You don’t need to bother about turning on your pilot lights if your RV or travel trailer is fresh new.
The pilot light controls on later RV models are either automated or electronic.
If your RV, however, is more than two years old, you must learn how to ignite the pilots for the other appliances including the water heater.
If you have purchased a used, fairly dated RV, you should be aware of how crucial it is for you to always switch off the pilot lights of the various appliances when traveling.
Additionally, it’s crucial to understand how to properly ignite them after you’ve reached your location.
Here are some simple procedures for turning on your RV’s pilot lights.
How Do I Light the Oven’s Pilot Light?
You won’t have any problems utilizing your microwave if you are the kind of person who is happy to reheat leftovers from lunch for supper.
However, you must understand how to use your oven if you want to eat fine cuisine when you are roughing it in the bush.
Please bear in mind that the following are just guidelines.
It is still essential to refer to the owner’s handbook for your RV for any detailed instructions about the pilot lights on your oven.
Important Reminder: Whenever you travel and after your vacation, make sure your oven is off, including the pilot light.
As soon as you are through cooking each meal, you should also extinguish the pilot light.
This will enable you to save gasoline and keep the pilot light on.
Step 1: Set The Oven’s Dial To “Pilot”
Open the oven door after turning the oven’s pilot light on.
Be aware that although some kinds of ovens enable the propane to flow just by rotating the knob to the pilot position, other manufacturers need you to press the knob all the way in.
As soon as you open the door, make sure you have your lighter close by and are prepared to ignite the pilot bulb.
A large flare-up will occur when too much fuel vapor collects as a consequence of taking too long when it comes into contact with an open flame.
Step 2: Launch The Pilot Light.
To securely access the pilot light, you should have one of those kitchen lighters with the long handles.
With your lighter, access the oven’s rear and start the pilot.
Keep depressing the oven knob.
It’s possible that you just need to hold down the button for a few seconds.
The thermocouple may take up to 30 seconds to heat up significantly in certain circumstances.
Don’t worry if the flame goes out if you release the knob too quickly.
Simply repeat the process while holding the knob down a bit longer this time.
Step 3: Adjust The Thermostat.
You may now preheat your oven to the appropriate temperature after lighting the pilot.
You may just leave the temperature knob set to “pilot” if your oven needs you to press it in order to ignite the pilot light.
However, if you do not need to press the knob to start the pilot light, be sure to fully shut off the knob after you are through cooking to prevent your oven from leaking propane.
How to Light Your Furnace’s Pilot Light
You won’t need to turn on the furnace if the weather is perfect, but if your RV feels like a walk-in refrigerator at night, you’ll need to do so to keep from freezing to death.
Important Information: To maintain sufficient ventilation in the RV in case of a propane leak, open a few windows when you turn on your heater.
Step 1: Switch The Propane On.
Your furnace’s power should be turned off.
The propane tanks’ valve should be opened.
Along with turning the fan on automatically, you should also adjust the thermostat to the maximum heat level.
Before moving on to the following action, let the fan run for a few minutes.
Step 2: Turn The Pilot Light On.
Remove the cover from the furnace’s access panel by going there.
You should now have access to the furnace’s controls, but you specifically want to search for the pilot light control knob.
Push the knob down after turning the gas dial to the pilot setting.
Step 3: Light The Pilot Light, Then.
Press the striker button a few times, or until the pilot light is ignited, if your pilot light can be lit using a striker mechanism like the one found in most cigarette lighters.
The knob should be in the “on” position if you need to light the pilot light with a match or a lighter.
As soon as the switch is turned on, have a lighter or match ready to ignite the pilot.
Once you are certain that the pilot is lighted, set the thermostat to the temperature you wish.
How Do You Light Your Water Heater’s Pilot?
After a long trip to your destination, it would have been wonderful to have a long, warm shower, but if you have an older type propane water heater, you will need to switch on the pilot light first and then wait for the water to become hot enough.
But waiting for the water to warm up is preferable than opening your RV’s water heater while you’re driving and running the danger of a propane gas leak.
Important Reminder: Make sure the water tank is full with water before igniting the pilot light and turning on the heater.
The water heater system will suffer extensive, costly damage if it is used when empty and dry.
Step 1: Turn The Pilot Light Switch.
After turning on your propane tanks, go to the water heater’s access panel and take off the lid.
To the pilot, turn the control knob.
To feed propane through the pipes, depress the knob and keep it there.
If you hear a hissing noise, do not be alarmed.
Just the propane filling the pipes up at that point.
Step 2: Turn On The Pilot Light.
Use a kitchen lighter or a long match to start the pilot light while maintaining pressure on the control knob.
Hold the knob in place for about a minute or until the pilot light starts to burn.
Hold the knob down firmly for about 30 seconds to allow the flame to stabilize so that it won’t be blown away.
Step 3: Switch The Water Heater On.
Release your grip on the control knob and turn it towards the on position after igniting the pilot light.
After choosing your preferred temperature, let the water to warm up for a few minutes.
How Do You Light the Refrigerator Pilot in Your RV?
Even though they are becoming less common, older RV models still often include refrigerators that run on propane.
Make sure the refrigerator is almost level before lighting the pilot so it can operate more effectively.
Additionally, doing this is vital to keep it from becoming hurt.
Step 1: Firmly Turn The Pilot Light Switch.
Find the location of the pilot light control knob before you do anything.
The kick plate at the side of the refrigerator, or the access panel for the fridge outside the RV, may also include it.
You may turn on the propane tanks after you’ve found the pilot knob.
To allow propane to flow through the pipes, turn the knob while maintaining pressure.
Step 2: Start The Engine.
When the pilot switch is lighted, release the switch after continuing to push the pilot knob until the propane reaches the pilot.
You can now focus on enjoying your camping vacation since you are aware of how to start the pilot lights of the various equipment.
Just a friendly reminder that the preceding steps are only basic advice for lighting the pilot.
Even so, it would be best if you checked the owner’s handbook of the car to see if there were any particular instructions you needed to follow.
Conclusion
Appliances that operate on propane are possibly present in earlier RV models.
Allowing experienced people to handle them is the greatest way to light them up.
However, you must do it yourself if you are camping in a distant location.
Because propane-fueled appliances are so effective at what they do, spending a little more time learning how to prepare them by lighting the pilots on the other appliances and the RV water heater will be well worth the effort.
