coach: 1990 U280 GV (36') Cat 250.
Here's a picture of the tank plumbing. Tank is 1/2 + full. Might be the regulator needs replacing, but what is the electric connection (solenoid) doing there?
The solenoid is controlling the LP to the coach. On the older coaches like ours the switch is in the galley area powered by the detector on the floor. Mine had an off position, and when then turned on, the solenoid was to open and allow gas to flow.
You can remove the plunger in the unit, or remove the unit and plumb direct. New code and new coaches do not have the solenoids. Boats with propane have them to keep the gas from being on, and flowing into the bottom of the boat. West Marine sells the units, if you feel you still want one. I removed mine as it was leaking, and then not working.
You guys are the GREATEST!!
Thanks. While driving last 2 days, things kept falling out of my cabinets, and I must have kicked the detector switch to OFF while picking things up.
I just now turned it ON, and the water heater kicked on.
Never did notice that the little green led wasn't blinking.
BTW. This forum is way better than the techs on-call at FMCA.
I removed the electric solenoid propane valve on my previous SOB because the detector/controller was near the floor and being constantly turned off by a foot brushing the switch. The other important factor for boondockers like me is the power consumption, 24 amphours per day is just too much power for a "safety valve" which turned out to be problematic.
Welcome to the "why did this quit working" club.
We have accidentally turned off the propane switch in our 1997 coach. Fortunately, I recognized the source of the problem pretty quickly.
Another switch that frequently causes frustration is the "master" switch by the door. It is easy to accidentally turn off. (I blamed our "surprise" on the dog.) It turns off a lot of circuits, but not all of them. If lots of your 12VDC equipment doesn't work, check that switch.
The other switch that cause some hair pulling is the GFCI breaker in the 120VAC circuits. It is often located near the bathroom sink. It can be tripped in various ways, and will disable many of the outlets in the coach. We have a Vornado personal fan than sometimes trips the switch when we turn it on or off.
All of you have added to my knowledge. I'll probably expire before i figure out what all the buttons do. And it doesn't even have all the new bells & whistles. I found the separate circuit for the Insta-Hot dispenser that doesn't work, and isn't needed, so that's where I plugged in the UPS for the computers. APC UPS's constantly trip GFCI outlets. Now, I just have to string a new wire for the UPS circuit to the dining table outlet.
It's just like buying a house, built with auto-hobbies.
Our Insta-Hot dispenser did not work on 12VDC. The same failure mode could happen for the 120VAC heater. Some information about a possible repair is here: http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=14585.msg85436#msg85436 (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=14585.msg85436#msg85436). You might decide to try to fix it as one of your "auto-hobbies."
Thanks, J.D.
Now I have another 'auto-hobby'.
The insta-hot was turned off because the supply line from the filter leaks. I don't know if it provides hot water, and won't until I get the mini-shower under the sink stopped.
but it's FUN when everything works, so I'll just keep plugging away.