My on going war with the Installation of a suburbanfurnace, using ...

[thomas g. warner]

Been there tried that Scott. The furnace is almost the exact height of the
opening even after I routed the bottom of it out even with the inside bottom
rail. If you remove the 4 1/2" base and try to install it flat on the floor
it takes a gorilla and lots of strained joints to put it in since it will
only slide in when it is perfectly level. I got all but 2 inches of it in
when I gave up on that method. If it had to be serviced it would be even
worse to get it out.

Finally got the problem solved. Found out from cinnabar that the aluminum Z
is not a structural memberand is only about a yard long and bolted on both
ends. I am going right now to give it another look before deciding to
either cut and modify it or remove it completely like they do when
installing the suburban. By the way Cinnabar does not follow their own
installation instructions either. In addition they use the aluminum flimsy
4" duct for the installtions.

>In a message dated 1/19/2000 8:51:19 AM Eastern Standard Time,

>
>> I don't know if my coach is one of a kind (1976 Palmbeach) but it has an
>> aluminum Z channel installed across the back of the coach startting from
>> somewhere behind the sink module and ending near my sofa. Can it be cut
>> out??????
>
>Tom!
>I went out and looked at mine--75PB--I also have a Z bar at the back.
>Looking at your pictures and my solaire--your "new" base seems to be about 2
>1/2 inches higher than my solaire. Could it be your base is to high? I have
>a website http://me
>mbers.aol.com/adohen2/page/index.htm with some photos-- lots of images
>but the ones closest to your problem are :
>http://members.aol.com/adohen2/page/images/22_19.jpg
>http://members.aol.com/adohen2/page/images/27_24.jpg
>
>Scott INSIDE GMC
>PHOTOS(sound on?)
>
>

 

[zak zehnacker]

Tom,

Thanks for posting this experience here. It is sure to help others in the
future whether they are deciding which furnace to get or trying to intall this
same one.

Sadly, I am not surprised that C shipped out a part for a GMC that does not
actually fit a GMC without extensive modifications. I have been warning this
for some time now. I find this to be just another example of C finding their
own stuff to be golden while everyone else's is not. I'm a little surprised
to see they are giving out the ok to hack up an aluminum member. First of
all, GM doesn't make money putting extra aluminum into their vehicles, so I
would think it must serve some purpose. Secondly, this really seems like just
the thing C would blast if this furnace were sold by a competitor. I hope
this whole thing has opened some eyes here.

Zak

 

[thomas g. warner]

Zak I have several serious problems with Cinnabars engineering of the
suburban replacement fur nace. In fact I now question whether it should have
been selected at all as the solaires replacement.

1. The cinnabar instructions furnished with the kit does not mention nor
does it leave room for a gas shutoff at the furnace like the original.

2. I was told by a Cinnabar employee that the Z aluminum member could be
safely removed from the coach entirely so that the suburban furnace exhaust
could be properly installed. And in fact they have done hundreds of them
that way. I believe that elimination of this Z bar could create a serious
problem. The Z bar serves a very crucial SAFETY purpose in the GMC
motorhome. That members sole purpose is to stop the LP gas line from
vibrating and creating a leak. If a leak developes at that location behind
the cabinet, I believe it is possible that an explosion could result due to
the close proximity of the furnace.

3. No instructions or parts list to adapt the 4 inch heat runs to the 3 1/2
inch and smaller registers.In addition Cinnabar says that all of the old
heat runs be removed and new 4 inch runs be installed. codes directs that
all heat runs have at least a 1 inch clearance from cabinets unless the duct
material is UL listed. We do not have that clearance in some areas.

4. Elimination of the heat run to the bath

5. Electrical pig tail from the suburban furnace to the old solaire wiring
is over 12" to short. The solaire connector is on the left of the furnace
and the suburban on the right.

6. I can find no indicator of the suburban model or part number on any of
the literature provided by Cinnabar or on the shipping box or furnace. This
overlooked fact makes it impossible to properly size the heat runs or the
clearances for the furnaces.

Cinnabar did one thing for the furnace. They installed a heavy gauge plate
across the back, since the furnace can not be installed flush with the
outside wall as required by suburban installtion directions. Without this
plate the control board will burn up and the furnace will overheat and
malfunction. Bottom line you cannot buy an off the shelf Suburban furnace
and install it in the GMC motorhome, unless you add this plate.THIS IS VERY
IMPORTANT.

Well back to the installtion and trying to get it done. I am taking
pictures of what I am doing and will write it up so the next guy can do it
the easy way.

>Tom,
>
>Thanks for posting this experience here. It is sure to help others in the
>future whether they are deciding which furnace to get or trying to intall this
>same one.
>
>Sadly, I am not surprised that C shipped out a part for a GMC that does not
>actually fit a GMC without extensive modifications. I have been warning this
>for some time now. I find this to be just another example of C finding their
>own stuff to be golden while everyone else's is not. I'm a little surprised
>to see they are giving out the ok to hack up an aluminum member. First of
>all, GM doesn't make money putting extra aluminum into their vehicles, so I
>would think it must serve some purpose. Secondly, this really seems like just
>the thing C would blast if this furnace were sold by a competitor. I hope
>this whole thing has opened some eyes here.
>
>Zak
>
>
>