Results for "contact ring"

Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 169 👍 0

Monaco Diplomat Rear Air Suspension Won't Dump Fully - Troubleshooting Guide

Last week my 2006 Monaco Diplomat's rear air bags started refusing to dump all the way down when I hit the air dump before leveling. The front dumps fine, but the back stays partially inflated.

I'm still pretty new to RV maintenance and not sure where to start troubleshooting this. Should I be hearing air escaping when I activate the dump? What are the most common causes when rear air bags won't dump completely? Any guidance on what to check would be really appreciated! …more

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Electrical Medium 30 min read 131 👍 0

RV DC Electrical System: Expert Guide to 12 Volt Systems

Opened my RV this morning to find the 12V system going haywire — lights dimming randomly, fans slowing down, and the inverter shutting off despite full batteries.

Specifically, I need to understand the fundamentals of RV batteries - different types, proper sizing, charging requirements, and maintenance. I'm also confused about DC wiring best practices, what gauge wire to use for different applications, how to properly route and protect circuits, and where fuses and breakers should go. Voltage monitoring is another area where I'm lost - I see all these battery monitors and don't know what I actually need or how to interpret the readings.

I'm also planning some system upgrades down the road like adding solar or upgrading to lithium batteries, so I'd love to understand how all these components work together and what I need to consider for future modifications. Is there a comprehensive resource that covers all aspects of RV DC electrical systems from batteries and wiring through monitoring and upgrades? …more

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Engine Medium 2-4 hours (including dealer visit) 112 👍 0

Ford F53 Motorhome Key Programming Guide: Security Features & Programming Tips

Apparently my 2008 Ford F53 motorhome is 16 years old and starting to have key programming issues — should I attempt DIY programming or call a locksmith? I just dropped $176 on two new transponder keys for my 2024 Windsport 34R (2022 F53 chassis) because I only had one set and didn't want to get locked out in the middle of nowhere wearing my pajamas and fuzzy slippers (again).

The Ford dealer quoted me another $140-170 to program these fancy chip keys, insisting I'd need to haul my 35-foot house-on-wheels down there for the programming. But the parts guy said "try them first" - and wouldn't you know it, both keys fired right up without any programming!

So what's the deal here? Are these unprogrammed transponder keys going to mysteriously stop working next Tuesday? Did I just dodge a bullet, or am I missing out on some important anti-theft features that actually matter? I'm feeling pretty smug about saving that programming fee, but also slightly paranoid that my motorhome might strand me at the worst possible moment! …more

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Best RV Refrigerators

4.3 (9,200 reviews)

Appliances Medium 60 minutes 101 👍 0

MaxxAir Fan Shuts Off During Shower? Quick Sensor Fix Guide

Our MaxxAir fan keeps shutting off every time someone showers, so we're trying to decide between replacing the rain sensor or just living with it. The rain sense is turned off on the remote, but it still happens. After it closes, the remote won't control it anymore until I manually open the vent with the knob on the unit itself.

Is this a moisture sensor problem or rain sensor malfunction? What's the typical fix for this issue? …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 98 👍 0

Onan 5500 Generator Shuts Down Under Load: Troubleshooting Guide

Onan 5500 runs perfectly at idle but kills itself within 30 seconds of turning on the AC. Been fine for years and suddenly can't handle any real load. Fuel filter is new, oil is fresh, and it starts right up every time — just dies the moment I ask it to actually work. …more

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Engine Medium 3-4 hours 97 👍 0

Cummins ISL Code 1896: EGR Valve Controller Gaskets & Repair

About to drop $2,800 on my Cummins ISL throwing code 1896 for EGR valve controller out of calibration and wondering if I can tackle this myself. Planning to pull and clean the EGR valve controller to see if that clears it up.

Do I need to order replacement gaskets before I start this job? Want to make sure I have everything on hand before I tear into it. …more

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Exterior Easy 15 minutes 94 👍 0

How to Replace Your RV Door Awning Motor Cap: Step-by-Step Guide

I tried getting answers about my RV sideswipe damage but my insurance adjuster says it's totaled, three body shops say fixable, and forums are completely split. The coward took off at the highway exit before I could get his plates. Damage is to the bay doors and right front corner cap area - looks pretty ugly but the RV is still drivable. Police never showed up despite multiple calls over 4 hours of waiting. Already filed with insurance and sent photos, but I'm wondering what I should be looking for beyond the obvious visible damage. This is my first accident in 8 years of RVing and I'm stressed about hidden issues I might miss. Any advice on what to inspect or document before the adjuster comes out? …more

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Appliances Medium 45 minutes 91 👍 0

Glendinning Power Cord Reel Problems: 2020+ Model Reliability Issues &

The neighbor's 2020 Glendinning power cord reel works flawlessly while mine keeps having slip ring connection failures despite the supposed dielectric grease fix. I'm looking at their newer post-2020 units but still concerned about long-term reliability issues that plagued earlier models.

Should I trust the updated slip ring design or go with their Cable Master bucket system instead? The Cable Master uses a bucket to house the wound-up power cord, which eliminates the slip ring issue, but the bay with the Transfer Switch might be too small for my specific setup.

Need to know if the 2020+ models actually solved the connection problems or if I should stick with the more reliable bucket design despite the potential space constraints. …more

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Electrical Medium 1-2 hours 89 👍 0

RV PEX Plumbing Fittings Guide: Crimp vs SharkBite vs FIP Connections Explained

Got what's probably a dumb question, but why do I have like three different types of PEX fittings in my RV and which ones should I actually be using for repairs? The current setup has what I believe are crimp rings on the PEX lines, but I'm seeing different types of fittings available and I'm confused about which approach is best for a DIY repair.

I've been looking at compression fittings, push-to-connect options like SharkBite, and traditional crimp rings, but I'm not sure which system actually works with RV PEX plumbing. Some of my connections are also threaded at the water pump and manifold areas, and I keep seeing references to FIP connections but I'm not entirely clear on what that means in the context of RV plumbing.

What's the difference between these connection types for RV PEX systems, and which option would be easiest for someone doing their own plumbing repairs? I want to make sure I'm using the right fittings and tools before I start tearing into my water system. …more

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Engine Medium 1-3 hours 87 👍 0

How to Fix Onan QD3200 Diesel Generator Fuel Leak Behind Air Filter

According to Murphy's Law, my Onan QD3200 generator is doing something bizarre — it's leaking diesel fuel from behind the air filter instead of where you'd normally expect fuel leaks. The fuel appears to be coming from somewhere behind the air filter box, and I'm worried about making things worse if I don't diagnose this properly. I've shut everything down for now because I'm nervous about safety issues.

I need to know the safest way to trace where this leak is actually coming from without creating a fire hazard or damaging anything. What are the most likely culprits in that area, and what's the proper procedure to identify the exact source? I want to make sure I approach this methodically rather than just poking around and potentially making the problem worse. …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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Best RV Water Heaters

4.4 (6,800 reviews)

Solar Batteries Medium 2-4 hours 81 👍 0

How to Use DC/DC Charger for RV Chassis Battery Winter Storage Maintenance Guide

Leaving the RV in storage for five months over winter and worried about the chassis battery dying again. Last year I came back to a completely dead battery and had to get a jump. Looking into DC/DC chargers connected to a trickle charger setup but not sure about the wiring. …more

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Engine Hard 2-4 hours 80 👍 0

Onan QG5500 Generator Power Drop: Complete Troubleshooting Guide & Fixes for RV Owners

Wondering why my Onan QG5500 is eating through fuel like crazy but barely putting out enough power to run my AC anymore? My Onan QG5500 generator was working great earlier today - had about 1500 watts running with the AC on a hot afternoon. I shut it down for about an hour, and when I fired it back up, it's only putting out around 400 watts now.

I checked the obvious stuff like circuit breakers and they all look fine. The generator is still running, but something is clearly wrong with the power output. I'm not sure what could cause such a sudden drop or even where I should start troubleshooting. Could this be an electrical issue? Any ideas on what might have failed and how I can figure out what's wrong? …more

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Engine Medium 1 hour 80 👍 0

Ford 7.3 Godzilla Starter Relay Location: Fix Stuck Starter Issues in

Finally found the starter relay for my 2022 RV's Ford 7.3 Godzilla engine that keeps staying engaged after startup — but will replacing it actually solve this? This has occurred multiple times and appears to be triggering crankshaft sensor errors, putting the vehicle into limp mode.

Diagnostics point to a faulty starter relay or incomplete grounding in the circuit. Need to locate the starter relay in the Ford 7.3 Godzilla to test and replace if necessary. Where exactly is this relay positioned, and what are the typical failure patterns for this specific issue on the 2022 model year? …more

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours 79 👍 0

How to Fix Generac RV Generator Oil Leaks After Breather Hose Replacement Guide

Looked like a simple breather hose replacement on my Generac RV generator, but ever since I finished the job, oil has been leaking everywhere. I replaced the cracked original-style breather hose with a new version that now includes an elbow and short extension inside the air filter housing. While the hose replacement definitely helped reduce the oil drip, I'm still seeing some persistent leakage underneath the unit.

The new hose design appears to be an upgrade from Generac, with the uphill extension meant to help oil sucked from the crankcase run back down into the engine. I'm hoping this will further minimize the drip issue. I want to make sure I'm not missing something obvious before I take it to a repair shop. Has anyone else experienced similar issues with their Generac generator's breather tube? Any guidance on troubleshooting would be really appreciated. …more

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