Q. I have lived in this trailer for 2 years now and before this, there were no problems with the heating, in fact, it was too good at times. This year is a different story. There is no heat. The mobile home ductwork is just blowing cold air. We have replaced the air filters, had the furnace professionally checked, replaced the thermostat, and tried to repair the duct work under the trailer. I am not sure how well the duct work was checked and repaired. Now that it is getting colder, in the lower 20's, and it's just the start, I would like to know about how much should it cost to have someone to look at the ducts and to fix them or replace them? All your sources are for South Carolina and I live in Michigan. This is an older trailer, made in the 60's. If you need more information, just email me. I really just need a fair estimate. It's a single wide, too. I also know that the duct work is not original. Would it be better or cheaper to change to the smaller flex ducts? I really just need the most cost-effective fix to this issue. This place does not get any warmer than 62, during a sunny day, and much colder during the nights. Any information you could give would be helpful, even things that we haven't looked at yet. Thank you for your time.
A. It would be hard for me to give you an estimate without looking at the situation first hand. Let me ask you this, if the ductwork was replaced what was used to replace it and how was it done? Did they use flex duct or metal duct? Is it insulated? Is it electric or gas heat? Take one of the floor registers loose and stick your hand in the duct to feel for air flow, if you feel a lot of air movement then the duct my have come loose somewhere. If you don't feel a lot of air flow then I would suspect the heater. About the only suggestion I can give you is to call some local mobile home parks and dealerships to see who they use for maintenance/repairs and is their anyone honest and reliable they could recommend. Sometimes they have people who work for them that do jobs on the side. If you get any estimates get a few if you can to compare diagnosis and price. You can also go to http://localdouble.com and search for mobile home heat-A/C repair companies. Don't tell them what you suspect let them tell you. Sometimes when you say it might be the duct work they pick that up as a clue to tell you that you need everything replaced, same with the heater. Please let me know what happens because I don't want you to freeze. I know it gets cold up there...Don
Reply: Thank you for your response. This will help a lot. I wasn't even sure where to begin. I will let you know what happens. I am not sure what will happen when, because this week is crazy, but this will give me a place to start. Thank you very much.
Update: A spider had built a web in the pilot light orifice which interfered with the pilot flame.
Switch Receptacle Combo Wiring
Q. I want to replace my original equip. light switch with a pass & seymour light switch and receptacle plug. Inside I don't have red white and black. I have 3 black and my ground. is the power line the one coming in from the top?
My reply to question...
I'm surprised that there is not a white wire in there. Power usually comes in from the bottom and the "switch leg" to the light goes up inside the wall. Check to make sure that there is no white "neutral" wire. It is possible that there is not a white wire if the power is first brought in through the ceiling junction box where the light fixture is. In that case you will need a volt meter to find the hot leg and the neutral leg to make the outlet work. Do you have a volt meter?
Reply back...
I do have a bunch of white wires that are bundled together with a wire nut. None of them were attached to the light switch. I will check on the volt meter and get back. Thanks for the quick reply.
A. You need to "pigtail" (see website for how to make a pigtail) a white wire to the silver screw on the outlet portion of the outlet. Take whichever black wire is the hot from the breaker box and connect it to the brass or black screw on the outlet switch combo device and then attach the black wire that went to the light fixture on the remaining brass or black screw on the switch part of the combo device and you are done. Take a look at my website for complete instructions on combo switches and pigtail wiring. http://mobile-home-repair.blogspot.com/2015/04/how-to-wire-combination-receptacle.html
Reply back...
Did the job! Thanks
My reply to question...
I'm surprised that there is not a white wire in there. Power usually comes in from the bottom and the "switch leg" to the light goes up inside the wall. Check to make sure that there is no white "neutral" wire. It is possible that there is not a white wire if the power is first brought in through the ceiling junction box where the light fixture is. In that case you will need a volt meter to find the hot leg and the neutral leg to make the outlet work. Do you have a volt meter?
Reply back...
I do have a bunch of white wires that are bundled together with a wire nut. None of them were attached to the light switch. I will check on the volt meter and get back. Thanks for the quick reply.
A. You need to "pigtail" (see website for how to make a pigtail) a white wire to the silver screw on the outlet portion of the outlet. Take whichever black wire is the hot from the breaker box and connect it to the brass or black screw on the outlet switch combo device and then attach the black wire that went to the light fixture on the remaining brass or black screw on the switch part of the combo device and you are done. Take a look at my website for complete instructions on combo switches and pigtail wiring. http://mobile-home-repair.blogspot.com/2015/04/how-to-wire-combination-receptacle.html
Reply back...
Did the job! Thanks
Elastomeric Roof Coating- An Alternative To Full Roof Replacement | Option BG
When you need a material to re-roof an existing roof system, you can use products such as Maximum-Stretch and Super Elasto Barrier, these products can eliminate the need to do a tear-off. There is no adhesive needed; elastomeric roof coating can be swabbed on or applied with rollers. It is as simple as painting it on the the roof, but it forms a solid and impenetrable barrier when dry. It is also resistant to mold, mildew, and high temperatures.
Elastomeric Roof Coating- An Alternative To Full Roof Replacement | Option BG
Elastomeric Roof Coating- An Alternative To Full Roof Replacement | Option BG
What Insurance Alternatives Do Manufactured Home Buyers Presently Have?
Personal property, loved ones liability, medical costs for any guests who may possibly endure injury whilst they are on your property, and further living costs for you and your household if you need to have to have temporary housing whilst your house is undergoing repair or reconstruction.
What Insurance Alternatives Do Manufactured Home Buyers Presently Have?
What Insurance Alternatives Do Manufactured Home Buyers Presently Have?
Water Heater Repair Instructions - How to Repair an Electric Home Depot-GE Brand Water Heater-Manufactured by Rheem
There are videos on The Home Depot website and YouTube that can assist in guiding you through your water heater repair. Preparation is key, have all the tools and parts you may need at hand before you start repairing your mobile home electric water heater. If your GE water heater is still under warranty, call the 1-800 numbers on the tank to receive repair parts free. If your Rheem water heater is within the first year of warranty, Rheem will even assist in the repair of your GE electric water heater.
Water Heater Repair Instructions - How to Repair an Electric Home Depot-GE Brand Water Heater-Manufactured by Rheem
Water Heater Repair Instructions - How to Repair an Electric Home Depot-GE Brand Water Heater-Manufactured by Rheem
Mobile Home Electrical Outlet and Switch Repair Replacement
Q. I own a older mobile home that I am replacing the electrical outlets , the outlets you plug into have 2 sets of wires in some of them , I want to use regular outlets , the on and off switches either have 2 sets of wires or there is 2 that have 3 sets of wires going to it , would you know how to wire the regular outlets in to these , thanks
Q.#2 You helped me figure some electrical outlets on a mobile home , the question I have is , replacing a on and off switch in a mobile home the one I got is junk the wires push between two pieces of metal and half do not work , the switch in the mobile home has two sets of wires going to it, 2 white 2 black and 2 ground , and some have 3 sets of wires . Would you know what type of on and off switch , I know the single pole switch only has 4 screws .
A. The outlets that have two cables going to them should have two black wires, two white wires and two ground wires total. If that is correct in what I just said, connect the two black wires to the brass screws on the outlet. The white wires go to the silver screws and the ground wires go to the green screw. The outlets that have three cables in them you need to make a "pig tail". Strip about one inch of insulation from each of the black and white wires. You will need a piece of black and a piece of white wire about six inches long. Now twist together all four of the black wires and cap those off and do the same with the white wires , same with the ground wires. You should now have the fourth black and white wire you added sticking out. Attach these wires to the outlet black to brass screws and white to silver screws and do the same with the ground wires to the green screw.
Where you have two cables, twist the white wires together, then twist the grounds together and cap those off. You should now only have two black wires left that will go to the screws on the switch. A single pole switch has three screws two for the power/switch leg and one for the ground. Where you have three cables, that means that power is being carried on to another location unless it is feeding another fixture or fan in the same room like in the case of a bathroom. We need to figure out which one is power from the breaker box, which one goes to light fixture and which one goes to a downstream location. Generally there is one that goes up and maybe the switch leg to the light fixture. Do you have a volt meter, if so you can find the hot leg from the breaker box by testing across the white and black in each cable. In any event you can twist all the whites together and all the grounds together and cap them off with a wire nut. You should now have three blacks leftover. the power black and the black going downstream will twist together and using a third pigtail wire connect to one screw on the switch the switch leg black will go to the other screw of that switch. Look at this page on how to make a electrical pigtail wiring connection.
Q.#2 You helped me figure some electrical outlets on a mobile home , the question I have is , replacing a on and off switch in a mobile home the one I got is junk the wires push between two pieces of metal and half do not work , the switch in the mobile home has two sets of wires going to it, 2 white 2 black and 2 ground , and some have 3 sets of wires . Would you know what type of on and off switch , I know the single pole switch only has 4 screws .
A. The outlets that have two cables going to them should have two black wires, two white wires and two ground wires total. If that is correct in what I just said, connect the two black wires to the brass screws on the outlet. The white wires go to the silver screws and the ground wires go to the green screw. The outlets that have three cables in them you need to make a "pig tail". Strip about one inch of insulation from each of the black and white wires. You will need a piece of black and a piece of white wire about six inches long. Now twist together all four of the black wires and cap those off and do the same with the white wires , same with the ground wires. You should now have the fourth black and white wire you added sticking out. Attach these wires to the outlet black to brass screws and white to silver screws and do the same with the ground wires to the green screw.
Where you have two cables, twist the white wires together, then twist the grounds together and cap those off. You should now only have two black wires left that will go to the screws on the switch. A single pole switch has three screws two for the power/switch leg and one for the ground. Where you have three cables, that means that power is being carried on to another location unless it is feeding another fixture or fan in the same room like in the case of a bathroom. We need to figure out which one is power from the breaker box, which one goes to light fixture and which one goes to a downstream location. Generally there is one that goes up and maybe the switch leg to the light fixture. Do you have a volt meter, if so you can find the hot leg from the breaker box by testing across the white and black in each cable. In any event you can twist all the whites together and all the grounds together and cap them off with a wire nut. You should now have three blacks leftover. the power black and the black going downstream will twist together and using a third pigtail wire connect to one screw on the switch the switch leg black will go to the other screw of that switch. Look at this page on how to make a electrical pigtail wiring connection.
Water Heater Repair Instructions - Whirlpool 40-Gallon Mobile Home Electric Water Heater 149789 Model Mhe2f40rs035v
Water Heater Repair Instructions
GE, Rheem, Rudd, Kenmore, A.O. Smith, State, Rinni, American
www.waterheaterrepairinstructions.com
You can also get water heater element and thermostat wiring diagrams and instructions at water heater repair.
Water Heater Repair Instructions - Whirlpool 40-Gallon Mobile Home Electric Water Heater 149789 Model Mhe2f40rs035v
GE, Rheem, Rudd, Kenmore, A.O. Smith, State, Rinni, American
www.waterheaterrepairinstructions.com
You can also get water heater element and thermostat wiring diagrams and instructions at water heater repair.
Water Heater Repair Instructions - Whirlpool 40-Gallon Mobile Home Electric Water Heater 149789 Model Mhe2f40rs035v
Mobile Home Ductwork blowing air from under home
Q. I believe my heating ducts have come apart in a couple areas of my
manufactured home. I have two separate units. The furnace is inside, the ac is outside. The house is cold, and I thought I felt some warm air
blowing out from underneath. It is possible some of the neighborhood
creatures may have caused them to come apart. This has been a minor issue
since I moved here, but this winter became major. What would be the
estimate for this type of repair by some of your people? I'm on a very
fixed income and one estimate I heard was over $5,000. Help.
A. $5000 What! By what you told me there should be only one piece of duct under the home, this will be the crossover duct. Over time they will break down and get loose from the "boots", invading critters don't help the problem either by tearing holes in it. This probably needs to be looked at and/or replaced. Call some a/c companies and some mobile home sales and some moving/ setup businesses to see who you can get to repair or replace the crossover duct. I would only do this at first to see if it helps your problem, don't get talked into anything else at this point. Is there a handy type person around you that you could consider and trust to do this? The flex duct can be purchased at places like Lowes you will need 12", 14"(usually) or maybe even 16" diameter duct, this will have to be determined when the old duct is looked at and don't forget to get some "quality" duct tape and tie straps.
manufactured home. I have two separate units. The furnace is inside, the ac is outside. The house is cold, and I thought I felt some warm air
blowing out from underneath. It is possible some of the neighborhood
creatures may have caused them to come apart. This has been a minor issue
since I moved here, but this winter became major. What would be the
estimate for this type of repair by some of your people? I'm on a very
fixed income and one estimate I heard was over $5,000. Help.
A. $5000 What! By what you told me there should be only one piece of duct under the home, this will be the crossover duct. Over time they will break down and get loose from the "boots", invading critters don't help the problem either by tearing holes in it. This probably needs to be looked at and/or replaced. Call some a/c companies and some mobile home sales and some moving/ setup businesses to see who you can get to repair or replace the crossover duct. I would only do this at first to see if it helps your problem, don't get talked into anything else at this point. Is there a handy type person around you that you could consider and trust to do this? The flex duct can be purchased at places like Lowes you will need 12", 14"(usually) or maybe even 16" diameter duct, this will have to be determined when the old duct is looked at and don't forget to get some "quality" duct tape and tie straps.
Update: Thank you for your input. You were right.
The crossover was damaged.
Total repair to include service on the ac unit was $219.
Thank you again for your information.
Visit http://mobilehomemanufacturedhomes.com for more information.
6 wires in an outlet box
Q. Our home is a 1990 double wide mobile. I have one electrical space that the old "v" type went into. This "v" box has been removed and all the wires have been taped and caped off (3 black together, 3 white together and three ground together I have never seen a receptacle with 6 wires. All the down-line wiring is working fine. How to I wire a new receptacle with all these wires?????
A. Make sure you cut off the power to this circuit before you work on it. You need to do what is called a pigtail. You will add one more wire to each of the ones that are there now. The (click on this to see how) pigtail wires need to be about 6 inches long. One white, one black and a ground. Just attach them to the wires that are there now, twist them together and cap them. Then take the wires you added and run them to the outlet. White on silver, black on brass and ground on green. You should now have only the pigtailed wires going to the outlet.
Update: Hi Don - Your solution worked absolutely perfectly.
A. Make sure you cut off the power to this circuit before you work on it. You need to do what is called a pigtail. You will add one more wire to each of the ones that are there now. The (click on this to see how) pigtail wires need to be about 6 inches long. One white, one black and a ground. Just attach them to the wires that are there now, twist them together and cap them. Then take the wires you added and run them to the outlet. White on silver, black on brass and ground on green. You should now have only the pigtailed wires going to the outlet.
Update: Hi Don - Your solution worked absolutely perfectly.
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