RE: N.C. RV owners take note
I too live in the great state of NC. The job I have requires me to travel a distance of 14 counties, and maintain 41 locations, handling all maintenance problems from ac issues to electricial repair. I am on call 24/7/365 and belive me I know all about the "good ole boy" system we have here in NC. Several years ago I got a speeding ticket for 74 in a 55. I was on a lonley back country road, no cars in sight, and yes I was guilty. By the time I saw the trooper it was too late. I went to the county seat where I got the ticket, talked to the D.A. and got it reduced to "improper equipment". Cost me 125 bucks and I was on my way. Never showed up on my driving record so no harm no foul. A couple of years later, I got another one, this time for a 70 in a 55, same deal, back road, no traffic, topped a hill and there he was. This time the D.A. in that particular county wasn't so happy to help me, so I hired a lawyer. Cost me 450 bucks but it "went away".
The last one I got, I was passing an 18 wheeler, on a downhill grade, and saw a car approaching at the top of the next hill. So, trying to think "safe" I sped up, and went around him so I could get back in my lane. Trooper got me for 87 in a 55 this time. This one cost me 760 bucks. All this to make a two points, first, I don't speed anymore, it costs too much money. And second, If you have enough money in NC the "good ole boy" system works.
Kinda sad huh?
RE: Learned the hard way
I too have driven off with the antennna up, but the worst I have done was just the other day. After rolling out the canopy and getting the legs pegged down, I decided to make it level. It looked so nice and straight, UNTIL we got a torrential rain/thunder/lightning storm. I was sitting inside the camper when I noticed the canopy sagging. I immediatley realized what I had done and ran outside in the storm to relieve the pressure. There seemed to be at least 6 and a half million gallons of water in the canopy and it was sagging down so far I had to duck to walk under it. Well, I tried to pull the latch on one end and let the leg drop so the water run off. What happened was, when I touched the latch, the whole end came down and threw me against the side of the camper, almost broke my arm, and I got a complete soaking from head to toe.
My lesson was, when you put the canopy out, make sure it aint level!!!!!!!!!
Southern
RE: 1998 Ford Cassis Coachman Class C Generator Problem
We took the carb off and had it cleaned at a local small engine repair shop, and also found that the solienoid (spelling) was stuck. We took that off and took it apart and cleaned it. Now our problem is the gen floods. I guess it went from no gas to all gas, lol. My buddy plans to take it to a qualified rv shop in the next week or two and have it professionaly serviced. He has several other problems as well, the steps wont come out, and the slide-out room wont operate either. Thanks for all your inputs, and I'll let yall know what the final outcome is.
Thanks,
Southern
RE: 1998 Ford Cassis Coachman Class C Generator Problem
so there is no other switch we are missing? no safety device? The other problem is that the steps dont come out when the coach is parked. ????? any ideas on that ? we plan to work on it again tomorrow and see what we can come up with and ill get the model and serial numbers off the unit and post those as well.
thanks again
southern
1998 Ford Cassis Coachman Class C Generator Problem
Help, A buddy of mine just aquired a 98 Coachman from family, and cannot figure out why the genset wont start. This is an Onan 4000 Watt, and we replaced the spark plug and checked the fuel line. With the fuel line off it pumps gas, but with the fuel line on it wont start. It does turn over, and after several attempts to start we checked the plug, and it is as dry as when we put it in. Is there a saftey switch or something we are missing? Do you have to have the park brake set? If you need the model and serial number from the generator we can get that. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Southern
My new lifestyle lol
The wife and I have split after 16 and 1/2 years of marriage, and suddenly I have been thrown into the full-time rv lifestyle. I have had to learn how to do things for myself again, like washing clothes, and cleaning up; either of which I dont mind. I was fortunate enough to be able to "camp out" at a friends house, so I have full electric and water,( lucky me huh). My plan at this point is to stay in the motor home until I am debt free, then I would like to build another house and start all over. I am left with my sanity, and a few close friends who seem to care about me deeply. I guess my point to all this is even if you dont travel in the RV, it certainly does help to have one!
Wish me luck, and if anyone has any advice I would sure love to hear it.
Thanks guys
Dave
RE: Ants and Mice along for the ride!!!!
Get a Flashlight, a bottle of wine, and a .22 rifle. Go out to the rv after dark, put some bait on the floor, and have a taste of wine. About every 15 minutes turn on the light, shoot a mouse, have a taste of wine and turn out the light. Problem solved.
(Grins)
RE: Breakers trip using AC on generator
You said it also trips the ac breaker from time to time, have you looked at the ac unit's themselves? Alot of times when the coils are dirty the compressor has to work extra hard and will pull more amps than it would if it were clean. Also another thing to check is the wiring terminals at the compressor. A compressor should pull around 12amps when running (RLA), but on startup it will pull alot more (FLA)Full Load Amps. And if it were tripping when it comes on (LRA) Locked Rotor Amps, that could be your problem. I have a condensor that did the same thing, and its on my home. Check all your connections and clean all your coils.
RE: MH Fires whats the cause?
In opinion dirt is another leading cause. Dirt, dust, grime, grease, generally unclean things, I pulled the cover off of the ac unit on the roof and found the coil had never been cleaned.(I just bought this coach a month ago)I also looked in the back of the fridge, found an old wasp nest the size of a softball. Found one under the hood too, right on top of the master cylinder, along with a bird nest. Next I took the cover off of the furnace, from the inside, and omg it was covered in dust. Havent quite figured out how to get it all out of there yet, but i'm working on it. Waterheater is next, as soon as I get the furnace clean.
My vote is dirt. Clean your units, and get new filters.
RE: Refrigerator Question - Urgent
In my uneducated opinion, I would think that the clicking is the ignition lighting the gas to operate the fridge. I would think that its normal for it to cycle on and off as needed and perhaps the ignition module is dirty and needs cleaning, so that when it needs to light to cool, it dosent light the first time and tries until it does. I have seen this on residential gas furnaces and would assume it to be the same on any gas appliance. And yes, if I were you I would have it checked to be sure.
RE: Maiden Voyage
Back from the trip, had a GREAT time listening to bluegrass and hanging out at the campground. Saw everything from people sleeping in tents on the ground, sleeping in the backs of pickups, all the way up to the Class A big boys in their 100k plus rigs. I was rather proud of myself, the only thing I forgot to get was a bag of ice. Not too shabby for a newbie huh? The weather was perfect for saturday, but today it poured. Found I have a leak, right above the drivers seat where I think the antenna wire runs through the ceiling. Got home and tore out the shelf that goes all the way across, and found it had been leaking for sometime. I have Mold! Yuck! I tore out all the suspect wood that was wet, or had ever been wet and next week I get to build a brand new shelf system. I may make it big enough to accomodate a tv, or atleast a rear view monitor. I plan to run crown mold from front to back now and I can hide the wires in that. Anyway a great time, and I get to do some carpentry work. Huuuraaaayyyyy for meeeeeee!!!!!
Thanks Yall
David
RE: Ford F-53 "Fan Clutch/Radiator Function"
I assume that the fan in question is electric? If so why not put in an override switch on the dash. When you know its going to be hot, or your going to be climbing hills turn it on and just let the fan run full time? I am more of an electricial person than mechanical so tell me if this dosent make sense.
Just my two cents worth.
Dave
RE: Electrical Question
I think some of the ideas were good, some even funny. Its hard to troubleshoot something without actually "laying hands" on it, but you guys certainly had some good places to look. I will point out that anytime there is a voltage drop of any signifigance there will also be heat so maybe the simplest thing to have done was a feel test and look for what was warm? I'm glad that you got the problem fixed, if it had been me I would have worried to death about it until it was fixed. I have made a lot of money over the years off of "home electricians" and the one that stands out in my mind the most was a guy that couldn't figure out why his landscape lightbulbs kept exploding when he turned on the breaker. I asked him how he had it wired and his response was," I have the black wire on the top hole of the breaker and the white wire on the bottom hole of the breaker."
Go Figure
Maiden Voyage
This will be our first "offocial" trip in the new to us RV. Planning on going up to Denton North Carolina to the Bluegrass festival. Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver are the main attractions. I'm already busting at the seams to get there, get set up, and have a great time. I know I will forget something that I need, or bring what I don't, but I already have a pad and pen ready to jot down everything. I have to admit I'm kinda nervous about the whole thing, the driving, the getting set up, and hoping everything will work as well as it all does in my driveway. Anyway, I will let everyone know how well it went, and what dumb things I did. ( grins )
Wish me luck!!!!
