RV Canada

RV Gas Stove Upgrade Mod Push Button Igniter

One thing I’ve hated about our Atwood Wedgewood Vision RV gas stove top is the manual turn sparker. It functions OK but is quite loud. I get up much earlier than my wife and like to make myself a cup of tea. Sometimes it wakes her up, not good. I’ve wanted to add a quieter electric push button sparker for a while.

The other day while searching through Amazon I came across a battery operated Onlyfire BBQ igniter that looked like it would do the job. Measurements indicated it would fit the space, but I would have to modify the mounting hole a bit, enlarging it. It was inexpensive, so I ordered one to give her a try.

Installing the New RV Gas Stove Sparker

The replacement igniter install would prove to be extremely straightforward other than the expanding of the mounting hole. The old mechanical sparker came off by unscrewing a pair of screws and unplugging the three igniter wires.

Next, I removed the knobs and front plate by unscrewing four more screws. Two on the top and two on the bottom. Once off it would make working on it a little bit easier. I borrowed a 7/8ths metal hole saw from brother-in-law, luckily we happen to be camped in his driveway. He suggested screwing a block of wood to the back to help guide the saw. It worked perfectly and soon I had a 7/8ths round mounting hole.

I remounted the front control panel and installed the new push button sparker. The Onlyfire igniter came with a plastic retaining nut to hold the unit in place. I reused the existing wires. They were round, and the new igniter pins were blade shaped so with a pair of needle nose pliers a carefully squashed the pins making them work.

Finally, I added the single AA battery that powers the Onlyfire BBQ igniter and tested things out. It worked great. Soon I had myself a boiling kettle for a well deserved hot cup of tea.

RV Canada
2098 Prince of Whales Drive
Ottawa, On Canada
613-226-8228
RV Canada

Couple of Tips For The RV Oven

Many of you likely know the tip of using a pizza, baking stone or unglazed ceramic tile in the RV oven to help even out the heating and prevent burning the bottom of things. I prefer the pizza stone as I can also use it for its intended purpose. The only problem is I broke my first one into pieces traversing some rough roads.

My solution is a “kill two birds with one stone type.” Hmm, could be a pun in there somewhere. I use the oven to store our thick wooden cutting board and the extra weight on the pizza stone solved the breakage problem. BTW, the oven is a great extra storage place.

Another tip I have is to layer the bottom in aluminum foil as we do for the outside grill. Oven grease and food droppings collect on the foil, helps speed oven clean up time.

RV Canada
2098 Prince of Whales Drive
Ottawa, On Canada
613-226-8228
RV Canada

Create a Campground Setup Checklist

As an RV beginner, you might not have a campground routine yet. Therefore, having a checklist will ensure everything is set up as it should be.

You checklist should include:

Check the site for low hanging branches or obstacles on the ground.
Locate the electrical, water and sewage hookups.
Pull your RV in, close to the hookups, and level it with blocks or stabilizing jacks, if necessary.
Secure your rig by chocking the wheels.
Connect to the electrical hookup, and switch your appliances to pull from this source of power, instead of the battery or propane.
Attach your sewer hose to the drain hook-up—be sure to wear gloves for this process.
Put out your awning and set up the campsite.

RV beginners have a lot to look forward to: RVing is a great way to travel and explore the outdoors. However, knowing the basics is important to having a stress-free trip.

RV Canada
2098 Prince of Whales Drive
Ottawa, On Canada
613-226-8228
RV Canada

Don't Wing it!

The urge to be spontaneous is tempting when your home is on wheels. Beckleys RVs is empathetic: "There's a certain pleasure in going where you want, when you want." Still, they recommend you have a plan: "It does help, however, to have a solid plan in place if it's your first time planning an RV trip."

When RVing, plan:

The budget: How much you can allocate for food, fun and overnight stays.
Your food supply: To buy and eat out.
The route: The one you plan to take and alternate options.
Stops: The places you want to see along the way.
Campgrounds: Where along the route you plan to call it a night.

RV Canada
2098 Prince of Whales Drive
Ottawa, On Canada
613-226-8228
RV Canada

Take a Practice Drive

Consider the roads you plan to drive on, and take a smaller trip on similar terrain. As an RV beginner you don't yet know what will move around in the living area or how hard it will be to switch lanes, ascend hills, and park.

Once you know the intricacies of driving an RV, you can make necessary adjustments. For example, if your drawers pop open, which they often do, you need to find a way to keep them shut.

RV Canada
2098 Prince of Whales Drive
Ottawa, On Canada
613-226-8228
RV Canada

RV Tips & Tricks

Do you love to go camping? Plan on taking the RV for a spin this summer? Then you’ll need these super smart RV hacks to make your trip even better. We’ve found lots clever ways to organize and keep things while you’re on the road. Well, what are you waiting for? Read our tips, gas up your ride, and hit the open road!