EmergencyNrse
San Diego, Ca
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Joined: 10/17/2009
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Transaction now complete from the purchase, transfer paperwork filed, DMV registered, we headed out to a nearby campground to see what was what on our new "vintage" MH.
Surprisingly it started right up... so it runs.
Drives like a boat. My gut feeling there are some problems with the springs & shocks. Brakes, okay for now (At least I can stop it).
First stop was Wal Mart of course for the simplest of accessory items: Oil Change, Tire Pressure check, New House Batteries, Step Ladder, Sewer Hose, Provisions. We are Ready!
The campground are nice. Quiet. We get our spot and start hooking up.
Sewer Hose-check, A/C power-check, Water Line-check, Awning... All seems well.
1st problem we ran into: the water pressure delivered was much too high. Pressure caused a few leaks. Won't make that mistake again. I will have to look into a pressure regulator to step down really high pressures. Fixed by turning it down at the spigot.
No harm...no foul. Flushed all the sinks, shower and toilet. I figure if the toilet works so the wife is happy and all is well.
Next... Power!
Active monitor or passive? If it's passive the damn thing is broken. If it's an active monitor I have no clue where to turn it on. Manuals talk about the type and what it does but not a word on how to use it. Funny...
Oh yea, LP Gas. What, you're suppose to fill the tank up before you go camping? OOoops! Oh well. The 40# tank is either empty or the regulator is not operating. This made it easier on my initial evaluation this trip because it completely ruled out checking the furnace, the stove, water heater and refrigerator(gas) functions.
Well, the refrigerator is working on A/C power. There is a smell of ammonia after a few hours. Wonder if it's the coils or cleanser from the previous owners? Both Air Conditioners do the job. All lights inside & out are working.
No inverter is operating when disconnected from shore power. A/C outlets are dead. Onan generator will need a new fuel pump. The water pump is inoperable and will need replaced. None of the tanks leak. Doors & windows are complete and serviceable.
There are some buttons that I have no idea where they go but I am having the time of my life. I have nothing here to use to work on it.
I just hope I can get it back to Georgia where I am more capable.
Anyway, it wasn't a bad trip. We were able to enjoy our first night with a cooler full of beer, a take-out pizza and "American Werewolf in London" DVD on the laptop. Good times.
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Fiverwheel
Southern CA
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Joined: 03/25/2003
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Hey, she's a beauty! You're in for some good times and learning all of her secrets will keep you occupied for some time to come. Congrats.
2002 26.5 MB Lazy Daze
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tvman44
Southwest Louisiana
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Joined: 09/25/2007
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I hope the ammonia smell is not coming from the refrig cooling unit 
Pinching back on the faucet will not reduce the pressure when there is no flow, you need a pressure regulator. Good luck, I'm sure you will enjoy the rig, looks sharp.
Papa Bob
1* DW "Granny"
1* 2008 Brookside by Sunnybrook 32'
1* 2002 F250 Super Duty 7.3L PSD
Husky 16K hitch, Tekonsha P3,
Firestone Ride Rite Air Springs, Trailair Equa-Flex, Champion C46540
"A bad day camping is better than a good day at work!"
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bukhrn
Lanexa, Va
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Joined: 03/20/2005
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EmergencyNrse wrote:Transaction now complete from the purchase, transfer paperwork filed, DMV registered, we headed out to a nearby campground to see what was what on our new "vintage" MH.
Surprisingly it started right up... so it runs.
Drives like a boat. My gut feeling there are some problems with the springs & shocks. Brakes, okay for now (At least I can stop it).
First stop was Wal Mart of course for the simplest of accessory items: Oil Change, Tire Pressure check, New House Batteries, Step Ladder, Sewer Hose, Provisions. We are Ready!
The campground are nice. Quiet. We get our spot and start hooking up.
Sewer Hose-check, A/C power-check, Water Line-check, Awning... All seems well.
1st problem we ran into: the water pressure delivered was much too high. Pressure caused a few leaks. Won't make that mistake again. I will have to look into a pressure regulator to step down really high pressures. Fixed by turning it down at the spigot.
No harm...no foul. Flushed all the sinks, shower and toilet. I figure if the toilet works so the wife is happy and all is well.
Next... Power!
Active monitor or passive? If it's passive the damn thing is broken. If it's an active monitor I have no clue where to turn it on. Manuals talk about the type and what it does but not a word on how to use it. Funny...
Oh yea, LP Gas. What, you're suppose to fill the tank up before you go camping? OOoops! Oh well. The 40# tank is either empty or the regulator is not operating. This made it easier on my initial evaluation this trip because it completely ruled out checking the furnace, the stove, water heater and refrigerator(gas) functions.
Well, the refrigerator is working on A/C power. There is a smell of ammonia after a few hours. Wonder if it's the coils or cleanser from the previous owners? Both Air Conditioners do the job. All lights inside & out are working.
No inverter is operating when disconnected from shore power. A/C outlets are dead. Onan generator will need a new fuel pump. The water pump is inoperable and will need replaced. None of the tanks leak. Doors & windows are complete and serviceable.
There are some buttons that I have no idea where they go but I am having the time of my life. I have nothing here to use to work on it.
I just hope I can get it back to Georgia where I am more capable.
Anyway, it wasn't a bad trip. We were able to enjoy our first night with a cooler full of beer, a take-out pizza and "American Werewolf in London" DVD on the laptop. Good times.
but not a word on how to use it.It's not like mine, but right off the top of my head, i'd say, push one of the little squares, black, grey, fresh,Lpg, or one of the battery ones, and the level bar should light up with the quantity.
Be aware though, that they are notoriously incorrect, especially the black, as it gets "stuff" on the sensor, giving a false reading.
2007 Forester 2941DS
2005 KIA Spectra
Zamboni, Long Haired Mini Dachshund
I Love My Grizz
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USAFBILL
Alabama
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Joined: 09/20/2002
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NOT GOOD "There is a smell of ammonia after a few hours"...smell of $$ for a new unit. Good Luck
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JR45
Warren/OR/USA
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Joined: 03/17/2002
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The smell of ammonia after a few hours, there is a leak and they will catch on fire, have it looked at or a new frig$$$$
JR
06 F350 4x4 PSD Lariat FX4 CC LB
Coolant Filtration System
PressurePro Monitors
2003 Alpenlite Limited
Fifth Airborne
Ridgewood 30RK
3 Slides
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lzasitko
Regina, SK Canada
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Joined: 11/30/2005
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When our frig died it leaked ammonia, first thing I heard was a gurgling sound, opened the outside vent door for frig and could see a greenish yellow liquid had come from higher up. It worked well for us for almost 5 years and I believe it is the original (from 82). I talked to the local dealers and they told me it is scrap and a new two door (separate upper freezer) starts around $1500 CDN. My brother in law has a old truck camper that had a frig in it so we borrowed it to use on our trip (just got home last night) and it did not work on propane as I was having problems finding the right fittings. Before I put it in I tried it on 110v and it worked fine but after about a week it stopped working. No leaks and elec side is fine with no blown fuses etc and plug in compartment works, just not the frig.
Since most of the time I have either the genset running overnight or we are plugged in I may just replace it with a conventional frig. I found a Haier Frig that is almost a match for size to what was in there originally so will check and see how much.
Now that I am home I am going to look into finding someone that can fix the dometic that leaked and see if it really is trash, doubt it as I do see ads for reconditioned ones.
Pressing the item tags should give you a reading but as mentioned they are notorious for being wrong. Our propane one reads full even when it is dead empty....
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lizbard
Nacogdoches, TX
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Joined: 05/24/2009
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Good Sam RV Club
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We just bought a 2002 Winnebago Brave for our first RV and are still learning how to use everything. I do know if the buttons for checking levels are not working and you are on electric power, you need to turn off the alt battery to make the panel be on electric. then ours work. it also works if you are on generator power. but if the alt battery is on, the panel will not light up.
that is how it works on our RV. it has all been trial and error. It has been fun learning. if it rides rough or you cannot cross some bridges over 40mph, then check the shocks. we just changed ours and now I am looking into a stabilizer bar or the air bags I just read about here. I have learned a lot from this blog. also sign up for Good Sam, get the extended warranty and the road service. you may be handy, but we tried with out them at first and after one problem, purchased them. have used the extended warranty several times but not the emergency road service - yet. I know my time is coming.
What year and make is your new toy?
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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Joined: 04/19/2005
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Your frig is shot
Have a qualified person evaluate the LP system for your safety
You simply push the buttons to get the monitor info
Have fun
09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)
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EmergencyNrse
San Diego, Ca
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Joined: 10/17/2009
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Hey! Thanks for the comments.
My "new" toy is a 1987 Bayport by Rockwood.
The control panel is dead. Shore power or battery power I have yet to get it to work, light up or give me any indication of life. Now... my generator is disabled due to a fuel pump issue so I have yet to run the generator to power anything in the house/cabin. Maybe that's an issue.
As for battery power. There is 1 chassis battery and 2 house batteries. I have not found any switch or control to alternate between them. No aux. battery control. Anyone think this is necessary?
I believe the electrical systems are separate anyway. The engine's battery and alternator are not a part of the house system. Just 1 button for emergency start if there is failure with the engine battery. The way it's configured there is only recharging of the engine battery while delivering 12v power while the engine is running. House batteries are charged only by the generator.
Also, I found the A/C converter with breakers but no inverter. I haven't traced the wiring coming off the generator fully but I believe I'll find it along there. Hell, It may not even have one.
The batteries are hooked to the house 12v but no power is delivered to the 120 outlets without shore hookup. So there is a dead inverter or none at all...The generator puts out D/C power and will charge the D/C batteries. If it's not there I will install one later. I'm just wondering how many watts I'll need to drive things inside the house. Probably need a pretty big inverter.
I'm wondering if there is any recharging of the D/C batteries while connected to shore power from the converter? I'll be checking that wiring next.
Fun...Fun...
* This post was
edited 11/01/09 06:41am by EmergencyNrse *
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