While we were busy driving to and from Cape Cod the old, faithful thermocoupler bit the dust. When we got home the pilot light was out, and it would not relight. However, as you know, I was prepared for that eventuality. I had already purchased a replacement, plus a spare when we were in Burlington. So, Thursday morning after removing the dead one, I pulled out one of the new ones and installed it.....10 minutes and we had not water being produced once again......
......so, you might ask, what does a thermocoupler do? In the most simple terms it tells the gas valve that there is a flame and it is okay to keep sending gas to the pilot light. If the pilot light goes out the flow of gas to the pilot light is cut off preventing a potentially explosive situation. The very tip of the thermocoupler is exposed to the pilot light flame, which heats it up and sends a signal to the open/shut valve to stay open. This is the 3rd thermocoupler on this water heater in 36 years.....not too bad.
We pulled out of our site at the Smithfield Elks Lodge about 10 am, dropped the trailer back on the hitch, inserted the VW inside, and were on our way southward by 10:30 am.....our destination? Guilford, CT and a Harvest Hosts location named Bishop's Orchards where we planned to spend a couple of nights before proceeding into the 'belly of the beast'......NYC.
But first we needed to dump our black tank.....we had 8 days of accumulated effluent, and we will not have a sewer connection again until after NYC. TLE went online and found Arlington RV Supercenter just 22 miles away in East Greenwich, RI. It was just off the Interstate.....easy off/easy on! We were there in about 30 minutes and after paying our $10 fee to use their dump proceeded to the back lot to do just that.....
....they provide both the sewer hose, and water hose, plus I could access it from the passenger side which allows me to use my dump valve on that side.....I don't think I've mentioned this before, but I can dump from either side of the Newell.....the folks who built our coach had Newell build this into the system. I have not seen this feature on any other Newell to date. At any rate, Newell Classics utilize the Theftord sewer connections, which are slightly larger in diameter than the more commonly found ValTerra connections. So, to use someone else's sewer hose with the ValTerra connection I need an adapter......
Thetford to ValTerra adapter
.....which I carry with me for just such situations.....I have used this maybe 4 times in 10 years, but am always glad I have it.....
.....and were just 30 miles from our destination for the day......
......by 1 pm we had reached Bishop's Orchard, and found our designated parking spot on the gravel behind the store.....
....I was quite proud of how well I handled the quite congested parking lot and managed to get parked with no harm coming to any small animals, or children. After getting set up, having a sandwich and a short nap we got dressed and walked into the store. Bishop's Orchards is described as an orchard/winery/farm, however, their store reminds me of Trader Joe's. They do offer wine tasting, and we will probably do that Friday. Right now they have a large pumpkin patch where you can choose your pumpkin(s), and a maze, which I haven't seen yet.....
......there were two MLB playoff games slated for Thursday evening......Milwaukee Brewers vs. Colorado Rockies (best 3 out of 5), and my L.A. Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves (best 3 out of 5). The Brewers won their game 3-2 in 10 innings, and the Trolley Dodgers their game handily.....6-0. We were in bed just before midnight.
Thanks for stopping by!
This round of the playoffs is the best 3 out of 5. The Dodgers won again tonight 3-0
ReplyDeleteAhhh, you are right! Corrected! Thank you!
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