Greetings Fellow Scamp Fans,
My partner and I (Molly) just accelerated our plan to buy a used Scamp. We are avid campers / sailors and outdoor adventure types. We just finished a five-day trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Sleeping Bear Dunes where we hiked and sailed everyday. We sometimes travel with a small 14 foot sailboat and own several including a 22 footer with cabin.
All that being said, I say accelerated because we had not planned on buying one for a few years. But, sometimes fate steps in and we found a VERY CLEAN / LIGHTLY USED 16' foot deluxe two hours from our home in Louisville, KY. We made the journey to Batesville Indiana and the camper was indeed as advertised, VERY CLEAN. In fact, there was very little signs of use at all. The man who purchased it said he purchased it from an estate and just wanted to flip it basically. We inspected it and quickly handed him $5,500 cash before he raised the price. We know he had over eighty inquires within 30 minutes of placing the ad on Facebook Marketplace. I have researched the Scamps and other fiberglass campers for the past several years and knew enough to know when I was looking at a once in a lifetime deal!
We got her home and I began going through the various systems. Everything works as expected, with the exception of the furnace. I've read all the threads and understand it should light when 1) turned on at the thermostat and 2) the temperature setting is pushed up beyond the ambient temperature in the camper. You should hear a click, the fan should start and the unit should begin blowing warm air within a few minutes. I've read the owners manual, I've found the hidden black rocker switch on the right side of the unit close to the value and made certain it was on (it is) and nothing. Initially, when I first attempted to light it there was a "new electric" smell, not burning just a different smell than I expected. Now it doesn't even click. Again the fan never turned and nothing ever came on. I've bled the lines and am running out of options. I can't imagine it's anything serious as the unit appears to never have been on. Further, the heat exchange still has the paint on it so it's never even been turned on. The manual refers to a "shut off value" though they never provide a location. Is there a master fuse in the fuse box that might be blown? Any suggestions of help would be greatly appreciated we are planing to camp this winter.
Thanks in advance,
Todd and Molly Atchison
Pictures to follow...
Similar issue with my last motorhome. It had been sitting for a year and it did not have bug screens over the inlet and outlet to the out side. the mudd wasps had made such a mess of the blower housing the motor could not spin. It required removal and disassembly. I got lucky and the board did not get damaged but it can happen since the motor draws way too much current when stalled. I do not know if you can see the interior blower/fan by just taking the interior cover off ( two sheetmatal screws ) It will be deep inside almost to the outside wall. . If you can see it and give it a bump with a yard stick you may learn more.
2019 Scamp 13 standard
I'll give it a poke tonight. I guess I should check the outside vents as well. It just feels like it's not getting any sort of power. Dead as a doornail as they say... but no sound or smell other than the original click and musty electrical smell.
Mudd dobbers, yep,
I have bought 2 Scamps with furnaces that wouldn't light. In both cases mud dobbers had blocked the air ways. A clean out was needed.
I decided to use aluminum tape to cover the furnace vents, when i need the furnace the tape comes off. I had the tape on hand.
BobH. one of the Scamper Campers
.....Come in different styles.
We have used the screens for years and are well worth the small expense.
2019 Scamp 13 standard
The outside vents seem to be riveted on. Is there a way to access the vents without removing the covers? Or am I missing something?
I believe the vent can stay and the furnace comes out thru the inside and it is a slip fit back into the vent when reassembled. and there is often 1 screw in the center of the exhaust vent and only 1 or 2 that anchor it to the cabinet. It also just unplugs with a locking type plug The large one in my motorhome can be removed with only a couple screws and the gas line,electric plug and leave the vent plate
2019 Scamp 13 standard
Have you found anything to explain the failure on your furnace
2019 Scamp 13 standard
This question piqued my interest, so I went into the shop to check the vents on our Scamp. No Mud Daubers but a small paper wasp nest, so off to the Internet. I found these on Amazon, ordered a set and will report back on how they work, and the installation procedure. They are held in place by small springs, so no removal necessary.
JCJ M-300 Mud Dauber Screen for RV Furnace Outside Fitting
Frosty
Ends of the spring are different shape and one is easier to get the install tool to work with if like mine. I forget which attaches to the screen and which goes to the vent. "but save the tool somewhere you can forget where it is" so you can remove them for checking and cleaning. I added a small dab of clear silicone at the base to keep the screens in place when using the camper cover
2019 Scamp 13 standard
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