MAYCO's 1982 310 TD

[mayco]

That is the other option I was thinking of Bob. Ive got space in the panel to add another breaker. The heater is only 1000 watt so about 8.5 amps. I assume it would be easy enough to drill up through the floor in that rear compartment that houses the panel. Thanks for the input.

[bobmiller1]

Mike, when going through the floor don't forget the galvanized sheet under the plywood or OSB, I used a schedule 40 reducer bung so that the cable would not get cut, if you have a 1000 watt unit 15 amp will be fine...,separate circuit of coarse, remember that the coolant heater is a controlled dead short just like an element in a hot water heater. You can even put a timer in the switch box so if you're going to leave on a trip early one morning you can set the timer for day 3:00 AM and buy the time you leave the engine is nice and warm, Regards, Bob

[davejay]

hey,
The only thing I can add is that , if you get a new steering wheel, make sure you get the 9 hole adapter that comes with the new. Wheel. I replaced mine with a billet and leather wrapped wheel. Looks very cool. It's a little smaller than the original one, but for me being 6,8 and 290 getting in and out will be easier with a smaller wheel. Plus, GM steering has alway been to much hydrolics. So the need to horse it around with a big wheel isn't nessessary. To me, the wheel is a little to small. It's only 1/12 inches smaller than stock. But it looks small. We'll see. My original wheel bolt pattern, although being 9 holed, did not match the new wheels 9 holed pattern. Plus my new adapter was shiny. Shiny is good...

[bobmiller1]

????.....did I miss something ? Where the hell did that come from ??

[Magnet18]

At the very beginning of this thread Mayco mentioned replacing the steering wheel, someone hopped on the thread and didn't realize it was 100 pages long

[mayco]

Hahahahahahaha!!!!!!!! That's funny...and true! I never did get around to doing anything about my steering wheel. Thanks for the info Dave.

[mayco]

Originally Posted by bobmiller1

Mike, when going through the floor don't forget the galvanized sheet under the plywood or OSB, I used a schedule 40 reducer bung so that the cable would not get cut, if you have a 1000 watt unit 15 amp will be fine...,separate circuit of coarse, remember that the coolant heater is a controlled dead short just like an element in a hot water heater. You can even put a timer in the switch box so if you're going to leave on a trip early one morning you can set the timer for day 3:00 AM and buy the time you leave the engine is nice and warm, Regards, Bob

That's a great idea using the pvc reducer for that Bob! Simple, I never thought of that.

[mayco]

Finally finished up the coolant preheater and switching yesterday....been moving pretty slow the last couple weeks due to my screaming back. After getting the 120volt heater installed and operating I realized it had a pretty bad design flaw. An internal thermostat kicks the unit off when it reaches 165F. But it turns the pump off also. So it really wasn't getting enough coolant circulated to evenly heat throughout the block. After it reached initial temp it would cycle on for a minute then kick off for about 5 mins. I could tell from feeling the hoses that it needed to have the coolant continue to circulate to get even heating of the block. I ended up installing a small 12v circulating pump that will run continuously when the heating unit is turned on. This did the trick. I ran the 12v pump off the coach batteries.
The preheater is installed on the inlet side heater hose to the heater core, the circulating pump is on the outlet side of the heater core. Both units are switched from inside the coach so no need to go outside to plug the preheater in on cold mornings....that's pretty nice. Used a lighted switch to remind me that it's on.
Gave it a good long test this morning and it worked real well, though the outside temps were only in the 30s. I can kick on the blower fan inside the cab and feel the coolant has heated the heater core.
I think it was worth the time, effort, and money to give the old girl some love on those cold start mornings. Especially since we do so much winter travel.

The preheater unit is a VVKB s8000, 120volt, 1000watt.

Here is the circulation pump...https://www.ebay.com/itm/Davies-Crai...-/331472552919

[mayco]

I randomly ran across this tool today on the internet. For those who have installed plank flooring and are experiencing gaps forming over time. (My floor is holding up just fine, no issues with gaps.) looks pretty interesting. A little pricey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5SpHcNti74

Not sure if it would work with all click lock floors or not. Good for installation too I would think.

[bobmiller1]

Mike....you have to much free time !

[mayco]

Ya.

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by mayco

I randomly ran across this tool today on the internet. For those who have installed plank flooring and are experiencing gaps forming over time. (My floor is holding up just fine, no issues with gaps.) looks pretty interesting. A little pricey.

Not sure if it would work with all click lock floors or not. Good for installation too I would think.

Could have used that tool a few month ago, when I had to fixed some gaps in my 97 Excellas flooring. I also just installed pergo flooring in my office and was wondering how I could ever replace a single plank in the future.
Thanks for posting, Mike.

[Air345Fly]

Originally Posted by mayco

I randomly ran across this tool today on the internet. For those who have installed plank flooring and are experiencing gaps forming over time. (My floor is holding up just fine, no issues with gaps.) looks pretty interesting. A little pricey.

Not sure if it would work with all click lock floors or not. Good for installation too I would think.

That tool could be made from a large barn door hinge. Use double stick
tape on the short end of hinge to stick to the floor. Screw a length of
a 2 by 4 to the long arm of the hinge to pound on.

[mayco]

Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer

Could have used that tool a few month ago, when I had to fixed some gaps in my 97 Excellas flooring. I also just installed pergo flooring in my office and was wondering how I could ever replace a single plank in the future.
Thanks for posting, Mike.

Sure thing Peter. Ive read many folks having trouble with plank flooring and gaps, or like you say, repairs to a piece in the field of the floor. Just looked interesting.

[mayco]

We were finally able to get out and do some camping, haven't been out since the get together in Michigan....that sucks. But life gets in the way sometimes. We are just a little over an hour away from home but it could be 1000 miles as far as how it feels. LOVE camping during the week, only one other RV in the whole state park campground. Pretty hot but the 2 ACs are keeping the rig nice and cool. Still think that adding the second shore power cord for running the rear AC is one of my favorite mods on the rig.

Fox Ridge State Park, we can pop down here at a moments notice since it's so close to home and it's really a nice park. Big sites, rarely crowded, a pond for Wrigley to swim in.
Love it.

Hope al you fellas are doing well and having a good summer!

[mayco]

For some reason pictures aren't loading this morning.

[mayco]

Apparently they needed more $$$$$ to post pics

[bobmiller1]

Speaking of sodomy fees....I just placed my order to inland RV for the remaining window gasket material I need to finish the last 2 windows. Regards, Bob

[mayco]

Ouch! Is there a special lubricant for that Bob?

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by mayco

Ouch! Is there a special lubricant for that Bob?

The lubricant comes from the same source so be prepared to pay for that as well......