1988 345... The adventure begins!

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Roby466

Alright! The shop got the rad out and they agreed to have a 3 day delay for me to get the rad recored. The 345 will remain in their bay for that time.
I brought the rad to my AC and rad guy and he will recore with added rows to fill the tanks!
Apparently these old rads are much better than the new stuff so I’m quite happy with this!Attachment 376904

Hopefully it will be back together Saturday!
Cheers
David

Wow, you know some nice people where you live, to let you leave the 345 in one of the bays for 3 days. Down here, they always get out the closed sign when I drive up
Here is a word of advise from a fool: Check those rubber hose clamps on the Trans cooler after you drive a few miles. The trans system is high pressure and will pump fluid out very fast without warning.

[Roby466]

Ah! Good tip . Thanks!!

[bobmiller1]

I see you have a highly coveted 7 blade fan.....either you or the previous owner installed it because they didn’t come from Airstream that way. Regards, Bob

[Roby466]

That fan was in there already but I'm glad this update is in there. Rad should be complete Friday and hopefully put back in on Saturday or Monday. 4-row core going in and the shop said the one that was there was mostly plugged so it should be a massive cooling improvement. Then we are back at the diagnosis of the remaining issues and taking it on its first quick trip!

[Roby466]

I found the sewage hose but it is located in a hole to the right of the service access panel. It appears to fit nicely in there but isn't that in VERY close proximity to the fresh water hose reel? Is that a stock location or did somebody added that there?
I was thinking of mounting a tube somewhere below so it's out of there, what have people done for storing it?
Thanks
David

[Roby466]

Recored rad delivered to the shop. Looking good!

[Roby466]

[bobmiller1]

Believe me......it’s worth it after writing the check ! Regards, Bob

[Roby466]

Yes, I’m quite happy with the decision to have it recored. The replacement unit that would have been purchased by the shop would have likely had plastic tanks.
This one looks solid and the brass tanks were inspected and are apparently nice and thick. Hopefully another 30 years out of it

(I was lucky the shop allowed the airstream to sit for 3 days in their bay!!)

[Roby466]

Alright! Got the airstream home and coolant was pissing... it was an easy fix: tighten the heater hose at the top if the rad. All good now. Beautiful view crossing the bridge between Dartmouth and Halifax!!
We even had beers in it with many neighbours and enjoyed an evening without kids in there last night.
I sorted out the univolt not charging but it now creates a humming noise in the dash radio speakers. It is actually worst when the radio is OFF. May be a ground somewhere.
There is a small leak in the bathroom vent so I’ll be going on the roof when it stops raining. We will take it for its first trip this weekend leaving tomorrow!
Exciting times!!

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Roby466

Alright! Got the airstream home and coolant was pissing... it was an easy fix: tighten the heater hose at the top if the rad. All good now. Beautiful view crossing the bridge between Dartmouth and Halifax!!
We even had beers in it with many neighbours and enjoyed an evening without kids in there last night.
I sorted out the univolt not charging but it now creates a humming noise in the dash radio speakers. It is actually worst when the radio is OFF. May be a ground somewhere.
There is a small leak in the bathroom vent so I’ll be going on the roof when it stops raining. We will take it for its first trip this weekend leaving tomorrow!
Exciting times!!Attachment 377604

If its the original univolt, get rid of it asap (if your shore line indicator light is on in your coach control panel when plugged in, you most likely have the original univolt, since it takes a special 9v adapter to recreate the signal.)

Progressive dynamic PD9260 is a good replacement

[stream3]

Originally Posted by Roby466

I found the sewage hose but it is located in a hole to the right of the service access panel. It appears to fit nicely in there but isn't that in VERY close proximity to the fresh water hose reel? Is that a stock location or did somebody added that there?
I was thinking of mounting a tube somewhere below so it's out of there, what have people done for storing it?
Thanks
David

Believe it or not, yes that's stock. I added a below coach tube like a lot of people have, which allows you to store a much longer hose if desired. Oh, and more sanitary.

[Roby466]

Thanks for all the replies!
Yes, it’s the original univolt. Why is it a problem? 9V adaptor? Is that to fix the humming? I suppose that humming is an indication that it slowly dying you think?

I also have a tube. I’ll look for where to mount it this morning. We are aiming at hitting the road at noon today.

First drive will be a short few hours to a campground where we will have hookups to flush the tanks and try all the system. Then if all goes well we will carry on around the South shore of Nova Scotia.

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Roby466

Thanks for all the replies!
Yes, it’s the original univolt. Why is it a problem? 9V adaptor? Is that to fix the humming? I suppose that humming is an indication that it slowly dying you think?

I also have a tube. I’ll look for where to mount it this morning. We are aiming at hitting the road at noon today.

First drive will be a short few hours to a campground where we will have hookups to flush the tanks and try all the system. Then if all goes well we will carry on around the South shore of Nova Scotia.

Most, but not all of the old 55amp converters will kill your batteries. They are single stage, running sometimes at high as 14-15 volts at all times.
You want a multi stage, that monitors your battery power. The annoying humming is just a reminder that its trash. They also are fire hazards, due to poor insulation and overheating.
As for the 9v volt, I actually used 7.5V to get the 110v power indicator back

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f31...ml#post2318426

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by PeterH-Airstreamer

Most, but not all of the old 55amp converters will kill your batteries. They are single stage, running sometimes at high as 14-15 volts at all times.
You want a multi stage, that monitors your battery power. The annoying humming is just a reminder that its trash. They also are fire hazards, due to poor insulation and overheating.
As for the 9v volt, I actually used 7.5V to get the 110v power indicator back

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f31...ml#post2318426

Yep, what Peter said. Those univolts are total junk and the sooner you replace it the better off your batteries will be. The Progressive Dynamics PD9260 is a really good unit.

[Roby466]

Two hours in the maiden voyage. Noticed the fuel was not going down very much and I thought: “it can’t be this good on fuel! Better check”
It stays at 3/4 of a tank even when key is off. Fair enough I put 40 gallons in. I suppose fuel gauge is on my list of fixes now.

We just changed driver and my wife is driving now...

[Roby466]

Well we are back home... 170 miles to the campground (closest one with available spots for a big RV) and when I hooked us up and put water in the tanks noticed the black tank valve leaking.
It was a little bit, then it got worst when I tried to tighten the collar, that made it appear like there is a crack in the sandwiched piece of the valve.
I was able to empty and put more water in and empty again and then I drained the grey water tank too. The grey valve was very very stiff.

I suppose I’ll need to replace both. Are they standard or a special type?

Due to COVID the campground didn’t allow use of the site toilets and showers... so with the 4 kids we had to pack it up and come back 170 miles home.

Fuel wise it did a little more than 9mpg going between 55 and 60 mph (sometimes 65 downhill, there were lots of hills up and down... much slower uphill!) so I think it’s not too bad. Fuel consumption which would indicate the engine (carb) is well adjusted.

Thanks!

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Roby466

Well we are back home... 170 miles to the campground (closest one with available spots for a big RV) and when I hooked us up and put water in the tanks noticed the black tank valve leaking.
It was a little bit, then it got worst when I tried to tighten the collar, that made it appear like there is a crack in the sandwiched piece of the valve.
I was able to empty and put more water in and empty again and then I drained the grey water tank too. The grey valve was very very stiff.

I suppose I’ll need to replace both. Are they standard or a special type?

..

Attachment 377717

You just have to try to match your existing, since there is no telling what someone may have done The valves are readily available, but you may be looking for this connector. Took me forever to find, since it is really ~3 3/8 on the ends to fit the tank neck. Also make sure the end of your pipes (where the cap is) is fastened to the body in someway to keep it from swinging in the wind. We have a long established term for what you are experiencing, its called ACSL and no it does not stand for American Computer Science League, but rather After Camping sh## list

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f31...ml#post2358405

[bobmiller1]

Great family picture ! Regards, Bob

[Roby466]

Thanks Peter and Bob!
So am I better to stick to the thetford ones or change to Valtera?
Thanks!