What did you get for your Motorhome today?

[DaveFL]

Replaced last two Michelin tire on front, now have matched set, didn't replace when I did rear figuring they were 5 years younger, but with all the reading 8 yrs is all Michelin recommends. While I had the wheels off I installed the two ABS sensors burned by the caliper sticking. So in the last year I have replaced calipers, pads, sensors, tires and repacked bearings, less than a $1000 so it must not be a boat.(Bring Out Another Thousand)

[Surprise]

Anybody know what this thing is? Stamped on the side: 12v 30a, 126. On one post it reads "bat", the other "aux". It's connected behind the DC fuse panel on the "red bat isolater cable.

[bkahler]

That is an inline circuit breaker. If you start drawing more than 30 amps the breaker will trip. It will reset itself after it has cooled down.

If you are not getting any voltage on the "aux" side of the post then the breaker is bad or there could possibly be a short circuit in the wire connecting to the "aux" terminal.

Brad

[Surprise]

Ahh, makes sense, thanks!

[Kota]

It came with a very expensive factory installed solar system. I believe from the invoice it was something like $1500 plus another $750 for an additional panel. I've never been able to get more than an amp out of it. They wired it in to the DC buss so the battery contractor had to be energized to charge the batteries.

I tested the panels open circuit voltage and short circuit current and they were still at new specs. They should as it been sheltered most of its life. I'm going through it and straightening out the original wiring and upgrading some components. I just got this new "Battery Minder" solar charging system for $85. They make all kinds of claims so we'll see how it works out.

It has two 36 watt panels that are about 2X3 foot. I think the old controller and the way it was wired into the system was the problem. After chasing the wires down I decided to mount it up in the nose by the batteries since it has a temperature monitor that bolts to the battery post terminal.

Even with the sun still kinda low and hazy clouds I'm getting better than 3 amps of charge current. The charger is connected directly to the coach batteries. I also installed a latched power solenoid or "Battery Disconnect Relay. It draws 0 current when on or off. Power is applied momentarily to either the on or off terminal to toggle it. I put that in last fall and the coach batteries stayed up all winter. Much nicer that a knife switch or manual switch.

The next step is going to be LED interior lights. Should make unplugged camping more fun. I also have to work on my 50 power supply. It outputs power but not quite enough voltage to charge the batteries. (about 12.0 V) I might break down and replace it with one of the newer smart supplies.

It was good to get it out of the barn today, drive it home, and give a much needed bath.

We are planning on hitting the road for the month of May again.

[Kota]

Originally Posted by bkahler

After a lot of searching I finally located replacement vacuum actuators for the heater/evaporator box for my Arogsy.

As you can see the new ones are nice and shiny where the old ones are rusty

Two of the actuators are located inside of the evaporator box at the bottom. Considering how much work I've gone through to get access those two actuators I didn't want to reassemble using the old ones.

Brad

Mine has a bastardized GM system. No vacuum on a diesel so it has a huge electric vacuum pump and reservoir. I've got a leak somewhere that seems to be intermittent. I'm guessing its in the control head. There is a company called Vintage Air that a really "cool" retrofit system to put AC in vintage classic cars. They have a microprocessor control module and electric actuators. I contacted them and told them my application. The "tech help" guy basically called me an idiot and said I was wasting his time because I wasn't calling about a supported application. Looks like I'll be looking for a new vacuum control head.

[Kota]

An ice scraper! About 12 inches and still falling. Fired up the furnaces. Rear cranked right up. Front lights for a few seconds and flame go out. I believe there is a flame sensor that is not detecting a flame.

[Keyair]

Thanks to Brad...
Ebay find...
A replacement exterior handle and deadlock!

[Kota]

Originally Posted by Dakota

It came with a very expensive factory installed solar system. I believe from the invoice it was something like $1500 plus another $750 for an additional panel. I've never been able to get more than an amp out of it. They wired it in to the DC buss so the battery contractor had to be energized to charge the batteries.

I tested the panels open circuit voltage and short circuit current and they were still at new specs. They should as it been sheltered most of its life. I'm going through it and straightening out the original wiring and upgrading some components. I just got this new "Battery Minder" solar charging system for $85. They make all kinds of claims so we'll see how it works out.

It has two 36 watt panels that are about 2X3 foot. I think the old controller and the way it was wired into the system was the problem. After chasing the wires down I decided to mount it up in the nose by the batteries since it has a temperature monitor that bolts to the battery post terminal.

Even with the sun still kinda low and hazy clouds I'm getting better than 3 amps of charge current. The charger is connected directly to the coach batteries. I also installed a latched power solenoid or "Battery Disconnect Relay. It draws 0 current when on or off. Power is applied momentarily to either the on or off terminal to toggle it. I put that in last fall and the coach batteries stayed up all winter. Much nicer that a knife switch or manual switch.

The next step is going to be LED interior lights. Should make unplugged camping more fun. I also have to work on my 50 power supply. It outputs power but not quite enough voltage to charge the batteries. (about 12.0 V) I might break down and replace it with one of the newer smart supplies.

It was good to get it out of the barn today, drive it home, and give a much needed bath.

We are planning on hitting the road for the month of May again.

Report: The coach batteries were pretty low when I left it a week ago for work. Its been sitting in front of the house through the snow storm and a few nice sunny days. Between the latching battery relay and the solar charging system, I came home yesterday, turned the battery switch on, and everything jumped to life. The batteries were fully charged and in maintenance mode on the solar charger. Nice to finally have the system straightened out.

[crazeevw]

One of those things I've had in my "Wish List" since I bought my Airstream. Finally decided to just do it!

Many other things in the last couple of days, but no pix yet. Promise more soon!

[240ClassicMH]

Previous color was puke.

Pics are dark but choose two shades of gray - I like to think it turned out better in person. About 2hours total time including removing and replacing the dash. I've left the instrument panel as is after removing the decal covering.

Now to replace the shag capeting..

[gloran]

Good job! when I did mine I used Krylon Fusion for plastic surfaces. Getting rid of the old tired look with a fresh clean look really makes a difference to the whole dash area. Changing the carpet will be equally nice.

[Smartstream]

We tried to find a upholstery shop to recover our two chairs but after several estimates that were twice the cost of new chairs we gave up. We talked to the vendor of new chairs and thought about it but couldn't reach a decision. Finally decided to give it a try to reupholster them ourselves. This is the result.



They may not be perfect but the price was right and the new foam is very comfortable and the flamingos seem to approve.

[rjetsrick]

they look great good job

[masseyfarm]

Is that ultraleather????

I have a barrel chair that I will let you work on now that you are in the business.

Dave

[aireseneca]

I wanted the outside shower option on my new-to-me Excella I just got last week. It should look about like the one in this post:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f446...ers-10732.html
I don't have the trailer here yet; it's getting the work done.....but I wish it WAS HERE! Lots of things to do with it!

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by rjetsrick

they look great good job

Thanks, they may not be technically perfect but they are in a 30 year old coach.

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by masseyfarm

Is that ultraleather????

I have a barrel chair that I will let you work on now that you are in the business.

Dave

It's not ultraleather which is a brand name but it is the same kind of material in a different brand.

As far as your barrel chair goes, you will have to talk to the Mrs. She did all the sewing. I did the foam work and assembled the pieces to the frame, in other words the easy stuff.

[Keyair]

Dan, tell the Mrs she does nice work!
You too!

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by Keyair

Dan, tell the Mrs she does nice work!
You too!

Thanks Steve, I'll pass the word on to the boss.