Questions about electrical and fridge fan
 

Hello,

We're new to trailering, and bought a 1993 Hi-Li Towlite in March. We've taken it out once and loved it. What a learning experience.

One of the issues we have is that the electrical outlets (3) don't work. Neither my husband or I can remember if they worked when we bought it (rookie mistake). Everything else works: the hydrolic lift, the lights, the refrigerator, etc. Is there a switch we're not throwing? It doesn't appear that any of the circuits are blown.

The fridge fan was working great the first 3 days, and when were packing up to leave we found it was no longer running. I'm guessing it died. Any idea where to get a new one or how difficult it is to replace?

I have other questions (How do you operate the darn toilet?!) but they can wait.

I appreciate any and all help.

check your outlet in the bathroom, it should be an instant trip type, reset it(push in the reset button in the middle of the switch) On my 88 it controls the bath, outside outlet, and the outlet under the table.and your fridge fan goes on and off intermitantly when too much heat is built up in the fridge circulation system. when you get home, put a thermometer in the fridge and plug in your camper, turn on the fridge and see after a day of two if fridge is cold and if fridge fan occationaly turns on. usually after 90 degrees or so it will. for the toilet i usually stand in front of it or sit down on it (Just joking) make sure your water valve is turned on, lift handle (floor pedal on mine) to add water to bowl and step on pedal to flush. if you look in the instruction manual part of the hi-lo forum, there should be instructions on how to use all your appliances and fixtures for your model or at least close to the year of yours,most are the same. good luck and happy camping in your new hi-lo

Thank you for the quick reply, Rob. I will have to look for an outlet in the 'bathroom'. (It's really just a head & small shower wand with a curtain enclosure. Does the toilet work off of electricity, too? I have checked the library and our owner's manual & am just not putting 2 + 2 together. What makes it even more difficult is that we store it about a 20 minute drive from here. (But, I know what I'm doing tomorrow).

As to the fridge: when you say too much heat build up would stop it, do you mean from the unit itself? We set it at 4 (recommend in the manual) and it seemed to be too cold, so we turned it down. Was it working to hard because we had it set to cold or too warm?

Thank you for your patience. I really appreciate it.

Also? It wasn't until the second time I read your post that I got your joke about the toilet, Rob. D'oh! OK, then... Is there a separate water valve for it?

Sorry for what are obvious questions. We bought our trailer from a family who was selling it for their grandpa and he wasn't in any shape to tell us how anything operates. We've been kind of teaching ourselves.

One thing you MAY not realize - the household style electrical outlets don't work unless you are plugged into shore power (or are plugged into a generator). And, do check the ground fault circuit breakers in the plugs if you see any (buttons in the middle). They can trip and shut down an entire circuit. Also, I think the 3-position master switch near the lift switch has to be in the upper or middle position. If it's in the down (raise/lower) position, nothing but the lift motor and the fridge works.

There is no electricity for the toilet. If you have water pressure at the sinks, opening the toilet valve should flush it. But, the valve CAN get clogged with crud in the water (mine did) and I had to use city water pressure without a regulator to force the obstruction out.

There's a heat fin behind the fridge that has a heat sensor attached to activate the fan. When that fin gets hot enough, the fan runs (if you've turned it on). I think it has to be above 90 degrees there for that to happen.

Hope this helps.

- Jack

Thank you for all the good information.

I'm guessing the fridge fan wasn't running because it was quite cool that morning (mid 50s).

As for the electrical outlets, we were on shore power. I will check and reset all circuit breakers. I don't think our switch is a real 3-way switch. It will raise and lower the trailer, but you must keep pressing it while it raises or lowers. I don't believe I can turn it to another position when it's raised (I think it will just lower it). Of course, I could be wrong.

Where would we find the water valve for the toilet? I'm assuming it's a separate valve.

Thank you, thank you.

I wouldn't worry about the fridge fan myself. I run my fridge with outside temps well over 100 degrees and my fridge stays at 34 degrees on propane or 110V.

The toilet water valve is located on the water line that attaches to the back of the toilet. The handle on the valve has to be going in the same direction as the water line to be in the on position. If it is in the opposite position (forming a "X"), the valve is in the off position. Welcome to the forum.

Bob

There should be another "switch" next to the one that raises and lowers the trailer top. When it is in the middle- nothing should work. In other words, no lights, no fans, and the switch to operate the top won't do anything, either. When it is pushed up (or down, I can never remember unless I am doing it- but somebody mentioned it above) it will allow you to raise and lower the top with the OTHER switch. When you push it all the way in the other direction- you should have lights and fans etc, but not be able to operate raising and lowering the top. Check it out. See if there isn't another switch next to the one youuse to raise and lower the top.

Rick

Getting information
 

Welcome to the forum. As you have already experienced our forum members are great with questions. One of our forum members did extensive you tube on many aspects of the Hi Lo. This should be in the library by Sting 32. This would be well worth your time to watch these.

I ran into this problem on another camper that I had had at one time. Change the plug itself. I had one go out and so the others down the line did not work. They only cost about a dollar and a half or so (depending on your locale hardware store) and are really easy to change. This may not be the fix for it but is something that is easily over looked. And if you go to a mobile home supply, they have recepticals that the wire just pushes in and and locks that are easier than messing with the screws. Hope this helps you out.

My 95, has 3 circuit breakers, near the same place that I unfurl the shore power cord, but different compartment. It is however, unknown if factory or if it was modded.

Plus mine is a 5th wheel version. There are pics of my 5th if you look around in my profile.