|
9/16/2009 6:34:08 PM
|
betterRVing
Posts -4
|
Furnaces, hot water, tire rotation and more
RV Expert Andy Dietz shares his 25 years of technical expertise as he tends to your questions.*
Q: When I turn my furnace on I can hear it try to light. It eventually lights after a few tries, but only burns for a few seconds and then suddenly shuts down. What is the problem?
A: First, make sure that you have your LP turned on. If it is, remove the screws that hold the cover on the furnace and check all of the connections on the circuit board to make sure that they are tight. Next, make sure that the combustion chamber is clear of any blockage. I have seen many furnaces with mud dabbers or frogs that have settled in to enjoy a warm, dry place to live. Lastly, check the igniter wire to be sure that it is not cut or loose. If after troubleshooting all of these areas it still does not light, it is time to service your furnace.
Q: I have no hot water coming out of my faucets. I get a blast of hot water but it quickly goes cold. My motor home is hooked up to electric and water and I have verified that my water heater is running. Where do I look next?
A: There are several things to check in this situation. First, check the bypass valve. On most RVs, it is located in the access panel which is typically near the water heater or under one of the sinks. Verify that the bypass valve is in the “NORMAL FLOW” position. Once the valve has been turned to the “NORMAL FLOW” position, run water from all the faucets until the water is hot. Second, if your RV is equipped with an outside shower, both the hot and cold water valves must be closed in order to have hot water run from all the faucets inside the RV. If the valves on the outdoor shower are left on, they will mix the hot and cold water throughout the coach’s plumbing.
Click here to read the rest of the article on the BetterRVing website.
|
|
9/22/2009 7:39:13 AM
|
Ralph (Ohio)
|
My hot water tank pilot light keeps shutting off. I think when the burner lights it blows out the pilot light. How can I fix this problem?
|
|
10/17/2009 4:46:56 PM
|
Jacqueline (Kentucky)
|
It is fall time, Monday AM it is supposed to be in the 20s. It has been fairly warm other days. I was wondering if it might freeze my pipes on my RV? I am living in it right now. I was just wondering if they would freeze? it will be warm next week.
|
|
10/20/2009 2:53:05 PM
|
Andy (Lazydays)
|
Twenty degrees will definitely freeze pipes and drains, but if you re living in the coach and the heat is kept on and you have heated bays or heated tanks and the temperature does not stay that low for long periods of time you could be fine.
|
|
10/20/2009 3:05:27 PM
|
Andy (Lazydays)
|
cont from below... On the other hand if it s 20 degrees or lower for days and you aren t maintaining heat in the unit and it s not winterized then yes you will definitely run the chance of freezing pipes and/or other items. If you are not living in it then you will need to winterize for storing to prevent freeze damage.
|
|
10/29/2009 3:55:14 PM
|
Dave (Ft. Lauderdale)
|
What tool do you suggest to ensure proper tire inflation? Hand Pump, pressurized air vessel, battery powered pump, coin operated inflator? Are there new technologies out there?
|
|
11/4/2009 2:46:09 PM
|
Andy (Lazydays)
|
A hand pump may kill you before you get it to pressure. Coin operated is probably your best bet or a 110vlt pump that can reach at least 120psi. The best thing is to check inflation at fuel stops using the air supplied by the fuel station.
|
|
11/22/2009 2:13:17 AM
|
tim (bakersfield ca)
|
i just got a 1978 vouge motorhome from my mom it has been sitting for awile and i moved in and discoverd the water heater will not light the oven not working and the fernace not working could this all be caused by one problem or all diffrent
|
|
11/23/2009 11:23:08 AM
|
Andy (Lazydays RV)
|
Check for a lp gas detector to be turned on to allow gas flow. Not impossible for several problems but one common problem more likely. You did not mention the stove. If it lights then you have lp gas flow and each appliance would need to be checked.
|
|
11/25/2009 3:15:20 PM
|
marshall (florida)
|
I have Atwood G6A-8E water heater with electronic ignition, been in storiage for about 8 mo now the water heater will lite and burn for about 10 sec. then go out, it will relite and burn for about 10 sec and go out any help fixing this thanks
|
|
11/30/2009 8:38:41 AM
|
Andy (Lazydays RV)
|
Start by cleaning burner assembly, flue and ignitor/sensor probes. Make sure other LP appliances stay burning at same time. If this does not cure problem have circuit board tested. Circuit board tester is only way to confirm board failure.
|
|
12/26/2009 3:35:58 PM
|
Rob (Clearwater)
|
can i wire in a outlet to run my race trailer off of motorhome supply
|
|
12/28/2009 8:11:14 AM
|
Andy (Lazydays RV)
|
A 110v outlet could be installed to plug in your race trailer. It must be circuit breaker protected and all wiring and connections must be rated for the load that will be used. Remember this will take away from available power from the motorhome.
|
|
1/6/2010 2:25:15 PM
|
mike.belleville@cmadishmachines.com
Posts 2
|
I have had to diconnect my gas alarm in my RV trailer - keeps going off for no apparent reason. Any ideas?
|
|
1/6/2010 3:03:28 PM
|
Steve Roddy
Lazydays Employee
Posts 616
|
Never assume an alarm is not sensing lp from somewhere. After being sure of no LP leaks, then 1.check for low voltage, 2.expired detector(all detectors have an expiration date) 3. Faulty detector
|
|
1/7/2010 9:23:20 AM
|
Eugene (Lake Worth, Fl.)
|
Atwood 6gal.dsi Water heater, 1999 HR.Endeavour. When turned on it either lights first try or after 3-4 attempts. Then runs for 10-15 minutes, shuts, tries to restart, does not, water is only partially hot. It will not relight. Any suggestions?
|
|
1/7/2010 9:40:36 AM
|
Steve Roddy
Lazydays Employee
Posts 616
|
On any appliance that is not functioning properly the first things to check are Voltage with a volt meter while it is trying to ignite. Most appliances need at least 11.0 -11.5 volts to operate. Gas pressure must be checked also. 11" water column of pressure is required to operate. Sometimes it is easier to light a stove burner while water heater is operating to see if you maintain gas pressure as a quick / temporary check. Make sure the burner is clean and burning a blue flame with a slight roar when door is closed. Inspect ignitor and flame sensing probes to make sure they are clean and located in the flame when burning. If these items are not the problem I would then have the circuit board tested with a board tester that a qualified repair center will have in their service or parts department. It is a very quick and easy test to perform on the circuit board and the only way to determine if the board is functioning properly.
|
|
1/8/2010 8:57:11 PM
|
rlfox33
Posts 1
|
Is your bypass valve closed on your water heater plumbing setup? If so, you will have anomalies such as you mentioned.
|
|
1/11/2010 9:22:44 AM
|
Steve Roddy
Lazydays Employee
Posts 616
|
You are correct, closed or partially opened/closed bypass valves will cause water heater problems. If you are experiencing no hot water but have flame or have water that is only warm check your bypass valve. If it is partially opened/closed it will mix cold water and hot water before it gets to faucet and will only be warm. If it is in the off position you will not have any hot water coming out of the hot water tank but the burner will still light and operate off the thermostat normally providing there is water in the tank. Never run a water heater on gas or electric without water in the hot water tank.
|
|
1/18/2010 1:30:49 PM
|
Steve Roddy
Lazydays Employee
Posts 616
|
How do you take a commode out of a 89 Prowler Regal 5th wheel?
Then how do you put it back?
|
|
pages:
1 2 3 4 |
|---|