Results for "transfer-switch"

Engine Hard 2-3 hours for diagnosis 172 👍 0

1999 F53 V10 Oil in Coolant: Complete Head Gasket Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Called three dealerships about warranty coverage for oil contamination in my 1999 Ford F53 V10's coolant system — before I tackle this head gasket nightmare myself. The unit overheated after the oil level dropped significantly, though it still starts and runs without throwing any codes.

Based on the symptoms, I suspect a blown head gasket, but I want to perform proper diagnostic testing before committing to a major repair. What specific diagnostic procedures should I run to confirm whether this is actually a head gasket failure versus other potential causes like a cracked head or block issue?

Looking for a systematic approach to pinpoint the exact problem before I start tearing into this engine. …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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Electrical Medium 1-2 hours research and setup 140 👍 1

Safari Motorcoach LPG Tank Refill for Stationary RV Setup

Between my toolbox and the YouTube tutorials I've watched, I'm ready to tackle the LPG tank refill setup on my permanently parked 2000 Safari Sahar 32-footer. Since my wife and I live in California and visit several times per year to help her aging parents, the RV serves as a stationary dwelling with full hookups for shore power and water.

The challenge is that the coach won't be moved to drive to propane filling stations, so I'm exploring on-site refill options. I'm specifically interested in potentially transferring propane from a standard 40lb grill tank to our RV's fixed tank. I want to understand what type of fitting our Safari Sahar has and what safety considerations or special equipment might be required for liquid-to-liquid propane transfer.

Since we'll need heating during colder months and my wife will sometimes be at the RV without me, I want to ensure a reliable and safe refill method. What are my options for refilling the LPG tank without moving the motorcoach? …more

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Best RV Propane Accessories

4.5 (11,200 reviews)

Appliances Medium 2-4 hours 112 👍 0

RV Water Heater Not Hot Enough: Fix Lukewarm Water Issues

Looked forward to our two-week cross-country trip starting tomorrow until I discovered my RV water heater that used to produce scalding hot water now barely gets lukewarm. Both the electric and gas functions appear to be working - I can hear the gas igniting and see the electric indicator light - but the water temperature just won't get hot enough for a decent shower.

I've been dealing with this for weeks now and it's driving me crazy. The water gets warm, but nowhere near the hot temperatures I used to get. Is this a common problem with RV water heaters? What are the most likely culprits when you're getting lukewarm water instead of hot? I really need to figure out what's causing this and how to fix it before my next camping trip. …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 4-8 hours 98 👍 0

Complete RV Solar System Guide 2024: Sizing, Installation & Wiring

Turned to YouTube for RV solar advice and now I'm more confused than ever - probably a dumb question, but how do I actually size this thing? Could fellow RV owners share details about their current solar setups?

Please provide insights on:
- Total system watts
- Fixed or portable panels
- Rigid or flexible panel types
- Series or parallel wiring configuration
- Total system amps
- System voltage
- Wire gauge used
- Controller type
- Personal pros and cons of your current setup
- What you might change in a future installation

These details will help establish baseline specifications for a fleet installation project. …more

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Chassis Hard Research and planning phase 96 👍 0

Ford F53 Godzilla V8 Suspension Problems: Fixes & Upgrades for Class A Motorhomes

Halfway through my first long trip, this bone-rattling vibration and unsettling sway started plaguing my newer Class A motorhome with the Ford F53 Godzilla V8 chassis. Coming from a 26' travel trailer and a history with brands like LazyDaze, I'm trying to understand the current RV landscape. I saw a Baystar 2023 model where the owner spent around $35,000 on suspension upgrades after just 12,000 miles.

Sounds awesome on paper, but I keep hearing people say you still need to dump a ton of money into suspension upgrades to make these things handle decently on the highway. Did Ford actually improve the suspension setup when they introduced the Godzilla engine, or are we dealing with the same basic chassis design that's been around forever? I'm talking about 30+ foot Class A rigs here - seems crazy that a $200k motorhome would need immediate aftermarket work to drive safely.

Anyone know if the Godzilla F53 combo actually fixed the handling problems or if it's just more power on the same wobbly platform? …more

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Appliances Easy 10 minutes research 93 👍 0

Can You Run an RV Dryer on 30 Amp Shore Power? Complete Guide

Already dealing with my 2019 Forest River's 4-year-old dryer constantly tripping the breaker — should I repair it or just replace with something more 30-amp friendly? We have a 2024 Tiffin Open Road and I'm not sure if I can use the dryer when we're plugged into a 30 amp hookup at campgrounds.

I've heard mixed things about whether dryers work on 30 amp service or if you need 50 amp. Some people say it depends on the dryer type? I'm honestly not even sure how to tell what voltage our dryer is or what that means for power requirements. Any guidance would be really appreciated! …more

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Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 88 👍 0

Norcold N7LX.3F Running Too Often: Complete Troubleshooting & Repair Guide

Standing in the RV supply store staring at replacement thermostats and control boards with no clue which one will actually stop my Norcold N7LX.3F from running constantly. It's been running way more frequently than it ever has before, and I can't figure out what's wrong. The cooling seems off too - items aren't staying as cold as they should be.

I've already checked the obvious stuff like making sure the vents aren't blocked and the unit is level, but something is definitely not right. The fridge just keeps cycling on and off constantly, which has me worried about both the power consumption and whether there's a bigger problem developing.

What should I be looking at to diagnose cooling efficiency issues? I really need to get this sorted before our next camping trip! …more

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Ac Refrigeration Easy N/A - information 86 👍 0

Norcold Bankruptcy: What RV Owners Need to Know About Parts & Service Options

Just found out Norcold filed for bankruptcy and now I'm sitting here with a fridge that needs a cooling unit replacement. Dealer says parts might not be available much longer and is pushing me to switch to Dometic. How worried should I actually be about getting Norcold parts and service going forward? …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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Engine Hard 1-2 hours per plug 81 👍 0

Ford V10 Blown Spark Plug Repair: Complete Time-Sert & Heli-Coil Fix Guide

Walked out to my Ford V10 this morning with my toolbox in hand, ready to fix this blown spark plug myself — just need to know whether Time-Sert or Heli-Coil is the way to go. My 2000 Ford Flair 31A with the 6.8L V10 just blew a spark plug going uphill - sounded like the exhaust fell off until I realized what happened. The shop is telling me this is apparently a "common issue" with these 2-valve V10 engines, which is just fantastic news after being stranded on vacation.

They're giving me options for thread repair - either a Heli-Coil insert or something called a Time-Sert. I've heard horror stories about blown plugs on these engines, but I've also heard that proper repairs can actually fix this permanently. Before I spend my hard-earned money, I need to understand: are these thread repair methods actually reliable for V10 blown plugs? And please tell me there's a way to prevent this nightmare from happening again - proper torque specs, anti-seize compound, whatever it takes. I just want my RV running reliably again. …more

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Best RV Sewer Hoses & Kits

4.6 (31,500 reviews)

Ac Refrigeration Easy 30 minutes 81 👍 0

Dometic CF80 Drain Foam Replacement: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Woke up to check out my new place's Dometic CF80 basement refrigerator/freezer and discovered what looks like deteriorated foam filter stuff in the bottom drain compartment. The foam material shows significant contamination and degradation.

I need to understand the specific function of this foam component within the CF80's drainage system. Is this foam element critical for proper unit operation, and what are the consequences of operating without it? Additionally, what is the recommended replacement schedule for this component, and how do I determine when replacement is necessary versus simple cleaning? …more

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Engine Easy 1 hour to weigh and calculate 80 👍 0

How to Find the Correct Tire Pressure for Goodyear Fuel Max RSA RV Tires

Before, my old Class C worked fine with the dealer's generic tire pressure chart — but these new Goodyear Fuel Max RSA 245/70R19.5 load range H tires on my 2008 Winnebago Sightseer 29R are completely different. My loaded RV weighs 6,020 lbs on the front axle and 11,220 lbs on the rear axle based on my most recent scale weights.

I'm concerned that 100 PSI might be too high since my previous Goodyear G670RV tires ran fine at 85-90 PSI, and the handling feels different now, especially when towing. I want to make sure I'm running the correct tire pressure based on my actual axle weights rather than just using maximum ratings or generic guidelines. What's the proper way to determine the right inflation pressure for these Fuel Max RSA tires given my specific load conditions? …more

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Engine Easy Informational 79 👍 0

Cummins Onan Generator Service: What to Do When Dealers Won't Service

Called three Cummins dealers about servicing my 12-year-old Onan generator and they all said it's "too old," but my neighbor's same-age unit gets serviced just fine. My generator is about 12 years old and needs some work done on it.

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed - are there other options for getting older Onan generators repaired? I'm worried I won't be able to find anyone to work on it or get parts. Any guidance would be really appreciated since I'm not sure where else to turn for service on older equipment like this. …more

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Engine Medium 1-2 hours 78 👍 0

Ford E450 V10 Squealing Noise at Highway Speed: Complete Diagnosis Guide

After replacing the belt tensioner, cleaning the pulleys, and checking all the belts — my 2019 27' NeXus Viper on Ford E450 V10 chassis still squeals from the front driver side at highway speeds. The noise occurs at highway speeds after approximately 5 miles of driving and disappears when slowing down. I've already replaced the serpentine belt and performed an engine-off test in neutral, which confirmed the noise persists independently of engine components.

I want a systematic diagnostic approach to determine whether this is brake caliper drag or wheel bearing failure. What specific tests should I perform to differentiate between these potential causes? I aim to avoid unnecessary repairs and focus my troubleshooting on the most likely culprits based on these symptoms. …more

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