Question on Maintenance

Another thing to check on an annual basis is the propane system for leaks an proper regulator performance.

John & Joey wrote:
You're not going to have mud daubers in Canada. Screens will look pretty like you head south for the winters though.

You really do not have to do anything to the fridge or furnace, but if you really want something to do then:

For the furnace I would pull the computer board and very lightly with a pencil eraser shine up the connections. I would then pull the sparker and check for gap and lightly remove any black from the probe with steel wool.

For the fridge I would do a few things. I might go on top and with a leaf blower send air down the shaft. I would then take an air hose and blow out all the road dirt from the side vent access panel. Also where the burner is I might lightly hit it with a wire brush to clean it up and then verify there isn't a bunch of rust in the cup area. I would also inspect the area for water damage either from the drip tube or from rain sneaking in under the access panel.

Before doing any of the above I would pull the fuses, and if I had time, since the fuses are pulled, I would lightly pull off each connection, clean it up a little and slide it back on with some dielectric grease.

Johhn and Joey.. Screens don't have to look pretty...but they are a lot prettier than mice easily getting in your furnace exhaust pipe,, and if you don't have mud daubers in Canada, I know you have wasps and yellow jackets who can get in those vents... all 3 of them ( furnace, water heater and fridge) and build a nest and clog up the works! Just do a search on this website and see how many real world posts there are... or go on Amazon and look at the hundreds of comments from real people about WHY they purchased the screens! I trust their judgement and put all 3 on my new TT.. inexpensive and easy to install and peace of mind for my expensive new TT! .. Your decision... this is only advice...

That was some great info thank.

You're not going to have mud daubers in Canada. Screens will look pretty like you head south for the winters though.

You really do not have to do anything to the fridge or furnace, but if you really want something to do then:

For the furnace I would pull the computer board and very lightly with a pencil eraser shine up the connections. I would then pull the sparker and check for gap and lightly remove any black from the probe with steel wool.

For the fridge I would do a few things. I might go on top and with a leaf blower send air down the shaft. I would then take an air hose and blow out all the road dirt from the side vent access panel. Also where the burner is I might lightly hit it with a wire brush to clean it up and then verify there isn't a bunch of rust in the cup area. I would also inspect the area for water damage either from the drip tube or from rain sneaking in under the access panel.

Before doing any of the above I would pull the fuses, and if I had time, since the fuses are pulled, I would lightly pull off each connection, clean it up a little and slide it back on with some dielectric grease.

x4 on bug screens. I have them and they stay on. refer, furnace, water heater

Amazon has different bug and critter screens for the 3 most important vents to the outside: The furnace exhaust duct, fridge vent, and water heater exhaust.. I bought a new TT and reading customer comments on amazon for these screens, I immediately bought all 3 and installed before I ever used.. they go on permanently, are inexpensive and easy to put on and now I am confident I will not have all thrse insect and varmint issues.. would strongly recommend them !

Amazon has bug screens that are exact fit for the fridge vent panels for both Dometic and Norcold. They fit without blocking air flow.

MFL wrote:
I don't do much actual maintenance to either. I think the important thing for the fridge, is to have it level during operation. I do run the furnace after wet/rainy periods to dry it out, if it appears to be wet in the exhaust area.

I put screening over fridge and furnace vents during times of lots of bugs, but only when not in use. I have a piece cut for each, that I just tape on. I use screen just like you have in the screen door.

I think the best upkeep for these, is using them, rather than non use.

Jerry

The screening over the outside vents/panel areas is a good idea. In the springtime, I always open the outside access doors and make sure mud-daubers or other critters haven't tried to set up housekeeping.

Rob

After having to pull a furnace and clean a mud dobber out of the fan I keep a stainless screen on the heater external vents permanently.

I don't do much actual maintenance to either. I think the important thing for the fridge, is to have it level during operation. I do run the furnace after wet/rainy periods to dry it out, if it appears to be wet in the exhaust area.

I put screening over fridge and furnace vents during times of lots of bugs, but only when not in use. I have a piece cut for each, that I just tape on. I use screen just like you have in the screen door.

I think the best upkeep for these, is using them, rather than non use.

Jerry