Escapees July-August 2022

mark, my words

Your RV Questions By MARK NEMETH #45776, Escapees Technical Advisor Send your questions via e-mail to techquestions@escapees.com

Vaseline for Batteries

Portable Pump Q. I have a SHUR fl o2088/2093 series portable pump that has not been used for over a year. Now, when I turn it on, it runs constantly and with very little pres sure from tap? Any suggestion for how to fi x this problem? Janet A. Be sure that the pipe from the freshwater tank is tightly connected to the pump inlet and that there’s water in the pipe and no air bubbles. Open a faucet and run the pump for a minute to let it purge and prime. If it doesn't start to fl ow water properly, shut it off and remove it from the plumbing system so you can disassemble it. This may require draining the freshwater tank and the RV’s plumbing system before removing the pipes from the pump. Once you have the pump in hand, it’s easy to disassemble the pump head and clean the valves. They come apart easily with the removal of a few screws. Usually, you’ll fi nd something in one of the valves that’s keeping it from seating. Simply clean the valve assembly with soapy water, then rinse and reassemble. This will usually fi x it. If not, you can buy the pump head as a replacement part, or buy a complete new pump. Roof Stains

Q. In a past issue of Escapees magazine, there is a recom mendation to use Vaseline to help avoid battery corrosion. Do you apply a light coating on the battery terminals before or after attaching the positive and negative cables? Would a coating of Vaseline interfere with making a good connection? Roy

What is the best way to remove leaf stains on a fi fth-wheel EPDM roof? We had a recent storm come through while in a campground, and it was several days before we returned ho and discovered the stains. We have not tried to remove them P A. The way I deal with roof stains is to “pretend not to see them.” This has been working fi ne for me for years, and, let’s face it, the roof isn’t visible to others unless they’re in a helicopter. If you simply must clean the roof, you can use Dicor’s rubber roof cleaner (RP-RC160C), but many folks use either Simple Green or Spic n Span. A stiff scrub brush and a bucket of warm water with some Dawn dish soap and some bleach works pretty well, too. Always wet down the sides of the rig before washing

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A. The Vaseline should be applied after the connection is made and secured. Just rub a small amount over the terminal and connector. You can also use a purpose-designed battery terminal grease (See below for online examples). However, I have found that Vaseline does the job just as well. • www.amazon.com/

and rinsing the roof, or you’re likely to get streaks down the sides. Be extremely careful, because that rubber gets really slippery when wet and soapy, and a fall from the RV roof can seriously injure you! Never use any cleaner that contains petroleum distillates, abrasives or citrus oil on the rubber membrane. Mineral spirits can be used sparingly by moistening a rag with it and rubbing a stain or gob of sap, but use as little as possible, then wash the spot with soap and water. If these methods and products don’t remove the stain, you’re better off leaving it there than trying to remove it with a solvent or abrasive!

NOCO-CB104S-Bat tery-Corrosion-Pre ventative/dp/ B004AWO4N • www.amazon.com/ CRC-Battery-Termi nal-Protector-Aero sol/dp/B0013J7RAI

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ESCAPEES Magazine July/August 2022