Results for "air conditioning"

Electrical Medium 2-6 hours 302 👍 4

RV Electrical Problems: 12V & 120V Troubleshooting Guide 2024

Around $500 in parts later — replaced the main breaker, cleaned all connections, checked the transfer switch — my 2007 Holiday Rambler Admiral SE still won't recognize shore power.

I'm pretty sure 110V is making it to the rig since I can measure it, but somewhere between the plug and my appliances, something's not happy. Energy management panel is dark too. What's the logical troubleshooting order here? I keep hearing about transfer switches and breaker panels but honestly don't know where to start without making things worse! …more

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Engine Easy 15 min read 141 👍 0

Remote RV Diesel Fueling: Complete Guide for Campground Fuel Strategies

Last night at 11 PM I'm staring at my diesel RV's fuel gauge showing nearly empty — need to figure out remote campground fuel strategies before we head out this morning. With a 5 gallon Harbor Freight stick transfer pump, I've been able to add fuel when truck stops aren't convenient, but I'm concerned about static electricity risks.

My current setup involves using the pump to transfer diesel with the fuel can on a camping table, since my RV's fuel inlet is located under a slide. I pumped 10 gallons successfully, but I'm wondering about the safety of this method.

I know there are static electricity concerns when transferring fuel, and I'm curious about the specific risks with diesel. How safe is it to transfer fuel when the can isn't directly grounded to concrete? Are there best practices I should follow when manually adding diesel in remote locations? …more

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Engine Easy N/A 133 👍 0

Ford E-350 vs E-450 Chassis: RV Fuel Economy, Power & Weight Capacity

Last weekend I felt this awful engine strain and heard sluggish acceleration sounds while test-driving a 2017 Phoenix Cruiser #2351 with its E-350 chassis and V10 engine. I'll be doing extensive western touring through mountain and plains regions, which means substantial mountain grades and wind challenges. I'm comfortable driving slowly and want to understand two key things: 1) Will this E-350 chassis handle mountain grades without major issues, and 2) What's the real-world fuel consumption like? I plan to do an initial inspection this weekend, followed by a third-party mechanical review. I'm not overly concerned about fuel economy but want to understand the actual performance limitations. I'd appreciate insights from owners who have experience with similar touring conditions on an E-350 chassis. …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 128 👍 0

Dometic RV AC Not Cooling? 5 Common Fixes for Air Conditioner Troubleshooting Guide

Walked out to my RV this morning trying to decide between calling a repair tech or troubleshooting my Dometic Brisk Air rooftop AC myself since it's showing weird operational issues. The compressor engages and fan motor operates normally, but the unit fails to produce cold air output. Temperature differential across the evaporator coil is minimal.

Unit functioned properly through previous cooling season with no apparent issues. Current symptoms include normal airflow volume but inadequate cooling capacity. What systematic diagnostic procedure should I follow to identify the root cause? Looking for a methodical troubleshooting sequence that addresses the most probable failure points in order of likelihood. …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 2-4 hours 113 👍 0

How to Upgrade Your RV Converter Charger for Lithium Batteries with Gentle Care

Halfway through planning our three-week cross-country trip next month, I realized my PD4560 60-amp converter/charger won't properly handle the lithium batteries I'm installing. My existing Progressive Dynamics unit obviously isn't designed for LiFePO4 batteries - I can use boost mode to charge them up, but I know that's not ideal for battery longevity.

I just purchased a 30 amp generator and I'm wondering if it will have enough capacity to handle not just my current charger, but potentially a larger lithium-compatible unit. I'm considering upgrading to a 75 or even 90 amp charger to reduce charging times, but I need to make sure my generator can handle the load. I'm trying to figure out the actual AC amp draw of these higher-capacity chargers and whether my 30 amp generator will be sufficient.

What are the best lithium-compatible converter/charger options that would work with my generator setup, and how do I properly size the charger capacity to match my lithium battery bank? …more

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Slideouts Medium 2-3 hours 108 👍 0

RV Slide Out Water Leak Repair: Complete Guide to Finding & Fixing Leaks in Your RV

Replaced my slide out seals last month but water still keeps pouring in every time it rains — am I missing something obvious here?

I've heard it could be the weatherstripping or seals, but I'm not sure how to inspect them properly or what other things might cause leaks. Could someone walk me through a systematic approach to find and fix slide out water leaks? I'd really appreciate guidance on what to check first and how to go about diagnosing the problem.

While the seals look okay visually, something clearly isn't sealing right when it rains. …more

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Ac Refrigeration Hard 2-4 hours 102 👍 0

How to Add Coleman Mach Heat Strips to RV AC Unit - Heat-Ready Control Box Installation Guide

Tried running my RV's electric heating this winter but it's eating through power way faster than it should, so I'm looking at adding Coleman Mach heat strips. I have a SportTrek Touring 272VRK with two AC units (Coleman-Mach 13.5k BTU and 15k BTU, models 48203-069 and 48204-069) with Cool-Only Control Boxes (model 8330-752) and I'm considering adding Coleman Mach electric heat strips, but I'm worried about a few things.

First, I'm concerned about whether my current AC units are compatible with heat strips - specifically the Coleman Mach 37203-4551 Electric Heat Kit/Strip. I want to confirm this will work with my existing 8330-752 control boxes. Second, I'm worried about the electrical load - I keep reading about heat strips drawing a lot of power and I'm scared of overloading my system or tripping breakers.

Most importantly, I absolutely do NOT want to lose the ability to use my existing Suburban SF-30FQ 30,000 BTU propane furnace - it's my primary heat source and I need that independence. I currently have 9420a381 digital thermostats controlling these systems, and I want to ensure I can maintain my current setup.

Is there a way to safely add Coleman Mach heat strips using some kind of Heat-Ready Control Box without compromising my furnace operation? I just want some reassurance that this can be done properly without creating problems. …more

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General Easy 15 minutes to verify 87 👍 0

Southwire EMS Built-in vs External Surge Protector: Do You Need Both?

Opened my 2022 Holiday Rambler 38N DP and discovered it's eating through surge protectors way faster than normal, despite having the built-in Southwire system. Dealer says I might not need an external surge protector like a Watchdog since it's already built in.

Does a built-in Southwire surge guard provide the same protection as a standalone EMS unit? Should I still install an external surge protector or is the built-in system sufficient? Want to make sure I have proper protection without buying unnecessary equipment. …more

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Ac Refrigeration Easy Varies 85 👍 0

How to Stop RV Windshield Condensation: Complete Prevention Guide

Between running my AC constantly or relying on fans and ventilation to stop windshield condensation in my 31-foot Class A during Naples' brutal 89% humidity. Experiencing persistent exterior windshield condensation at 5:15 AM, while side windows and rear bedroom window remain clear. Recently modified ventilation by closing all four interior AC roof vents to test temperature regulation effects.

Condensation appears as moderate moisture accumulation on windshield exterior surface, with minimal condensation on some side windows. This occurs during typical Florida morning conditions with significant temperature differential between nighttime glass surface and ambient air humidity levels.

Require systematic approach to eliminate both interior and exterior condensation formation. What are the most effective methods to prevent windshield fogging through humidity control, ventilation management, and thermal barriers? Need technical solutions that address root causes rather than temporary fixes. …more

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Engine Medium 30 minutes 85 👍 0

Ford F53 460 Engine Timing Marks: How to Locate and Check (Step-by-Step Guide)

About to drop serious cash on a used Class A motorhome with a Ford F53 460 engine — should I check those timing marks myself or am I asking for trouble? Where exactly are the timing marks located? I can see the harmonic balancer but having trouble spotting the marks and pointer. What's the best way to make them visible and actually read them with a timing light? …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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Propane Medium 4 hours 84 👍 0

Suburban SF-30 Furnace Replacement: Complete Unit vs Core Guide for RV Owners

Somewhere between our freezing mountain trip last month and now, my 2002 Born Free's SF-30 furnace died completely and I'm torn between replacing the core versus the whole unit. I believe it's a Suburban SF-30 model. I've been doing some research and see there are two options - I can buy a complete furnace replacement or just get a replacement core that supposedly slides into the existing SF-30 housing for about half the price.

I'm honestly not sure which route to go. The cost savings on the core is tempting, but I don't want to make the wrong choice and end up with more problems. As someone who's still learning about RV maintenance, would you recommend getting the complete unit or would the core replacement work just as well? Any guidance would be really appreciated! …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-4 hours 82 👍 0

Advent RV Air Conditioner Not Cooling? Complete KoolRV Adapter Fix Guide

Around 6 AM I walked out to my fifth wheel and spotted my Advent air conditioner running but barely pushing any cool air through the vents. I replaced my old Coleman AC with an Advent, mainly due to price, but I'm not getting good cooling during the heat of the day. I've found that opening the slide vents on the ceiling cover helps a bit.

I'm considering using a KoolRV adapter like I had with my previous Coleman, but no adapter currently exists for the Advent. I've noticed the cold air discharge opening is located in the corner instead of the center, which I think is causing air turbulence and restricting duct airflow.

My main concern is whether restricting the airflow too much could cause problems like freezing up or other damage to the AC system. I've also seen that installing these adapters involves removing some kind of dividing wall inside the unit, but I don't understand why that's necessary.

Could someone explain if there are risks to restricting airflow and why that dividing wall needs to be removed? I want to make sure I understand what I'm getting into before I try any modifications. Right now, it's starting to cool down here in the Everglades, but I still want to improve my cooling performance. Thanks for any guidance! …more

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Electrical Easy 30 minutes 82 👍 0

How to Test and Replace RV Propane Gas Detectors: Complete Safety Guide for RV Owners

Since I moved into my 21 year old RV, I discovered the previous owner left the propane gas detectors in terrible shape and now I'm paranoid about potential leaks. I've updated my RV with a new hardwired 12-volt combination carbon monoxide/gas detector with battery backup in the bedroom, but I want to be extra sure.

My detector seems to work when I hit the test button, but honestly I'm not 100% sure that's really testing if it would catch actual propane.

Is there a safe way to test these things with actual gas? And while I'm asking - how often should I be replacing the detector itself? Mine's probably ancient and I have no idea if these things go bad over time. Also wondering if where I mounted it matters - seen some people put them up high, others down low. …more

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Plumbing Medium 45 minutes 80 👍 0

Newmar Bay Star 3826 Black Tank Vent Pipe Routing: Complete RV Location Guide

This dangerous sewer smell is seeping into my Newmar Bay Star 3826 where my kids are sleeping—could the black tank vent pipe routing be putting my family at risk? I can trace the half bath black tank vent line running through or adjacent to the electrical cabinet area, but I require confirmation of this routing.

The rear bathroom black tank vent pathway is less apparent during my inspection. I need to identify where this vent line routes from the tank connection point up to the roof termination. Understanding both vent pipe locations is critical for proper system maintenance and troubleshooting potential blockage issues. …more

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