RV maintenance sealand toilet and reefer..

[mikelutestanski]

Hello;   a few thoughts on maintenance...
   Had a problem with the propane system on the norcold 3way  683 model.  Its been fine for 10  years.. then the gas quit.
    1:  Cleaned the burner  ot worked ok  once..  next trip out failed to ignite.  Messed with it and turned out to be the ignitor module..norcold had a bunch of different parts over the years and the replacement is not cheap  161 from Waynes refer in NC . An outfit in california had the same part for 154 however  Wayne talked me thru the procedure and was helpful. I found him from another post that stated some were on craigs list  ..  Waynes RV refer service 704 975 4034.  I am pleased with his promptness and help...  THe new ignitor was installed today and the beast fires up immediately..  So $161 bucks for the first 10 years of service albeit not continuous service because the bus sat for a while whilst finishing and doing the engine swap..
    THe second part was nasty and I do have a reccommend..  If you plan on changing the ball in your RV toilet take a hose and a good nozzle and spray the parts under the ball.. Turn the water off to the toilet open the ball and let fly .  YOu will be in there with your hands when you replace the ball. There is a screw that needs to be removed and the ball needs to be squeezed to get it out..  "Nasty business that part.  Gloves required  also..   ANy way changed the ball and the seals and the spring assembly.  Will see if by tomorrow if it holds water. I believe it will be ok   Bought the parts on ebay for 25 bucks so a rebuild for 10 years use...
     Maintenance is a required feature if you want any longevity..  Hope to get the next 10 years out of this stuff.  The only problem is my hands dont function as well as before so most work takes more time..

       FWIW  regards  and happy bussin   mike

[white-eagle]

Mike,
jack and others have always told me you were a very capable individual and could handle a lot of sheet.  i had no idea how good you were.

thanks for the hints on the fridge and i hope not to have to work on the other problem.

[Kevin]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the info! I too have a Sealand toilet. It began to leak from the bowl-to-base juncture. Standing water in the bowl would seep onto the floor making for a very unpleasant surprise, especially to bare feet!

This actually went on for a while because I kept forgetting about it while we were at home... only to be rudely reminded with each outing. Ick! Last time out (July '10) I'd had enough, evidently, because I remembered when we got home to finally do something about it. I contacted Sealand on-line and downloaded (for free) a manual with troubleshooting guide. I ordered the two gasgets that seal the ball and installed them.

Yes, it was NAAAASTY!!! I too hosed the parts off. While we haven't been out in the bus yet, I know it is working because our home mainline sewer backed-up over this weekend and I had to pull the downstairs toilet and run 50' of snake to clear the bloody tree roots. My wife, daughter and I used the bus bathroom in the interim. Another nice bene of owning an RV, huh?! The leak is gone and water stays in the bowl after flushing. Sweet!

Anyway, you got a great deal on your ball and gaskets! I paid $36.00 for the two gaskets alone. No more leaks, however, so I ain't complainin'!

Cheers!

[robertglines1]

good report Mike..didn't know your poo smelled .  Bob

[gus]

I have the same frige and my igniter board also went out on a trip. I replaced it with an aftermarket board that cost less than $100 and is better.

Norcold had a bunch of faulty igniter boards for that series and they caused trouble for years. They kept selling the boards at that inflated price with a very short warranty compared to the AM one. The AM board ( I don't remember the brand name but any RV dealer will know it).

Sorry I couldn't tell you this earlier but you will know next time.

[pabusnut]

I guess I will put some water in my Mansfield Traveler before I bolt it to the floor!
I bought mine off E--- for some ridiculously low sum, so before it gets gunked up ....

Thanks for the reminder!

Steve Toomey
pabusnut