What would you do

[Wrknrvr]

 I am working on a RV parked permanently in a RV park in Montana.

 

 While getting my tools out to do some roof work I noticed I did not have any paper towels. The job I was going to be doing required paper towels or rags to do. The customer that I was working for was not home. But I did notice the next door RV had someone talking on the other side of there RV. So I went over and asked if they had a roll of paper towels that I could buy. I said it was a lot cheaper for me to pay them than me to go get some.

 While there I noticed a little girl about 4 years old, so I said hello , but she was very shy. The RV is about a 94 motor home and not in best of shape I gave the lady 5 bucks for the paper towels.

 I asked how long are they there for. She said till may. So I mentioned about skirting the RV. She has discussed that with her husband. I said ok as long as you understand the winter weather in Montana. She did say she is from eastern Montana. But he is not.

 

 As I started to walk away she asked if I did RV repair. I said yes. She said they have not had hot water for three months. So looking at the Atwood water heater it was sparking.       

 But someone wired this thing really wrong. So it needs to be wired properly.

 

 I can tell money is a problem for her.

 

 So what would you do?

[Jack Mayer]

If it was a simple job I'd just fix it and not charge them. 

[Kirk W]

4 minutes ago, Jack Mayer said:

If it was a simple job I'd just fix it and not charge them.

Me too. But if it isn't simple, and it sounds like it isn't, that becomes a real dilemma. If someone has been inside of it and it might even be the OEM water heater from 1994, that could get expensive very quickly. I think that I'd at least offer to take a look to see what it might require, but the post sounds like he did so already. 

While I have never been in a situation like that, I have helped many an RV owner for free, but a major difference is that RV repair has been my hobby and not my livelihood. And this sounds like it probably will require parts and significant time. ............................ I wonder how the furnace works??

[I'mdonewiththis forum]

2 hours ago, Jack Mayer said:

If it was a simple job I'd just fix it and not charge them. 

That's what I would do.......BUT, when my wife and I had our HVAC business almost every time I went out of my way to help someone that was financially strapped it wound up biting me in the butt in one way or another (well it seemed that way).

[ms60ocb]

2 hours ago, Jack Mayer said:

If it was a simple job I'd just fix it and not charge them. 

Ditto and I would figure it I needed an extra hand someday I would have favor returned

Clay

[rynosback]

3 hours ago, Jack Mayer said:

If it was a simple job I'd just fix it and not charge them. 

I agree completely.  It is always great to Pay it Forward.  If I notice people that need help around me I give them a hand.  Sounds like your heart already knows what your answer is.

 

Are you John Quiñones?  

[Don SC]

I agree with rm.w/aview. Some form of reciprocal in lieu of the cash. Food works for me.  I hope they can get their rv skirted. 

[eddie1261]

11 hours ago, Wrknrvr said:

  I can tell money is a problem for her.

 So what would you do?

I would remember a time that maybe I was in a bind too and that others helped me and done it for free. They were not freeloading or e-begging like the youtube clowns with their Amazon affiliate nonsense and Patreon begging. They simply didn't have much, possibly why they live in an RV with such a young kid.

[Dance Chick]

I would be of no help in that situation, but I know DH would do it if for no one else but for the little girl.

[jimnina]

I would at least take a look at it and see how what it would take to get it going.

Sounds like they are on rough times and could use some help. I've been known to stop and help just because I didn't have anywhere to go:)

 

[Pat & Pete]

Why even think about it ... just wire the water heater correctly and go from there . 

How many 5 & 10 minute jobs ( some much longer ) have you done for no more than a Thank You ?

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

I would fix it....

BUT depending on observation and first opinion-

Was the area around the camper clean?

Were they reasonably clean?

Were they polite?

Was the trash can full of beer cans or liquor bottles? 

Were they chain smoking a premium brand?

If the answers above are good enough, I would probably buy the minimum amount of insulation board and a couple rolls of duct tape and let them skirt the camper in.

There is a difference in poor, and uneducated struggling to survive and don't give a crap....  

But something about when a kid is involved changes the equation..... even if the parents are less than desirable.

[Wrknrvr]

 Thanks Jack, Kirk and everyone for all the replies on this situation.

 Yesterday I had a visit with my favorite dentist in the am and had a temporary cap put on a problem tooth. So no work yesterday.

 I will get a picture of what someone else did to the water heater before I do anything. First thing is they cut all the wiring short so as to make it clean looking ??? They cut the wires off the hot rod electric element so close I cannot splice onto it. Buts it sure did clean that area up.

 So for a quick wiring as I can remember they put the positive to the thermostat, then power went to the dinosaur board. Then I noticed the gas valve was not operating although the igniter was sparking. Gas valve was wired through the Eco thermostat.

  So just a quick look at the wiring was confusing.

 The lady had to go somewhere so I did not get to talk to her later as I had to do some roof work.

 I will check back with her when I get there again. I probably have all the parts with me to make it work. If needed.

 

 They do look like respectable people, just not financially able.

 

 So it will work the next time I am able to get there.

 

 Thanks,.   Vern

[Kirk W]

1 hour ago, Wrknrvr said:

So it will work the next time I am able to get there.

I wish that I was closer to you as I'd be happy to assist on this one, but the commute from TX to MT is a bit long. From what you have shared I'm wondering if it might be that the "HotRod" had stopped working was what the amateur was trying to resolve with his work? As I remember those had a separate thermostat that mounted against the water heater tank in the rear and the power went through that to the "rod" which screwed into the drain hole. If I knew that both items were working I might consider reconnecting it, but suspect that there is a problem there. 

You may have already thought of this but one thing that I think I'd check first if you have not is to make sure that the tank is full and not running on a winterizing bypass. It could be that the tank was leaking and so the bypass has been in use since that began. I'd also be sure to establish an air bubble in the tank before heating it up. It does sound like it might be something simple like that gas valve.

" So for a quick wiring as I can remember they put the positive to the thermostat, then power went to the dinosaur board. "

I am pretty sure that the early Atwood water heaters were connected with the two thermostats of the ECO assembly having one in the power supply and the other in the return leg, as they came from the factory. I didn't notice any mention of there being a thermal cut-off as should be there. 

[ARGO]

I'd probably help them for free, too. But having said that, you are messing with dangerous things like 110V (?) and propane. Anything bad happens to them in the future, guess who they are going to come for, and you'll suffer even if not any way your fault just defending yourself. You insured for RV work?

"No good deed goes unpunished"

[Kirk W]

3 minutes ago, ARGO said:

You insured for RV work?

Vern is a certified RV tech making his living working repairing RVs.

[ARGO]

That's good! But in 20 years in insurance claims, I've seen a lot of very nice people get skinned doing a "favor" for someone.