RV
Advice Q&A Appliances and AccessoriesRV
Advice Q&A Appliances and Accessories
For music while you read select this music icon to choose your song (wait
till page loads).
Classified
Ad Corner
Below
are E-mail questions and answers to RV Advice that are related to appliances
and accessories. You can send your question(s) using the form at the bottom
of any of our Q&A pages. We answer ALL properly submitted E-mail that
comes in to us, even E-mail that other RV web sites forward to us.
This page last updated January 20, 2008 containing letters emailed to Pete from August 10th - December 14th, 2007.
Reminder from Webmaster: Norcold refrigerator owners are encouraged to view our Neato Info page to see whether or not their Norcold refrigerator is one of the models under current safety recall.
Samsung
microwave recall, view our Neato
Info page for details.
I am looking for an RV microwave with a DC vent fan, with side exhaust like a regular range exhaust is vented.
Dear Charles,
Go to Circuit City, Best Buy, etc., and pick out a microwave.
The DC exhaust vent and fan is a separate component that you can buy from your RV parts supply.
I have 2006 Gulf Stream Crescendo 8386. When I hook up the city water to the motor home, it seems it's not going into the tanks and water heater, because after using the water it quits working. The fresh water tanks drain and the water heater drains and then there is nothing flowing at all.
If I turn the bypass valve, I get water, but no hot water because the system by passes the water heater.
I thought when you hooked the city water you would get a continuos flow of water and hot water.
Dear Darryl,
You could have a bad by pass valve or you could have the valves turned and filling your tanks instead of flowing through the city water hookup and pressurizing the water lines.
Can I operate my propane furnace in winter conditions 1-2 nights on my trip to Florida? The trailer is a 275 Fleetwood RLS and is not set up for winter use. I am concerned about condensation on ducts and inside the furnace unit. What would be the coldest outdoor temperature I can use this at?
Dear Norm,
If you're parked you can use the furnace in extreme cold weather, but don't try to leave the furnace running while traveling!
I have an 1985 Country Camper 35'. It is no longer made. I am having electric problems. Can anyone direct me to a manual?
Also, my Norcold refrigerator works on 12 volt only, I plug it to electric direct and it still won't work. What could be wrong?
Dear Sam,
Sorry, I can't help with the manual. (See our FAQs page for manual options).
Hook up to electric and make sure you have your 12 volt hooked up. Switch the refrigerator to AC and check for 110 volts going out of the control box to the AC heating element to see if you're having problems with the control or just a bad AC heating element.
I have a Norcold refrigerator with an ice maker. (1200lRIM). When the cube tray fills about an ounce or two of water runs out while it is filling. The tray is not running over. The water seems to be coming out of the small box with a flapper in it which lies directly under the fill tube. This has occurred since the unit was new. Any ideas?
Dear Mick,
Contact Norcold for the procedure on adjusting the water level in the tray.
My electronic readout for fresh water, and the two holding tanks all continually read empty (the propane function works fine). I've been told that the sensor rods in the tanks tend to become coated with materials in the water that insulates them from the liquids, preventing an electrical circuit for the indicator readout.
If this is true, how can I clean the rods? Is there be some chemical that I can be temporarily put into the tank that would clean them?
Dear Ron,
No, you're heading in the wrong direction. If it was in the tank the tank would read full, 2/3 or something.
I would look for an open wire ground or power to the monitor.
We have a 1996 Bounder Class A with a 6500 watt Onan generator. The generator has been working perfectly until the other day when I plugged a space heater in to it. I had it plugged into the house at the time and the generator wasn't running, but I noticed that the blinking light in my electrical panel wasn't blinking anymore and had gone out.
I plugged the space heater in to the cord and unplugged the camper. I switched my refrigerator to gas. We were taking the RV to the Patriot's game later that day and I just wanted to warm her up a bit.
We arrived at the game and I started the generator but none of my 110 volt outlets worked. My generator ran fine and my AC units powered up but nothing that runs on 110 would work, no microwave and no outlets. I checked the breakers on the generator and they didn't seem to do anything. Both fuses on the generator were good. I did have a blown fuse in the panel inside and I swapped it out for another fuse that ran the TV.
I didn't have any extra fuses. I am a newbie to RVing and that will be fixed as soon as the stores open today as well as I didn't have a multi-meter with me in the camper.
What could cause my problem? A blown circuit breaker? Could the 110 part of my generator be done? I have two roof AC units and they both worked.
Dear Matt,
If the roof AC's worked that rules out a problem with the generator or transfer switch.
If you reset the breakers for the wall outlets and still have no power, I would look for the GFI receptacle and reset it.
We have a 2006 Keystone Cougar fifth wheel with a Suburban water heater. We noticed this year on our vacation that the electric switch didn't work. It is as if it's a dummy switch as it has no feel of resistance when turning from off to on.
Any ways, we normally run the electric and gas at the same time for quicker recovery but as mentioned above, the electric doesn't work now. We've obviously checked for all the obvious things such as fuses, breakers and such but my feeling is the switch is suspect.
Does this sound familiar?
Dear Tim,
You can check the switch with a volt meter. But, you can also test for voltage at the heating element.
It just takes a few seconds to knock out the heating element with a dry tank.
My problem is with the Safe-T-Alert propane gas detector.
My motor home is winterized and put away for the winter, and I like to have it plugged in to the electricity to keep the batteries up. The propane tanks are turned off at the tank and there is no odor in the RV. When I turn the power off and back on the unit will reset and go through the warm up sequence and will be fine for about two days and then will go red and start beeping.
Could it be that the RV being closed up that there are fumes from the interior that would cause this or is the unit faulty? I have the roof vents open but this would not vent any vapors at the floor level.
Dear Gary,
It could be defective or odors. I would tun the gas off at the tank and try it again. If you're convinced it's the sensor you can leave the gas shut off and pull the fuse until you have a gas leak check done.
Our Norcold model N822 refrigerator refuses to get cold until we are on the road. The day before departing on a trip I plug in the AC, the 12 volt system is on, and all lights indicate normal ops, but the unit refuses to get cold. Same is true if I use the LP. When we depart, I leave it on "auto" (with the LP tank on), and the unit is cold in a few hours. Works fine during the time we are plugged into AC at our destination. Just won't work at home, on either mode, when I want to pre cool it. Like I said, all indicator lights show it is receiving power.
Any ideas?
Dear Lee,
I would question where it's sitting, if it can vent properly and how far off level you are.
I have a 2005 Fleetwood Bounder and would like to install a Stay A While propane valve. The instructions don't seem to match anything on the RV. Can this be installed behind the fill valve?
Dear Cathy,
NO! It needs to be between the shut off and pressure regulator.
I have a Generac series Q-70G, model number 9677-0. When you try and start the generator it does not fire. I checked to see if the fuel pump was working and it was not.
There was no part number on the fuel pump so I replaced it with a 1.5 - 4 PSI pump. I now have fuel being drawn from the tank and to the carb. The fuel doesn't seem to be going into the carb. I spray starting fluid into the carb and it fires and stops. Is the fuel pump too small or might I have a carburetor problem?
Dear Donald,
If you have a fuel filter between the pump and carburetor I would start there. If not, I would say you have a plugged carburetor.
We recently purchased an '82 Itasca with a Norcold refrigerator. We have done everything we are instructed to do to turn it on, on the electric setting, and it doesn't get cold. It doesn't make any noise so we don't know if it's running or not. We haven't tried the gas setting yet. If it only ran on gas, will it not run on the electric? Help!
Dear Sal,
It uses an electric heating element to boil the charge instead of a compressor to circulate it, so there is no noise when operating.
Check the coils in the rear to see if they are getting warm, if not; check the AC heating element.
I have a model 462 double door Norcold refrigerator that was working on electric, but if I kept it on anything higher than 2, froze the refrigerator part liquids and this last time we used it, it won't work at all on electric, but will work on gas; but it also froze things when set at higher than 2. Do you know what the problem could be?
Dear Harley,
Check the thermistor located on the fins inside the refrigerator compartment.
We have a seasonal campsite with no hookups so we spend the weekends dry camping. Some other campers rent the large propane bottles and hook them into their RV so they can run their refrigerators continuously, even when they are not there for a few days. Is this safe and will this damage the unit?
Dear Kraig,
Yes, it's safe and no, it won't damage the unit.
You might also look at a medium size solar battery charger to make sure your controls on your refrigerator don't shut down.
I have an Ellipse Class A motor home.
Sometimes after traveling, when we stop we get a horrible sewer odor inside the coach. The tanks are emptied in the morning when we leave the RV parks and there is water in the toilet. It doesn't happen all the time.
What is the problem?
Dear Ken,
The vent.
Use some deodorizer in your holding tank and change out the vent cap on the gray and black tank with the Vac-U-Vents.
It sucks the odors out as you drive instead of blowing it back into the coach.
RE: 2007 Cardinal
Two weeks after my warranty expired my Concertone ZX500 shut down. I have been told it will cost $500.00 to replace it but I have also read on some of the RV web sites that owners of these are not happy with their performance.
My questions is this, do you know of a unit that I could purchase that would perform all the features as this one that will last longer then a year?
This one is a DVD/CD/AM/FM/MP3/weatherband with Surround sound and speaker controls for living, bedroom and outside.
Dear Connie,
I have no ideal. Stereo equipment is not my specialty. I don't know why you can't go out and pick out a unit of your choice to replace it and plug into the existing wiring.
I have a 1993 Jamboree, the heater works fine when I'm plugged into power, but when I'm running off the battery, the fan will kick on, but the heat never kicks on.
Dear Lockhart,
Your battery voltage is low. Even though the lights, refrigerator and fan work the furnace won't ignite without full voltage.
I just bought a 27 foot 2007 Springdale Clearwater. I will be using this travel trailer as a bedroom suite while it is parked next to my son's garage for the next few years.
I would like to replace the thermostat with a digital thermostat, is there such a thing for a travel trailer? If so, where can I find a good one?
Dear Dan,
Call the A/C manufacturer to see if there is a digital thermostat compatible to your A/C.
We purchased a 2001 Dutchmen motor home and the hot water is warm, not hot. How and where do we turn up the temperature as to have hot water?
Dear Elaine,
You might not be able to. A lot of the hot water heaters have the thermostat built into the control board.
You might check the part number of your control module and call the hot water heater manufacturer and see if there is a control module available with a higher temperature setting.
I have a 1995 Layton 26' with a Magnetek 6300 which I've read are prone to problems.
My question is I am going away in a few days and don't have time to upgrade the inverter/charger, can I use my generator to power the camper and just run a trickle charger to the battery off from the generator without hurting anything?
Dear Brian,
Yes, you can use the trickle charger if necessary.
We have a l991 Bounder. Our problem is that the water will not heat although the heater is working and the heater will not heat. We have full propane and it's turned on. This started as of this morning. The heater worked only for a short time this morning.
What could be the problem?
Dear Karen,
Replace the bypass valve.
My generator is not getting gas. Generator fuel pump works when removed and checked to battery. Gas line holds vacuum but is clear when blowing from the de-attached fuel line into the gas tank. Fuse is good. Gas tank is full. It will run for a bit with a shot of starting fuel.
Dear Sheridan,
You need to trace the fuel line and find out where it's cracked or pull the tank and inspect the pickup tube in the tank.
When I am camping and plug my electric in, all works fine. When I use the generator I can't get the electricity to work. A/C works. Outlet not. Any help?
Dear George,
I would check to make sure both breakers on the genset are turned on. If your AC shore power cord is supplying power to the power converter you're generator likewise should supply power to the converter unless a breaker is tripped or a wire is loose.
We have 1995 Mallard travel trailer. Planning to sell, showing to person, air conditioner on. Stepped out, person states that he turned air off, then turned on heat/furnace to check out. Heat didn't come on, switched back to air and now it won't come on (not even the fan!). Checked breakers,( none tripped), fuses look to be good, 2amp thermostat breaker looks fine. All other electrical seem to be okay. Unplugged, re plugged, flipped breakers, etc.What now?
Dear Gary,
You just have to start checking at the switching to see that you're getting power and follow it up on the roof to see what happened. Maybe a start capacitor blew.
I was recently at a campground and my AC was running fine for about four hours, then it tripped the breaker in the trailer breaker box. I flipped the breaker back on, then turned the AC back on. It will run on fan only but when the compressor tries to come on it will flip the breaker again. The camp ground had a 30 amp plug in, when I got home I tried it at home with same results.
Could this be a weak circuit breaker, or a relay switch on the AC itself? Or am I completely off base? Any help will be appreciated. The AC unit is a Coleman TSR.
Dear Linda,
Have the A/C checked, sounds like a problem with the compressor or start capacitor.
I have a 1985 33 ft motorhome that has run out of gas due to a thief. Now I cannot start my generator. I have heard that the generator will stop when you run the gas down, but not how you restart it.
Dear Gary,
Once you fill your tank back up and crank the generator it should re-prime itself. It may take a series of cranking to get it to pick up the fuel.
The pressure-relief valve in my Suburban SW6D water-heater began to drip as the water temperature rose toward hot. I replaced the valve with a new one. The new valve reacts the same as the old one. What is wrong?
Dear K.,
Nothing, it's a normal condition. You can use a thermometer to test the water temperature to be sure it's not over heating.
I have replaced the "O" rings between exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe twice now in almost no mileage. I read a web site four years ago about a modification that would cure it. Engine is a big block Chevy 7400cc in a Chevrolet Allegro 11 Metre motorhome. They were using another engines "O" rings I think.
Dear Alan,
Yes, look at putting a Banks exhaust kit on it. Better performance, fuel economy, longer engine life and the end of your exhaust system troubles.
I have a 1985 Pace Arrow motorhome 28 foot with a Chevy 454 engine, I am not getting fuel to the carb? Is there more than one fuel pump? I found the mechanical one on the engine, but is there an electric fuel pump somewhere, and where would I find it?
Also, it has a 4.0 Onan genset that does not produce electricity, but runs great. I opened the cover of the generator section and pieces of the armature fell out, where can I get a new/rebuilt generator portion of the genset??
Dear John,
It's quite possible you have a delivery fuel pump in the tank. It's also possible you have a plugged fuel filter along the frame rail or at the inlet to the carburetor (check both fuel filters). Usually the 4.0 genset will not stay running if it does not produce electricity. You might want to have a tech look at it before you get into big expense.
I have a Four Winds motor home with a gas water heater, electronic ignition. It won't start when it's damp outside, either raining or high humidity. When it's dry, everything works fine.
Dear Ben,
Check the plug going to the control module and see if you can protect it from the moisture.
We have a 1999 Nash with a Norcold refrigerator. When turned on the warmest temp setting (1) the bottom fridge stays too cold and freezes things like salads etc. Do I need to adjust the temperature control and where is it located?
Dear Tom,
Sounds like a bad thermistor, look on the fins in the back of the refrigerator compartment. You might try moving it towards the center of the fins. It may have fallen off and be laying in the drain tray.
We have a 1993 Allegro and all of a sudden the generator is not powering the inside, no plugs work or the microwave. Any suggestions?
Dear Tasha,
Check the breaker on the gen set and check for power at your transfer switch, generator side.
We own a 19 ft Prowler 2004 model. The hot water has always worked perfect until this summer. We now turn on the water and it is only hot for the first 5 to 15 seconds then turns cold. What to do?
Dear Greg,
Replace the water heater by pass valve.
I need to replace the Coleman air conditioner on my travel trailer. The travel trailer has a string of ceiling vents from stem to stern to distribute the air.
I would like to purchase a Mach15 Coleman with heating power strip that distributes the air. What resource do I need to tell me exactly what parts to buy to accomplish this?
I have checked about five retailers and they only seem to want me to buy, not help with the details to make sure I buy correctly. I would like to purchase a Coleman Mach15 air conditioner along with a new ceiling unit.
Dear Buddy,
If you're purchasing a ceiling package with a thermostat and control all you need to do is order it with a heat strip.
If you're trying to match your wall thermostat you will need model and serial number of your current unit to order a compatible A/C unit and ceiling package with heat strip.
Want to stay informed of when this Q&A page is updated next with new postings? Select this link: "Notify" or visit our Notify Page listed on the navigation map found further below.
Do you have a question for RV Advice?
BEFORE you send your email question(s) to Pete read this section FIRST:
1. EXTREMELY IMPORTANT NOTE: Email is answered "first in, first out". When you send your email realize there are other emails ahead of yours to be answered. Expect 30 days (or longer) , to receive a reply. If you need your answer sooner, don't write. We are not retired, we have a business, life happens, so backups occur. Our answers are short and to the point, do not expect us to reply with a "book" or details you can find from a book. Thank you for understanding.
2. You must type your email address correctly. Example: johndoe @msn.com is WRONG. Example: johndoe@msn,com is WRONG. Forms without email addresses submitted properly are deleted without being read. We're using scripts so there are no exceptions to this.
3. Poorly typed E-mail will be DELETED. We don't want to hurt anyone's feelings but poorly typed letters are not answered.
4. Letters in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS (shouter email) will be DELETED. It is too hard on our eyes to read.
5. And/or if you want feed back from other RVers, DON'T use the form below, instead visit our Public Message Board and post your question(s) directly and be sure to visit our Q&A RV FAQs page to see if the answer you're looking for is not already posted on that page.
Also, we do not accept or send email attachments.
