Results for "tank exchange"

Plumbing Medium 2-3 hours 127 👍 0

RV Black Tank Not Holding Full Capacity: 7 Common Causes and DIY Repair Solutions

Somewhere between embarrassed and desperate, I have to ask this probably dumb question: why does my RV's black tank act full when it should hold way more? We have a 40-gallon black tank, but when I try to fill it with water for cleaning, it starts overflowing through the vent pipe at only 23 gallons. I'm afraid there might be something seriously wrong with the installation or that I could damage the system.

A professional cleaning service said the tank was completely clean with no blockages, so I'm confused about why it won't hold its full capacity. The water is definitely coming out the vent pipe, so I assume that means the vent isn't blocked? I'm hesitant to keep trying things without understanding what's actually causing this - could this be a safety issue or sign of improper installation? What should I be looking for to diagnose this safely? …more

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Propane Medium 45 minutes 95 👍 0

RV Furnace Blowing Cold Air? Fix Ignition Issues Fast

Staring at my RV furnace blowing cold air at 2 AM with the fan running — desperately need this fixed before morning hits.
I can hear it trying to ignite but it never actually lights. What are the most common causes when a furnace won't ignite? Need to know what components to check and how to diagnose ignition problems myself. …more

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Propane Medium varies by service 78 👍 0

Oasis RV Heater Rebuild: Best Repair Services & DIY Guide 2024

According to my insurance agent, extended RV warranties might not cover my Oasis heater rebuild — should I verify this before starting repairs myself? I can't find the specific ad now - does anyone remember seeing details about a professional Oasis heater rebuild service? Any recommendations would be helpful. Thanks, W.L. …more

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Propane Hard 1-3 hours 74 👍 0

Suburban SF-42Q Furnace Shuts Off After 5-10 Minutes: Troubleshooting

Pulled into camp last night and there's this sharp clicking sound followed by dead silence when my Suburban SF-42Q furnace burner dies after 5-10 minutes. The system attempts to re-ignite several times before giving up and shutting down completely. Cycling power restarts the unit, but the same pattern repeats.

I've verified the sail switch operates correctly and the thermal limit switch shows continuity when cold. The unit starts immediately and heats effectively during those initial minutes before failure. What are the most likely causes for this specific shutdown pattern, and what diagnostic steps should I prioritize to identify whether this is an overheating issue, fuel delivery problem, or control board failure? …more

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Propane Medium 2-3 hours 74 👍 0

How to Fix Suburban SF-42 Furnace Rumble and Backfire Issues

I looked everywhere online for answers but as a first-time RV owner, I'm completely lost why my 2003 Alpine coach's Suburban SF-42 furnace keeps rumbling and backfiring nonstop! This thing fires up fine initially, but then it starts making these awful rumbling sounds and actually backfires through the intake - scared the hell out of me the first time it happened. The worst part is it's not heating worth a damn even though it runs constantly.

I've already cleaned what I could reach and checked for obvious blockages, but I'm wondering if this could be an air-fuel mixture issue? The unit is over 20 years old now, so I'm prepared for the possibility that major components might need replacing. Could this be related to gas pressure problems, or maybe the igniter is going bad and causing delayed ignition? I really need to understand what's actually causing these rumbling and backfire symptoms so I know what to focus on next. …more

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Propane Medium 60 minutes 74 👍 0

RV Furnace Won't Ignite Just Clicks - Troubleshooting Guide

Already spent my RV repair budget this month — is there a way to fix my furnace that just clicks instead of igniting for under $50? The thing keeps making clicking sounds like it's auditioning for a marching band, but refuses to actually ignite and warm up our rolling icebox.

I'm hearing all this clicking and anticipation, like it's really trying its best, but then... nothing. Just cold air and the sound of my dreams of cozy RV evenings slowly dying. Is this a sail switch throwing a tantrum? Bad igniter having an identity crisis? I need some troubleshooting guidance before I resort to wearing all my clothes at once like some kind of mobile marshmallow! …more

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Propane Medium 45 minutes 73 👍 0

Airxcel Furnace Not Working When Thermostat Switched to Heat

Looked everywhere for answers but my 2019 Forest River with an Airxcel furnace won't kick on when I switch the thermostat to heat mode. When I turn the thermostat to heat mode and adjust the temperature setting, absolutely nothing happens - no sounds, no fan activation, no ignition attempts, nothing at all. The unit was working perfectly fine last month during our camping trip, but now it's completely dead when I try to activate it through the thermostat.

I've tried adjusting the temperature settings both higher and lower, checked that the thermostat is properly set to heat mode rather than cool or off, and even tried turning the system off and back on again. The thermostat display appears to be functioning normally and shows the temperature settings I'm selecting, but the furnace itself shows no signs of life whatsoever. I'm wondering if this could be an electrical issue, a propane supply problem, or something with the connections between the thermostat and the furnace unit itself. …more

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Propane Medium 1-2 hours 73 👍 0

RV Furnace Won't Ignite But Blower Runs: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Staring at my 2022 Thor Quantum SE28 furnace after following three YouTube tutorials that somehow made it worse — now it won't ignite despite the blower running perfectly. The unit is getting power and the blower motor kicks on when I call for heat, but I'm not getting any ignition at all - no flame, no heat output. I can hear the blower running strong, so it's definitely getting electrical power, but something in the ignition sequence isn't working.

I've got plenty of propane (3/4 tank) and my stove works fine, so I know gas is flowing to the RV. This is actually the first time I've tried to fire up the furnace this season after it sat unused all summer. The outside vents look clean and I don't see any obvious obstructions, but I'm wondering if there are specific components in the ignition system I should be checking.

What are the most common failure points when you have blower operation but no ignition? I'd like to work through the troubleshooting systematically rather than just throwing parts at it. Are there particular components like switches or igniters that typically cause this symptom? …more

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Propane Medium 2-3 hours 71 👍 0

PrecisionTemp RV550 Water Heater Installation Guide - Complete RV500 Replacement Tips

Old RV500 water heater is on its last legs and the PrecisionTemp RV550 looks like the perfect upgrade — endless hot water, no tank to maintain. But the installation guides I've found online skip over critical details. Need the full picture on what this swap actually involves. …more

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Electrical Medium 30-60 minutes 70 👍 0

Suburban SH-42 Heater Wiring Diagram: Complete Thermostat Connection Guide

Around two days before our two-week camping trip, I discovered my Suburban SH-42 propane heater's new thermostat wiring might be completely wrong. The unit was experiencing starting issues prior to the thermostat replacement, and I want to ensure proper circuit continuity.

What is the correct thermostat wiring configuration for the SH-42, and what is the proper procedure to test the thermostat circuit to confirm the connections are functioning correctly? I need to determine if the issue is with the wiring connections or potentially the new thermostat itself. …more

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Propane Medium 2-3 hours 68 👍 0

Atwood 8525 Furnace Propane Smell: Safety Issues, Causes & Step-by-Step Fix

After three trips to the RV parts store staring at furnace components with absolutely no clue which one will actually stop my Atwood 8525 from reeking of propane. After replacing the burner assembly on my 2002 Holiday Rambler's Atwood 8525-iv-dclA furnace (which is one of two furnaces in the coach), now it smells like propane inside the RV when it's running. Zero leaks when it's off, but fire it up and suddenly my rig smells like a gas station.

I'm pretty sure this falls under the 'this could kill me' category of RV problems, but I'm not entirely sure what I messed up during the burner replacement. Could this be a safety issue with how I installed the burner, or am I looking at something more serious like a cracked heat exchanger? What are the main causes of propane smell from these furnaces during operation? …more

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Propane Hard 3-4 hours 67 👍 0

Atwood 8535-III Furnace Replacement: Best Direct & Alternative Options for RV Heating

This 1998 Holiday Rambler's Atwood 8535-III is dying and I can't swing a $300+ service call — any DIY replacement options under $200? It's been repaired multiple times over the years, but now it's getting rusty and parts are nearly impossible to find. I'm worried about safety issues if I keep trying to patch it up.

I really need to replace it with something reliable, but I'm nervous about compatibility issues. Will a newer furnace even fit in the same space? Are there any direct replacement options that won't require major modifications to my RV's heating system?

I'd feel much better having a proper replacement recommendation rather than guessing and potentially creating bigger problems. What are my best options for replacing this old Atwood 8535-III? …more

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Engine Easy N/A 65 👍 0

Motoraid Heat Exchanger Maintenance Guide: RV Engine Coolant Heating System Care

Our Motoraid heat exchanger is showing 180°F on the gauge but everything I've read says our 2008 Ford V10 RV should be running closer to 200°F. Currently experiencing an antifreeze leak around my Atwood GCH10A-4E hot water tank. The leak is draining my antifreeze reservoir quickly, costing me $53 per 3L refill (already on my third jug). I'm wondering if there's a safe way to temporarily bypass the engine heat assist system without risking engine damage until I can get professional repair. What temporary solutions or diagnostic steps would you recommend? …more

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Plumbing Easy 30 minutes 34 👍 0

RV Fresh Water Fill Cap Seal: Why Most Don't Have Them

Nobody seems to make a fresh water fill cap with an actual seal anymore, and I'm scratching my head over this. We're leaving for a two-week trip this weekend and my original cap finally cracked around the threads where the seal sits. I've been shopping for replacements online and at RV stores, but every single one I find comes without any kind of gasket or O-ring. My old cap had a rubber seal that kept debris and rain out of the tank. While I was prepping for our trip, I cleaned out the breather hose and started wondering - if these caps aren't supposed to seal, why do we even have a breather system? Shouldn't there be a way to get a proper sealing cap somewhere? …more

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