Results for "12v-systems"

Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 133 👍 0

Norcold 1210 Not Cooling: No Error Codes Troubleshooting Guide

During my morning RV check I spotted my Norcold 1210 completely dead with zero cooling that was running perfectly yesterday with no error codes. Unit appears to be operating normally with no error codes displayed, but it's not cooling properly. Interior temperature is staying above 50 degrees. Thermistor has been tested and checks out fine. What else should I look at? …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 45 minutes 126 👍 0

Dometic 12V Refrigerator Not Cooling on Battery Power - Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Staring at my Dometic DMC compressor refrigerator that runs perfectly on 12V DC when it's cool but stops cooling completely once temperatures hit 85°F or higher. The unit works perfectly when I'm plugged into shore power at campgrounds - everything stays cold and the freezer compartment keeps items frozen solid. However, when I'm boondocking and running solely on my RV's battery bank, the performance drops significantly. The refrigerator struggles to maintain proper temperatures, and the freezer can't keep things frozen.

I have a relatively new battery setup with what should be adequate capacity for my power needs. The batteries test fine with a multimeter when the refrigerator isn't running, but I'm wondering if there's something I'm missing about power requirements or electrical connections. I've heard that 12V compressor refrigerators can be pretty demanding on battery systems, but I'm not sure what specific issues to look for.

What are the most common causes when a 12V Dometic compressor refrigerator works fine on shore power but fails to cool properly when running on batteries? I want to troubleshoot this systematically before calling in a technician. …more

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Propane Medium 45 minutes 118 👍 0

RV Gas Detector Beeps Every Minute at Night - How to Fix

Before my wife mentioned it, I had no idea our RV gas detector was beeping every single minute from 7PM to 7AM—now it's driving me absolutely crazy. It only does this during nighttime hours - never during the day. I'm plugged into shore power with 4 batteries (2 coach, 2 engine). What would cause this specific timing pattern? Is it actually detecting gas or is something else going on with the detector itself? …more

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Best RV Propane Accessories

4.5 (11,200 reviews)

Appliances Hard 8-16 hours 113 👍 0

Entegra Odyssey 26M Murphy Bed Couch Replacement and Ground Clearance Upgrade

Our 2022 Entegra Odyssey 26M's Murphy bed couch just completely failed at 11 PM and we desperately need a replacement solution before family arrives tomorrow morning. What if I could swap out that murphy bed couch for some fancy theater seats? I'm picturing myself reclining in luxury while Netflix loads at dial-up speeds thanks to campground wifi.

But here's where my engineering expertise (aka zero knowledge) kicks in - can theater seats even work with a murphy bed setup? Do the backs need to come off or fold down? And while I'm dreaming big, I'd also love to get a couple more inches of ground clearance so I stop scraping on every driveway entrance like I'm driving a lowrider.

Am I asking for the impossible, or is there actually a way to make this couch-to-theater-seat transformation happen? And what's the least complicated way to get this thing sitting a bit higher off the ground? …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 4-6 hours 107 👍 0

RV 3-Way to 12V Compressor Fridge Replacement: Cut Power Use 80%

Three weeks into owning this RV and the previous owner left me with a power-hungry Norcold 3-way absorption fridge that's absolutely demolishing my 600AH battery bank daily.

I keep hearing people rave about switching to 12V compressor fridges like the Dometic DMC4101, claiming they'll solve all my power woes. But here's the thing - everyone says "it uses way less power" but nobody gives me actual numbers! I need the cold hard facts: exactly how much power will I save making this switch? Will it really make that big of a difference, or am I just trading one expensive problem for another?

Please tell me someone has real-world experience with the power consumption difference between these fridge types! …more

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Solar Batteries Hard 4-6 hours 106 👍 0

MagnaSine MS2012 Inverter Replacement Guide - Best Upgrade Options 202

About my 2007 Fleetwood Bounder: the MagnaSine MS2012 manual claims it should handle my loads perfectly, but this inverter keeps failing on me anyway. It's been acting up for months now - the microwave keeps causing it to hiccup and shut off, then it comes right back on. I know it's only going to get worse from here.

I've been looking at upgrading to something more reliable, maybe a Victron or another brand, but I'm honestly overwhelmed by all the options out there. What are the best replacement inverters that other RVers have had success with? I just want something that's going to work consistently without all these random shutdowns.

Before I spend a bunch of money though, could this actually be a battery issue instead of the inverter itself? I'd hate to replace a perfectly good unit if the real problem is somewhere else in the system. …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 30 minutes 106 👍 0

RV Refrigerator Ammonia Smell: Leak Repair & Safety Guide

Last spring when I opened up my RV for the first camping trip, that same overwhelming ammonia stench hit me the moment I cracked open the refrigerator door. It seems to be getting worse and I can smell it throughout the coach now. I'm scared this might be some kind of refrigerant leak but I'm not sure.

Is it safe to keep using the refrigerator? Should I be concerned about health risks from breathing this in? I don't want to make the situation worse or put my family in danger. What should I do immediately to stay safe? …more

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Electrical Medium 3-4 hours 104 👍 0

Sony VCB-62MH RV Camera Monitor Replacement: Complete Installation Guide for RV Coaches

Already cleared my Saturday schedule to swap out this Sony VCB-62MH RV camera monitor — what tools and prep work should I have ready beforehand? The Sony VCB-62MH rear view camera monitor in my 2008 Phaeton finally died, and of course Sony doesn't make them anymore. I've been searching everywhere for a replacement but everything I find is either way too big for the existing dash opening or doesn't work with the Sony cameras that are still perfectly fine.

I really don't want to replace the entire camera system - that would cost a fortune and the cameras work great. I just need the monitor replaced. Has anyone successfully found a workaround that reuses the existing Sony cameras and wiring? I'd love to keep the automatic switching feature for the side cameras when using turn signals if possible, but at this point I just need something that works and fits in the dash opening. …more

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Ac Refrigeration Hard 4-6 hours 102 👍 0

Samsung RF18 Refrigerator Installation Guide: Bounder 35E RV Door Opening Dimensions

Apparently I'm tackling my Samsung RF18 residential refrigerator install in my Bounder 35E this Saturday — what measurements and prep work do I need ready for the door opening? I've measured the door opening and it's just barely larger than 24.5 inches at the narrowest point, and Samsung lists the RF18 at exactly 24.5" wide with doors removed.

I'm worried I might get the refrigerator delivered and then find out it won't actually fit, or worse - damage something trying to force it through. Has anyone successfully done this installation? I know some people remove windows for residential fridge installations, but I really don't want to go that route if I can avoid it. The measurements seem so close that I'm concerned about whether this is actually feasible or if I'm setting myself up for a costly mistake. …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 93 👍 0

Everchill 12V Fridge Not Cooling But Freezer Works - Fix

The freezer in my 2024 Jayco Eagle's Everchill 12V fridge works perfectly, but I'm tackling the non-cooling fridge section this Saturday — what should I check first? The Everchill 12V four-door refrigerator/freezer unit has developed what seems to be a common problem - the freezer compartment is working perfectly and maintaining proper temperatures, but the refrigerator section has completely stopped cooling.

I've verified that the internal fan is running normally, so it's not a power issue. The unit gets power, the controls light up, and I can hear it cycling on and off as expected. However, despite the fan running and the freezer working fine, the fridge compartment just won't get cold anymore. This seems like it happened suddenly rather than gradually losing cooling capacity.

I've read online that this is a known issue with these Everchill units, but I'm not sure what specifically causes the freezer to work while the fridge fails. What are the most likely culprits when you have this exact symptom pattern, and what should I check first to diagnose whether it's something I can fix myself or if I need to call for warranty service? …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 1 hour inspection 90 👍 0

Norcold RV Refrigerator Fire Hazard: Complete Prevention Guide & Safety Tips

Standing in my flooded RV after last week's torrential downpour, I'm realizing my Norcold double door refrigerator might be one electrical surge away from turning this whole rig into a bonfire. I've discovered a concerning burn mark that suggests serious heat distribution issues, particularly around the chimney and heat diverter placement.

I'm trying to figure out if this is one of those real risks from the previous class action lawsuit or just an RV urban legend. After the factory modifications following the lawsuit, which installed a thermal overheat switch, I'm still worried about the fundamental design - specifically how the heat diverter seems to direct heat toward the cabinet wall.

What exactly causes these fire risks, and more importantly, what can I actually DO about it? The fix seems to involve removing the fridge and installing heat protection on the cabinet wall. I've heard whispers about recalls and some prevention methods, but I want concrete steps to ensure my RV doesn't become a potential fire hazard.

Any guidance on real prevention steps would be amazing - I'd rather not explain to my insurance company why my vacation home spontaneously combusted! …more

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Best RV Surge Protectors

4.6 (14,200 reviews)

Engine Medium 2-3 hours 89 👍 0

Onan 7000 Generator Low Voltage to Fuel Pump: Complete Repair Guide

Our Onan 7000 Marquis generator is hitting us with low voltage to the fuel pump for the third time this season and I'm done with guessing games. When I check the voltage at the fuel pump, I'm only getting 9V instead of 12V, and surprise surprise - it won't start. But here's the kicker - if I jump 12V directly to the pump, the thing fires right up and runs like a champ.

Obviously there's a voltage drop happening somewhere between the control board and the fuel pump, but I'm not sure where to start looking. Could be corroded connections, maybe the control board itself is going bad, or some wiring issue in the fuel pump circuit? Anyone dealt with this before and know the most common culprits? …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 89 👍 0

Dometic RV Fridge Won't Ignite Gas Mode: Quick Fix Guide

Pulled out my entire toolbox and I'm determined to fix this stubborn Dometic RV fridge that won't ignite in gas mode myself — where should I start? The thing works absolutely flawlessly when it's set to AUTO mode - switches from electric to gas without any issues, ignites on the first try, everything's perfect.

But here's where it gets maddening: the moment I manually switch it to gas mode, it completely refuses to ignite. I can hear the gas valve cycling on and off, but the ignitor just won't fire. It tries a few times then gives up and throws the CHECK light. I've been troubleshooting this for weeks and I'm stumped - why would AUTO mode work perfectly but manual gas mode fail every single time?

I'm really hoping this is something fixable because everything else about this fridge works great. Has anyone experienced this weird AUTO vs manual gas mode issue before? What should I be looking at? …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-4 hours 85 👍 0

Norcold RV Refrigerator Not Cooling Properly: Complete Temperature Troubleshooting Guide

Before the summer heat kicks in, my 20-year-old Norcold absorption refrigerator only stops cooling when it's above 85 degrees outside — works perfectly fine the rest of the time. I've been tracking its performance with a recording thermometer for 5 days.

Here's what I've observed:
- Cooldown takes about 4 hours
- Freezer varies between 0 and 5 degrees
- Every ~24 hours the unit shuts off to defrost, heating to about 20 degrees
- Time to warm from 5 to 20 degrees is around 1.5 hours

I changed the temperature setting from 7 to 5 on day 3, which seemed to affect the temperature. The refrigerator section is hovering between 30 and 35 degrees during this time.

Is this temperature pattern normal for an absorption fridge, or does this sound like something that needs to be fixed? I'd really appreciate some guidance from more experienced RVers about what these temperatures might indicate. …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 1-2 hours 84 👍 0

Coleman Mach AC Leaking Water Inside RV: Complete Troubleshooting Guide to Stop Drips

I'm planning my weekend getaway when I spotted water dripping from my Coleman Mach air conditioner model 49003A879 that definitely wasn't there yesterday. I'm in Myrtle Beach, with super humid conditions (90s with crazy humidity) and getting pea-sized water drops falling from the ceiling vents at maybe 2 drops per minute, which doesn't sound like much but it's making puddles on my floor.

I've been keeping the main ceiling vents mostly closed to push more air to the back of the coach. Climbed up on the roof expecting to find some fancy drain pump or tubing system, but honestly don't see much of anything obvious.

Is this just how these Coleman units work, or am I missing something? Really hoping this isn't a 'deal with it' situation, but wondering if my closed vents are screwing up the airflow or if there's actually a drainage problem I need to fix. …more

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