Question
The water from my air conditioning unit keeps running down the inside of my RV rather than outside. How can I fix this?
Submitted via email
Answer
Condensation from the A/C unit has been a long time battle with RV owners. Some people will actually leave the rig slightly higher to the passenger side so the water runs to the other side.
Check to make sure your model does not have a condensation hose that may be plugged. Also, you need to check the torque of the fastening bolts. Go inside and take off the bottom shroud, on each corner you will have a spring loaded bolt which needs to be tightened to a specific torque periodically. Otherwise the foam gasket starts to compress and water can run inside. Good luck!
Safe travels,
David Solberg
Related:
How To Reduce RV Condensation And Prevent Mold
Tips for RV Air Conditioner Maintenance
6 Tips for Hot Weather RVing
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Please note: questions may be edited for clarity and relevance.
I would like to know if a soft start package is worth buying and installing.
The only time a soft start really comes in handy is if you are running a generator, on a reducer adapter or at a location with low voltage. If you have two air conditioners and you are connected to a 30 amp sources, you can technically get away with running two air conditioners and nothing else with a soft start since the compressors won’t be pulling as much. Even with soft starts you will have to pay attention what else you run when using a reducer. If you are using a low wattage generator a soft start can help as well. Or if you run into campgrounds with a low voltage a lot and the AC trips the breaker, soft start might help. Other than those, there is no reason to get soft starts. If you fall into one of these categories then it could be beneficial.
Would like to run rooftop AC on 15 amp circuit , it is 13,500 btu, can add soft Starr, but am thinking of changing to a 9200 BTU model, same shape and size, low profile,
Hi James. Even with the soft start you are going to be pulling around 12 amps running so you will get a lot of heat build up at the outlet and can’t use anything else in the camper at the same time. Switching to the smaller AC without a heat strip can be run on a 15 amp circuit but you will lose a lot of cooling. The 9200 BTU AC units are for vans and truck campers. If you have a larger camper, it will be really hard to cool. Using the soft start is going to be the easiest you just have to keep an eye on things and make sure nothing is getting too hot, mainly outlet adapters and the outlet itself.
Dan
RV Repair Club
Ha well a wiring problem with the 120 V service panel. Where. An I beta wiring diagram. Factory hasn’t been much help
Hello Chuck,
Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. By becoming a member, you will have access to our expert’s knowledge. With your membership you will also receive discounts on products and hours of Premium video content.
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Thanks!
Sarah
RV Repair Club Video Membership
How do you charge the engine battery and where is it located. I was told under steps but do not see them
Hello Judy,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
The engine battery will be in the engine compartment, the house batteries for the living area are typically under the steps. Every RV places them in different areas, the most common is near the steps though. Both sets of these batteries, house and engine, should charge when the engine is running from the alternator. The house batteries will get a charge from the converter when plugged into shore power but normally the engine battery only charges when traveling.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Hello. I am thinking about changing from a 30 amp to a 50 amp system. I know I will need a new distribution panal as well as a new inverter and cord. What is the best panal and inverter that I should use?
Hello Rick,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
I would recommend Progressive Dynamics for both the converter and power center. WFCO makes good systems as well but I like the converters from Progressive Dynamics a little better. You would be fine with either system. I will share a few links below.
https://www.progressivedyn.com/
https://wfcoelectronics.com/product/wf-8735-35-amp/#tab-611b18469be7a
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
I need to replace the roof. Is the new PVC roofing the best route to go?
Hello James,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
The roofing material I recommend is TPO rubber. It is light weight, durable and has built in UV protectant. This is the best option for newer roof replacements in my opinion.
https://dicorproducts.com/product/diflex-ii-tpo-roofing/
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
In 110 degress weather we had this year in BC it is a steady stream. Fortunately the AC perfromed flawlessly. Just wondering, is there an internal circuit breaker on these AC units?
Hello Donald,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
The only circuit protection on the roof mount models will be the circuit breaker at the main panel. From there the wiring goes to the circuit board and then to the capacitors. There won’t be internal breakers for this style.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Condensation from the ac unit
What happens if condensation drain is not open?
Hello Pam,
Thank you for contacting us. Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. By becoming a member, you will have access to our expert’s knowledge in RV’s. With your membership you will also receive discounts on products and hours of Premium video content.
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Sincerely,
Danesha
RV Repair Club Video Membership
The bedroom ac unit sounds like it was gargling water and when we turned it off it poured water and soaked our bed. Is it broken?
Hello Chelsea,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
The condensation from the AC should be dripping out of weep holes in the pan below the AC on the roof. If these weep holes get plugged with debris water will build up inside and when the fan stops running it can allow water to drip inside. The best thing to check are these weep holes. Remove the shroud on top of the AC and the front metal cover for the evaporator and look at the lower pan. There are at least two holes, typically on the sides, that allow any water build up to drain out. It is possible there are leaves or other debris blocking this area as well. Most likely this is your issue. Using the AC takes water of the air and it is supposed to drip down and then leave the pan. When the water can’t leave it builds up inside.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Ticket #35405 MY A/C HEATPUMP LEAKS WATER INSIDE WHEN IN HEAT MOD. A/C SIDE DRAINS OUTSIDE AS IT SHOULD.ANY SUGGESTION? THERE IS NO INSIDE ACTESS.
Hello Rick,
Thank you for contacting us. Here is the experts response:
The heat pump will release water off of the back of the AC when running on heat. If it is getting into the RV most likely there is an issue with the gasket. The evaporater usually is what builds up water on cooling mode and it drips down into a pan and goes out holes. If these holes get clogged it can create water build up inside. Typically this doesn’t happen when using the heat but it is still possible. You first want to remove the interior AC plenum and return filter to inspect the gasket and try to locate where the water is coming from. If you don’t see anything around the gasket then you will have to take the shroud off the top of the AC and inspect the lower pan. There should be holes around the sides for water to escape. Make sure these are all clear of debris. Also make sure everything else is sealed well too like the fan motor housing and the evaporater. If something has come apart, water can get in.
https://www.rvrepairclub.com/article/what-to-do-about-ac-condensation/
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
How to repair my a/c from freezing up on my 2020 Thor Vegas 27.7
Hello Don!
That’s a great question!
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Sincerely,
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Do not have power to the dash control on the leveling system?
Hello Gerri!
We’d love to help! Could you describe your dash board issue a little more and provide the year. make, and model of your RV?
Thank you!
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
I just got this motor home. I am trying to put water in it. I connect it and turn water on but no flow. Any ideas?
Hello Dennis!
We’d love to help! What is the year, make, and model of your RV and also the name of your AC?
Thank you!
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Need a new radiator for motorhome but can’t find where to get one, any suggestion?
Hello Frank!
We’d love to help! Could we get the year, make, and model of your RV?
Thank you!
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Maintainance tips
Hello Barry!
We’d love to help! Could you let us know what kind of maintenance tips you’re looking for and we’ll try to guide you in the right direction!
Thank you!
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Every time I plug in my RV AC into my Garage outlet it blows. I have a 15 AMP outlet and a 15 AMP Breaker. Can I upgrade to a 20 amp outlet and breaker ?
Hello Bob,
Here is the expert reply:
Outlets are the same for 15 and 20 amp. You do have to replace more than just the breaker though. You will have to run new wiring from the breaker to the outlet. 15 amp circuits use 14g wire but 20 amp circuits require 12g to accommodate the larger current flow. You can not switch to a 20 amp breaker and leave the 14g wire. If you did this the wiring would get too hot and melt and could cause a fire risk. The AC in the RV is on a 20 amp breaker which means for it to run you would have to be connected to a 20 amp breaker. The only way to do this at your house is to run new 12g wiring and replace the breaker. If the breaker is near by this can easily be done, just make sure you turn off the main breaker to the panel so you aren’t working with live wires.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
How does the ac with heat pump & furnace work. I’m not sure if I am to run the furnace when it’s cold outside or just run the ac w/heat pump at a high temp I’m sorry I’m learning!
Kim,
No reason to be sorry! Those are two different heating sources. The furnace usually runs off of the 12v system to operate the fan and it uses the propane as the fuel source for the heating. The heat pump from the AC works off of the 120v only and what it does is actually runs the AC backwards. Any air conditioner takes heat from the inside and puts it outside making it colder inside. The way a heat pump works is by reversing this cycle and now takes the heat from the outside and puts it inside. This can be confusing since it is cold outside when using this but the coolant inside of the AC boils at very low temperatures and you are essentially heating up the air passing through the evaporator. There are some pros and cons of each. The furnace can run off of the battery and propane, no shore power needed. You could use the furnace while camped in the middle of nowhere. The furnace heats up really well. Works fast and is much better for colder environments. The problem is you use a lot of propane and can be costly. The heat pump can only work when plugged into shore so you need to be near an outlet or running a generator to operate it. There is no other fuel source needed, just electricity. The problem with the heat pump is it doesn’t produce nearly the heat the furnace does. These are better for cooler nights, not cold weather camping. The heat pump is a great option if you don’t want to use propane and it really isn’t that cold out. The heat pump also comes out of the ceiling duct work and takes a lot longer to get a comfortable even temperature throughout the RV. The furnace works much better to keep it cozy and comfortable.
I hope this was helpful!
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
My Dometic ac condensate will sometimes not drain. The ac eventually stops cooling then dumps water inside camper. If I tilt the camper where it’s not so level, the condensation will run off. Once the condensation is drained, the ac will cool again. Is having to tilt the camper normal, or is there a drain hose or piece I may be missing?
Non-duct roof ac drips when running and pours water when you turn it off. Filter is clean, coils are clean and drain pan is not dirty or clogged.
The fins on the condenser got smashed and a/c unit got turn on the Freon liked out I tune it off right away what happened and how to go about fixing it Thank you
Hi Daniel. If there is a leak in the system it will most likely have to be replaced. There could be a leak in the condenser and these parts can not be ordered. If you know an HVAC person it is possible they might be able to do a repair on the system but most of the time with the units being so compact and they don’t sell parts for them, they can be tough to repair. If the line with the leak is easy to get to it might be repairable but you also have to make sure to add the correct coolant when filling as well. They stopped using R-22 years ago and now use R-410A so you would have to check with the manufacture on what they used for that year model. Most of the time the best thing to do unfortunately is replace the whole AC unit.
Thanks
Dan-RV Repair Club
Unit comes with a condensate pump, instructions do not show where and how to route the condensate tubing. The inst only shows the end of the tubing in the 14×14 opening. Nothing is shown or discussed about where the connected tubing is routed. My question is where to I route the condensate tubing? Does it go ontop of the roof and under the AC/HP unit to the side of the top?
Hello. Some units may have a drain inside the cutout for the hose to go into but a lot of RV’s do not have this option. If you do not have this drain already in place it will have to be pumped out onto the roof. You should be able to tuck it down and off to the side once the AC is installed. The easiest route with the least amount of turns is the best for the water to flow out.
Thanks
Dan-RV Repair Club
How to unbolt the original sofa for removal/repair/upgrade. It’s a 5 unit recliner sofa bolted into a very long slide. It appears to be bolted from underneath with only bolt threads showing, no attached nuts. Any help appreciated!
Roseanna,
I have never seen any come bolted through the floor before. The bolts you might be seeing are from connecting two pieces or brackets together. Usually the brackets on the bottom of sofas/recliners are just screwed into the floor at multiple points. These can be very well hidden. The most common place I have seen the screws is under the leg rest. But it in the recline position and inspect the brackets and supports that are touching the floor. Usually you will find a few screws holding it in place. If they really did go through the floor with bolts you would have to gain access to under the slide and see if you can locate the bolts and back them out. Again I have never seen this before and they usually don’t want bolts under the slide in case they were to back out it would cause a lot of damage. I would further inspect and try to locate some screws going into the floor.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
trying to repair ceiling after water leaked in, we have replaced some wood, what is best adhesive to put some Styrofoam onto plywood ?
Dear Barbara,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
You will want to use a Polystyrene adhesive. There are many different kinds. 3M makes one that works well, I will post a link below with more information about it. I hope this helps!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004M8S29M/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B004M8S29M&pd_rd_w=w56AF&pf_rd_p=8a8f3917-7900-4ce8-ad90-adf0d53c0985&pd_rd_wg=wF08m&pf_rd_r=11J5XSGGH3S85K6CJT0A&pd_rd_r=c755f0d2-a2b1-11e9-90e7-f1525924e8b2
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Walter draining inside of rv
Water si draining inside rv Show to unstop Train and where si The drain
my refridgerator is not working. Where do i get a new one?
When the AC is running and it reaches the setpoint temperature it starts to short cycle and when I turn the heat on when it reaches the setpoint temperature it doesn’t shut off I changed the thermostat and was wondering if I had a faulty relay and where it was located its a duo-therm thermostat
Dear Paul,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
Yeah it sounds like the thermostat was the problem. The AC has a relay on the control board in the AC unit. It receives the voltage from the thermostat telling it what to turn on and when. If the AC still does this after installing a new thermostat, the relay on the control board is probably stuck. If you remove the return air filter grille and the rest of the cover you will see the control board. Some are mounted across from the evaporator. Some relays can be changed out but others have to have the whole control board switched out. If you were using electric heat coming from the AC, they board might be bad. If the problem was coming from the furnace then the thermostat is most likely the issue. I hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
how do I install a Flush ball seal 310? I watched on one of a previous video but can’t find it now
My alarm keeps going off light is red turned off gas but alarm keeps going, any ideas what to do
My a/c fails to provide adequate cooling in hot weather. We took a trip from MA to NV and the inside temperature was 80+. What can we do to increase the cool air flow and provide better cooling?
Hello Clyde,
If you are in really hot conditions there is really only so much and air conditioner can do. The air going into the return out will only come out 20 degrees colder. The air just recirculates from the inside, so if it is really hot when first starting it will take a long time to get cold. There are a lot of considerations to take into affect like the insulation of the RV, window and vent coverage, clean filter, clean evaporator and condenser fins and humidity. The AC takes out moisture in the air before it can cool really well, if there is high humidity it won’t cool as well. Most of the time in high humidity areas it takes a while before it starts cooling well and the more you open the door and let outside air in or open vents, the more humidity gets in. To help keep it cool you want to use insulated vent and window covers, these really help keep the air temperature inside from fluctuating from the heat outside. Make sure the air filter is clean, if there is restricted air flow it will limit how much it can cool. You also want to make sure all ducts and vents are open, don’t close any off. The last thing to check is the AC unit itself, check remove the shroud and check the fins on the evaporator and condenser. Make sure they are clean, if they are dirty you can purchase a spray cleaner from hardware stores to spray them off or carefully use a shop vac and remove the debris. Make sure not to damage or bend any of the fins, this can easily happen. If they do bend you would want to get a fin comb and straighten them out. All of these things can effect the cooling of an AC. If everything listed is good, you would want to test the return and supply temperature and calculate the difference after running the AC for an hour. There should be a 20 degree difference, if it is lower there is a problem with the AC and it would need replaced.
I hope this was helpful!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
My inverter outlet stopped working. I’ve reset the GFCI type breaker at the inverter control location (near the coach steps), but it only works when the generator or land line is connected. We only use it to charge our cell phones when boondocking. Any suggestions?
The literature we have shows the Mach 8 is a 9K BTU A/C unit. Will this A/C unit adequately cool the pick up camper shown above?
Hello Duane,
Manufactures base the BTU of an AC on the square footage of the RV to determine what size would be fine with it. That camper does have a good amount of room but is also well insulated with the foam block insulation. The 9k BTU should be fine to accommodate that size unit. You could always upgrade to a 13k BTU but you would want to make sure the system is able to handle it, it will pull more amperage. The cooling amps on the 9k is 11.7 so it may only be on a 15 amp circuit where as the 13k cooling amps is 15.7 so it has to be on a 20 amp circuit.
I hope this helps!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Ticket#20410 My rear AC seems to be drawing excess amperage causing breaker to get hot and trip?
Dear Bruce,
Thank you for your patience. In regards to your question-
Make sure there is good voltage coming into the RV. Low voltage, using extension cords or adapters can cause this to happen too. If the voltage to the RV is around 120v, then the fault may be in the AC. Most of the time when this happens it is the compressor failing. There could be a short in the wiring, windings grounded or other failing component. There could also be a bad capacitor or faulty wiring going to the AC as well. The best thing to check is the voltage going into the AC, check it at the board when the unit is off and when turned on. Make sure there is no large voltage drop, it will drop slightly. If the voltage is good, I would use a clamp meter and check the amp draw on the compressor. Look for the RLA (running load amps) on the side of the compressor or on the data plate and compare it to the amp draw you took, if much higher than the compressor is bad. You can also check for a short in windings, you would have to disconnect power to the RV and then disconnect the wires on the compressor. Check for continuity from all of the terminals to bare metal on the side of the compressor, if any it is bad. If there is any fault in the compressor, the AC unit will need replaced. There are other components you can test but if you don’t have much experience with electrical equipment it can get very dangerous to check and I would have a professional inspect it. It could be something more simple as a loose connection, bad wiring, low incoming voltage etc but a good inspection of the electrical system and the AC components is what is needed to find the issue. I hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Yeah I’ve got a lot of ceiling rot and decided to replace the actual fiber board/luan clean out the insulation and paint the entire ceiling so it all matched. Problem is I’ve found there are no structural beams across at any point in the entire roof/ceiling structure. All there is is a sandwich of luan and Styrofoam period. All held together by glue alone. How is it legal to do that? Any suggestions as to how to go about replacing ceiling panels in this type of trailer because of rot?
having issues with water dripping down out of the air return / filter area. does not happen continuously, seems to happen mostly if the trailer is un level. even if i have the trailer tilted to wards the back end, it drips, any ideas on how to combat this?
Hello,
Your roof AC has a drip pan directly underneath the evaporator coil which is also where the return air vent is located. As the warm moist air comes into the roof AC, it’s drawn through the evaporator coils which removes moisture and heat. This moisture then drops down to the drip pan and is supposed to drain out the drain holes on both sides of the underside of the roof AC. I would suggest taking off the exterior shroud and metal evaporator shield and cleaning the drip pan and checking the drain holes. While you have it open, you could also clean the evaporator coils.
Hope this helps,
David
RV Repair Club Video Membership
the shroud on inside ac ceiling has luvers inside that can be opened or closed their is ducts thoughout rv should lovers be open or closed on shroud?
The roof top air conditioner stopped working we replaced it with air conditioner from our old pop up. There is no leaking inside the trailer however it is like a waterfall coming down the side of the camper between the awning. Is this normal and if so is there a way to divert so it runs to the back corner and drips off? Please help
The roof top air conditioner stopped working we replaced it with air conditioner from our old pop up. There is no leaking inside the trailer however it is like a waterfall coming down the side of the camper between the awning. Is this normal and if so is there a way to divert so it runs to the back corner and drips off?
is there a specific A/C drain hose for this RV
Hi Albert,
What is the year, make, and model of your RV?
Thanks,
Becky
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Roof air
I have extensive interior damage to my inside roof, leaking skylight, leaking sat dish, leaking bath vent. I just bought this unit. I pulled the roof liner down and there is black mold, delamination. I have the membership in your repair club but can’t find any instruction on how to replace the roof. For example removing the cabinets and replacing the luan roof and vinyl roof liner. I don’t want to use tiles but the same roof liner material. Can you tell me where to start with a video or whatever you might have. Thanks… Robert
Hello Robert,
We do not have any videos on this type of project as this is typically not a DIY project for owners. It takes very specialized equipment that can vacubond or pinch roll the new roof layers together, heavy crane equipment, specific adhesive and applicators, and most of all…massive labor! If you want to tackle this yourself, start by taking all the cabinets off the roof/sidewall. Look inside and you will see the holes for the screws. Take as many photos as you can throughout the process. You will need to just peel of each layer to see what material is rotted and what needs to be replaced. Send us the photos and we’ll try to advise as best we can. Also, we need to know the make, model, and year of the RV as well.
Good Luck
David
RV Repair Club Video Membership
AC turned on unit this weekend lots of water running outside on the roof is there an internal drain?
Hello Carl,
To provide more specific information on the design of your roof ac condensation draining we need the make, model, and year of your rig. All roof air units will produce condensation that needs to be routed somewhere. A few units did have a tube coming off the unit designed into the roof and out a side port, however it would get clogged and most have gone away from that. Typically the units vent the condensation out on the roof and it follows the path of gravity which is not always the best option for your specific camping location. This typically is only a problem during high temp/humidity conditions where the roof ac unit is operating at max capacity. Some experienced RVers have found the trick in slightly adjusting the position of the rig just “off level” a few inches to direct the condensation to another part of the spot. Others have installed a “channel” to divert the water flow to where they want it.
Thanks,
David RVRC Video Membership
I’m having a problem with the water running down near the door, any ideas on how to stop it or reroute the water?
Hello Anthony,
To provide more specific information regarding your water issue we need the make, model, and year of your rig. Are you getting condensation from the roof air conditioner running off the roof to the ground by the door? If so, you could jack the passenger side up slightly with your jacks to route the water to the driver side? Another option would be to install a plastic molding piece at the edge of your roof to sidewall joint which will route the water to the front or back?
Thanks,
David
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Driver and passenger side Windows are fogged up between the two panes, whatsoever the best way to fix this?
Hello Rex,
Fogging or “etching” between the glass panels of your dual pane windows is caused by the seal at the edge between the panes cracking or leaking which allows moist air to get between the panes and start to fog and eventually etch due to chemicals in the moisture and air. To repair it, you will need to remove the window and either clean and reseal the panes, or replace the window. There is no easy fix for this, however you can DIY it with a kit from: https://www.daverootrvglassrepair.com/window-repair-kits.html
If the glass is etched to bad, it’s a full window replacement.
Thanks,
David RVRC Video Membership
I had a water leak and the ceiling is coming down. How do I replace the ceiling and glue up the foam pads coming down.
Hello Perry,
To provide more specific information on replacing the ceiling, we need the make, model, and year of your rig. Most RV ceilings are a sandwich design with an outer rubber membrane, thin luaun backer board, block foam insulation, and interior luaun with either a wallpaper or padded vinyl material. If just the padded vinyl is drooping, you can cut a line across from side to side, vacuum out any loose padding, spray in an automotive adhesive designed for headliners, and use a piece of thin plywood and a few 2” x 4”s to push up under the plywood and hold the fabric to the ceiling until the adhesive dries. If the area is large, do this in 4’ sections and screw a decorative piece of trim over the cut line. You may need to cut some extra material off if it stretches past the cut lines? Another option is to pull all the material off and apply a new sheet of decorative plywood to the ceiling cutting around the cabinets and using a matching silicone color at the edge and smoothing it out.
If the ceiling is rotten and needs to be replaced, then you need to find out what type of ceiling and framework you have. If it’s wood frame and filled with loose fill insulation, you have to take the top layer off and R&R the rotten components. Not an easy job!
Thanks,
David RVRC Video Membership
Complete power loss to chassis
My cigarette lighter socket doesn’t work. I have 12 volts and is grounded. But when I plug in my GOS the voltage drops to 6.8 volts and my GPS won’t work.
Hello Curt,
To provide more specific troubleshooting information on your 12-volt power issue we need the make, model, and year of your rig. I also have a few questions regarding how you got the voltage readings? Is this a typical “old style” round cigarette receptacle you are using to plug in your GPS? Have you tested it with a multimeter prior to plugging the GPS in? Is it connected to a truck battery or in a motorhome and is it connected to the engine battery or house battery? How did you verify 6.8 volts? Have you verified the GPS works on any other connections in other vehicles? If you are connecting to a 12-volt system in a motorhome that is connected to the house batteries, when you connect and get 6.8 volts at the GPS, check the actual voltage at the house battery as well? If the batteries are sulfated and not storing the proper charge, it could be something else in the rig has started to drain the batteries such as the lights, ref, or other items?
Thanks,
David RVRC Video Membership
Where is the drain for my rooftop AC? I was told that the older units like mine cannot handle the condensate. I’m not buying it, I even brought a household dehumidifier on my last trip and it did not help.
Hello Chalmers,
To provide more specific information on the condensation drain for your roof ac, we need to know the make, model, and year of your RV.
Thanks,
David RVRC Video Membership
Our air conditioner vent fan wants to keep turning on and off when the air conditioner is not blowing cold air like exhaust fan trying to turn on for 4 to 5 mins. And very loud when on what could be my problem
Dear Sirs:
We recently purchased a 2018 Winnebago Travato with a roof mounted Coleman Mach 10 air conditioning unit. We are having some trouble with A/C unit including condensation leaking into our coach. I do not see a condensate hose on the roof unit. Is this normal? I also would like to check the mounting bolts for proper torque. I was not able to find the torque specs. Can you let me know what to torque these bolts to? Any other things that I should check for with a leak and lower performance issue. I measured a temperature from incoming to out going air of 19 degrees F. Also can you send me a link to the video that you made on roof mounted air conditioner units.
Thank you,
Christine & Alan LaFoy
Hello Alan,
Here is the link to the video on air conditioning maintenance which includes a section on checking the torque of the interior spring loaded bolts. https://www.rvrepairclub.com/video/tips-for-rv-air-conditioner-maintenance-007830/
Your Coleman owner’s manual in the massive packet of manuals and papers should have the torque setting for the bolts, however I usually just use a socket and hand tightening to snug is typically good? I do not believe the Travato has a condensation tube as it’s a fairly short coach and it starts as a Class B shell from the chassis manufacturer so Winnebago would not be able to hide a tube into the roof construction? Plus, if it’s a 2018 it should be covered under warranty although it might be more of a hassle to go back to a dealer but I would call Owner Relations at Winnebago to get it documented for future reference.
Hope this helps,
David RVRC Video Membership
If you have a window air conditioner (not the roof) you need to make certain that the camper is level. If it is leaning to the opposite side, water will run inside instead of outside. I know I learned the hard way.
we went from one campsite to another was working fine then no water came out of any faucets when turned to HOT water and the cold water came out but very foamy. checked to water heater release valve water came out but was cold. check fuses they seemed fine not blown. what else can we do or any thoughts on problem? We’re new to this RV so hoping it’s an easy fix we’re missing. thank you in advance
spitting water from ac
freezer working but refrig not cooling, what should I check? just purchased this used RV and it has not been used much lately.
what I have is a brake problem. It is a remote booster of some sort, is not connected to the master cylinder. has a brake fluid running to it, and a vacuum line and a four point electric connection. Got very hot, fluid was boiling out of it. Can not find any one here that knows what it is where I can get a replacement. Would you have any ideas on this problem? william wilson
I have water stain from water coming inside thru a leak. How can I repair without replacing the interior of the ceiling.
where are the fuses for the electric steps
do you know where the fuses would be.
Do you have any videos on external led light conversion for replacement of standard incandescent bulbs with LEDs for park/turn, brake and clearance lights?
If not…could you do one showing how to resolve Hyper Flashing, No Flashing, Loss of Brake Lights while turn signals are on etc.
These are problems a lot of people experience and too little accurate information on line.
Thanks!
I see stuff about maintaining a Lippert (and unsticking and etc.) slideout. Our travel trailer does have a slideout, but is it a Lippert?
When I turn on my hot water tap I hear a noise coming from my hot water tank. Everything seems to be working well this noise just started. Any suggestions?
Dash A/C and blower motor not working. No incoming power to fan switch. I don’t have a usable diagram or repair instruction.The fuses looking OK. Any kind of help would be appreciated.
I have just purchased the above RV and have not been advised how to enable the on-board invertor. My question is related to the fact that the original refriderator was repalced with a home model that requires a simply unplugging and plugging into a different 110v plug from the outside service compartment of the refriderator. My question is can I move the plug from the normal 110v line/generator to the invertor line and expect that the engine alternator will provide me 110v power through the invertor the run the fridgerator instead of running the on board generator while driving the unit? Please advise as best as is possible for me to understand the proper operation and warnings to avoid doing something that will cause me battery issues ! Thank you.
I want to change my 2 carrier bearings on my 3 piece drive shaft due to a vibration during acceleration. Tried to find how to video on YouTube but no luck. Any directions on how to do this? I know bearings would have to be removed and re pressed on by machine shop, but I just want to know procedure for removing the drive shaft, what I have to and don’t have to disconnect. Thanks.
To provide more specific troubleshooting information we need the make,
model, and year as well as the Chassis VIN of the unit you are working
on.
I would also suggest checking the balance of the shafts as the three piece
units have been notorious for vibration due to one or more of the shafts
out of balance. This is a specialty item and can only be done by a
machine shop or sometimes you can find a racing shop that has the
capability.
37c triple slide unit. Bedroom slide will not operate when switch is pressed, no reaction either direction! two side slides work fine! Cannot find any fuses, circuit breakers or relays applicable to this slide? cannot locate motor as well?
I do not hear the ignition of my tankless water heater when I turn on the switch, as I once did. I am not getting hot water. Not sure what the exact problem is since it was working one day then not the next. Read through the owners manual and safety/maintenance records, and not quite sure which ignition I have…white Rodgers control or Robertshaw unitrol.
China remodel update
Purchased a backup camera to install. What is the correct way to wire it up without connecting to the wiring for the lights which means I would have to run with the lights on all the time. Hope I explained this right. LOL
Get the power from the accessory plug (cigarette lighter). This makes it easy to disconnect it. Get 4 wire phone cable, make the connections in the cab according to the wiring diagram. run the cable to the camera and connect it.
We have 2 A/C units, one in the bedroom is fine, the one in living area doesn’t get cold enough, I have them setup the same wsy
When driving heat blows from furnace floor vent behind cab, can this be turned off furnace is off and have turned furnace breakers off as well
My neighbor is selling their motor home with 66000 miles on it. Is there any concerns about the miles and the availibility of getting parts.
To provide more specific information on the availability of parts and serve on the unit your describe we need to know the make, model, and year of the rig. Over the years many RV manufacturers have come and gone with only the name being bought by new companies and no parts or documentation available on older units. As for the mileage, 66K is high mileage for a motorhome, unless it’s a diesel and it all depends on how it was maintained? And there are other factors such as how long did it sit between trips? Some RV owners bought their rigs and did the dream trip for 3 years going to Alaska, Florida, and other places putting a ton of miles on, then spent a couple years only putting 1000 miles on and then let the unit sit for 2 years. I would be very leary of a unit that has been idle for more than 1 year with that many miles if it was a gas unit?
It looks as though the 2005 Dynamax Isata was built on the Ford E series class C chassis with a Triton V-10 gasoline engine. For a unit that is about 12 years old, 66,000 miles is on the high side, but not something I would be concerned about if it was maintained properly! Biggest issue, oil changes and transmission fluid/filter changes. I would be more concerned about the body of the unit looking for moisture leaks inside and soft floors. Open all the upper cabinets and look for stains, warped paneling, bubbling issues. If it was maintained and sealed properly over the years, it could be a great rig.
tach stop working, were do I start , I believe it has the crank, flywheel pickup on it
Hi, Thomas. We would be happy to assist you; we just need some more information. What is the make/model/year of your RV?
I Thought I should add to my last post that this is the High foot flush model not the hand flush.
I will be replacing the flush blade & gaskets and thetfoed does not have the manual for this toilet on their website. Is there anything I need to know about how to replace the parts, or is it pretty stright forward. Any tips will be greatly appreciated.
Hi, Richard. It should be pretty straight forward, however if you can give me the year and model of the Thetford toilet I can get a service manual or parts diagram.
I have a “whole house” water filter. I flushed out my water heater and replaced the anode rod. About two months later my hot water has started smelling like sulphur. What am I doing wrong?
The water source is an RV park that is from a rural water utility district.
Hi, Willard. We would be happy to assist you; we just need some more information. What is the make/model/year of your RV?
I am having issues with running , I have check the 1/4 tank and we are at 3/4ths I can not get fuel out of the line unless we siphon the gas to the fuel filter . i have taken an external gas can and gravity feed to the filter and pump. I have ordered a new pump. Help!!!!
Hi, Terry. To provide more specific troubleshooting information we need the make, mode, and year of your RV and a more specific information on what tank you are referring to. Since you referenced checking the 1/4 tank and are at 3/4ths it seems you might be referring to the generator? If so, we need the generator make (probably Onan) and model as well. There are several issues that can cause a small engine such as a generator to not start but it starts with spark and fuel. Verify you have spark by removing the spark plug and grounding it with the spark plug wire connected. Next, with the spark plug removed, spray in some starting fluid and replace the spark plug. Does it start briefly? Then you will need to remove the fuel line at the filter and then the carburetor to verify fuel. These are all steps that you need to feel comfortable that you can perform. It could be a plugged fuel filter, faulty fuel pump, or even a collapsed fuel line. Another issue has been varnish in the carburetor due to cheap refining and not running the genset on high load once a month. In this case it’s a carburetor rebuild!
the bottom of stairs, pocket door track come loose from the ceiling inside the pocket. how do I get inside to fix?
Hi, Dee. To provide more specific troubleshooting information we need the make, model, and year of your RV. Typically track and pocket doors can be taken off the track by lifting up and taking the roller off the upper track or disconnecting the pivot point of a pocket door.
Trailer has brakes. Car not electronic brake controller. 2017 hyundai v6 santa Fe no brake switch available any suggestions they tell me go through firewall
Not sure who “They” are that told you to go through the firewall, however there are several brake control units that will fit your 2017 Hyundai and I have sent several people to etrailer.com as they use some of the best products such as Draw-Tite, Tekonsha, Valley, Hidden Hitch, and Hopkins. Since they specialize in matching up the best product with your application and we are not able to research every specific model, I would recommend contacting them here: https://www.etrailer.com/fitguidebc.htm
how do i repair the roof? it has the rubber roof and underneath it its Styrofoam with 1/4″ plywood.
To provide more specific troubleshooting information on your request for roof repair we need to know the make, model, and year of your RV. If you have a rubber membrane on the top of the roof it probably has thin luaun plywood and then block foam insulation. Also, if you could be more specific on the type of repair needed we should be able to assist further.
it is a 2003 jayco kiwi 23b it does have a rubber membrane on the roof and also it is the thin plywood with the block foam but a tree branch fell on the roof and damaged the block foam and plywood in the front but how do i go about fixing that. is there a manual or step by step guide on how to repair it?
Hi, Jeff. Since this is a fairly extensive repair and will require special adhesive
and expertise, you will not find a manual or step by step procedure
for repair as most RV manufacturers and dealers want you to take it to
them for reconstruction. However, depending on your level of
construction expertise, it might be something you can handle? First
contact a local RV service center to obtain an adhesive that is designed
for block foam insulation and will not eat away or deteriorate it and is
not a water based product that will not adhere. You will need to
painstakingly peel off the rubber in the damaged area and remove the thin
luaun material around the area to see how much needs to be removed and
replaced. The luaun is a thin clean plywood which is the same used
as underlayment in vinyl flooring. The key is removing all the bad
material and adhesive to have a clean surface to apply the adhesive and
new foam. You should be able to get matching foam at a home
improvement store or lumber yard. The inside panel is basically a
piece of wallboard which is a luaun with wallpaper already applied.
You should not need to remove this, just get it clean and reapply
individual layers and let it sit between application for a good bond. Good
luck!
okay thank you for that information
its a 2003 jayco kiwi 23b and the rubber membrane is fine just the styrofoam and plywood need to be fixed is there a manual or step by step way to replace it like if someone who works at the dealership would have.
I had 2 tires blow out on my trip down to Arizona.
When they blew they took out some of the wiring on both sides.
I can not find any electrical schematics.
Hello Dave!
We’d love to help!
Could we have the year, make, and model of your RV?
Thank you!
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
the oven doesn’t work i’m not getting gas to it
The left slide plastic runner that runs along the floor has broken in half. By looking at the right one, I believe it is a sled that runs along the carpet and floor when the slide closes. I am headed to Camperworld to buy the part tomorrow. My question is how can I get the slide up enough to put the piece back in place and what kind of adhesive do I use?
Hi, Dave. To provide more specific troubleshooting information we need to know the make, model, and year of your rig and also what slide room you are referring to? If you are going to Camping World, they should be able to identify the type of adhesive to apply.
where is location of battery disconnect solenoid switch,no power to coach.
Hi, Ray. To provide more specific troubleshooting information we need to know the make, model, and year of your RV. Typically the house battery disconnect switch is located in the stepwell of the entrance door, however I have seen models with the switch on the dash of motorhomes, in the cabinet above the entrance door, and various other places. Some rigs don’t have a battery disconnect switch.
No problems yet, just wanted to say Hi, and tell you I enjoy reading as well as your videos. I have owned many rv’ sovereign the years. Done 99.9% of my own repairs. Hope to gain a bit more insight. Retired now, downsized to small camper for 2.
Thanks; Jay & Claire Carona, McComb, MS. 39648
I recently out in a new hot water heater, my problem is when i open valve all the way and turn on hot water faucet i get cold water; when i open it alittle i can get hot water; what is my problem thank you
Hi, Michael. To provide more specific troubleshooting information we need to know the make, model, and year of your RV as well as what model/year water heater you installed. In the mean time, here are few things to check. Does this happen at all faucets? You should have one in the kitchen, bathroom, shower, maybe outside? Also, is it a dual handle faucet or single? With a little more info we may be able to assist further?
I purchased a small dehumidifier from Amazon .com for about 80 dollars and it not only keeps condensation out it keeps the humidity level at a comfortable level.
How to DIY foggy windows repair
When dry camping, the water pump goes on for a brief second or two after flushing the toilet. It will happen one or two times within the hour. Do you have any idea what would cause that with just the toilet? It is a dometic porcelain.