Does anyone know...the fridge in our '77 seems to work with the generator and shore power. Can not get the propane to work and the 12-volt does not work. Am I doing something wrong with the 12-volt? In the closet is a 12-volt box with fuses next to the breaker box. All the fuses appear to good. Am I missing something?

Also, how can I tell if the hot water heater works with shore power??

Thanks

It would be rare your reefer were capable of running on 12VDC, but the failure to run on propane indicates a control board issue, in that the circuitry for running 120VAC pretty much bypasses the 12VDC section. The 12VDC section is essential for the propane. However, note that some of the older coaches require physically lighting a pilot for the reefer to work on propane. Electronic ignition relies on the control board.

For the HW heater, to see if it has a 120VAC heater, check the external compartment. If it has a 120VAC element, that should be evident in looking at the plumbing fittings - if thre's a fitting with wires coming out, then the 120VAC element may have been installed. There should also be an interior switch to energize it, but in keeping with the Barth Mystique, its location is a mystery.

Thanks Rusty, We are scheduled to leave at 10:00am tomorrow, and could not get the propane to ignite(electronic igniter) and hoped to get the 12-volt to work. Jeff figured it needed to be cleaned. It will have to wait until after the checkered flag on Sunday. We are gonna have a great time anyhow.

Joy

quote:

For the HW heater, to see if it has a 120VAC heater, check the external compartment. If it has a 120VAC element, that should be evident in looking at the plumbing fittings - if thre's a fitting with wires coming out, then the 120VAC element may have been installed. There should also be an interior switch to energize it, but in keeping with the Barth Mystique, its location is a mystery.

On our '93, the electric element is mounted on the side of the tank that is not visible from the external compartment. I had to remove the lower kitchen cabinet drawer to access and replace the element.
Nick

I'll have Jeff get on that. We are a little leary of the propane part of the HW heater. After firing up the pilot light I stepped into the coach and there was a big "whoosh" and the pilot went out. That's why we were hoping for an alternate source for the Hot Water Heater.

Joy

Just an update.....Took a look at the HW heater and it is propane only. Not a problem once we get the coach into a professional and have everything cleaned I beleive! Joy

My WH was a little intimidating at first, but once I got used to it it was no biggy. I still only use it for Sunday morning quicky showers at the track, and when Suzy wants to wash dishes. It heats up really fast and keeps water hot for a long time, depending on the outside temp of course. MIS is looking like lower 80's and upper 50's, so morning showers might be a tad chilly without the heat. You won't use as much water that way though! Have you ever checked for hot water after a long run? I didn't know I had that option for 2 years! Got to Alabama and turned on the wrong faucet and nearly scalded my hand! It was still pretty hot the next morning. I assume you're going to MIS this weekend, have a ball, and give us a race report, w/ pix of course.

Have not checked the hot water going down the road. We have that in the semi-truck and it makes it so nice, hopefully for the campers around us we have it on the coach. By Sunday I may not even care about hygene. The Barth is pretty much packed and ready to roll after a quick clutch fan and thermostat change at 9:00 last night.....ya gotta love a handy husband! I have 2 cameras packed and will give a full update with pictures as requested. Thanks everyone we would have never pulled this off without the help of Barthmobile . Joy

The "whoosh" from the HW heater is probably air in the lines.

The drill is, before running anything else on propane, to open one of the stove burners until it lights - this may take time, but it'll purge most of the air from the system. Then the refrigerator and hot water heater will perform normally. Trying to bleed through a pilot light orifice would take a lo-o-o-ng time.

Rusty-

That is great advice! I only wish I would have read it before the "whoosh", and the cold "Navy" showers at the race this weekend. I don't care what Jeff says cold showers are not invigorating(sp?) .