First post-first RV

Hello all, first let me say hello to you all...last monday I sold my boat and bought my firrst RV. I packed up all my possesions and rolled out of town....that was Olympia, WA and now I am in Reno, NV. Most of my trip and stay here has been trouble free with a few exceptions....my propane heat will stop in the middle of the night and then blow cold air until I turn it off and on again. I replaced the thermostat yesterday but last night it did it again. I have pets onboard and really prefer to try to keep us warm so this is no good as I am up and down fiddling with the heat all night.
The second issue is a little less troubling but is inconvenient...the gray water release valves seems to be stuck and wont pull out to drain it...I managed to get it out just far enough to let it trickle out but it makes no sense to me because it worked fine just a few days ago. Also the handles were missing and even though I got one replacement to thread on the others threads are too messed up by vice grips to put on a new handle...any ideas on this without replacing the gate?

thanks for your help, Nik

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Permalink Reply by VK on December 4, 2009 at 12:22am: Hi Nik, you might try cleaning the furnace ignitor and sensor. I'm guessing at the probable model of your furnace. It doesn't have a pilot, right? There are sensors that go bad, your board could be failing or the propane lines could have oil in them-very hard to tell. I think it might be worth it to have an RV shop check it out for you.

The grey valve is pretty easy to replace-just four bolts. Once they fail, it's usually not worth tinkering with them. You might try silicone plumbers grease but you still have to take the valve apart to grease it. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. VK; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Henry on December 4, 2009 at 10:02am: Hey Nik, in addition to VK's advise the problem in addition to the brainboard could be the small selinoid (sp) that activates when the unit is on. It over a period of time sometimes gets hot begins to loose some of it's former streagth to hold the valve open and drops out to close off the propane supply. Just another safety feature so unwanted gas won't keep flowing after a flame out. The dump valve as he said is a cheap but a pain in the butt repair. But if you want to cheat a bit just to tie you over for awhile clamp some vise grips on the shaft and get a re-threader/ tap from ace hardware along with a new handle/knob with the same treads to put in it's place. Note: Always remember to keep your mouth closed when working on dump valves. LOL
Good luck on your tour de America

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Permalink Reply by Nik Graves on December 4, 2009 at 10:36am: Hydro flame is the brand of the old thermostat that looked OE. Havent actually found the heater or the part of it that is accessible to 'fiddle' with...lol under the fridge is some stuff and under the dinnete table seat is a collection of vent hoses...I think maybe more stuff for it are under settee in back...I will be searching today...the squealing/whistling sound is getting softer and more intermittent..; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nik Graves on December 4, 2009 at 7:21pm: went to RV repair shop today and they couldnt figure it out at all...they think it might be the extend-a-stay fitting we put on a few days ago...we removed it and the noise stopped....so much for 150 dollar fitting and hose...they are calling extend-a-stay monday to find out why thier product is screwing my system up....; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pat Daly on December 5, 2009 at 12:13pm: Nik, this is interesting, if not a big frustration for you. Let us know how this works out with the extend-a-stay and we'll post for others in the forum. may save lots of other from grief.

Stay warm and follow the sun buddy.

pat; ▶ Reply to This