Community Forums

lenny-shawna · 12-10-2015, 04:42 AM

Yesterday I crawled under my rig as I am due for an oil change and forgot what filter I needed (turned out to be a blessing in disguise).

On previous changes prior to draining I ran the engine to warm the oil so it's always hot under the rig.

Yesterday I went under there with a cold engine and was utterly shocked at how warm it was.

So I looked to see if I had the engine heater on and I didn't. I have a few other switches that are labeled incorrectly where when the switch is off it's actually on and visa versa.

I pulled the switch out and sure enough its labeled wrong. I flipped the switch and changed the label so it reads correctly.

I don't expect perfection but feel on certain items such as electrical there needs to be quality control and a second set of eyes and some form of redundancy at the factory.

I'm not a mechanic by any means but the oil heater has probably been on since the coach was built which is most likely dangerous.

I store my rig in my garage where I have full hookups so it's been plugged into shore power since I've owned it.

Does anybody have any similar issues we should be checking to hopefully avoid a potential disaster?

rapid rick · 12-10-2015, 05:13 AM

The water heater by-pass valve on my coach was labeled wrong, the label plate that goes behind the valve handle was turned,then screwed into place.I found this when I winterized the coach after I bought it,(in november 2012).RV dealer said they winterized it for me at date of purchase,good thing that I did not trust that it was done right,and did it myself.

530ktm · 12-10-2015, 12:34 PM

My gray and black labels are reversed, even the handles are wrong being gray and black. I first learned of this when I dumped my black tank first and thought how amazingly clean and clear my tank ingredients were.

Makes one wonder who in the world does this kind of work and who over sees them.

Steve Ownby · 12-10-2015, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 530ktm

My gray and black labels are reversed, even the handles are wrong being gray and black. I first learned of this when I dumped my black tank first and thought how amazingly clean and clear my tank ingredients were.

Makes one wonder who in the world does this kind of work and who over sees them.

I good friend of mine just purchased a new Forest River class C on a Sprinter chassis. I was parked next to him on his first over night trip. We discovered the exact same situation. The gray and black labels and handle color were reversed.

FIRE UP · 12-10-2015, 02:47 PM

lenny,
If you think your block heater has been on as long as you think it has, I'm surprised that you didn't notice it on your notification panel. On ours, it's called the "One Place" panel in the middle of the coach. It's where all the checks are made, holding tanks, water heater on/off, generator start, house and chassis battery(s) condition and so on. When ever I turn on my block heater, my digital amp gauge in that One place immediately bumps up to 7 or more amps.

So, in that, I would notice that something is on. Does your coach have a similar panel with that kind of notice on what kind of amps you're using at the time?
Scott

jmcannonball · 12-10-2015, 06:08 PM

The block heater on my Excursion has a indicator light on it. However, some RV interior design engineer thought it would be a good idea to locate it on the frame for the bed at foot level. One day I happened to notice my display panel was reading 10 amps with nothing turned on. After a few seconds checking every switch I could find, I noticed the block heater indicator light was on.

On a lesser note, when I picked up my "new to me" MH, the driver and passenger side slide out switches were reversed in both the salon and bedroom. Interestingly, the PO said he had not noticed it.

lenny-shawna · 12-12-2015, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

lenny,
If you think your block heater has been on as long as you think it has, I'm surprised that you didn't notice it on your notification panel. On ours, it's called the "One Place" panel in the middle of the coach. It's where all the checks are made, holding tanks, water heater on/off, generator start, house and chassis battery(s) condition and so on. When ever I turn on my block heater, my digital amp gauge in that One place immediately bumps up to 7 or more amps.

So, in that, I would notice that something is on. Does your coach have a similar panel with that kind of notice on what kind of amps you're using at the time?
Scott

Hello Scott,
In my control panel the switch was in the down position and Winnebago has that position marked as off.

I do have a digital readout for my batteries but I must depress that button for it to display on the screen. I will be checking on that now.

Thanks

lenny-shawna · 12-12-2015, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmcannonball

The block heater on my Excursion has a indicator light on it. However, some RV interior design engineer thought it would be a good idea to locate it on the frame for the bed at foot level. One day I happened to notice my display panel was reading 10 amps with nothing turned on. After a few seconds checking every switch I could find, I noticed the block heater indicator light was on.

On a lesser note, when I picked up my "new to me" MH, the driver and passenger side slide out switches were reversed in both the salon and bedroom. Interestingly, the PO said he had not noticed it.

It would be nice if the coach manufactures installed a red light on indictor for us.

FIRE UP · 12-12-2015, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lenny-shawna

Hello Scott,
In my control panel the switch was in the down position and Winnebago has that position marked as off.

I do have a digital readout for my batteries but I must depress that button for it to display on the screen. I will be checking on that now.

Thanks

Hey Lenny-Shawna,
Thanks for getting back here with what yours says. What I was referring to in the "One Place" panel, is the not the battery condition but, the automatic reading that pops up when ever any electrical demand is placed in the "ON" position. Things like toasters, Microwaves, block heaters, the wifes "HAIR DRYER" etc. When any of those are turned on, that digital reading automatically shows the amp draw on the electrical system. That's what I was asking you about. Hope I cleared it up right.
Scott

chuckftboy · 12-12-2015, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lenny-shawna

It would be nice if the coach manufactures installed a red light on indictor for us.

Mine has a red lighted switch but its inside one of the cabinets in the rear bath.

lenny-shawna · 12-13-2015, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

Hey Lenny-Shawna,
Thanks for getting back here with what yours says. What I was referring to in the "One Place" panel, is the not the battery condition but, the automatic reading that pops up when ever any electrical demand is placed in the "ON" position. Things like toasters, Microwaves, block heaters, the wifes "HAIR DRYER" etc. When any of those are turned on, that digital reading automatically shows the amp draw on the electrical system. That's what I was asking you about. Hope I cleared it up right.
Scott

Hi Scott,
I do not have any such anything like that.
I'll take a picture tomorrow and try to post it.

Lenny