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Old 08-02-2019, 08:19 AM   #1101
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1975 20' Argosy 20
Chestfield , Kent
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Martin's Argosy Rebuild Thread

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Originally Posted by bkahler View Post
Hmmm....is it an age thing.....?!



Just kidding [emoji3]



I think if I ever find all the misplaced tools in my shop I will be able to outfit a complete second tool box [emoji5]


Apparently stainless U-bolts are categorised as cooking utensils because that’s where I found them!
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Old 08-17-2019, 07:19 AM   #1102
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The post camping trip 'to-do' list included cleaning and applying some silicon spray to the Fantastic Fans (which developed an annoying rattle) and investigating why the on-demand water heater was not starting on the final day (my assumption was we had run low of propane - we had no gauge on the propane tank, neither local or remote).

Well a cheap $10 snap-on (connection not the company!) gauge showed the tank was still half-full. After a little troubleshooting it turned out the ODHW had a gas lock, apparently you can get hydrogen bubbles in the Hall effect sensor which allows water to flow without being 'sensed'. Well a quick purge cleared that but I am not convinced having contained hydrogen gas source near a hot element is a good idea!

Next on the list is a version of the snap-on propane gauge with an add-on 0-90Ω sender ($40), coupled to a $15 2" after-market gas gauge, to give a remote display of propane level on the dash....those parts arrived this morning and I just setup on my bench so prove it works before cutting holes!
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Old 08-17-2019, 08:30 AM   #1103
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Martin's Argosy Rebuild Thread

Would you let us know source, part numbers, and other details on the propane sensors and remote gauges, so we can consider duplicating your setup in other situations? Thanks!
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Old 08-17-2019, 10:06 AM   #1104
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Originally Posted by rmkrum View Post
Would you let us know source, part numbers, and other details on the propane sensors and remote gauges, so we can consider duplicating your setup in other situations? Thanks!
We have a recent model Manchester tank installed (model 6813). Which appeared to have no level gauge installed. However most modern tanks have the internal float installed at the factor and what looks like a blanking plate is actually the end of a float, with magnets that allows a simple snap-on gauge to be installed.

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I used a G12653 LP Gas Tank - Snap-On Dial Gauge.



However the G12846, is the same (can also be used to read the level manually) but includes a simple 90ohm sender.



This is actually the same type send we have in our gas tanks but also what a very common universal tank sender, and I got one from eBay.



Wiring is very simple....one side of the sender goes to earth, one side to the signal at the gauge, the gauge also has 12v, earth, and a back-light if you want to connect.
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Old 08-17-2019, 12:03 PM   #1105
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Cool. Thanks!
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Old 09-22-2019, 05:39 PM   #1106
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Captains chairs replacement

[QUOTE=martin300662;1680209]So after a few changes of seats mounts and adapter brackets, I have finally stopped messing around with the seats.....what is there now is what I am keeping.

The seats themselves are (new take out) second row seats from a VW Routan (same as a Caravan and Town & Country) so 'fold flat to although them to be taken out

However even with this feature, they hit the steering wheel when tipping forward, and fit the wheel when turning....no matter how much 'back and forth' you

However the addition of the removable wheel solves any issues with multi-purposing the

I have cut a second notch in the passenger swivel to stop that seat at approx 200 degrees from forward, and on the drivers seat at 150 degrees and 210

Which gives both seats a good view of the TV and the drivers seat the option to point towards the end of the kitchen counter and gives a good position for my laptop when travelling.



As well as a clean, open look from front to back with nothing above


Dear Martin,
You are one step closer every day to taking off in your Bella!
I have a question regarding the replacement of captains chairs. If i understand correctly, your choice of chairs was influenced by your need for the to do double duty: driver/passenger seats and lounge chairs as well as folding over. I need to replace mine due to the fact that the passenger seat is a mass of foam rubber and a metal frame, whilst the drivers seat is intact. Rather than deal with reconstruction of the seat and reupholstering both. I would like to buy new or newer ones. I have been told that these chairs are a standard size . Is that true? Thanks in advance for your help!!
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Old 09-23-2019, 01:16 AM   #1107
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ShandyLane View Post
Dear Martin,
You are one step closer every day to taking off in your Bella!
I have a question regarding the replacement of captains chairs. If i understand correctly, your choice of chairs was influenced by your need for the to do double duty: driver/passenger seats and lounge chairs as well as folding over. I need to replace mine due to the fact that the passenger seat is a mass of foam rubber and a metal frame, whilst the drivers seat is intact. Rather than deal with reconstruction of the seat and reupholstering both. I would like to buy new or newer ones. I have been told that these chairs are a standard size . Is that true? Thanks in advance for your help!!
Modern RV seats are a standard size, but we have old RVs so my advice is not to make an assumption anything new will fit. In general you have to worry about two dimensions, the part you sit on, the width/height of the back. It is actually the back that stops the seat rotating (especially on the drivers side where the steering wheel and the seat back share the same location when the seat is reversed). So really only you can decide if you want the seats to rotate, for us it is one of the first things we do when we set camp, other folks never turn them. but if you turn them regularly then the smaller they are the better.

You have three choices, have yours re-done (worth considering because you know they fit), replace with a modern RV seat (for example shop4seats.com have many different types) but they don't bolt to your existing mounts, and modern mounts are not high enough so expect some fabrication, or replace with modern car seats, but again expect some modification. The simplest approach is to have what you have re-done.
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Old 09-23-2019, 10:57 PM   #1108
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1976 Argosy 20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by martin300662 View Post
Modern RV seats are a standard size, but we have old RVs so my advice is not to make an assumption anything new will fit. In general you have to worry about two dimensions, the part you sit on, the width/height of the back. It is actually the back that stops the seat rotating (especially on the drivers side where the steering wheel and the seat back share the same location when the seat is reversed). So really only you can decide if you want the seats to rotate, for us it is one of the first things we do when we set camp, other folks never turn them. but if you turn them regularly then the smaller they are the better.

You have three choices, have yours re-done (worth considering because you know they fit), replace with a modern RV seat (for example shop4seats.com have many different types) but they don't bolt to your existing mounts, and modern mounts are not high enough so expect some fabrication, or replace with modern car seats, but again expect some modification. The simplest approach is to have what you have re-done.
Dear Martin,
Many thanks for your reply which was very helpful and confirmed my thoughts. I will be on the lookout for 1 original argosy chair to replace the deconstructed one currently in the MH.
Thanks again!!
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Old 04-26-2020, 11:31 AM   #1109
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Martin where did you get your dash from? Is that the original that came in the MH?
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Old 04-26-2020, 12:22 PM   #1110
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The 1974-76 MH had a very simple dash, and although removed for painting is totally standard.

The instrument cluster in those first two years is lifted straight from a Chevy P-30 and have a speedo and a quadrant cluster (fuel gauge, temperature, oil pressure and voltmeter) with a brake warning light for an imbalance between the front and rear brake circuit (comes off the combo valve). This cluster originally had two rectangular outlets for the heat/AC.
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Old 06-13-2020, 08:25 AM   #1111
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Not really Bella related but building on the fact that I used Bella as a mobile work station between selling the house in the US and moving back to UK, meet my solution to business travel post-Covid19, a 2018 Nissan NV200 that I am converting into a micro-camper. Picked it up yesterday and have already gutted the ply lining/bulkhead and made so mock-ups of the kitchen pod/bed/leisure battery etc. New windows to go in next but so far only 5 of the 6 have arrived.

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600 mile range on a tank of diesel@over 50mpg
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Old 06-19-2020, 09:56 AM   #1112
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Quote:
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Not really Bella related but building on the fact that I used Bella as a mobile work station between selling the house in the US and moving back to UK, meet my solution to business travel post-Covid19, a 2018 Nissan NV200 that I am converting into a micro-camper. Picked it up yesterday and have already gutted the ply lining/bulkhead and made so mock-ups of the kitchen pod/bed/leisure battery etc. New windows to go in next but so far only 5 of the 6 have arrived.

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600 mile range on a tank of diesel@over 50mpg

Martin, need help finding an Argosy or Airstream decal to stick on that Nissan?
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Old 06-19-2020, 10:34 AM   #1113
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You can laugh, but believe it or not, the UK government has 4 criteria to allow a 'van' upfitted to be re-classified as a 'motor-caravan' (the official name for a motorhome in the UK).....

1) It has to have two or more windows installed in the living area. Well 5 or the 6 windows have arrived and are waiting fitting, so check.

2) It has to have a high bay roof (can't be a pop-up). This has incited the Westfalia type campers and they are campaigning to get it turned around. I will have to wait for this rule to be rescinded

3) Has to have a awning. Fiamma and Thule make one that fits in the roof rack fittings, so check.

4) Has to have decals to mark it as a camper. Just not sure if Airstream (or Airstream decals) are recognizable enough in the UK to count? Maybe I need to get it painted silver and fit an Interstate decal?
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Old 06-19-2020, 11:07 AM   #1114
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...
4) Has to have decals to mark it as a camper. Just not sure if Airstream (or Airstream decals) are recognizable enough in the UK to count? Maybe I need to get it painted silver and fit an Interstate decal?



Everyone will know this
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Old 03-08-2021, 07:06 AM   #1115
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Hmmm....so.....

We have been kicking around possible solutions to the $1.70per litre/approx 3miles per litre (even with the smallest coach, that is under the original weight, and with GearVendors OD) conundrum.

That has gone through.

1) LGP conversion (same mileage/half price fuel) - 'Autogas' is in decline in Europe
2) EV conversion - well north of $100K for the same range as we currently have
3) Diesel conversion (Mercedes OM904 or similar commercial truck engine) - that engine is still a 30 year old design and will not really give a step change in mpl.

So why not a modern 3.5 L twin turbo Ecoboost? They are powering the modern version of a similar spec chassis and are available with 10 speed transmissions?
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Old 03-08-2021, 08:59 AM   #1116
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Sounds like you might need to settle for a step down in horsepower.

What's the going price for hay?
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Old 03-08-2021, 09:16 AM   #1117
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Sounds like you might need to settle for a step down in horsepower.

What's the going price for hay?
Not really, the Raptor configuration runs at three times the power, three times the torque, over twice the miles per litre and half the weight of the 350 that came installed in Bella.

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Old 03-08-2021, 12:30 PM   #1118
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A FORD motor in CHEVY

In some parts of the country those are fighting words!
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Old 03-09-2021, 06:24 AM   #1119
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A FORD motor in CHEVY

In some parts of the country those are fighting words!
I get that, but maybe that is behind the suggestion; is the Ecoboost the modern day SBC? used across many models so readily available and apparently becoming the 'go to' engine swap meaning the aftermarket has nailed the 'triggers and commands' that need to be provided to allow it to run in non-standard installations.

There just doesn't seem to be a GM equivalent.
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Old 03-09-2021, 10:29 AM   #1120
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Not really, the Raptor configuration runs at three times the power, three times the torque, over twice the miles per litre and half the weight of the 350 that came installed in Bella.

Only joking, the ecoboost is indeed fast becoming a go-to swap, I don't see any reason not to

For a really hugh torque applications I've started hearing that the lifespan may not be so great, as cranking up the boost to make torque has long term consequences on parts wear, but for the use case of a 20' argosy I wouldn't be at all concerned
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