1984 Airstream 345 owner (Newbie) need advice!

[Keyair]

Test fit of tanks looked good, and they will have 1” polystyrene sheet under to insulate from the floor. Also I might add a 12v heater pad m.
So, moved them out of the way and went to phase 2, which is to replace ALL of the old brittle OEM grey pipes with PEX 1/2”.
Blue for cold and feed, and red for hot.
As normal I’ve decided to do something crazy, and make my life more difficult.
All the pipe runs will be insulated with pipe wrap, to minimize the chances of freezing.
Also, the hot water side will have a return loop as I intend to run a recirculating system to minimize hot was wastage. Yesterday I managed uncover, disconnect, and rip out the old pipe as far as the shower.




Managed to run the cold water pipe with its insulation as far as the shower junction.
Next trip out I will try to get the hot water loop installed.

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Keyair

Wow.
Has it really been that long since I updated my thread?


Ok, so life has been a little tough.
The loss of Tony(IzusuSweet), hit me really hard, even tho I had never met the guy.
It still hurts to think we lost such a great guy from our community.
....

We all got slammed by Tony untimely departure, but are jumping for joy to see you coming back around! As always, looking forward to "your way" of tackling stuff!
Like this post on FB: Oh, you are drinking, when did you start ? ...March 2020...

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by Keyair

So, I had been out the the Motorhome and done some work last year, and earlier this year, but hadn’t posted.
I started to focus on getting the water tanks and systems fixed, and reinstalled.
This involved replacing a rotted section rear subfloor under the bed where the tanks will go.
I cut the rot out, and made a replacement section, and fitted and bonded it in place. Then cleaned and sealed the whole area.
Attachment 384705

After scraping off the excess glue it looked good.
A trial fit of my twin tank setup followed.
To recap, my OEM 80 gallon tank was long gone. PO had put a 15g in. Not acceptable!
I was given a 70g tank... and then I was given a 25g.
My plan is the run both tanks in tandem, with the 25g as the main fill, and feed tank, for traveling, to save weight, and the 70g on a gate valve for when needed.
This is how they fit together, with the 25 to the rear.
Attachment 384706

Glad to see you back!

And I really like that idea, for a smaller amount of water usable on the road but without it sloshing all over the place, excited to see how it works for you!

[Keyair]

Thanks Guys.

The twin tank system really just came out of the fact I got given a 70g tank that has no fill neck, and a 25g with a fill neck, & level sensors already installed.
The fact that the two are the same Y & Z dimensions and match exactly was the icing.
The more I thought about it the more sense it made.


The system will be very simple.
The outside fill neck will connect to the 25g tank, and the gate valve to the 70g tank will be easily accessible thru the side compartment door.
The level lights will read as normal with one or both if the gate valve is open.
So, I will have 25 gallons onboard for traveling, which I think might be enough for cooking/washing/flushing, etc, or even a quick shower.
250lb weight wise, rather than 80 gallons @800lb sloshing around.

With the gate valve open I will have up to 95 gallons available for Boondocking, but probably wont ever travel far like that.

The hot water system will have a small circulation pump and this will also push water up to the Solar water heating panel I built.
There will be a pair of gate valves to Isolate the panel at night or in colder climates I think. I might also add additional larger hot water storage tank, as I dont want just 6 gallons of hot water onboard.
Not sure about that yet.

Incidentally, I have built another aluminum corner wrap, and it came out well, with a few minor issues which I will work out in the next month or so...

[chiefair]

Glad to see you back and actively working on your motorhome. Hope your health issues are sorted out quickly. Sounds like you're moving in the right direction.

I have shamelessly copied some of your repairs and ideas and lusted after others. I am curious how you reattached your headlight housings after you powder coated them. Did you re-rivet or did you improve on that factory crudeness?

[Keyair]

Originally Posted by chiefair

I am curious how you reattached your headlight housings after you powder coated them. Did you re-rivet or did you improve on that factory crudeness?

Absolutely no problem on copying!
Make me feel like I got something right if it works for others.
What specifically did I do right???



The headlamp housings were clamped and help in place with tape, and I carefully drilled about 6-8 new holes thru the skin and into the casting.... which was a little nerve wracking... then secured with ST screws with the tip ground flat.
Seemed to work ok, but I have noticed I did "Just" break thru the visible surface of the casting on one hole... but luckily its barely visible.


On that subject, its been several years since I did the powdercoating on the headlamp castings and the "Polished" section is getting chalky now.
I will try to clear powder it all next time!


I also built/made/modified a few tools before the BP meds took me down, so have added to my capabilities for future Airstream parts...


Needed a least a 36" sheet metal Finger Brake... they are at least $1,000, so I modified a HF unit...


Did a video on what I built...


https://youtu.be/9l-keyRr764

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Keyair

..

Needed a least a 36" sheet metal Finger Brake... they are at least $1,000, so I modified a HF unit...


Did a video on what I built...


https://youtu.be/9l-keyRr764

Impressive, design and execution! Like your tape measure with the centimeters and inches...

[Keyair]

Like you Peter, I have become Bi-Lingual.
I speak English and American.... [emoji6]

[davejay]

Hey.
I'm 62 and 6ft8 inches. I got 7 living sibs. Two gone already. Of the 10 of us 6 got heart issues. Valve problems. I to am seeing the doctor to see if I got any heart stuff.
What bothers me about the medical stuff is exactly what you went through with your meds.They won t tell you unless you ask. Frustrating. Dj

[Keyair]

Also built a Vapor Blasting Cabinet.
Bought a cheap, unloved American made DeeBlast sandblast cabinet and converted it to hurl wet glass bead at parts.
It was a fun project but I really wasn’t prepared for what it has produces.

Before...



After the mods, while I assembled it.
Did some fun folding and dimpling.



Somehow I don’t have a pic of the complete cabinet....
But I do have some pics of what it does....

[Keyair]

And boy does it work....

This is an 45 year old Alfa Romeo aluminum timing cover.
Before...


After...


SU Carbs I did for a buddy.
Side by side.

[cmadmaxman]

Glad to see your back at it Steve.

Vapor blasting is a great finish. Had used one may years ago when I worked at Bendix.

Great upgrade to the cabinet!

[Keyair]

Thanks Guys!
Being "Under the Weather sucks"!

So, I have a "Freshwater system" Question....

I ripped all of the old stuff out a few years back and wanted to confirm some things:
1/ Freshwater is added to the storage tank via the fill neck.
2/ Flows out out of tank thru the filter on the intake side of the "On demand" pump.
3/ Pump pressurizes the onboard system and when it senses a pressure drop in the system it turns on and re pressurizes.
4/ Cold water system feed hot water tank where water is heated.

Do I have the basics correct?

Now, I also have the City water hose reel below the tanks.
I am going to assume that the "City water" feed via the hose, comes into the Airstream pipe system via a pressure regulator downstream of the demand pump.
That way any pressure drop is handled by new city water flowing in?

So, where do I install the system drains for winterizing etc?
On the pressure side and allow the pump to clear all water out?

If I want to fill the water tanks from the city water hose reel, I could just put a gate valve and a T to the feed loop... I think!

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by Keyair

Thanks Guys!
Being "Under the Weather sucks"!

So, I have a "Freshwater system" Question....

I ripped all of the old stuff out a few years back and wanted to confirm some things:
1/ Freshwater is added to the storage tank via the fill neck.
2/ Flows out out of tank thru the filter on the intake side of the "On demand" pump.
3/ Pump pressurizes the onboard system and when it senses a pressure drop in the system it turns on and re pressurizes.
4/ Cold water system feed hot water tank where water is heated.

Do I have the basics correct?

Yes

Now, I also have the City water hose reel below the tanks.
I am going to assume that the "City water" feed via the hose, comes into the Airstream pipe system via a pressure regulator downstream of the demand pump.
That way any pressure drop is handled by new city water flowing in?

Yes

So, where do I install the system drains for winterizing etc?
On the pressure side and allow the pump to clear all water out?

I have one between the tank and pump, one immediately after the pump, and another on the hot water output of the water heater. That's what I had from the factory

If I want to fill the water tanks from the city water hose reel, I could just put a gate valve and a T to the feed loop... I think!

T in between the tank and pump, yep, that's what I did!

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Keyair

...

If I want to fill the water tanks from the city water hose reel, I could just put a gate valve and a T to the feed loop... I think!

Or an electric solenoid valve. And if you want a real windshield washer system, plumb a line to the engine compartment and tie it via a small pump to your windshield washer system. I just used extensively on my camping trip and its awesome to have endless water supply. Don't forget to add a good size accumulator tank to the system

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f31...135868-51.html

[Keyair]

Got it Peter....

Now you just added another 10' of plumbing to my plan!
Love the desert cooler idea... It was something I thought about too!


What is the make/model of your accumulator tank?

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Keyair

Got it Peter....

Now you just added another 10' of plumbing to my plan!
Love the desert cooler idea... It was something I thought about too!


What is the make/model of your accumulator tank?

Desert cooler drops temp by 10 degrees or more in just seconds.
My tank is just some generic tank the Po installed. Tons of options
https://www.google.com/search?q=accu...biw=1440&hl=en

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Keyair

Wow.
Has it really been that long since I updated my thread?


Ok, so life has been a little tough.
The loss of Tony(IzusuSweet), hit me really hard, even tho I had never met the guy.
It still hurts to think we lost such a great guy from our community.

Yeah, I think about Tony frequently. He had a keen interest in the 24' Argosy sitting beside my shop so each time I see it he comes to mind

Wasn't feeling right, and went to get checked up.
Erratic heart beat... diagnosed with Afib(My Dad has it too)...
Blood thinners, adjustments to Blood pressure meds, etc.
One of the BP meds, that was added was one called Metroplo.
My BP stats improved, but I completely ran out of energy... I mean by midday I was sitting in my chair falling asleep, or taking to bed and sleeping for several hours in the afternoon.
Worse than that was the complete apathy that came with it.
I have not been in the garage or to the Airstream or looked at any of my other projects for 6 months at least.

I find this interesting in that I had heart surgery two years ago and in the past year I've pretty much felt the same as you describe. For the first year after surgery I was starting to do pretty good but the BP slowly started to increase. So the heart doctor added Metoprolol to my list of meds and over the past year I've pretty much lost the energy to keep up with anything.

I explained what was going on, and that my in my research into Metroplo I found it noted that the #3 most common side effect of it was DEPRESSION.
Everything dropped into place in my mind.
So, after months of this I went back to the cardiologist, and had a discussion.
He agreed it was not right and swapped that one out.
Things have been improving and my energy levels are coming back but its been a slow road to recovery.

I don't know that depression would be the way to describe how I've been feeling, more like a great tiredness than anything else. I think maybe it's time to talk to my cardiologist about options.

I'm glad to hear you're on the mend

Brad

[Keyair]

Yes, Brad, if you are on that Metropolol, look it up, it was not for me.
Look at the side effect list....
Common metoprolol side effects may include:

• dizziness, tired feeling;
• depression, confusion, memory problems;
• nightmares, trouble sleeping;
• diarrhea; or
• mild itching or rash.

My Dr swapped me to Diltiazim(SP), and it got better...


So, had a few hours on the MH today.

Got after it.
Pulled out all the old grey hot and cold piping from the water tank, thru the shower to the kitchen.
Probably 60’ of pipe total pulled out and replaced.



Ran a single blue 1/2" PEX for cold water, from the water tank area, with a T spur to the shower valve, and then on to kitchen faucet.
Then did the same with a red pipe, with a spur for the shower.
Then I ran a solid red PEX pipe from the tank area under the bed, right around to under the sink in the kitchen.
This is how that looks roughed in, in the passenger side wardrobe.



After that, I tied the two red pipes together under the sink to complete my hot water loop.
I plan to have a small 12v pump that will circulate the hot water so that there will be near instant hot water at the shower and kitchen faucet.
More hot water volume and less wasted.
Then the will be a solar hot water heater on a loop with its own pump.



After that I insulated the red pipes as a pair and the blue singularly as far back as the shower.
Forgot to take pics, but will next time.

Will be securing the pipes to the walls as they were originally, but need to find some bigger clamps.


Found this 110v wire in the wardrobe that looks to have been gnawed...
I think I can get away with wrapping it in tape.




And found what looks like a nest under the bottom drawer in the kitchen. Yuk.
Not sure if it’s old, but will be setting a trap next time to be sure!

[bobmiller1]

I see the yellow stripes of a parking lot.....were you doing the plumbing job at the Home Depot parking lot ??? LOL!!! Regards, Bob