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RV Doctor ColumnRV Doctor #265 Dear RV Doctor, The water in our shower only stays hot for five to ten minutes. I tried to re-light the pilot on the water heater but can't seem to get it to ignite. Also, my refrigerator is both AC and gas. Every other day I get a "check" light indicating the flame has gone out and it starts to defrost. And why will my furnace not light? I have gas in the tanks because I can still light the stove. Any info will be appreciated. Derek Ferris, (Buda, TX) Derek, typically when two or more LP appliances experience operational problems at the same time, the finger can usually be pointed at the LP source or the LP regulator. Moisture in the LP container or regulator can cause many erratic symptoms. To be sure, have a qualified RV technician inspect the LP regulator and measure the output pressure while the system is under a load. This requires specialty equipment so it is best left to the professionals. My guess is that the regulator is faulty and needs replacing. Additionally, if there is moisture in the LP container(s), they will have to be purged and a drying agent introduced into the container. Again, a job for the pros. What you can do is be sure the burners at each appliance are clean and all electrodes are free from soot or carbon buildup. Generally clean in and around each burner assembly taking care not to disturb the alignment of the components. Keep in mind, all LP appliances require yearly preventive maintenance in order to remain at optimum operating efficiency. Dear RV Doc, we have a problem that crops up now and then with our older Sealand toilet. Every now and then the toilet bowl does not hold water, no matter what I try, warm water, squirt bottle, toilet brush, pumping the pedal, etc. My husband says that he has seen somewhere a tool that cleans out the "ring" at the bottom. He thinks it is called a toilet tool and that it looks similar to a dental tool but is composed of plastic. Do you know of such a tool? What is it called? If so, do you have any information on it and where we might get one? Jennifer & Dave Taw, (Bend, OR) Jennifer & Dave, the usual fix for a Sealand toilet that will not hold water is simply to tighten the circular band around the bowl. Typically, the seal becomes loosened somewhat after numerous flushes and the effects of wracking and twisting of the RV while traveling. The design of the Sealand seal is such that occasional cleaning of the flush ball and lubricating of the seal is all that is required in most instances. Sealand informs me that they did pass out free brushes at some rallies in the past. This may be what your husband is referring to. Here's what you can do; turn off the water supply and clean away any particles or corrosives that may be on the flush ball, then spray a light silicone lubricant on the ball surface and work the mechanism a few times to spread the lubricant over the entire seal. Be sure the closet bolts that hold the toilet to the floor are snug and tighten that band. That should take care of your problem. Dear Doc, Will you please explain what AC polarity is and how to determine when it's correct at the campground pedestal. I participate on a website forum and some have tried to answer this resulting in confusion for most who read it. Ray Fowler, (Solsberry, IN) Ray, understanding the nuances of electricity can be most confusing and quite daunting as well. The biggest problem is our propensity to confuse what we know about the RV's DC battery systems with the AC system. Each system has it's own set of rules and most are not interchangeable. While DC current flows in one direction only, in North America the AC system operates at a frequency of 60 cycles or Hertz per second and it alternates direction, back and forth. Direct Current has a polarity of positive and negative which remain constant; positive is always positive and negative is always negative. Alternating Current, on the other hand, switches polarity between the hot and neutral wires sixty times per second. Picture "time" as a straight line drawn across a piece of paper. Above the line is considered positive voltage, below the line it's a negative voltage. Therefore the polarity is positive half the time and negative half the time. They are said to have a polarity of alternating values. Obviously too fast to measure with a typical volt meter. An oscilloscope, however, will clearly show the alternations in the form of a measurable Sine wave. Wiring is accomplished via a "hot" (black) and a "neutral" (white) along with a third, uninsulated grounded wire. In theory, many AC devices would still operate okay with reverse polarity, (remember seeing lamp plugs that could be plugged in either way?), but polarity is most important for people and pets around the RV. AC polarity is easily checked with a device called a polarity tester. It simply plugs into one of the receptacles inside the RV and a series of LED's indicates if the polarity is correct or if the hot and neutral incoming wires are reversed, or if any of the wires in the circuit are "open" (not connected). Consider it extremely value-priced (cheap) insurance that could save your life in some situations. No RVer should be without one. I recommend checking the voltage and the polarity at the campground pedestal before even connecting the shoreline cord. If the voltage is between 105-volts and 130-volts AC and the polarity is correct, you know it is safe to plug in. Also consider the addition of a surge protector for your rig. Both high and low AC voltages can be damaging to sensitive equipment on the RV. Dear Gary, I'm a 67-year-old single man who uses a wheelchair and I want to buy a motor home, maybe a Class C diesel. I have lived alone most of my life, drive, have a private pilot's license and am retired. In traveling, I will not be able to do the campground hook-ups, dumping, etc. It's my belief that RVers are friendly and willing to help and that I'd be able to get help as needed. No personal help, just assistance with handling the coach. I think this would be a great adventure and present the opportunity to meet many new people and see the country. Has anyone using a wheelchair handled a motor home independently? My real question is, do you think I could usually count on getting the help I'd need? Larry Allison, (Lake Forest, FL) Larry, I applaud your efforts and highly encourage you to seek out the possibility of traveling in an RV. Indeed, most RVers are quite friendly and very helpful, although there is no guarantee all would be willing to give you a hand. I would even be willing to wager that most campground operators would also consider your limitations and provide the needed tasks while hooking up. Many physically challenged people do enjoy the freedom of RV travel; so much so that many manufacturers have addressed the challenges of traveling while wheelchair bound. Extra wide entry doors with chair lifts are readily available from the factory or as an aftermarket modification. Counter heights and lavatory accessibility is also taken into consideration. Even an RV Club catering to the physically challenged can be found at; http://www.dbyeaw.com/htc/. Go for it!
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