Second Thing To Check Before Camping Starts

rockwood06 · 03-04-2010, 05:52 AM

FYI, The plumping lines to your sinks under the counters sometimes may loosen from the cold weather and especially where the water supply is connected to the camper (City Water Connection) This one thing to check If you have a new camper and are waiting for Spring and have not used your new rig yet. If you do check them and find them loose remember do not over tighten them just make sure they are snug. While you are under the sinks you may want to check the traps as well, I had one that came loose at the bathroom sink and it began leaking on the floor under the cabinet. Just a thought......

cfsoistman · 03-04-2010, 07:13 AM

Thanks for the reminder. That's one thing we take for granted until it does leak and then you ask yourself "Why didn't I check that?" I will add one other thing is put in new batteries for the CO detector and smoke detector. I hate waking up to one of those things chirping that the battery is low.

rockwood06 · 03-04-2010, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfsoistman

Thanks for the reminder. That's one thing we take for granted until it does leak and then you ask yourself "Why didn't I check that?" I will add one other thing is put in new batteries for the CO detector and smoke detector. I hate waking up to one of those things chirping that the battery is low.

Yes, Batteries that 's the first thing I do when camping season is over is to remove all batteries for the Winter and when it's time to get the camper ready for the season, I install all new. Thanks for bring that up Charlie....

NWJeeper · 03-04-2010, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfsoistman

Thanks for the reminder. That's one thing we take for granted until it does leak and then you ask yourself "Why didn't I check that?" I will add one other thing is put in new batteries for the CO detector and smoke detector. I hate waking up to one of those things chirping that the battery is low.

And I just have to believe that they are built with internal clocks so that they will only chirp at 1:00am. Once had one that continued to chirp after removed from the AC power and the battery removed. Threw it out the window into the front yard at about 2:00am.

Good reminder Rockwood06.

MtnGuy · 03-04-2010, 11:46 AM

Speaking of chirping smoke detectors, mine is doing that, and the battery shows good. Any thoughts before I change the whole thing out??

cfsoistman · 03-04-2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnguy

Speaking of chirping smoke detectors, mine is doing that, and the battery shows good. Any thoughts before I change the whole thing out??

Check for dust or spider web. Try using a small paint brush after removing the battery and then reinsert battery and see if that doesn't correct the chirping. Mine did the same thing last year. If it doesn't chirp, great, but still push the test button to be sure it works.

MtnGuy · 03-04-2010, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfsoistman

Check for dust or spider web. Try using a small paint brush after removing the battery and then reinsert battery and see if that doesn't correct the chirping. Mine did the same thing last year. If it doesn't chirp, great, but still push the test button to be sure it works.

I will try those ideas. The last time I checked, there wasn't anything visible, but it won't hurt to dust a little.

I have just figured out that my smoke dectector chirping is probably why the birds like my camper so much !!!

cfsoistman · 03-04-2010, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnguy

I will try those ideas. The last time I checked, there wasn't anything visible, but it won't hurt to dust a little.

I have just figured out that my smoke dectector chirping is probably why the birds like my camper so much !!!

They usually like mine right after I wash it, same thing goes for my car.

rockwood06 · 03-04-2010, 02:37 PM

I first time I winterized my 06 RockWood I forgot to take out the battery in the living area. My neighbor next store had his fire place going and the smoke invaded the camper and the smoke detector went off, well the problem was that the detector is mounted on the ceiling and it was over the slide out and could not reach it and the side with the slide out was on the garage side and could not open it so I had to let it die. That's one reason I take them out before winter, I learn my lesson.

cfsoistman · 03-04-2010, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockwood06

I first time I winterized my 06 RockWood I forgot to take out the battery in the living area. My neighbor next store had his fire place going and the smoke invaded the camper and the smoke detector went off, well the problem was that the detector is mounted on the ceiling and it was over the slide out and could not reach it and the side with the slide out was on the garage side and could not open it so I had to let it die. That's one reason I take them out before winter, I learn my lesson.

Hopefully it wasn't an Energizer Battery. I manage to remember the Smoke detector but it's the CO detector I usually forget, probably because it's a pain to slide apart. The first time I changed that battery I found that FR used one screw to mount it. Lets just say it's a good thing I was out there by myself because all I could get it to do was spin. I was worried I'd tear the padded ceiling material. I was ready for a padded room myself. It finally slid over just slightly where I could use a scratch awl and pry it the rest of the way. Once I saw the type screw they used I realized why it wouldn't slide. That must have been the day they handed out Big Round Head Screws and the detector was stuck on it.

I replaced that screw and added another pan head screw so it slides over without getting stuck.

MtnGuy · 03-04-2010, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfsoistman

Check for dust or spider web. Try using a small paint brush after removing the battery and then reinsert battery and see if that doesn't correct the chirping. Mine did the same thing last year. If it doesn't chirp, great, but still push the test button to be sure it works.

Well, my detector was clean, but I blew all around it anyway. When it started chirping a couple of months ago, I replaced the battery, with no change. Since this battery was a little weak from the once a minute or so chirp over the last couple of months, I replaced it again, but this time I cleaned up the terminals with a pencil erasure, and all is good now. Not to totally hijack Wade's thread, but I also checked out the CO detector, as well as the propane detector. Besides checking the propane detector with the test button, I light a butane lighter, blow it out while keeping the button engaged, and then hold it close to the detector for 15 seconds or so, and the alarm should go off. I then test the mute button, and wait for the green lite to come back on.

Keep us on our toes, Wade.

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