RV Furnace Question

[Esqui]

Being from south Florida, I don't have much use for, or experience with heaters or furnaces. I tested the furnace today by running the AC for close to 45 minutes until the inside of the RV cooled down enough. When it reached about 77 degrees, I switched to heater on the thermostat and the furnace turned. It worked, however, it did set off my smoke alarm. Is this normal? Should I be concerned? Any advice on how not to set off the smoke detector when running the furnace?

This December, I plan on taking a trip to NC and Tennessee. Does anyone out there have any advice on testing, running, or pitfalls I should expect and be prepared for when it comes to RV furnaces. I am a first time RVer who just purchased a 2020 Vegas 27.7 in August and need some help/advice.

This may turn out to be a silly question, but is there an easier way to test the furnace other tan running the A/C for however long it takes to drop the thermostat enough so that the furnace will turn on (the highest my thermostat goes on the heater setting is 80 degrees and being in south Florida, it is currently 93 degrees in the RV)?

Thank you all in advance.

[16ACE27]

It is normal for the paint and dust in the furnace to burn off and create enough fumes to set off the smoke alarm. This usually doesn't happen after the first time you run the furnace unless it has set for a very long time and accumulated a bunch of new dust to burn off.

[mcr1010]

Good advice about burning off a new furnace. I would run the furnace for a few minutes with the windows and door open just to clean it out. Also, you may want to get a portable elect. heater to use also. Much cheaper to run than the propane furnace and quieter also. I have two that I use when traveling to colder areas. One is a little smaller than the other just to knock the chill off in the mornings. I have to balance the elect. load though when running the heater or heaters.
Happy trails

[mountainsam]

Are you sure it wasn't the CO2 sensor you set off. The first time I used the furnace it set off the CO2 sensor because I had something sitting to close to it and there wasn't proper air circulation. As far as testing the furnace I don't. I do test the Heat Pump when I am exercising the generator and AC.

[Bob Denman]

I agree: it just needs to be run some, in order to burn off the "crud".
Fire ti up a couple of more times: it'll let you get used to how it works, sounds, smells, and acts!

[m1noel]

Yep, there is an easy way. Just drive on up here to Idaho and I will show you.
Mike