Newbie Questions

Topic: Newbie Questions (Read 1444 times) previous topic - next topic

Newbie Questions

July 29, 2016, 09:23:08 pm

So just having purchased this 1987 Grand Villa out of a barn last week, I'm now working my way through the basics. Engine - good. Tires - replaced. Chassis and body - excellent. Interior - still nice. Generator - runs nice. I've replaced the ATS and the coach batteries, but still trying to figure out why some of the courtesy lights won't work. If anyone has some advice on that, please let me know.

The big questions now have to to do with how to work the LP, refrigerator and water systems. If anyone would like to volunteer to mentor me on this, I would be grateful - I don't know where to start. (The local RV shop said they would NOT help me since I didn't buy it there). The owner said he had winterized everything a long time ago and didn't remember how to work anything. I'd like to get the refrigerator going this weekend if possible - IT is a Dometic RM 3801 - can anyone help me get started with this?

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #1 – July 29, 2016, 09:51:57 pm

If you'd post your location area, you may find you have help nearby.

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #2 – July 29, 2016, 09:55:07 pm

We are located in Muncie, Indiana (45 miles NE of Indianapolis).

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #3 – July 30, 2016, 08:28:50 am

I owned an '87 for 9 years. What are courtesy lights?

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #4 – July 30, 2016, 08:04:42 pm

Are you talking about the floor lights? if you are might have bad bulbs. to get the refrigerator start with cleaning the burner and flue tube. Before trying any propane, would be good idea to do a propane leak check and check if the pressure is right. The refer should work on 120 volts, just supply the 120 and turn on the switch to electric operation

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #5 – July 30, 2016, 08:06:45 pm

It would also help to know what model 87 grand villa you have as it makes a difference with where the water fill valves are located

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #6 – July 30, 2016, 09:54:00 pm

Thanks for your replies! I will try to post some pics of the courtesy lights and other areas tomorrow. The title lists the model as a 9NA - it is a a 36 ft. OREG.

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #7 – July 30, 2016, 11:26:53 pm

Ah. 55 and below these worked ok. I'm partially responsible for these.

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #8 – July 31, 2016, 02:13:26 am

That RV shop must be run by knuckleheads. What an opportunity for a new customer who may have a lot of business for them, especially with an older RV. The best bet is to connect with someone who has a FT of the same vintage and knows your coach.
Have fun with it.

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #9 – July 31, 2016, 12:14:30 pm

So today I continue to try and get acquainted with the 87 GV. Can someone tell me where the water fill is on this thing? I've found the water heater, Frig. service, sewer dump, propane area, but where the heck is the water fill?

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #10 – July 31, 2016, 12:42:43 pm

Quote from: besowers – July 31, 2016, 12:14:30 pm

where the heck is the water fill?

FT seems have changed things whenever they felt like it from year/model. Here's our's in a compartment below & between the front seats on the riser. Left ball vave is incoming when hooked up to shore water. Right is a drain/overflow. Hope this helps.

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #11 – July 31, 2016, 12:59:08 pm

Quote from: besowers – July 31, 2016, 12:14:30 pm

So today I continue to try and get acquainted with the 87 GV. Can someone tell me where the water fill is on this thing? I've found the water heater, Frig. service, sewer dump, propane area, but where the heck is the water fill?

Have you checked the wet bay? Mine is there along with the sewer and electric connections. To fill the tank there is a valve under the bathroom sink in my 93 GV. If you deploy this valve when shore water is connected and on it fills the tank. If the valve is not deployed shore water bypasses the tank and feeds the sink, shower, etc, directly using shore water pressure.

You should also have a water pump switch in the bathroom. If using direct shore pressure make sure the pump is off.

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #12 – July 31, 2016, 01:13:52 pm

I've updated my wet bay but you can see the water fill under the faucet.

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #13 – July 31, 2016, 01:22:30 pm

Quote from: mike leary – July 31, 2016, 12:42:43 pm

Here's our's...

Mike,

That is your fill valve, but where do you actually connect the city water hose? I think that is what the OP is looking for...?

We need a '87 GV OREG owner to chime in - they might be totally different than later models.

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #14 – July 31, 2016, 01:28:43 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – July 31, 2016, 01:22:30 pm

That is your fill valve, but where do you actually connect the city water hose? I think that is what the OP is looking for...

Whoops! I thought he wanted fill storage tank.

Ours is in the roadside bay where the power, sewer + cable hook-in.

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #15 – July 31, 2016, 01:38:23 pm

Unfortunately, the sewer hookup is alone. The shore power and cable in in the engine compartment. There appears to be what I hope is a breather pipe with a screen on it in the bay in front of the dashboard. Any other ideas?

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #16 – July 31, 2016, 01:53:26 pm

Quote from: besowers – July 31, 2016, 01:38:23 pm

Any other ideas?

There is another thread going where the member (nitehawk) is trying to fill his water tanks on a '89 GV ORED. It sounds like his normal water fill hose connection is in the engine compartment.

Getting fresh water into our GV

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #17 – July 31, 2016, 03:40:16 pm

Found it! There was, what looked like to me, a hydraulic fitting on the end (remember, I'm a newbie) so I assumed it would not be water - but actually it looks like some quick connect end - And yes, it was by the shore power connection in the engine compartment access door. Thanks to all who responded!

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #18 – July 31, 2016, 03:49:45 pm

Quote from: besowers – July 31, 2016, 03:40:16 pm

I assumed it would not be water - but actually it looks like some quick connect end - And yes, it was by the shore power connection in the engine compartment access door.

Well done, I like brass quick couples. Before you get carried away, I'd replace the rubber gaskets everywhere, cheap insurance. If you're staying on the forum (hopefully) add your coach specs to the lower sig, it will help should you be locked in the bathroom!

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #19 – July 31, 2016, 05:02:41 pm

In the compartment where the tank is.....between driver and passenger seats.......is a valve like you have on your outdoor faucet at your home that actually lets the water INTO the tank. Unless someone has changed it. Close it after fill up or the water pump will continuously run.

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #20 – July 31, 2016, 05:24:16 pm

Quote from: Twig – July 31, 2016, 05:02:41 pm

In the compartment where the tank is.....between driver and passenger seats.......Close it after fill up or the water pump will .continuously run.

Unless one is grabbing water from storage, both pump switches should be off. I never travel with a full tank, being a cheapskate, and considering fuel mileage.

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #21 – July 31, 2016, 05:55:27 pm

Mike, with a motorhome that weighs 26K to 28K lbs you think another 800 lbs really matters?

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #22 – July 31, 2016, 06:23:49 pm

Quote from: Twig – July 31, 2016, 05:55:27 pm

Mike, with a motorhome that weighs 26K to 28K lbs you think another 800 lbs really matters?

I told you, I'm a cheapskate, I've already convinced the DW to pass her rock collection on to the kids. Every pound lost counts!

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #23 – July 31, 2016, 06:26:27 pm

Mike,

If your coach weighs over 23,000 pounds, you REALLY need to go on a "coach diet".

Re: Newbie Questions

Reply #24 – July 31, 2016, 06:32:19 pm

Sorry, only one fresh water tank in our '89 GV. It is up under the dash (partly) with fill valve and dump valve on the "hump" housing.
The fill connection for a hose is back on the driver's side in the engine compartment, accessible thru the louvered door on the driver's side. Our coach is a rear radiator model. Other than that there is no other way to add water unless you "Rube Goldberg" it like I did.

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