| RV Maintenance: Water, Gas and Electricity |
From "Weekend Mechanic"
episode WKM-309 |
|
|
 |
Weekend Mechanic Bruce Bonebrake performs routine maintenance checks on the RV before hitting the road. Checks include propane-gas and water connections, electrical systems and safety equipment.
|
|
In this episode, Weekend Mechanic host Bruce Bonebrake demonstrates some important maintenance procedures that should be performed to get a trailer RV ready for a trip. In this segment, the propane-gas tanks and valves are checked for safety. The water is de-winterized and checked for flow in the kitchen and bath. The smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector are checked. The service panels and items on the back of the trailer are check. Finally, the running lights circuits are checked, and a faulty bulb is replaced. Assisting Bruce in this episode is automotive specialist Bobby Ray Adams.Materials: In addition to standard auto-mechanic's tools (wrenches, ratchets, extenders, screwdrivers, nut-drivers, etc.), some of the specialty tools used in this episode include test light, torque wrench, caulking gun, wire cutters and wire strippers, heat gun, oversized socket attachment, bearing packer, cleaning brush, degreaser and latex gloves. An air-compressor and set of pneumatic tools will is optional, but may be very helpful for this project. DIY Difficulty Rating for the Project: The procedures shown in this episode are all fairly routine or straightforward. Overall, we gave these projects a difficulty rating of 2 on a 5-point intermediate-level scale. It took us about 8 hours to finish this job. Depending on your vehicle and it's condition, and the nature of any problems you might encounter, your work time could vary. Allow yourself a full weekend to complete these projects properly.
Checking Water, Propane-Gas and Electrical Connections- Be certain to check your propane gas-tank levels and valves before getting on the road. Old-style propane valves (figure A) cannot be refilled, but must simply be turned in and replaced.
- Newer-style propane tanks, however, can be refilled at refill stations. These can easily be identified by the triangular-shaped valves marked OPD, which stands for "overfill protection device" (figure B). Since propane used by appliances must be in vapor form, the OPD ensures that there is a vapor space maintained at the top of the cylinder when the tank is filled with liquid propane. All propane cylinders made after 1998 require the use of an OPD type valve.
Be certain to flush your water system thoroughly after winterizing your trailer. The pink-colored water that comes out of the spigots at first indicates the presence of the RV antifreeze (figure C).In addition to flushing the water system to remove the antifreeze, check all drain pipes for leaks.
Check gas-appliance gas fittings and pipes for possible leaks.Check and make sure that gas-equipped stove eyes will ignite and operate properly (figures D and E).
Check bathroom faucets to ensure that they work properly (figure F).Again, in addition to flushing the water system to remove the antifreeze, check all drain pipes for leaks (figure G).Turn your refrigerator and freezer on at least 24 hours before leaving on a trip to ensure that it is operating properly.Important: It's critical to keep the RV leveled front-to-back and side-to-side in order for refrigerators and freezers to operate properly. If allowed to remain unlevel, the refrigerator compressor could clog and fail.
| 
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.diynetwork.com/DIY/2004/08/23/wkm309_2fz_e.jpg",350,450))
)
)
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.diynetwork.com/DIY/2004/08/23/wkm309_2fc_e.jpg",350,450))
)
)
)
)
