Results for "12v lighting"

General Hard 45-60 min 177 👍 0

How to Remove Firefly RV Control Panel: Complete DIY Guide (2024)

Our 2019 Fleetwood Discovery LXE has a malfunctioning Firefly multiplex control panel that needs to be completely removed. I've been putting this off for months because I keep hearing horror stories about people cracking their panels or damaging the surrounding woodwork during removal.

I need to access the back of the unit for some electrical work, but I'm honestly terrified of breaking something expensive. The panel seems to be mounted flush with no obvious screws or clips visible from the front. I've searched everywhere but can't find a complete walkthrough that covers the preparation, actual removal process, and how to get everything back together properly.

Can someone please provide a detailed DIY guide that covers all the steps? I'm willing to take my time and do this right - I just need to know the proper technique so I don't end up with a broken control panel or damaged wall. …more

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Electrical Easy 30 minutes 173 👍 0

RV 12V Lights Dimming: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

My neighbor insists it's the converter, the RV dealer swears it's bad wiring, and every YouTube video claims it's a dying battery—but my 12V ceiling lights keep dimming! One evening they're blazing bright like a casino, the next morning they're giving off all the enthusiasm of a sleepy firefly.

I've already checked my batteries, and they seem to be charging fine and in good shape. The converter is still humming and its fan is running normally. I'm pretty sure this isn't some fancy mood lighting feature I accidentally activated (though knowing my tech skills, anything's possible). The dimming seems totally random - sometimes they're fine, sometimes they look like they're on their last legs.

I've got a basic multimeter that I pretend to know how to use, but I'm not sure where to even start poking around. As a bonus weirdness, some of my under-cabinet light switches and the wall switch for the ceiling lights are getting really hot. Anyone know what typically causes this whole disco light show situation with 12V lighting systems? …more

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Appliances Medium 3-4 hours 146 👍 0

Installing a Rear Camera on Your Fifth Wheel RV: Complete Guide

I spent way too much time backing into spots blind, so I grabbed my tools and I'm ready to install a rear camera system on my fifth wheel myself — just need to know the best place to start. I keep hearing horror stories about people drilling holes in the wrong spots or having wiring issues that cause leaks or electrical problems.

I'm torn between wireless and wired systems - which is actually safer to install? And I'm terrified about where to mount the camera without damaging my RV's structure or creating water intrusion issues. Should it go at the top center or would a corner placement be less risky?

I've been looking at brands like Furrion, Haloview, and Rear View Safety, but I need to know which ones are most reliable and forgiving for a cautious DIYer. Most importantly, how do I run cables safely without creating new holes that could leak? Are there existing entry points I should use instead?

(Note: Can you share details about your current fifth wheel and any existing camera/monitoring setup?) …more

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Best RV Awnings & Accessories

4.5 (7,600 reviews)

Electrical Hard Professional installation 117 👍 0

48V RV Electrical Systems: Complete Guide to Modern RV Power Upgrades and Efficiency

Tried upgrading my RV's electrical system but I'm standing in the supply store staring at 12V versus 48V components with zero clue what I actually need. The Bluetti RV5 caught my eye as an all-in-one solution that might make the jump easier.

But honestly, I'm still on the fence. What are the real benefits of going 48V? Is it actually that much better than sticking with 12V lithium? And are there any gotchas I should know about, especially with solar integration and getting everything certified for RV use? …more

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General Medium N/A - shopping 115 👍 0

Best RV GPS Systems with Integrated Dashcam and Backup Camera Display for Safe Travel

Halfway through backing out of my campsite this morning I spotted my dashboard cluttered with three separate screens for GPS, dashcam, and backup camera.

I've been looking around but I'm not sure if fully integrated systems like this actually exist, or if I should be thinking about this differently. Would love some guidance from more experienced folks - are there good options out there, or am I better off going a different route? Thanks for any help! …more

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Plumbing Medium 3-4 hours 115 👍 0

Atwood GC6AA-10E Replacement Guide: Compatible Water Heaters & Installation Tips

Atwood GC6AA-10E water heater finally died after 18 years and I need a direct replacement that'll bolt right into the same cutout without modifications. Every RV parts site shows different "compatible" models and I'm not confident any of them actually fit. What drops right in? …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 3-4 hours 114 👍 0

Can You Remove an RV Inverter Charger Without Replacement? (Yes, Here'

Called three RV supply shops about replacing my failed Xantrex inverter/charger in my 2001 Fleetwood Expedition — but do I even need one or just wasting money? Since I never utilize the inverter function and rely exclusively on generator or shore power for 120V loads, I'm evaluating whether complete removal is feasible rather than expensive replacement.

My primary concern is maintaining proper 12V DC charging capabilities for house batteries that power lighting, water pump, and ventilation systems. Would installing a standalone battery charger provide adequate charging and maintenance functionality? Are there any critical system integration issues I need to address, particularly regarding power transfer switching between shore power and generator sources? …more

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Propane Medium 2-3 hours 113 👍 0

Suburban RV Furnace Won't Work on Shore Power - Complete Fix Guide

Around midnight in the RV parts aisle staring at furnace components with no clue why my 2016 Heartland Bighorn's Suburban furnace acts totally different on shore power versus battery. When I'm running off battery power, the thing works like a champ - fires up, heats great, cycles on and off perfectly.

But the second I plug into shore power? It's like the furnace forgets how to do its job. It'll run for about 4 minutes, never actually produce heat, then shut off and lock out until I reset everything. The only way to get it working again is to disconnect shore power and cycle the battery.

I'm wondering if this is some kind of converter problem? Like maybe it's sending the wrong voltage to the furnace control board when on shore power? Has anyone run into this before and know what voltage levels I should be checking? …more

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Electrical Medium Planning exercise 110 👍 0

RV Generator Size Calculator: Solar vs Gas Generator Power Needs for Your Camper

Woke up to my Aliner classic's power system working perfectly in 60°F weather, but now that it's 85°F outside I'm drowning in solar versus gas generator confusion. Coming from a Rialta with a built-in generator where I just added some solar panels, I'm now starting from scratch with just one 88Ah lead acid battery and need to figure out the most practical setup for my boondocking needs.

My power requirements are pretty straightforward - laptop, house lights, furnace for overnight heating, and the occasional use of my 1800-watt toaster oven which is really the main power challenge. In my previous RV, I had 160Ah of lead acid batteries with a 100W solar panel that handled everything except the toaster oven, which required firing up the generator. I'm considering adding 200W of solar panels to this setup.

Here's where I'm getting confused: I've been looking at 2000-2500 watt generators with minimum 1900 running watts, but I heard you shouldn't run more than 80% of the running watts capacity, which would mean I need about 2300 running watts just to safely operate my 1800W toaster oven. Is that calculation correct? Alternatively, I'm wondering if I could skip the generator entirely and run the toaster oven off a large battery bank with a proper inverter - but I have no idea how much battery capacity that would require or if it's even practical. What's the most cost-effective approach for someone who primarily needs reliable power for essential loads but occasionally wants to use higher-wattage cooking appliances? …more

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Engine Easy Informational 106 👍 0

RV Residential Fridge Battery Drain: Generator Usage in Hot Weather Explained

My 2017 Pace Arrow 38B's residential fridge is forcing me to choose between running the generator nonstop or risking food spoilage during Phoenix boondocking in 80-degree heat.

I splurged on new AGM batteries just a few months ago, so these babies are practically still in diapers. But every morning I'm waking up to dead batteries like some sort of RV Groundhog Day nightmare. I have to fire up the engine just to get the generator going again!

So here's my million-dollar question: Is my power-hungry residential fridge just being a normal drama queen in this Phoenix heat, or did I somehow get cursed with defective batteries? I'm starting to wonder if running the generator twice daily is just the price I pay for having cold beer and ice cream in the desert, or if there's actually something wrong with my setup. Help a confused RVer out! …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 2-4 hours 106 👍 0

How to Fix Thor Daybreak RV Parasitic Battery Drain & Electrical Circuit Problems

Three days before our family reunion road trip and my 2012 Thor Daybreak's battery keeps dying overnight with these crazy electrical issues. Battery keeps going dead and I'm pulling about half an amp even when everything should be off. Here's the weird part - when I mess with the instrument panel dimmer switch, the parasitic draw actually changes! Goes from like .12 to .45 amps depending on the setting.

Plus a bunch of my lights decided to quit working all at once - tail lights, running lights, license plate light, the works. But other stuff like headlights and turn signals are fine. The whole thing seems connected somehow since it all happened around the same time.

I can stop the drain by pulling a couple specific fuses (the instrument cluster one and the body builder 12V feed), but obviously that's not a real fix. Ford dealer has had it for weeks and they're stumped. Anyone dealt with this kind of multiple circuit weirdness on a Daybreak before? …more

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Best RV Refrigerators

4.3 (9,200 reviews)

Propane Hard 4-6 hours 105 👍 0

Suburban SW6P Water Heater Tank Replacement: Why You Need a Complete Unit

Planning what I thought would be a simple fix for minor rust in my Suburban SW6P pilot light water heater, but now metal chunks pour out every flush. The rust is definitely coming from inside the tank.

Before I go dropping cash on a whole new unit, I'm wondering - is it possible to just swap out the tank itself? Like, can I buy just the tank part and keep my existing housing and all the fittings? And if so, where the heck would I even find a replacement tank for this thing?

Really hoping I don't have to replace the entire water heater, but I'm not sure what my options are here. Anyone dealt with this before? …more

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Electrical Easy Informational 105 👍 0

RV Battery Disconnect Switch Problems: Why Salesman Switches Fail

Since following that popular YouTube fix for my Thor Outlaw's battery drain, the salesman switch "solution" turned my minor electrical issue into a complete nightmare. Despite being marketed as a battery disconnect, this switch fails to eliminate parasitic draw completely while simultaneously disconnecting the batteries from the charging system when on shore power.

The design creates a problematic scenario: batteries continue draining through various circuits even when 'disconnected,' but they cannot receive charge from the converter. This results in dead batteries after extended storage periods, particularly when parked indoors where solar charging is unavailable.

I'm experiencing about a 50% probability of completely dead batteries, where they're disconnected from the converter and lack sufficient power to even reconnect to the charging system. The indicator light provides no reliable signal about the switch's actual position, making it impossible to track battery connection status.

What are the most effective solutions for addressing this flawed disconnect system? Are there proven workarounds that other Thor Outlaw owners have implemented, or should I be looking at bypassing this switch entirely? …more

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General Easy 2-3 hours research and listing time 103 👍 0

Should I Sell My Atwood Level Legs Parts or Trade to BigFoot?

During our budget planning for the BigFoot upgrade, my wife casually asked why we're dropping $8k when our Atwood level legs could probably fetch decent trade-in value. My '06 Pace Arrow 38L has Atwood Level Legs that keep failing despite previous repairs, so I'm planning to upgrade to BigFoot Levelers for about $8k.

The BigFoot installer said he'd take my old Atwood system but wouldn't give me any credit - he'd just fix them up and sell the parts himself. He offered to give them back to me instead, but actually discouraged me from trying to sell them myself. This has me worried - is he trying to lowball me, or is selling RV leveling parts really that difficult and risky?

I'm concerned I might make a costly mistake either way. Are Atwood parts actually valuable enough that I should keep them and deal with selling myself, even though I don't know much about these systems? Or should I just let BigFoot take them to avoid the hassle and potential headaches? …more

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Electrical Medium 1-2 hours 102 👍 0

Ford F53 Chassis Marker Light Problems: Complete RV Troubleshooting Guide

Nobody wants to deal with the same front marker light issues on their 2013 Forest River Georgetown 377XL's Ford F53 chassis every single camping season.

The lights work sometimes but not others, and I can't figure out the pattern. I've already checked fuses and replaced the bulbs, but I'm hesitant to start pulling apart wiring without knowing what I'm doing. I keep reading about electrical problems getting worse if you don't fix them right, and I really don't want to create a bigger issue.

What are the most likely causes for intermittent marker light failures on F53 chassis? I'm hoping there's a systematic way to troubleshoot this without risking damage to the electrical system. …more

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