Results for "battery maintenance"

Engine Medium 2-4 hours 310 👍 0

Generac 7.5kW Diesel Generator Repair Guide - RV Troubleshooting

Planning to ignore the weird noises from our Generac 7.5kW diesel generator backfired when my wife pointed out I definitely made things worse during my repair attempt. I have a 2007 Monaco with a Generac 7.5kW diesel generator, and yesterday when I tried starting it, the battery was really weak. I probably held the starter button too long - maybe 15 seconds or so - because it was cranking so slowly and I kept hoping it would catch.

Now when I try to start it, I just get a single click and nothing happens. I'm worried I damaged something by cranking it so long with that weak battery. Should I be looking at the starter solenoid or starter motor? Is there anything I can check myself before I have to take it to a repair shop? I'd really appreciate any guidance on troubleshooting this. …more

Read answer

Engine Easy N/A 211 👍 0

Ford V10 Triton Engine Maintenance Guide: EGR Delete vs Regular Service Tips

Spent years doing regular EGR maintenance on my old gas motorhome without issues — but this 2007 Fleetwood 31' Tioga with Ford V10 Triton has me second-guessing everything. I keep reading conflicting information about EGR delete procedures on V10 engines, and I'm worried I might make things worse if I mess with it.

Is the EGR delete modification actually necessary on this 2007 3-valve V10, or am I overthinking this? I don't want to void any warranties or create problems that weren't there before. Would I be better off just sticking to regular maintenance instead of modifications? I'm looking for reassurance that I'm taking the right approach to keep this engine running reliably for years to come. …more

Read answer

Ac Refrigeration Medium 2-3 hours 182 👍 0

Norcold 1210 Not Cooling: No Error Codes Troubleshooting Guide

During my morning RV check I spotted my Norcold 1210 completely dead with zero cooling that was running perfectly yesterday with no error codes. Unit appears to be operating normally with no error codes displayed, but it's not cooling properly. Interior temperature is staying above 50 degrees. Thermistor has been tested and checks out fine. What else should I look at? …more

Read answer

Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Leveling Blocks & Jacks

4.6 (9,800 reviews)

Solar Batteries Medium 2-4 hours 168 👍 0

RV Battery Draining Overnight? Find & Fix Parasitic Drain

The day after I installed that new solar charge controller last month, my RV batteries started mysteriously draining from fully charged to completely dead overnight. I've already confirmed that all visible lights, fans, and appliances are turned off, and I've switched off the main interior power, but something is still drawing power continuously. I understand this is likely a parasitic drain where some component or circuit is staying energized when it shouldn't be, but I'm not sure how to systematically track down which specific circuit is causing the problem. I have a basic multimeter but I'm not entirely sure about the proper methodology for testing each circuit individually to isolate where exactly the power draw is coming from. What's the step-by-step process for using a multimeter to methodically work through the electrical system, starting from the main disconnect and testing individual fuses or circuits until I can pinpoint the exact source of this parasitic drain? …more

Read answer

Solar Batteries Medium 2-4 hours 165 👍 0

How to Upgrade Progressive Dynamics Converter for Lithium RV Batteries Safely

Got a 15-year-old Progressive Dynamics converter that's starting to throw fault codes with my new lithium setup — worth upgrading or try making it work? I have a 2006 Lance 915 cabover that I recently upgraded with 2-200 watt Bouge solar panels and 2-100ah SOK lithium batteries.

The problem is I'm still running the original Progressive Dynamics converter charger that came with the RV, and I've learned it's not designed for lithium batteries. I'm worried about damaging my new battery investment.

What are my options for upgrading? I'm not sure if I need to replace the whole converter unit or if there's some kind of upgrade kit available. Any advice would be really appreciated since I don't want to mess this up! …more

Read answer

Solar Batteries Medium 45 minutes 158 👍 0

RV MPPT Solar Controller E1 Error Code: Causes & Fixes

Halfway through troubleshooting my MPPT solar charge controller's E1 error — would this be covered under warranty, or am I stuck paying out-of-pocket? The controller was working fine for months, but now it's completely stopped charging my batteries and just displays this E1 fault code on the screen.

From what I've read, this could be related to battery over-voltage conditions or possibly some kind of wiring fault, but I want to make sure I understand all the potential causes before I start troubleshooting. I'm comfortable doing basic electrical work myself, but I also want to know when this might be something that requires professional attention for safety reasons.

Can someone provide a detailed breakdown of what the E1 error specifically indicates, walk me through the proper diagnostic steps to identify the root cause, and explain the repair process? I'd especially appreciate guidance on how to safely approach this troubleshooting and what warning signs would indicate I should call in an expert instead of attempting the fix myself. …more

Read answer

Engine Hard 4-6 hours installation 141 👍 0

SDI E-Clik vs Liquid Spring: Affordable F53 Chassis Suspension Upgrade Options

Nobody warned me that what started as minor swaying on highway trips last month would turn into white-knuckle driving every time I take my F53 chassis RV over 50mph. SDI E-Clik costs about a third of what Liquid Spring systems run, but I'm wondering what you actually get for that price difference.

Is E-Clik just electronic shock control, or does it offer more comprehensive suspension improvements? How does the ride quality compare between the two systems on F53 motorhomes? …more

Read answer

Engine Easy 15 minutes 141 👍 0

5 Star Tuner X4 for Ford V10 RV: Complete Performance & Upgrade Guide

Planning to tune my 2018 Ford 6.8L V10 RV but got quoted $800 for professional tuning and wondering if the 5 Star X4 is DIY-friendly. Specifically want to know about real-world performance improvements - does it actually improve throttle response and shift points? What about fuel economy gains?

Which of the 3 programs works best for RV towing? Is the investment worth it for better drivability or just hype? …more

Read answer

Electrical Medium 45 minutes 140 👍 0

RV Converter Not Charging Battery: Fix Guide & Solutions

Despite my multimeter showing 12.6 volts at the battery, everything I've read says my converter should be pushing 13.6 volts during charging. When I plug into shore power, my converter fan kicks on and runs like normal, and all my 120V stuff works fine - lights, outlets, everything. But my batteries just aren't charging at all.

I'm not really sure where to start troubleshooting this. Could it be a fuse somewhere? Bad connections? Or is my converter partially failing somehow? I'd really appreciate some guidance on what to check first and how to test if the converter is actually putting out the right voltage to charge the batteries. …more

Read answer

Engine Easy N/A - finding shop 139 👍 0

Ford F53 V10 RV Chassis Repair Shops Near Raleigh NC - Engine Service

My Ford F53 V10 is showing misfire codes P0301 and P0303, but my compression test reads 180 PSI when everything says it should be around 150 PSI. I'm located near Raleigh, North Carolina, and I need to get some mechanical work done - specifically repairs to the exhaust manifold bolts and air conditioning system work.

The problem I'm running into is that when I call Ford dealerships in the area, they keep telling me they don't work on motorhomes, even though it's a Ford chassis. This seems crazy to me since the engine and drivetrain components should be the same as other Ford vehicles. The exhaust manifold issue and AC problems are fairly standard automotive repairs, so I don't understand why the Ford connection isn't helping me here.

What type of repair facilities should I be looking for instead? Are there specific shops or service centers near Raleigh that specialize in F53 chassis work, or should I be approaching this differently? I just need somewhere that can competently handle these mechanical repairs on my motorhome without the runaround. …more

Read answer

Engine Medium 2-3 hours 138 👍 0

Onan 4000 Generator Surging: Step-by-Step Fix Guide (2024)

Despite my neighbor's Onan 4000 generator purring like a kitten, mine suddenly developed nasty surging issues yesterday — what's going wrong? It surges when cold, then settles down as it warms up. Under load it surges heavily until the appliance shuts off. Getting worse each day.

What are the main causes of generator surging? Need a step-by-step approach to diagnose and fix this - should I start with the carburetor, fuel system, or something else? …more

Read answer

Product Ranking 8 compared

Best RV Batteries

4.5 (15,400 reviews)

Electrical Medium 2-4 hours 136 👍 0

RV Dash AC Blower Motor Not Working? Check These Hidden Fuses First

Last week I'm trying to decide between shelling out hundreds for an RV tech or tackling this myself after my F53 chassis motorhome's dash A/C blower motor completely died. I've checked all the obvious fuses in the main fuse panels, but nothing seems blown.

I discovered something crucial that might help others: Fleetwood added a hidden 25 amp fuse wire-tied above the emergency brake, not shown in standard Ford chassis diagrams. In my case, this was the culprit. As a temporary fix, I even ran a wire directly from my lighter plug with a switch to get some air movement.

I'm wondering if other RV owners might have similar hidden electrical components that aren't in standard chassis wiring documentation? Before taking it to a shop, I recommend carefully checking behind panels and tracing wires, especially looking near the dashboard area above the emergency brake for manufacturer-specific fuses. …more

Read answer

Electrical Easy 10 min read 134 👍 0

RV Battery Disconnect Switch Guide: When to Use, What Loses Power & Staying Safe

Wondering if I can skip the $400 shop diagnosis for my electrical issues and just figure out this battery disconnect switch myself, even though I'm getting conflicting advice.

Specifically, I'm concerned about what happens to things like my LP gas detector, carbon monoxide alarm, and refrigerator when I disconnect the battery. Will I lose all my radio presets and clock settings? Are there certain situations where I absolutely shouldn't use the disconnect switch?

I want to use it for storage to prevent battery drain, but I'm also wondering about daily use scenarios. What are the best practices to avoid any problems or safety issues? I really don't want to mess anything up or put my family at risk. …more

Read answer

Engine Medium 2-3 hours 133 👍 0

1993 American Eagle Onan Generator Low Voltage Fix: Rectifier Bridge Corrective Steps

Tried everything to fix my 1993 American Eagle's Onan generator low voltage issue — about to buy a $150 rectifier bridge but is it actually the solution? Everything seems to run fine - it starts up without issues and sounds normal - but I'm only getting 12-15 volts output instead of the proper voltage I should be seeing.

I've been doing some research and think it might be related to the rectifier bridge or suppressor components, but I'm not entirely sure. The service manual mentions parts CR21 and RV21, but I'm honestly a bit overwhelmed trying to figure out exactly which replacement parts I need.

Could someone help me understand what's likely causing this low voltage issue and point me toward the correct replacement parts? I'd really appreciate any guidance from those more experienced with Onan generator repairs. …more

Read answer

Solar Batteries Medium 4-8 hours 132 👍 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

Read answer

Loading more Q&A...

You've seen all 138 Q&A articles!