace to the side of the refrigerator.

.






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Interesting and excellent moves....when did this switch occur? In which year model was it first installed in?

Thanks,

Phil

 

[abqbw]

I think the Atwood furnace in my 2016 shell and now my 2017 front dinette Hawk are loud. I saw mention somewhere (I think) of a Propex furnace being used for European FECs. I wonder if the propex could be ordered for a US FWC and if it is quieter than the Atwood.

 

[Bombsight]

Anyone have a link to direct purchase of the 2016 FWC Atwood Furnace?

 

[Wallowa]

I just noticed that Stan's post was dated 2010...our '16 Hawk Atwood furnace is an 18,000 BTU model # AFSD20 that draws 4.8amps..odd if they went back to a higher amp version... Atwood: www.Atwoodmobile.com.


Honestly the "noise" of furnace is not obtrusive and becomes 'white noise' [remember the interior is a small enclosure] ....

Our propane/CO detector would sound off in the wee hours when were asleep...startling! From what I have read the alarm is hyper sensitive and reacts to a number of gases not just propane or CO...like a porta potti or the paint off the furnace vent...some say battery as they discharge, but AGMs are sealed.

Phil

 

[Happyjax]

Wallowa,

I think the alarms going off due to battery issues are voltage issues not gas..... Please correct me if I'm wrong (Not that that ever happens...lol)

 

[rando]

I had a propex in my prior camper, and the Atwood in my 2016 fleet. The Atwood is actually quieter than the propex, but does use more power. However it also has a higher output than the propex, so watt for watt it may be about the same.

 

[Timothy McGowen]

Wallowa,

I think the alarms going off due to battery issues are voltage issues not gas..... Please correct me if I'm wrong (Not that that ever happens...lol)

Two issues here. My experience comes from the fire service and not as a camper owner.

Smoke detectors and CO detectors can false alarm from low voltage - as far as what I have seen.

Some CO detectors can go off when detecting hydrogen sulfide type gases from recharging batteries. Given the close proximity of my onboard batteries and detector this might be a cause. Note: starting on the 2016 models the battery compartments are vented.

Smoke detectors require replacement after ten years. CO detector technology has changed over the past few years. Some units have a lifespan of 5-7 years while the newer units have a ten year lifespan.

These timeframes are also for in your home. Do your detectors need replaced? Also did you just change your batteries? Sorry but after 40 years its hard not to give the PSA.

Hope this helps.

 

[Squatch]

I'm pretty sure this is the furnace in my Eagle. Watching my Trimetric it draws about 2.5-6 amps. when the burner kicks off it draws 1.5. I suspect the solenoid that opens the gas valve draws 1 amp. I've been pleased with it.