Red Seal RV Service Technician study plan

Draw and label a complete 12 VDC distribution schematic from battery bank through disconnect, fuse/breaker panel, converter, and branch circuits, then explain each protection device's purpose aloud without notes.

Compute voltage drop and ampacity for three sample RV branch circuits (a 30 A shore feed, a 15 A receptacle run, and a 20 A water heater circuit) and select correct wire gauge and breaker size for each.

Demonstrate safe meter technique: measure AC volts, DC volts, amps via clamp, and continuity on a practice board while stating the CAT rating and PPE required for each measurement.

List the lockout/tagout and energized-work boundaries that apply to 120 VAC RV service, and identify which tasks in the trade require de-energizing versus live troubleshooting.

Build a one-page personal reference sheet of the electrical formulas and code limits you must recall from memory on exam day.

Trace and diagnose four injected 12 VDC faults (open ground, high-resistance connection, parasitic draw, failed converter output) on a trainer or scrap harness, documenting the measurement sequence for each.

Explain the difference between 30 A and 50 A shore power service, including neutral/ground bonding at the pedestal versus the RV panel, and describe the symptoms of a reversed-polarity or open-neutral pedestal.

Identify the components of a two-stage LP regulator system and describe the pressure expected at the cylinder, at the regulator outlet, and at an appliance manifold.

Perform a leak-down test procedure on an LP system and state the pass criteria, the manometer or gauge readings used, and the steps taken when a leak is indicated.

Match common LP appliance symptoms (yellow flame, sooting, delayed ignition, nuisance lockout) to their likely causes and the correct diagnostic test for each.

Describe the combustion air, venting, and clearance requirements for an LP furnace and water heater installed in an RV, and list the failure modes caused by blocked or improperly sealed vents.

Sequence the steps to pressure-test, purge, and leak-check a newly installed LP appliance line, including the soap-bubble and gauge methods and when each is appropriate.

Diagram a complete fresh water system (tank, pump, check valve, accumulator, city water inlet, low-point drains) and a complete waste system (black tank, gray tank, vents, traps, termination valve), labeling each component's function.

Diagnose three plumbing complaints (pump short-cycling, weak flow at one fixture, holding tank odor) by stating the test performed, the reading or observation, and the repair.

Explain winterizing by both the air-blowout and antifreeze methods, including which components must be bypassed and drained and the risks of each method.

Identify the parts and operating sequence of a Dometic-style absorption refrigerator and explain how a cooling-unit failure differs from a control-board failure, including the tests that separate them.

Describe the sealed-combustion and venting requirements for an LP refrigerator and the safety checks performed after any cooling-unit or flue service.

Trace the refrigerant circuit and electrical controls of a rooftop air conditioner, and list the checks for a unit that runs but does not cool versus one that does not start.

Explain the function and test procedure for the furnace sail switch, high-limit switch, and ignition control, and describe the sequence of a normal ignition cycle from thermostat call to blower shutdown.

Calculate the correct LP orifice or gas pressure adjustment for a furnace showing weak heat output, and state the manifold pressure you would verify after the adjustment.

Describe the correct procedures for sealing a roof penetration, resealing a lap sealant joint, and replacing a vent or skylight, including surface prep, compatible sealant selection, and cure considerations.

Identify the common RV sidewall and roof constructions (laminated, filon, aluminum, EPDM, TPO, fiberglass) and state which sealants and fasteners are compatible with each.

Diagnose water intrusion by explaining how to use a moisture meter, where to probe, and how to distinguish an active leak from old staining, then describe the repair sequence for delamination or soft floor.

Explain the airflow and ducting requirements for a ducted rooftop AC and describe the symptoms and correction for a crushed, disconnected, or undersized duct.

List the inspection points for a pre-delivery roof and body inspection and the documentation a technician should produce for a warranty claim.

Inspect and evaluate a trailer suspension, axle, spring, shackle, and equalizer setup, and state the pass/fail criteria for wear, cracks, and alignment.

Explain tire load range, inflation, age coding, and the relationship between tire capacity and actual scaled axle weight, and calculate the correct inflation for a given load.

Describe the procedure to inspect, repack, and adjust wheel bearings and brakes on a trailer axle, including torque values you would look up and the adjustment sequence for electric brakes.

Match a tow vehicle to a trailer using GVWR, GAWR, GCWR, tongue weight, and payload, and explain why each limit must be checked independently.

Identify the components and adjustment procedure for weight-distributing hitches and sway control, and describe the symptoms of an improperly set up WDH.

Explain the function and failure modes of trailer breakaway switches, the 7-pin connector pinout, and the tests performed to verify each circuit at the connector.

Describe the inspection and service of electric trailer brake magnets, drums, and wiring, and diagnose three brake complaints (no brakes, grabbing, one-wheel lockup) with a test for each.

Sequence the leveling procedure for a motorhome or trailer with hydraulic jacks, including slope limits, cribbing, and the interlocks that prevent jack operation with the engine running or slides extended.

Explain the mechanical and electrical components of a slide-out system and describe the manual override procedure for an inoperative slide.

Describe awning hardware, fabric replacement, and the safety precautions for spring-loaded roller awnings, and list the checks required before extending any slide or awning.

Apply a structured diagnostic method (verify complaint, gather information, form hypothesis, test, confirm repair, verify with customer) to three written case scenarios spanning electrical, LP, and appliance faults.

Write customer-facing explanations of three technical repairs in plain language, including what was found, what was done, what it cost, and what the customer should watch for.

Review your personal reference sheets and weak-area notes from weeks 1 through 7, and re-test every item you previously missed until you reach 100% on a self-made 50-question quiz.

State the workplace safety obligations that apply to a service technician, including PPE selection, WHMIS/safety data sheet use, lockout/tagout, confined space, and safe handling of LP and refrigerants.

Complete two full-length timed practice sets under exam conditions and analyze every wrong answer to its root knowledge gap.