Community Forums

ktreiman · 12-14-2010, 06:04 PM

Well, I just picked up our "new to us" 1999 Exel 30' fifth wheel. I admit, I have never owned one of these and am completely lost. This one has been sitting for a couple of years...still looks really nice inside and out. I filled up the propane tank and dialed down the heater...it blew cold air. I couldn't get the stove to light either...

BTW, I do not have access to 220 power...just the hook up on my truck.

Anybody have any ideas? Thanks,

Kathy

mikron · 12-14-2010, 06:19 PM

did you check the propane gas, is the tank full and or is it turned on. Also when you turn on the propane you need to let it went the air out of the line, should only take a few minutes. For the system you need your battries charged to light the gas. I have never owned a 5th wheeler but all RVs need propane gas for heat/cooking.

Larry & Rita · 12-14-2010, 06:22 PM

Kathy,
I don't want to appear cruel to you, but did you open the valve on the propain tank ?
Some times you have to bleed the lines of the air, use the stove first, turn on a burner and wait for the air to dispel then use your grill lighter or match-be very careful!!
Listen for the hiss of gas-don't let to much gas get out-if you have a range hood turn it on before you turn on the burner-never after you smell gas.
Larry

TXiceman · 12-14-2010, 06:32 PM

You will need to turn on the tanks, then turn on the stove and keep trying to light it. Once it is lite, now try the furnace. You may need to cycle it a few times to get the line cleared of air and lite.

Listen to see if the ignitor is clicking. The fan should start and run fro a few seconds to clear the burner chamber then the gas valve will open and the ignitor will click. If the batteries are weak and the blower does not get up to speed, the sail switch will not make and the furnace will not ignite.

Also, why do you need 220 volts. If the trailer a 30 amp 3 prong plug or a 50 amp 4 prong plug. In either case you can get an adapter to go to 120 volt 15/20 amp so that you can plug in at home and run a few lights and charge the batteries.

Ken

CorsairIIAT · 12-14-2010, 08:32 PM

Ditto what Ken Said.

ktreiman · 12-15-2010, 08:55 AM

Thank you all...yes I had the propane open :-) Yes I have propane :-) I will let it run to the stove for a bit today and see if that works.

Big thanks on the tip that I can get a converter for the plug...that will be a BIG help!

Kathy

ktreiman · 12-15-2010, 12:01 PM

Well I was able to light the stove, but had to use a match..the spark switch was sparking, but not enough to light the burners.

Still no heat from the furnace though. I have the trailer plugged into my truck, even had the truck running. No go. The blower clicks on and blows, but it is cold air.

Any other ideas?? My kids and I are going to have to live in the trailer, so this is kind of important to me

Thank you!

Kathy

Lakeman1 · 12-15-2010, 02:27 PM

If you had to use a match on the stove because of lack of spark then lack of spark is probably the problem with the furnace. Plug the trailer into 120 volt and try it after a charge.

Ray,IN · 12-15-2010, 05:49 PM

Since you said the trailer has set for two years, in all probability the battery ran down completely. A faulty battery, even on a converter/charger will not supply adequate voltage. If this is the case, you need to have the battery tested at a battery shop. Quite often when a battery is completely depleted and allowed to remain in that condition, it ruins the battery.

skigramp · 12-15-2010, 07:12 PM

I am not familiar with 5th wheels so I don't know how many batteries you may have ... but I am with Ray in thinking your battery(ies) are toast ...

If you have jumper cables you can test to see if the battery(ies) are the problem ... disconnect the cables running to your battery(ies) ... then use the jumper cables to connect the ends you just discconnected from the 5th wheel battery(ies) to your truck's battery ... keep the engine running ...

If the stove and furnace lights you have determined that your batteries are either defective or not sufficiently charged ... if they still do not light your problem is somewhere else

ktreiman · 12-16-2010, 01:45 PM

Going to have to wait until Sunday when my husband comes up from TX to pursue this. Thank you all for your great suggestions. Hopefully we will have this working soon!

Kathy

ktreiman · 12-28-2010, 07:56 AM

Ok, heater works with new batteries! Someone had mentioned s plug converter I can get to plug the 4 prong 220 into a regular house 110 extension cord type plug?? I cannot find one anywhere! Can someone point me in the right direction?

Thank you all very much!

Kathleen in OK

autofish · 12-28-2010, 08:19 AM

You need a plug adaper 50mp to 30amp then 30amp to 20amp 110 volt. Most rv stores carry these.Hope this helps.

paz · 12-28-2010, 09:19 AM

To expand on what autofish said, the 50 to 30amp adapter will be a "dogbone" connector - a 50-amp female plug on one end of a short piece of wire with a 30-amp male plug on the other. Some Walmarts have them, some don't. You may have to go to Camping World or an RV dealer. The 30 to 15/20-amp adapters are available almost anywhere RV supplies are sold - including Walmart.