HELP!! December 24, 2018, 10:23:42 pm Help!! My dad is visiting and he was going to stay in my LD. I hooked it up to my electrical, which worked fine before, and now the fridge won't turn on and we can't get the stove to work. We tried both gas valves for the propane and I smelled gas really, really strong. Then we tried turning on stove and there was no gas coming out. Also found that 3 of the four burner knobs are completely stuck. I have no idea what's going on. A few weeks ago I went in and tried the fridge and it worked fine. Now nothing. The light for "auto" lights up and it goes to AC, but that's it. What's more, since getting my LD back, the microwave has been flashing the clock, but the touch panel is unresponsive.What is going on?! We need the gas so my dad can use the heat and the stove. And we need the fridge. Why is everything suddenly not working? How do I fix it?!
Re: HELP!! Reply #1 – December 25, 2018, 05:11:59 am Hi Lisa, wondered how you and MH were; Well the comment "we tried both gas valves for the propane...." has me concerned. There should be only one gas valve at the tank. Closed tight, or all the way on (counter-clockwise) all the way. Another valve? Where would that be? Hmmm, The stove top has 3 stuck valves? So which one isn't stuck? The top burner gas control valves should all be fully clockwise, the oven fully clockwise at pilot off. The far left knob turns to click a piezoelectric igniter. There should be a visible spark at all three burners without any burners on. That you can smell gas means you should have some in the tank. Of course you need to use the piezo lighter knob when you turn on a burner, or you will have gas escaping into the kitchen from the burner. So is the LP gas detector working? It doesn't have an off switch, and it will kill your batteries in a few weeks if you don't have the MH plugged in to keep your batteries charged. Do your interior lights work when you aren't plugged in? The microwave display blinking... well some need to have the reset(clear) button pressed an/or the clock set before they will work. At least it shows that you have 110V AC. The refrigerator needs to have 12 v.dc from your batteries, or from your converter for the logic controls to work. The 110v.AC or gas are merely the source of heat for the refrigerator absorption cooler to work. I wouldn't try to run the FAU space heater until you resolve that gas smell problem. Hope this helps. RonB p.s. Merry Christmas anyway!
Re: HELP!! Reply #2 – December 25, 2018, 11:06:22 am Hi, Ron has some good questions info.You need to look at things one at a time to figure it out.As Ron said the refrigerator needs 12v from the battery as well as 120v electricity from your hookup to run. However you don't need a working battery if your converter works (changes the 120v to 12v). Does the refrigerator light go on when you open the door? Testing other 12v items like lights and fans can confirm you are getting 12v to the rig.Are other 120v items working? Can you plug something else into the microwave outlet and it works? The refrigerators supposedly have outlets they are plugged into (accessible from the outside panel to give an outside outlet). Does something else work plugged into that? Did you try turning breakers off and then back on (in the power center)? A voltmeter can help to test at various places to confirm electricity (and enough volts) are getting to the various outlets (house outlet, microwave outlet, refrigerator outlet).Let us know how things are going. JaneYou talked about two propane gas valves - do you have a "Y" splitter - like an extend a stay that lets you accept gas from two sources? I am guessing you have a removeable propane tank in your older LD and splitters are typically in the non-removeable tank. A picture would help lots.Stove knobs - you are doing a push in and then turn, correct? Sometimes the simple things trip is up so I am asking just in case. I am guessing in your older model you do not have self igniters on the stove burners. Ours we smell gas pretty quickly if a burner is turned on but doesn't have a flame. Is your stove the closest propane device to your tank? Occasionally we have to turn on the propane device closest to the propane tank and after a few minutes turn it off and try one further away. As always be cautious about turned on but unlit propane appliances - good ventilation would help make sure there is not a build up of gas.Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
Re: HELP!! Reply #3 – December 25, 2018, 11:11:21 am P.S. You said:" We tried both gas valves for thepropane and I smelled gas really, really strong. Then we tried turning onstove and there was no gas coming out."You meant with the propane tank not connected to the LD (the hose to the LD disconnected or loosened up) and the valves open you smelled gas strongly, correct? When the tank valve is open but the hose is tightly attached to the LD you should not be smelling gas at the tank itself unless there is a leak in that area.JaneSent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
Re: HELP!! Reply #4 – December 25, 2018, 03:26:12 pm Hi all!!Merry Xmas!So my dad got up bright and early and started fiddling with the LD. He has owned a large travel trailer, he's a general contractor and he has maintained all his own vehicles and trailers, so now my fridge and microwave are working. They are both on my home's electric via extension cord. We also figured out the propane based on help from a helpful contributor to the LD Facebook page. However, we still don't know what that red valve is. It's not on the tank itself, but rather a pipe that runs just over the tank on the upper left side. I have not found any pics that look like this online. Once he's done messing about, I'll take a pic and post it.So we got the stove to light, but yes, turning on the gas valve results in at least an initial strong smell of gas at the tank. Freaks me out. My dad is doing a leak test right now with dish soap. This is why I waited for him to come visit to figure all the things out my LD. I woke up to find him sitting outside with a cup of coffee reading my LD's manuals like they were the morning paper. As of right now, still no idea why the three other burner knobs are frozen. They look clean, but who knows.So my dad just said that there were no leaks in the tank and he suspects it's the gas pressure regulator, but he can't figure out how to remove the cover. I told him I'd ask the helpful people one here. He said to mention that the bolts are already gone. Anyone have some info? 1 Likes
Re: HELP!! Reply #5 – December 25, 2018, 03:36:18 pm Here's a pic of that pipe with the red valve that is over the propane tank. My dad thinks it's a water pipe. Is he right?
Re: HELP!! Reply #6 – December 25, 2018, 05:20:48 pm Yes it looks like the drain valve to empty your fresh water tank. Jody
Re: HELP!! Reply #7 – December 25, 2018, 05:26:10 pm "Here's a pic of that pipe with the red valve..."Because it's PVC (plastic) it certainly is not related to the propane!As to the regulator cover, notice that it is comprised of two halves with a seam in the center. They just snap together, use a screwdriver to pry them apart.
Re: HELP!! Reply #8 – December 25, 2018, 06:09:23 pm The red valve is definitely the fresh water tank drain valve.The propane regulator's cover may have a couple of plastic pins holding it to the metal base.Pry the pins out and then pop the cover off whatever way you can, it can be hard to take off .I take a screwdriver and force it under the cover and start working it up and off, over the plumbing.Older regulators do go bad and leak. The regulator has a diaphragm that ages and will eventually develops leaks.Any rig over ten years old is a candidate for a bad regulator. Your LD's regulator is 27 years old, it could be time for a replacement.On the valves that will not turn, I would spray the valve's shafts, where they enter the valve body, with silicone and let it penetrate for a while before trying to turn the handles. Larry
Re: HELP!! Reply #9 – December 25, 2018, 07:14:02 pm "A few weeks ago I went in and tried the fridge and it worked fine. Now nothing. The light for 'auto' lights up and it goes to AC, but that's it."Sounds as if you have 12 VDC (which is required to run the fridge, even on 120 VAC or propane). But just the same, I'd check the batteries and add water if necessary.The fridge will take at least 4-8 hours to get cold, so the fact that you didn't feel coldness right away doesn't mean it isn't working. See how it does overnight.I agree with those who've said that you probably need a new propane regulator. These aren't expensive ($40-$60). Since you smell propane at the tank when turning it on, I'd strongly recommend keeping it turned off until you can eliminate the leaky regulator or whatever it is.
Re: HELP!! Reply #10 – December 25, 2018, 10:39:57 pm Does the propane gauge read just past full in the pic?
Re: HELP!! Reply #11 – December 26, 2018, 12:54:11 am HI All,Thanks again.So turns out that the fridge was working but it's silent so we didn't know until it cooled down. My dad found some corrosion on the fridge light and cleaned it off and now the light works fine. He also sprayed the burner knobs with WD40 and they all work, though the one that did not stick works without pushing it in for some reason. The other 3 all have to be pushed in to start up. I got the regulator cover off and my dad did the soap test and found a pinhole in the regulator. So I have to get that replaced. Can I get that done at a propane vendor? Is it expensive?Lisa
Re: HELP!! Reply #12 – December 26, 2018, 10:31:07 am Quote from: meandthedogs - December 26, 2018, 12:54:11 amHI All,Thanks again.So turns out that the fridge was working but it's silent so we didn't know until it cooled down. My dad found some corrosion on the fridge light and cleaned it off and now the light works fine. He also sprayed the burner knobs with WD40 and they all work, though the one that did not stick works without pushing it in for some reason. The other 3 all have to be pushed in to start up. I got the regulator cover off and my dad did the soap test and found a pinhole in the regulator. So I have to get that replaced. Can I get that done at a propane vendor? Is it expensive?LisaLisa, perhaps you should hire a live-in mechanic. Glad your problems have been diagnosed.Chris 1 Likes
Re: HELP!! Reply #13 – December 28, 2018, 02:30:19 am Well latest update- my dad and I went over all the compartments and stuff on my RV and discovered that: 1) the generator door is STILL stuck even though it's one of the things that shop was supposed to fix; and 2) the wastewater hoses are missing. They were stored in one of the compartments when I got the RV, and rest assured I did NOT touch or otherwise move them. So the shop must've removed them.I called the shop and he gave me some excuse about the door that the frame had been bent and they straightened out the doors "as best they could." No matter that I PAID them to make the compartment doors work again and was told they do work. As for the hoses, they tried to play that off but said they'd look for them. Uh, yeah. I am really pissed. That shop is a joke. And the owner had the nerve to lay a trip on me about the review I posted about my experience, all of which was 100% true. Ugh. Thy should be ashamed of themselves. At the very least they should be a bit more careful when dealing with a lawyer.I wish there were more options for RVs around here.Lisa G.
Re: HELP!! Reply #14 – December 28, 2018, 11:16:57 am Hi, Lisa--So sorry to hear about your lousy shop experience. I agree that finding reputable service can be a challenge--especially for those of us away from the Mothership or the parts of the country where travelers flocking in greater numbers mean more service options. I find it frustrating to deal with both my lack of knowledge (though everything is an opportunity to learn something new) & those who see $$ because I'm a woman --"At the very least they should be a bit more careful when dealing with a lawyer."--hope you gave them a learning experience. I fell into a good mechanic about forty miles away, already knew a good body guy about thirty miles away, & finally got some recommendations on a guy about forty miles away who I really like for the coach. Current issue is finding someone to figure out the TV (is it the Jack antenna or the coax or a connection?? & how do I set up the Direct TV without having to pay extra for the rig--the folks from whom I bought her put on a Winegard Trav'ler forDirect TV & said they just took their receiver from the house to the rig, but I've had no joy & need someone around here who knows electronics). One place was obviously trying to sell me a new system--claimed things are so cheap these days that nobody learns how to repair/it costs more to service something than just replace--fine if i need a new antenna, but not if it's just a connection or the coax that doesn't require a whole new system .This is a really responsive forum when somebody gives a shout out for help or recommendations, but I long for a satellite location of LD Wizards 'R Us in this part of the world (in lieu of Chris's suggestion of "a live-in mechanic. "). Wish I still had my dad--for both the knowledge & the bonding time--good for you both. I like the idea of a database/some sort of listing where folks can name the places where they've had good service & places to avoid, though I'm not technoliterate enough to do that.Thanks for the update. Also, don't know your location, but give a thought to the Ladeze gathering--a great gaggle of gals with whom to howl at the moon during an eclipse (yeah, I'm mixing fowl & mammalian species, but I like the alliteration ). I've not been able to make the calendar work for a couple of years, but so much knowledge & warm spirits (plus the "spirits" around the campfire ).Give a shout if you're ever coming through north Missouri, for either a meet-up, or if you want a place to light while you see the area (I'll extend the invitation I've given on this site before--I've got a farm just outside of Chillicothe that's available for boondocking). Happy trails with your baby. LynneLynne 1 Likes
Re: HELP!! Reply #15 – December 28, 2018, 01:41:56 pm Quote from: Lynne Broyles-Greenwood - December 28, 2018, 11:16:57 amHi, Lisa--So sorry to hear about your lousy shop experience. I agree that finding reputable service can be a challenge--especially for those of us away from the Mothership or the parts of the country where travelers flocking in greater numbers mean more service options. I find it frustrating to deal with both my lack of knowledge (though everything is an opportunity to learn something new) & those who see $$ because I'm a woman --"At the very least they should be a bit more careful when dealing with a lawyer."--hope you gave them a learning experience. I fell into a good mechanic about forty miles away, already knew a good body guy about thirty miles away, & finally got some recommendations on a guy about forty miles away who I really like for the coach. Current issue is finding someone to figure out the TV (is it the Jack antenna or the coax or a connection?? & how do I set up the Direct TV without having to pay extra for the rig--the folks from whom I bought her put on a Winegard Trav'ler forDirect TV & said they just took their receiver from the house to the rig, but I've had no joy & need someone around here who knows electronics). One place was obviously trying to sell me a new system--claimed things are so cheap these days that nobody learns how to repair/it costs more to service something than just replace--fine if i need a new antenna, but not if it's just a connection or the coax that doesn't require a whole new system .This is a really responsive forum when somebody gives a shout out for help or recommendations, but I long for a satellite location of LD Wizards 'R Us in this part of the world (in lieu of Chris's suggestion of "a live-in mechanic. "). Wish I still had my dad--for both the knowledge & the bonding time--good for you both. I like the idea of a database/some sort of listing where folks can name the places where they've had good service & places to avoid, though I'm not technoliterate enough to do that.Thanks for the update. Also, don't know your location, but give a thought to the Ladeze gathering--a great gaggle of gals with whom to howl at the moon during an eclipse (yeah, I'm mixing fowl & mammalian species, but I like the alliteration ). I've not been able to make the calendar work for a couple of years, but so much knowledge & warm spirits (plus the "spirits" around the campfire ).Give a shout if you're ever coming through north Missouri, for either a meet-up, or if you want a place to light while you see the area (I'll extend the invitation I've given on this site before--I've got a farm just outside of Chillicothe that's available for boondocking). Happy trails with your baby. LynneLynneI like the idea of a database/some sort of listing where folks can name the places where they've had good service & places to avoid, though I'm not technoliterate enough to do that.http://www.lazydazeowners.com/index.php?topic=29329.0 Lynne, there is this thread to which not much has been added recently. Chris
Re: HELP!! Reply #16 – December 28, 2018, 01:42:35 pm Quote from: Chris Horst - December 28, 2018, 01:41:56 pm"I like the idea of a database/some sort of listing where folks can name the places where they've had good service & places to avoid, though I'm not technoliterate enough to do that."http://www.lazydazeowners.com/index.php?topic=29329.0 Lynne, there is this thread to which not much has been added recently. Chris
Re: HELP!! Reply #17 – January 18, 2019, 06:36:55 pm HI folks,Not sure why I don't get notifications of replies half the time. So I'm at the end of my rope with everything right now and just about read to put all in storage and try my hand at an RV road trip. But first i have to figure out where to get my propane tank regulator replaced. I have no idea where to find this. I've done a search for propane repair in my area, but I find only propane refill places, and not many of those. Nothing indicates repairs. Where do I go for this in the San Francisco Bay Area? And preferably the East Bay, somewhat close to Oakland?Lisa
Re: HELP!! Reply #18 – January 18, 2019, 06:53:00 pm You might try this place. (They don't seem to have a website.)S & S Rv - RV Repair - 900 Brookside Dr, Richmond, CA - Phone Number - YelpOn edit: I looked at the photo of your propane tank (reply #5 in this thread.) I can't say, but a shop may well decline to replace the regulator due to the amount of rust on the tank, not knowing if this condition affects the overall integrity of the system. YMMV. 1 Likes
Re: HELP!! Reply #19 – January 18, 2019, 07:13:37 pm "On edit: I looked at the photo of your propane tank (reply #5 in this thread.) I can't say, but a shop may well decline to replace the regulator due to the amount of rust on the tank, not knowing if this condition affects the overall integrity of the system. "Lisa, would it be possible to have a new tank and regulator installed at a regular RV repair emporium? If you want to go on a road trip, but not have the use of your propane system for a short while, maybe you could make arrangements to visit an RV repair place in an area outside of the Bay Area? What about the Camping World in Fairfield? Is it still there?Maybe others can suggest a competent RV repair somewhere with more location choices for you, if you are willing to spend a day traveling, and then a day or three at the facility. If you can make contact with an appropriate facility, they could have the tank and regulator ready for you when you arrive.Even if this procedure took four days (a day to get there, two days in situ (so to speak), and then another day to get back home), it might be a fun experience - even if just for the non-hassle aspect of driving around the crowded Bay Area streets. Should your schedule allow you to go on from the repair place for a few days of relaxation . . . all the better. Virtual hugs, Judie•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~• 2 Likes
Re: HELP!! Reply #20 – January 18, 2019, 07:16:45 pm Quote from: Joan - January 18, 2019, 06:53:00 pmYou might try this place. (They don't seem to have a website.)S & S Rv - RV Repair - 900 Brookside Dr, Richmond, CA - Phone Number - YelpOMG!!!! Thank you!!! I do not know why this place has NEVER come up in my google or Yelp searches. And believe me, I have done several. I just called and the guy was nice and, like my dad, said external rust is not an issue. WHY DID I NEVER SEE THIS PLACE BEFORE?!! SO MUCH easier to get to than San Jose, and something about the guy seemed real. Not some fake ass salesperson trying to reel me in with how much they love Lazy Daze and blah blah blah.I am really hoping i just found my RV place.thank you thank you thank you!!Lisa G.
Re: HELP!! Reply #21 – January 18, 2019, 07:25:47 pm Quote from: Judie Ashford date=1547856817 link=msg197927 What about the Camping World in Fairfield? Is it still there?Thanks Judie. I had just gotten off the phone with an RV place in Fairfield when I saw the post about S&S. The one in Fairfield was booked for weeks and the drive is terrible due to traffic.I'm hoping that S&S is my place. I shall find out next week. He had a cancellation on Thursday so has time for me. I am getting ready to sell my house and looking for a place to live between houses, so don't have much time for a road trip. I'm also in a hurry to get the propane fixed and make sure everything runs smoothly because I am seriously considering living in my RV while between homes. All the rentals I've seen are so, so overpriced for the size and condition that I am having difficulty with the idea of paying more in rent than I pay for a mortgage and yet only getting half the space and no amenities. NO thanks. But I want to sell my house now before the housing market tanks. So it's important that to me to at least have the option to stay in my RV. Not ideal, but in some ways beats paying $2700+ month for a 1 bedroom apartment with a lousy landlord.
Re: HELP!! Reply #22 – January 18, 2019, 08:14:39 pm Just a FYI: Camping World in Fairfield closed several years ago; there's a location in Rocklin, but it's also a CW sales lot; I don't know where repair service or store customer RV parking is. Reviews of this facility are not positive. I have no personal experience with this CW, but acknowledge my hearty dislike of CW as a whole. YMMV, as always.
Re: HELP!! Reply #23 – January 18, 2019, 08:28:51 pm It's been over twenty years since we would pull out of Sunnyvale at ten o'clock at night and head for Fairfield to spend the first night of a trip. Never had any work done there, but it was a fun place to spend that first night, having escaped during the lighter "rush hours" of ten to midnight!We had a reliable repair shop about 3/4 of a mile from our house, so we could drop off/pick up by walking a pleasant route amongst the open land and greenhouses. Then came the overpass and off ramps, tall buildings housing "tech" companies, and other destructive changes.The pain of getting out of (and back into) town in our Lazy Daze is one of the main reasons we no longer live there. I know that's not always an option, but my blood pressure dropped considerably upon removal from all that tension! Virtual hugs, Judie < -- glad to be gone from Silly Cone Valley 1 Likes
Re: HELP!! Reply #24 – January 18, 2019, 09:29:02 pm The Camping World that was in Fairfield did close... but reopened farther up the road in Vacaville.Vacaville Camping World - RV Dealer, Service Center and Gear
Topic: HELP!! (Read 1340 times)
previous topic - next topic
Topic: HELP!! (Read 1340 times)
previous topic - next topic