Time for a new chapter! We are all hooked up and set up in camp, and the workshop is all set up. We are getting ready for our season at the Arizona Renaissance Festival, and we have a lot of catapults to build!
I'll be doing little projects on the RV and some repairs as we go, and experimenting with things like the leveling jacks, etc. And I will include lots of pictures!
That is it for now...I've got to get to work cutting out parts!
Kev
In between building catapults, I did manage to do a couple of things to the RV. First, I made a leg for the computer desk. The desk isn't really made to be used full time, especially with my relatively heavy Panasonic Toughbook laptop that I use...so now it is stable and all the weight is supported. The leg screws off and can be stowed in the desk when it is folded up for travel.
The used Atwood hot water heater propane control valve also arrived today, so I had time to install it and clean off the soot (again) from the hot water heater. It works with no gas leaks...so we'll see if it soots up again or not. If it does soot up again, then my next task would be to replace the regulator on the propane tank itself (process of elimination). But so far, the water heater is working and the flame is a consistent blue.
I also scored a 35 gallon Thetford tote tank on Craigslist, new in the box, for 125.00 (I sold my remaining 7.62x54r ammo to a buddy of mine, since none of my guns are that caliber anymore, for 125.00). SWEET!!! The gray water is easy to get rid of, but the black tank is almost full (not bad for almost 2 weeks of use), so the tote tank will allow us to go 2 weeks between having the RV tanks pumped out (which is good, since those thieves are charging 65.00 a pop to pump out the tanks!).
I'll take some pictures soon and post them up!
Kev
Kevin did the views on Go Fund Me work for you. I am getting shares and donations but 0 for views?
You're saying $60 to pump out your tank. Is it a vac truck? Are you boondocking or something else?
Hey Postman. I don't really remember the number of views on GoFundMe and have since taken down the campaign since we are all set now.
The sanitation/porta-potty company that services the Arizona Renaissance Festival charges us vendors and participants 65.00 each time they pump out our RV tanks. Renting a big tank from them is also highway robbery at 400.00 a month plus 150.00 each time they pump out the big tank. No thank you! They are a bunch of thieves, but we have no choice if we want to use our own RV bathrooms...and those crooks know it.
Kev
Yay! All the catapults and trebuchets are built and set up in the booth, and we are ready for opening day tomorrow! Great weather predicted!
The used propane control valve on the Atwood hot water heater seems to be working fine, with no soot! Before we leave I'll buy and install a new one, as well as new thermostat thingies...the used one was just to eliminate a component without spending 80 bucks on a new one if that wasn't the problem.
Kev
If you still have the original single stage propane regulator or even a 15 year old double stage you might want to replace that also. Those things don't last all that long dependably. They are not that expensive either. Be sure to make sure whether you have a horizontal or vertical one, they are different.
I changed mine two years ago, bought the replacement from a propane and appliance supplier and installer. They took the old one apart to show me the gunk it had collected over it's unknown lifetime. A lot more than I would have expected.
Their advice was, if you use your tank regularly to replace the regulator every five years.
Further, given the accumulation in mine they strongly suggested I clean all of the lines from the appliance connections to the regulator. Fill the line with methyl hydrate at the appliance, let it sit for a few minutes and then blow it out with compressed air.
Their suggestion, made sense to me.
Mine was working but I was having problems with the refrigerator going out once in a while and over firing other times. Sometimes I could even see the extra power on the stove. Once replaced everything is even. Probably should clean out the lines though.
Thanks for the advice guys! I'll replace the regulator this coming week, as we are surrounded in this area with RV parts stores. I want to install an Extend-A-Stay tee fitting anyway, so I might as well replace the regulator while I am at it.
Kev
The "T" is always a good idea, I have one on mine but didn't you say you have an 80 lb or bigger propane tank? I can't picture you ever running out of propane between moves with a tank that big unless you are running the generator. You mentioned a big RV salvage yard in another thread, check with them for a diesel generator and if they have any see if they would be interested in a partial or full trade for your propane one. Why anybody would do that?! Propane generator? Of coarse that year that was built was right around when diesel fuel jumped up so that might have had something to do with it. People panic without thinking or researching to find out that diesel generator are fuel sippers.
I scored a Hughes 2130 Autoformer 30 amp park power booster for 130 bucks off Craigslist today! It works great! The previous owner sold it because his new RV is 50 amps. This should help to protect the air conditioners from low voltage (which happens a LOT at Renaissance Faire campgrounds!). We've gone through a half dozen AC units since we became fulltimers, and all of them burnt out because of low voltage.
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1030357675?profile=RESIZE_710x)
Tomorrow I'll be getting some pressure treated boards to make blocks out of when I go out and get the materials needed for building catapults. They are going to be 12x12 squares to put under the leveling jack feet. And then I'm going to attempt to deploy the leveling jacks! I'll let y'all know how that works out...lol!
Kev
Make sure all of the pivot points and any slides are well lubed otherwise you could have issues with retraction. Interesting little electrical part. I never quite understood how you get more power from less though. I understand how transformers work but if you step up power you step down current which means you could still shortchange the AC units because you would not have the amps needed even if you have the volts.
Here you go, Rick, right from Hughes' website:
"Hughes Autoformers are designed to increase voltage to your RV and help eliminate low voltage damage to your appliances. Unlike a boost transformer, the ââ,¬Ëœsense circuitââ,¬â,,¢ in the Autoformer will adjust the output based on the load demand. For this reason you can run additional appliances on a 30-amp input. For example, a coffee pot and microwave each draw 1200 watts. Add wattage for the converter and/or a refrigerator ââ,¬â€œ about 800 additional watts ââ,¬â€œ and now you have 3200 watt demand. If you are only getting 100 volts from the supply, the maximum wattage would be 3000 watts. In this case, the Hughes Autoformer will boost voltage to give you 3600 watts to your RV!
[/color]The Autoformer output will self-adjust depending on the demand. With the increase in the voltage to the RV (through the Autoformer) the amperage demand will be lower and the overall performance will be greater. Your appliances will operate smoothly and efficiently without premature wear and damage to motors and compressors. With an operation range of approximately 94 to 125 volts input, the Autoformer will boost your RV voltage to safe & efficient levels.
[/color]Appliance failure can be costly, as well as frustrating and inconvenient. Many AC motors burn out due to higher-than-rated current draw caused by low voltage. This wasted current could be better used to operate another appliance at the same time the AC is being used. With low voltage you generally canââ,¬â,,¢t run anything else without risk of damage.
"
https://hughesautoformers.com/autoformer-university/why-do-you-need-an-autoformer/
Kev
"How Does It Work?At first we are tempted to say very ââ,¬Ëœwellââ,¬â,,¢. But this may not be the answer you are looking for![/size][/color]
[/size]Autoformers are used in industries to stabilize voltage and lower the operating cost of equipment. The Autoformer has 5 windings: 2 primary and 3 secondary. All models have surge and spike protection. When the unit is in Automatic and the park or input voltage is 116 volts or below, the output is 10% over the input. When the input is over 118 volts, the output is 2% over the input.[/size][/color]The Autoformer DOES NOT take power from the park.[/color]It does not affect the park or input voltage, or make electricity.[/color]What it is doing is changing the voltage ââ,¬â€œ amperage relationship, lowering the amperage and raising the voltage. Since appliances run better on higher voltage, lower amperage, less overall power is used from the park, and better service is enjoyed from your RV[/color]An Autoformer running at full output (50amps) will use 1 amp, but will cause appliances to cycle more often and run cooler. This will use less total power from the park.[/color]Enjoy Your Autoformer Knowing You Are Doing Your Part For The Environment."[/color][/color]https://hughesautoformers.com/autoformer-university/how-does-it-work/
http://hughesautoformers.com/HA_UserGuide_2015.pdf
Ok, Here I copied from the manual you sent. You will notice that if the voltage drops below 90 volts the unit will go into bypass mode. This is the lower limit of most AC compressors anyway so basically it is not going to help you too much. The compressor will not like running at 95-100 volts but that will not damage it but 90 volts will. Hey, for the price you paid see if it works. If you have gone through that many AC unit then you have nothing to lose, besides another AC unit. D:oH!
Is the park voltage over 115 volts? Check the park power. See Measuring the Park Power on Page 11. The unit switches to by-pass mode when over 115 volts. It will boost when the park power drops below 113 volts. The Autoformer only gets its instructions to boost or bypass from the park power. It does not read or recognize the voltage inside your RV. If the park power is really low (reading below 90 volts), the Autoformer will not have enough power to work and will go into by-pass mode (and will not boost).
I'm going to give it a shot and see if my AC units survive a few years at Renfaire campgrounds...lol!
I got back late from my materials run, but tried the leveling jacks: No voltage getting to the control unit that has the on/off switch and indicator lights. I checked the fuse and it was good, so I'll have to troubleshoot the wiring when I get a chance.
Kev
The fuse was good but did you check to see if there was power to the fuse? Power or no power would tell you that you need to look before or after the fuse.
Quote from: Rickf1985 on February 12, 2019, 09:20 PM
The fuse was good but did you check to see if there was power to the fuse? Power or no power would tell you that you need to look before or after the fuse.
I plan on taking the cover off today and checking the input voltage.
Kev
So one thing that was bothering me was the lack of a light in the Norcold fridge. I did some research, and it turns out that the light kit for the Norcold 6100 series refrigerators back in 1995 was an optional accessory. The fridge comes pre-wired for the light, but mine doesn't have it. Optional? Geesh!
Anyhow, I looked up the part number, and it is unobtainium! It is an obsolete parts kit and no longer made.
But I found one on eBay! It should be here on Friday...lol!
Kev
Because I was busy with catapults, I didn't have time to troubleshoot the leveling jacks...but I did replace all four switches in the fancy brass and glass side lights. There are two in the bedroom, and two in the living room...and all 4 had bad switches. Now they all work and all have LED bulbs.
Kev
I'm going to go look at, and probably purchase, 4 aluminum and stainless solar panel tilt mounts today that I found on Craigslist. Wish me luck! They look like just what I need/want for mounting smaller (80-120 watt) solar panels on the roof of our Itasca!
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1154242618?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1154247679?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1154254070?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1154258624?profile=RESIZE_710x)
Kev
So the site keeps going down, but I got more stuff done. The same guy that sold me the solar panel tilts is going to sell me 4 100 watt Kyocera monocrystaline panels, new and in the box, for 300 buck, which I will be picking up next week.
I also installed the light in the fridge. what in the world was it optional? What kind of cheapo greedy idiots ARE Norcold to offer a fridge light as an option? Anyhow, it works great.
I also scored a roof rack basket (64x40) for the Jeep on the cheap...which is where the spare tire is going to go. I got it assembled in the workshop today, but it is cold and raining here, so installing it will have to wait.
I was going to troubleshoot the 12 volts going to the leveling jack control board and the furnace, but my negative lead on my Fluke died totally...so I ordered a new set of leads today and will fix the leveling jacks and furnace once they arrive.
It is raining cats and dogs here in Gold Canyon, AZ! And MAN is it cold outside! 50 degrees, rainy and windy. BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!
Kev
My new test leads for my Fluke should be here today, so I can troubleshoot and repair the furnace and the leveling jacks this week.
The roof basket for the roof of the Jeep came out great! I used the factory U-bolts that came with the rack to attach it to the factory roof rack...and then butted up my Yakima roof bars to the front and back of the basket, and used 8 more U-bolts I bought at Ace Hardware to attack the basket to the Yakima rack as well. It is now super strong and will easily hold the weight of the 33" spare tire. While I was at it, I figured out a neat way to install the Hi-Lift jack and my trail shovel to the rack basket sides that is strong, but also allows a quick release setup. It looks sweet! I'll take and post some pics soon. I also bought diamond plate armor for the rocker panels under the doors and for the bottom of the doors. I primed them last week, and today I'll be painting them flat black...and installing them sometime this week.
And that is it for now! We are going to take the pups out today to the local "ghost town" and then for a picnic. And of course a long walk.
Kev
So the guy I was going to buy 4 solar panels from (one 100W panel and three 90W panels) flaked out and wanted to charge me almost 2.00 a watt. So I just ordered 4 brand new 100W HQST monocrystalline panels off of Amazon for 99.00 each with free 2nd day shipping. The customer reviews look great!
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1238739689?profile=RESIZE_710x)
Kev
All four HQST panels arrived today. I took each one out of the boxes to inspect for damage, and then put them in the sun and tested the output voltage. All four read at 21 volts...SWEET!
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1238739689?profile=RESIZE_710x)
We have student days this week, so I won't be able to start the install process until next week.
I will have to buy a few things to complete the project, including wire, connectors, adhesive, a waterproof junction box that will mount on the roof, new temperature and voltage sensor leads from Morningstar for our Tristar MPPT charge controller, and some other miscellaneous items...but nothing too expensive.
We'll have the new solar array sorted out, along with our new battery bank, before we leave here on our next trip up to Utah in April.
Kev
Dang Dude! New panels and a grand worth of new AGM batteries! Business must be REAL good lately!!
WOW! I got to get involved in the Re Fair business. Or start me a go fund me page. From popper to the kings court. Hm?
HA! The panels were only 100 bucks each, and the quote I got for the 2 Trojan AGM batteries was 140 each. :P :P :P :P :P
We have a month off after this show until our next Faire in Utah in May...and then almost 2 months off until our next show in Sterling, NY after that. Without installing a usable solar and battery system in the RV, we would end up spending WAY more money during our off time at RV parks, or spending a fortune on propane for the very inefficient propane Onan generator when boondocking.
That is the way this business works: Work hard and make a good amount of money during a show...and then have weeks off in between where you have fun, but do a lot of boondocking on a budget.
Don't worry folks...we are building back up our savings reserve for emergencies all the while. :D :D :D :D :D
Kev
So the panels are here, and I ordered the connectors and adhesive needed to install them. Since this week is student days week, I'll install them next week.
I also ordered a spare tire rim for the Jeep, since we've been traveling without a spare since we got the Jeep a couple of years ago. We've been lucky so far, but no more relying on just luck after our winter fiasco...lol!
I'll be tinkering with more projects before we leave over the next 4 weeks as well, and I still have to pick up a torque multiplier to keep on hand with the proper sockets...just in case we ever get a flat on the RV (darn lug nuts on this Oshkosh chassis are torqued to around 500 lbs!).
Kev
I went ahead and ordered the MC4 connectors for the solar panels, and 65 feet of 4 gauge wire (half red, half black), which is what I am going to run from the roof (I'm going to install a waterproof junction box on the roof near the fridge vent), down through the fridge vent, and then over to the charge controller. I'll be using 10 gauge wire from each panel to the junction box. I ordered 25 copper crimp battery terminal fittings while I was at it from the same company I ordered the wire from, for 6 bucks (it was 50 bucks for the wire, which was cheaper than anywhere around here for 4 gauge).
So by the end of the week, or the beginning of next week, I'll have all the components I need to install my solar power system. Sweet!
Kev
Are you connecting the panels in series? What's your charge controller rated at for max volts input? Just wondering b/c #4 wire seems awful big.
Quote from: tmsnyder on March 07, 2019, 07:34 AM
Are you connecting the panels in series? What's your charge controller rated at for max volts input? Just wondering b/c #4 wire seems awful big.
I am probably going to hook them up in series, since our charge controller is a Morningstar Tristar MPPT 60, which has a maximum input voltage rating of 150 volts. With the 4 panels, each putting out around 21 volts each, I will be well within the 150 volt range. Then again, I might go in parallel, since it is a lot easier to wire them in that way in a junction box.
I know that 4 gauge seems excessive, but not only was I able to get 65 feet of it (half black and half red) for 50 bucks delivered, it will also pretty much eliminate voltage drop, and allow me to add more panels later on down the road if we feel we need more than 400 watts.
https://2n1s7w3qw84d2ysnx3ia2bct-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/150V-TS-MPPT-Operators-Manual.pdf (https://2n1s7w3qw84d2ysnx3ia2bct-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/150V-TS-MPPT-Operators-Manual.pdf)
Kev
Everything is here for the solar project except the wires and copper terminal ends...but they should be here on Monday. It is supposed to rain Monday and Tuesday, so in between building catapults, I'll get the solar system installed between Wednesday and Friday.
Kev
So it was WAY too windy today to install the solar panels, so I did some other projects instead.
First, I installed the brand new Smittybilt 9500lb winch on the Jeep Cherokee's winch bumper. I wasn't going to buy one yet, but it was on a flash sale for 250.00 delivered!
Then I took off the propane regulator and hose, and brought it all down to the RV dealer to match everything up to buy and install an Extend-A-Stay. Because it moved the regulator over a good 5 inches, I had to buy a longer new hose as well. I bought a new regulator while I was at it, some yellow propane teflon tape, and then had to buy a new hose that connects a grill type propane tank to the Extend-A-Stay fitting (I must have left the one I had in the old RV). I reused the fittings off the old propane regulator, and then checked it all for leaks. All good!!!
So for the Extend-A-Stay tee setup, the new regulator, the tape, and both hoses, I walked out of the RV dealer 120.00 poorer. Not too shabby though for all those parts at a dealer! I don't think I could have done much better online.
Tomorrow I'll be mounting the solar panels, and then running the wires down to the compartment. If I can get that much done tomorrow, I'll have plenty of time for everything else we want to do before we leave.
Kev
The solar panels and mounts are installed on the roof, and the 4 gauge wire is fed down the fridge vent, and coiled up neatly on the porch!
:D :D :D :D :D
I have to spend all day tomorrow finishing up catapults and ballista for the weekend, so I'll finish the cable routing next week, and wire in the panels and charge controller, etc.
On a side note, the Chemlink M-1 adhesive I used on the solar panel mounting feet was messy...but cleaned up off my hands with just soap and water. I hope it is as strong as they suggest! I did use stainless screws on the feet as well though, to play it safe.
I'll try to get around to posting pictures soon!
Kev
Just three more weeks until we are back on the road...this time to a small Faire in Utah for the month of May. It is our first time doing that faire, so it should be a fun adventure...especially since we are building stock for the show here in Arizona, so we won't have to build any catapults in Utah.
So I went ahead and ordered a torque multiplier kit off of Amazon for my lug nuts on the RV in case we get a flat...the lug nuts on this Oshkosh chassis are torqued to around 500lbs, so it is a necessity! 50 bucks delivered, and it comes with the necessary sockets...SWEET! Thanks for the link, Rick!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BGQYN9L/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The rest of this week, in addition to building catapults, I'll be running the wires the rest of the way to my power compartment, and then tying them into the charge controller, etc. I'll install the two new batteries either this week, or sometime over the next 2 weeks.
Kev
Darn it!!! $@!#@! $@!#@! $@!#@! $@!#@! $@!#@!
I took a corner in a parking lot too sharply, and a curb took a big gouge out of the sidewall of the front passenger tire on my Jeep, and it went flat.
Thankfully I was just down the street from the Discount Tire shop that gave me a quote for new tires a few weeks ago, and the spare tire rim was already loaded in the back of the Jeep. Almost 1000.00 later, the Jeep XJ is sitting pretty on brand new Cooper STT Pro MT tires (33x12.5x15r), and the spare is mounted on the rim, and the wheel is up on the roof rack, strapped down and covered.
Yikes! On the bright side though, when I go back to the Discount Tire and bring the manager's business card with me (which has the tire quote written on it...I wasn't planning on getting tires today and left the business card at home), I'll get a hundred bucks back, since they said they would honor the quote if I bring it back to them. Apparently the tires went up in price over the last few weeks.
I was actually going to milk out the tires I have for now, and just pick up a cheap used tire on Craigslist...and then put new tires on when we get to upstate NY later this summer...but the gods must have decided that now was the time...lol! Everything happens for a reason, so I probably would have had a blowout on the way to Utah if I didn't get tires now.
I sure do hope we have a great last two weekends, since I still have to buy at least 2 new coach batteries before we leave...we are looking forward to lots of boondocking between this show and Utah...and then a lot more boondocking between Utah and Sterling, NY.
Kev
Kevin, I have been thinking about your situation for quite some time as I have watched you buying all sorts of goodies like winches, tires, solar panels etc.. I added up all the stuff you have bought and flashed in front of those of us who contributed to you in your time of need and it is a LOT of money. I am sure I am going to catch a LOT of flak for posting this but you went from rags to riches in the space of three months when you could have repaired your old coach for a fifth of what you have spent. Yes, you got a really nice diesel pusher coach that ANY of us would love to be able to own, Free and clear, I am glad to see you came out ahead. But why do you keep flashing all of your spending of that donated money in front of us? I just lost most of the infrastructure in my house. I have been without heat for three weeks in very cold temps and without a refrigerator for two weeks. I mentioned it on here, a couple times basically as an experiment to see what the reaction would be. Not ONE offer of help! NONE. You were lucky, several people found you transmissions that you could have put in and been on your way but you were lucky enough that someone donated a very large sum of money. Good for you. I do not mean this to be malicious but when people are gracious to you it would pay to be humble in return.
I hope you do not take this wrong and can understand why I wrote it, I don't think it will work out that way but I have always said things that bother me as I see them. Sorry.
WELL! I have to admit Rick I was kinda thinking and wondering the same thing. It did kind of seem like a rags to riches scenario. Either that or we should all be getting into the Renfair Business. One minute your down and out and the next it's raining money. Go figure. I didn't go back and figure out all the spending. Kev you must have made a forturne scraping out your old rig. All the new stuff you keep buying. Must be nice D:oH!
Quote from: Rickf1985 on March 19, 2019, 03:36 PM
Kevin, I have been thinking about your situation for quite some time as I have watched you buying all sorts of goodies like winches, tires, solar panels etc.. I added up all the stuff you have bought and flashed in front of those of us who contributed to you in your time of need and it is a LOT of money. I am sure I am going to catch a LOT of flak for posting this but you went from rags to riches in the space of three months when you could have repaired your old coach for a fifth of what you have spent. Yes, you got a really nice diesel pusher coach that ANY of us would love to be able to own, Free and clear, I am glad to see you came out ahead. But why do you keep flashing all of your spending of that donated money in front of us? I just lost most of the infrastructure in my house. I have been without heat for three weeks in very cold temps and without a refrigerator for two weeks. I mentioned it on here, a couple times basically as an experiment to see what the reaction would be. Not ONE offer of help! NONE. You were lucky, several people found you transmissions that you could have put in and been on your way but you were lucky enough that someone donated a very large sum of money. Good for you. I do not mean this to be malicious but when people are gracious to you it would pay to be humble in return.
I hope you do not take this wrong and can understand why I wrote it, I don't think it will work out that way but I have always said things that bother me as I see them. Sorry.
well said Rick
Rick mostly true dat ! But his good fortune was mostly due to his mom. Who donated the 5 grand toward the purchase. Also they really lucked out on finding such a deal on a replacement. And they sold a lot of very expensive possessions , How much they make selling their wares is anybody's guess . But God bless them , They have been able to continue . And different from you they specifically asked for help . where as you just hinted at it ! I never thought you were asking for help, And you also have a lot of possessions you could turn into cash ! Just saying !Frank
Quote from: Rickf1985 on March 19, 2019, 03:36 PM
Kevin, I have been thinking about your situation for quite some time as I have watched you buying all sorts of goodies like winches, tires, solar panels etc.. I added up all the stuff you have bought and flashed in front of those of us who contributed to you in your time of need and it is a LOT of money. I am sure I am going to catch a LOT of flak for posting this but you went from rags to riches in the space of three months when you could have repaired your old coach for a fifth of what you have spent. Yes, you got a really nice diesel pusher coach that ANY of us would love to be able to own, Free and clear, I am glad to see you came out ahead. But why do you keep flashing all of your spending of that donated money in front of us? I just lost most of the infrastructure in my house. I have been without heat for three weeks in very cold temps and without a refrigerator for two weeks. I mentioned it on here, a couple times basically as an experiment to see what the reaction would be. Not ONE offer of help! NONE. You were lucky, several people found you transmissions that you could have put in and been on your way but you were lucky enough that someone donated a very large sum of money. Good for you. I do not mean this to be malicious but when people are gracious to you it would pay to be humble in return.
I hope you do not take this wrong and can understand why I wrote it, I don't think it will work out that way but I have always said things that bother me as I see them. Sorry.
Very well said, Rick.
Thank you Frank for being the voice of reason here. You're a good man, Frank.
Let me explain again.
Okay...we had a huge problem this winter, when after almost 5K in vet bills we had a major breakdown. A MAJOR breakdown. A driveshaft that went out, and then we shelled out 500 bucks to get a new one, and THEN discovered that the transmission was shot.
So we COULD have gotten a new transmission or a used one...on our old coach with over 120K miles on a 454 engine...an engine that also may have been damaged when the driveshaft violently exploded and took out a bulletproof TH400 transmission.
But I decided to ask for help.
As Frank said...5000.00 of the money we used to buy the "new" RV was donated by my mother...who used my GoFundMe because it was the fastest way to get me the money. 5000.00 she had set aside already in a CD as my inheritance.
Another 1000.00 was donated by two friends of mine.
So that is 6000.00 out of the 7500.00 or so donated. The rest was small donations from awesome people that knew we were in a pickle.
We also sold the old RV for 1000.00, and the old solar panels off the old RV for 300.00. In addition, I traded THREE of my guns toward the purchase of the "new" RV. The asking price of the "new" RV was 9800.00. He sold it to me for 6800.00, my Mosin Nagant, a Savage .223 bolt action with a nice scope, and my Glock 30. I also sold my 1998 Kawasaki KLR650 and the brand new motorcycle carrier that my wife bought me for my 50th birthday...which was very hard to part with for sentimental reasons.
To date, I have spent 400.00 on new solar panels, a 100.00 net loss. I had to get new tires for the Jeep, no choice...the two rear tires were bald and right down to the wear markers, one had a broken belt, and then I gouged one of the good ones when I hit a curb. Did anyone forget how much we had to spend on new tires for the "new" RV before we left Florida? It wasn't cheap!
And back to our "rags to riches" accusation. We have been on this forum for YEARS...and everyone that knows us knows how our work schedule goes working at Renaissance Faires: We work hard and do very well for 4-8 weeks at a time, selling our product on weekends. And then we have weeks and sometimes months in between income generation.
When we aren't working at Renaissance Faires, we do a lot of boondocking. Thus the reason we NEED solar power and good batteries...batteries which we haven't even bought yet, with only 2 weekends left of our Arizona show. And a month off before we do a little show in Utah which is only 3 weekends.
I'm not bragging about upgrades. At all. I'm just sharing what we are doing to keep on keeping on being fulltimers in a classic RV.
Every dollar we spend fixing up the "new" RV is a dollar we didn't spend on booze, drugs, or even going out to dinner. We haven't been to a restaurant or even fast food since last November. We are just trying to get by, eat and stay healthy, and take care of our doggos.
We rebounded and ARE rebounding after a hand UP. And are using the earnings from this show we are at to try to make it so we can be self sufficient in our RV with solar power, etc.
Thank you again Frank for getting it and standing up for us. You are a good man, sir. Give Louie some extra ear scratchings from us!
It isn't like we are eating lobster and prime rib every night, and then boasting about it. We don't even smoke or drink.
I'm going to keep on keeping on, and posting our adventures and our necessary upgrades. I'm going to be posting more pictures soon as well.
(By the way, this forum has a really neat "My Mail" feature. Instead of public shaming, a private email would have been better).
Kev
Sorry Kevin, I kind of figured you would think this way. The tires on your jeep looked very good in the pics in your fla. to Arizona thread but I am not there. When I said excessive spending all I did was add up what you posted over the last three threads. That's it. I am sorry that you think I did nothing but in truth I spent four days on the phone calling many places that I have dealings with and having them make calls all around where you were at. I came up with several transmissions but by then you had completely written off the repair. And no, I did not ask for help. I was curious to see if anyone would offer. My answer would have been thank you but not right at this time. And at no time did I ask who the donors were, I think it is wrong to name them. All I wanted to point out is that when people donate to help you out then accept it and move on, quietly and thankfully.
I will continue to do what I do, If someone is in need I will help the only way I can by trying to find then assistance, parts or help online with repairs. This goes for you also. If you have trouble down the line I will offer my advise. I hope you will accept it but if you choose not to that is totally up to you. Before parting I would like to offer one tip, That Freightliner chassis and Cummins motor are going to be substantially more expensive to work on than the Chevy based one you were used to. Brakes, engine parts, everything is a lot more money so I suggest you put aside an account just for that purpose.
Quote from: Rickf1985 on March 20, 2019, 09:37 AM
Sorry Kevin, I kind of figured you would think this way. The tires on your jeep looked very good in the pics in your fla. to Arizona thread but I am not there. When I said excessive spending all I did was add up what you posted over the last three threads. That's it. I am sorry that you think I did nothing but in truth I spent four days on the phone calling many places that I have dealings with and having them make calls all around where you were at. I came up with several transmissions but by then you had completely written off the repair. And no, I did not ask for help. I was curious to see if anyone would offer. My answer would have been thank you but not right at this time. And at no time did I ask who the donors were, I think it is wrong to name them. All I wanted to point out is that when people donate to help you out then accept it and move on, quietly and thankfully.
I will continue to do what I do, If someone is in need I will help the only way I can by trying to find then assistance, parts or help online with repairs. This goes for you also. If you have trouble down the line I will offer my advise. I hope you will accept it but if you choose not to that is totally up to you. Before parting I would like to offer one tip, That Freightliner chassis and Cummins motor are going to be substantially more expensive to work on than the Chevy based one you were used to. Brakes, engine parts, everything is a lot more money so I suggest you put aside an account just for that purpose.
Its all good Rick. I don't hold grudges. And yeah, we are putting money aside as we can to keep the "new" RV well maintained, along with emergency money just in case. A lot of what we have spent has been "just in case," but again, its all good.
Lets just drop it and move on.
Kev
I will have to say that I am sure I read about all the things that you had to sell to make your new house your home. But small sacrifices to continue to enjoy your lifestyle. Keep on keeping on Kevin. I am sure that you would be one of the first to help others if you could.
Thanks Joan!
Kev
I got some more stuff done today!
I had to drill one 1" hole in the floor of the outside fridge compartment, and because of the layout of this RV, I was able to bring the solar panel wires down below the fridge and water heater...and then down below that to an empty space which I was able to access by removing a sheet metal panel in the compartment below the fridge and water heater.
That empty space goes all the way through the RV, and connects the storage compartments! This is going to be easy! The roof solar panel 4 gauge wires are already in the compartment where the charge controller and inverter are going to live!
This project is going way too easy...especially since I was trying to figure out how to turn off the Converter today when we are boondocking (It is a Magnetek Plus 45 amp converter). Either Winnebago or Magnetek figured out the RIGHT way to set up the AC breakers! The converter shares a breaker with the fridge, and those are the only things on that circuit. If I shut that one breaker OFF, it turns the AC off to the fridge AND the converter/charger. Which is exactly how we boondock on solar power: Fridge on propane, converter OFF. SWEET! Easy peasy!
I will have to resume this project next week, as tomorrow I have to churn out 4 handheld ballistas.
Kev
Well crap. I was driving today, and the Jeep started bucking and acting weird...and then smoke! Turns out the transmission is cracked at the bellhousing, right where the starter goes into it, and it started dumping transmission fluid onto the exhaust! I made it as far as the Walmart before it crapped out completely...still running, but no propulsion.
My friend Will came with his truck, and towed me back to camp. When I got back to camp, I removed the bell housing shield, and started it up...no oil from the engine RMS, so that was a relief. I also checked the transfer case by sticking my finger in the fill hole (after stopping the engine...lol) to feel the chain, and the chain seems fine and tight. So it is definitely a dead transmission.
I found a used transmission from a 98 Cherokee, same year as mine, down the road for 150 bucks...so I get to do another project next week. Yay! This will be the first automatic transmission I ever installed, so wish me luck!
Kev
You"ll do fine, just remember, you are smarter than the transmission :) :angel: :)rotflmao
Mabey you hit that curb harder than you thought ? :(
Quote from: Froggy1936 on March 23, 2019, 07:08 PM
Mabey you hit that curb harder than you thought ? :(
LOL Frank! I'm guessing it has been cracked for a while, maybe since I bought it a couple of years ago...and then cracked some more recently, into a transmission fluid channel. I'll know more when I pull out the old transmission on Monday. I wonder if the driveshaft from the Holiday Rambler did the damage when it shot out from under the RV and was run over by the Jeep?
Anyhow, it could be worse...my Jeep has a lift already, a friend of mine has a rolling floor jack I can borrow (and he's going to help), and I found a local guy on Craigslist that has a used transmission from a 98 for 150 bucks. This will be the first automatic transmission I've ever installed, so I'm not sure what else I should replace while it is out...maybe a new torque converter and seal?
Kev
Hi Kev definitely wile out (make sure you use the convertor that goes with the Transmission) Pull the Frt seal and inspect the bushing If it still appears good just renew the seal , Make sure when you reinstall the (Drained as best as possible convertor) It engages the pump fully and don't let it slip forward during install . I use a flat bar bolted across the bell housing with a wooden spacer to hold the convertor in , It can be removed after transmission is lined up with the engine . After all bolted in remove the pan , Clean it and replace the filter . Note if any and how much stuff is in the bottom of the pan . It all came from wear on internal parts. Add about 4-5 Quarts of fluid before starting add balance after running ASAP ! if wheels are off the ground you can run it thru the gears Easily, let it upshift all the way to top gear. Stop wheels and check reverse . Good luck and don't get hurt they are heavy ! Also check your pinion nut for tightness wile open ! Frank
So the old transmission in our Jeep XJ tow vehicle is almost out...and we picked up the used transmission yesterday, as well as a new torque converter. The used transmission seems to be in great condition...the seals are still pliable, the shaft turns, and the fluid is red and smells fine.
Today I'll be pulling the old one the rest of the way, and hopefully getting this "new" one installed completely...maybe even have the Jeep operational again by this evening.
Fingers crossed!
Kev
Good grief! Transmissions are hard! D:oH! D:oH! D:oH! D:oH! D:oH!
So I picked up the used transmission for 150 bucks for our 98 Cherokee. Earl, the guy I bought it from, bought the transmission from eBay, and when he bought it, the eBay seller said it was from a 98. He never ended up using it and it sat in his garage for years. It was NOT from a 98 or newer!!! It had to have been from a much older model.
One would think that an AW4 transmission from a Jeep Cherokee would be pretty much compatible with EVERY year Jeep Cherokee with very little modification, right? WRONG!
After '97, they added more sensors, increased the size of the output shaft from 21 spline to 23 spline, changed the plug connectors, and even changed some sort of speed sensor in the transfer case adapter on the transmission tail cone, which happens to NOT be easily transferred from one transmission to the next, because the internals on the transmission side don't line up with the internals of the later transfer cases! What the heck?
Anyhow, I got an early start this morning. And by noon realized that there was simply NO way that this transmission was going to fit in my '98! The splined shaft was smaller, the plug ends were different with different numbers of wires, the kickdown linkage was different, etc.
So I cleaned up and called Earl, the older retired gentleman that sold me the used transmission. And gentleman he was! Integrity like his is hard to come by anymore! He told me to bring the transmission back to him, and he refunded my 150.00 bucks!
I had found another used transmission for 300.00 on Craigslist the same time I found this one, and it was from a 99...totally compatible with the 98. I talked the seller down to 250.00...so me and my buddy Will went down to Earl's and returned the wrong transmission, and then drove all the way to north Phoenix, 120 mile round trip, to see and possibly pick up the 99 transmission. And pick it up we did!
It was on a pallet at D&M Automotive, who had done an LS swap for the original owner of the '99 Cherokee from which the transmission was removed. They assured me not only of the year, but also that it had been running just fine when they pulled it to make the swap. The torque converter was even still in place and had never been removed. It was NOT drained of ATF fluid though...so in addition to the gas money I gave Will, I slipped him some more to clean out the bed of his truck at a car wash. W%
Upon arrival I counted the output shaft splines...23! And even though two of the wire harnesses had been cut, they were the right number of wires and the right color wires (I had cut off/unplugged the old two harnesses from my old transmission and brought them with me to match them up).
Success! We brought it back to camp, and I spent the rest of the day transferring parts, splicing in wires, installing the transfer case, etc. I also made a keeper from an old table saw wrench to keep the torque converter in place while installing the transmission.
I got everything switched over and ready to install before dark. It is now sitting under the Jeep on a piece of plywood, ready to be reinstalled...which will happen tomorrow, come hell or highwater. :)
A couple of things I noticed removing the old transmission: Youtube videos aren't perfect! I watched a slew of videos on changing out the transmission, and not a single one mentioned a bolt that holds on the UPPER aluminum sheet metal shield between the engine and bellhousing! I'm just glad it was sheet aluminum and eventually broke at the bolt hole while I was rocking the transmission back and forth trying to remove the darn thing! Also, not a single video mentioned removing the kickdown linkage on the driver's side...but that I figured out right away using some common sense.
And on the brightest side of this project? I don't have to use the brand new torque converter! So I'll get my money back, which was substantial for us and our limited budget, once I bring it back! :)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap
So wish us luck tomorrow folks! I still have to line everything up and get the transmission to seat against the engine and bolt it all up, etc. Fun fun fun!!!
??? ??? ??? ??? ???
Kev
I would still recommend replacing the convertor / front pump seal wile its on the ground , Im assuming you did purchase one . However just imagine having to go inside the trans and problems magnify by a factor of 20. You are still doing the easy part . If the seal starts leaking after installation you will have the knowledge and experience to redo it FASTER The second time ! ;) Frank P.S. dont forget to replace the filter wile it is readily available !
Quote from: Froggy1936 on March 28, 2019, 02:17 PM
I would still recommend replacing the convertor / front pump seal wile its on the ground , Im assuming you did purchase one . However just imagine having to go inside the trans and problems magnify by a factor of 20. You are still doing the easy part . If the seal starts leaking after installation you will have the knowledge and experience to redo it FASTER The second time ! ;) Frank P.S. dont forget to replace the filter wile it is readily available !
Too late! It is in, and we can really use the 189.00 right now when I bring back the new unused torque converter!
Kev
Reread slower ! N:( Frank
WOW that was a lot of work! D:oH! D:oH! D:oH! D:oH! D:oH!
The used transmission is installed! Thank God my buddy Will was over in my workshop building catapults...because having him help get the transmission on the scrapwood cradle I made for transmission on his rolling jack was incredibly helpful. I probably could have gotten it up there myself, but having a big strong 28 year old help made it so much easier! He also helped me get it all lined up and bolted in place before he went back to work on the catapults.
Almost everything is done. All the wiring and breather tubes and cables and linkages are reinstalled neatly, the dipstick tube and dipstick are back in place, the torque converter bolts are installed, the torque converter cover plate is back in place, the crossmember is installed, etc.
It did take me almost 2 hours to get the exhaust flange studs out of the header flange (which I had to cut in order to get the exhaust header pipe off...and I had to grind and drill and hammer and torch and grind some more and hammer some more...and finally they came out. $@!#@! $@!#@! $@!#@! $@!#@! $@!#@!
There is still a little left to do tomorrow:
-I have to install the starter, and find a nut and bolt to replace the one that was missing.
-I have to install the exhaust, and also find bolts and nuts to replace the studs I had to remove from the header flange.
-I have to grease and install the driveshafts.
-I have to drain any remaining fluid out of the transmission.
-I have to add the right amount of ATF-4+ (Dexron compatible) to the transmission and transfer case.
-I have to hook the battery back up.
-And then I have to cross my fingers and pray that it runs and drives and that the transmission I just installed is good. And then I have to take it for a test drive, and possibly have to adjust the shift cable, etc.
So if all goes well and I don't have any issues tomorrow, and if I get an early start (which I will), I should have it back up and running by noon! Woohoo!
WOW am I sore and tired! Transmission are hard!
??? ??? ??? ??? ???
Kev
VICTORY!!!
:)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap
I did it!!!
:)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap
I successfully installed an automatic transmission for the first time in my 50 years on this planet, and it works!!!
:D
Not only does it work, but the high speed vibration is GONE on the Jeep!!!
The bellhousing must have been cracked for a while, possibly since I acquired this Jeep around 2 years ago. Now there is no hesitation, the shifts are WAY smoother (after I adjusted the kickdown linkage and dialed in the shift cable and transfer case linkage). There is no longer any high speed "vroom...vrum" vibrations which I thought was the drive shafts! SWEET!!!
I am a very happy camper, and very proud of myself...lol! I know a lot of you guys are ace mechanics...but to me, installing an automatic transmission successfully is a HUGE milestone!
I drove it all over this evening to run errands (since I didn't finish up until 3pm this afternoon...I had to get groceries and stuff for our last weekend at the Arizona Renfaire)...and so far, it is running great! Shifts are crisp and clean, and all seems well. Not a sign of dripping fluid or leaks.
SWEET!!! :)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap
Clean-up sucked, as usual. Wiping down tools, getting everything put away, etc. The most onerous job of any project.
But I did it!!! And it works!!!
And yes Rick and Frank. While the rear drive shaft was out, I tightened the hell out of the rear diff nut, since apparently I didn't tighten it enough the last time...lol! Thanks to both of you for keeping that in my mind when I did the final details on this project.
Our Toad is back on the road, and road worthy!!!
Kev
IT LIVES!!! :)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1724046650?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1724051415?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1724054896?profile=RESIZE_710x)
(https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1724059960?profile=RESIZE_710x)
:)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Kev
So Transmission is not as hard as you thought W%
That is a sweet Jeep!
They are getting very hard to find not rusted completely out.. The rear shock mounts and spring mounts rot right off of them.
I had a red one that I was much too hard on. It did amazingly well climbing all sorts of big stuff but I eventually put the right rear spring through the floor because I accidentally launched it in the air trying to get a good run at a very big hill.. Hit so hard it never even ran right again. Limped it home driving half sideways.
Now that I'm a bit older and wiser I think I should have been nicer to it and fixed it up because it was in pretty good shape but I got it for almost nothing..
Traded a sound system and 6 months free room rent for it. It had broken springs and U-bolts in the back when I go it so I bought new U-bolts and cut up some F150 springs to fit it..
GFs mom just sold hers with almost 300k on it when she got a newer tahoe..
MAGA
:)ThmbUp :)ThmbUp :)ThmbUp :)ThmbUp :)ThmbUp
Kev
The Arizona Renaissance Festival is officially ended, and we will be back on the road, this time to a small fair in Utah, on Sunday.
Lots to do before we leave!
I have to finish wiring in the solar panel system, inverter, and install the new batteries, pack down and stow our pavilion tent and stock, finish a big run of catapults, pack down and stow the workshop, pack down and stow our porch furniture, wash the pups, shampoo the carpets in the RV...and hit the road.
Lots to do!
Kev
I managed to get the wires all cut for the solar panels today...10 gauge to the junction box on the roof with the proper MC-4 solar connectors. I soldered the connections for full conductivity. So the wiring for all 4 panels are all laid out.
I also made a waterproof junction box, with 2 bus connectors, and installed and glued it to the roof. There are 4 waterproof conduit cable fitments on the junction box as well...and wires exposed to sunlight will go through conduit rated for outdoor sunlight.
For my previous solar project on our 1989 Holiday Rambler, it was cheaper to get 10 gauge extension cords from Harbor Freight and cut them down to size. For whatever reason, even a 50 foot 10 gauge extension cord from Harbor Freight is now 80 bucks...on sale!!!
I ended up buying 10 gauge wire and 1/2 inch conduit to protect the wires from the sun for a fraction of that price. It didn't used to be that way.
2 brand new Trojan deep cycle 6 volt golf cart batteries will be delivered on Thursday, for 110 bucks each. Brand new. We went with 6 volt flooded for the economy and watt hours, so when I expand the battery bank, I will have to build a box for them and vent them...the AGM batteries were TWICE the price for substantially less amp hours.
Tomorrow morning, early, I'll be taking down our pavilion tent and bringing it all back to camp, staged to load up for travel.
And then working on the solar project some more.
And I still have to do a huge run of catapults before we leave on Sunday.
Fun fun fun!!!
Kev
WOW I got a lot done today!
First thing this morning I took down our pavilion tent and packed down everything from the tent...and brought it back to the RV, staged to load up on Saturday.
Then I finished ALL the cable runs for the solar project and the inverter. I put the wires from each solar panel through sun-proof conduit, attached the conduit to the waterproof junction box on the roof, glued down the conduit (although I did use some cable clamps and stainless screws on the ends to keep the conduit tight and straight), sealed the open ends of the conduit where the MC-4 connectors come out under the solar panels, attached all the wires to bus blocks I bought just for the junction box (which I lined with plywood), and added zip ties to the 4 gauge cables where they come down into the fridge compartment, and then sealed the hole I drilled in the floor for the cables with silicone.
Additionally, I ran an RJ-12 six wire telephone cable from the compartment where the Morningstar Tristar MPPT 60 charge controller lives, to the space under the fridge that houses my Magnatek converter. It will attach to a remote monitor and control panel for the charge controller, which I will install tomorrow. Right next to it, I will also be installing a 12 volt digital meter to keep an eye on my battery voltage.
And then I sacrificed my RV 30 amp extension cord, and ran it from my power/sewer compartment, to the compartment that houses the charge controller and the Dimensions pure sine wave inverter. Tomorrow I'll install the 30 amp RV plug and gang box and cover in the power/sewer compartment, so that all I have to do is plug the RV power cord into that outlet when we are running on battery power and solar.
After that, I added cable clamps and zip ties to all of my wire runs, and battened everything down.
Finally, running on almost empty, I finished stringing the latest run of catapults, and stained them, leaving them on the stain rack to dry.
It was a long and busy day, with a few more very long and busy days to follow!
I took a shower, put on my jammies, and that is it for today!!!
Whew am I beat!
??? ??? ??? ??? ???
Kev
The solar panel system is done!
:)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap
Well...almost. They sent me the wrong RJ-12 cable. It is supposed to be a crossover cable (both sides wired in mirror image), but what they sent me was wired exactly the same on both sides. I already ran the cable runs and got everything nice and neat, so I am not about to change it out...so I bought some RJ-12/RJ-11 ends, and will just flip the one side at the charge controller tomorrow morning so the interior monitor panel will work. When I installed the monitor panel, I also installed a cheap digital volt meter next to the interior monitor panel to keep an eye on the battery voltage when boondocking. And then I tested the solar array, and everything but the monitor panel works!
Around 4pm, the Battery Guy came by and sold me my two new Trojan T-105 batteries (210.00 total for two batteries...sweet!) and hauled off the old Interstates...so I got those installed as well. Weird thing with this RV: Without 12 volts, not even the air conditioner works because of the thermostat...so I did the battery swap pretty quickly since it was 80 degress at 4pm here in Arizona.
I have the inverter mostly ready to install, but the cables were too short, so while I was out getting the RJ-12 ends at Lowes, I picked up 12 feet of 2/0 gauge wire...so tomorrow morning I'll get the inverter finished. I did manage to install the plug end in my power compartment, so I can just plug the coach into that plug when running on inverter power.
And then I finished a huge run of catapult pistols, which Patti is going to string tomorrow, and I'll stain them in the afternoon.
So tomorrow I should only have an hour or so of work to finish installing the inverter and switching the RJ-12 cable end...and then I have to finish a run of oak catapults and catapistols, and 4 handheld ballistae, and get those stained as well.
That will leave Saturday for cleanup and packdown, which will probably spill over into Sunday. I also have to change the air filter on the Itasca.
On Sunday, I have to weedwack our campsite and dispose of all the weeds (new Faire rules to help prevent fires during the summer off season...250.00 fine if we don't do it), but my buddy Steve lives on site during the summer (his wife is office manager), and he has a weedwacker I can borrow so I don't have to buy one...what the heck do I need a weedwacker for as a fulltime RVer?...LOL!
And then Sunday evening we will pull out into the parking lot, hook up the Jeep, and be ready to leave first thing Monday morning. I can't wait for the hard work to be behind us so we can enjoy our off time on our way to the northern tip of Utah for our next show!
Kev
I'm taking a short break before getting back to work on the oak catapults and catapistols.
And the solar power system and the inverter system is DONE!!!
:D :D :D :D :D
By switching the plug end on the RJ-12 cable, the inside monitor for the charge controller works perfectly now, and the inverter works perfectly as well! We are ready to boondock and give these Trojan batteries a workout (although I am pretty sure I'm going to have to add at least 2 more...I'll know better after we start using the system on our way to northern Utah).
So a little coffee break...and I'll go back to work in a few minutes. The weather is being very kind to us this week...75 today and 74 tomorrow.
Kev
Did you ever put biocide in the fuel?
Quote from: Rickf1985 on April 05, 2019, 03:52 PM
Did you ever put biocide in the fuel?
Not yet. I will when I get a chance, and have an extra fuel filter with me.
I was going to buy a new air filter today, since the indicator only has about 1/4 inch left...and they wanted 160 bucks for it! For a freakin' air filter! Too rich for my blood right now, since we don't get back to work until mid may.
Hey Rick...you know a lot about these diesels. Is there a way to service the air filter to squeeze a bit more life out of it? Shake it out? Blow it out with our compressor? We'll have PLENTY of money to work with when we reach upstate NY in July...it is our best money show by far.
Kev
So after my short break, I jumped back on the catapults. I managed to get all the oak catapults assembled, and all the parts ready for Patti to string. She finished stringing all the catapults I finished yesterday, so I stained them at the end of the day. I also got all the parts cut out for my last run of ballistae, which won't take long to finish tomorrow morning.
Then I went into town to get an air filter for the RV, and they wanted 160 bucks! I still have 1/4 inch left on the indicator, so I'm going to wait a bit before shelling out that money...or try to find a cheaper alternative on the internet and have it delivered to me in Utah. I can't see how they can justify an air filter for 160 freakin' bucks! Yikes!!! I'll also do some research to see if the air filter can be serviced to make it last longer, like blowing it out with a compressor or whatnot.
Tomorrow morning I'll finish the ballistae, stain them, stain the run of oak catapults that Patti is going to string tomorrow, and then start the great packdown of the workshop. LOTS of trash and debris to get rid of, so I bought some big contractor clean up bags while I was out. That should take all day tomorrow. Tomorrow night we have to do laundry at the local laundromat.
And then on Sunday, I have to borrow my friends weedwacker and mow the weeds down in our camp, rinse off the roof, solar panels, and sides of the RV, do my normal meticulous road checks, wash the doggos, wash the windshield, and take a shower. And then I have to pull our RV out into the outer parking lot, hook up the Jeep, and have us ready to hit the road first thing Monday morning.
Getting closer to our working vacation!
:)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap
Kev
That indicator is an airflow indicator and if it is showing a restriction then that is what you have, a restriction. If you try yo blow it out you will imbed the dirt deeper into the media and worse, you will push some through and open up small holes in the filter. This is just the beginning of what I warned you about with the preventative maintenance and keeping money set aside for the expensive parts. Seems you told me then that you did. Anyway your best bet is to find money for the filter, or leave it alone and suffer with the mileage hit. And that hit will get pretty bad pretty quick if the indicator is as far as you say. Between this and putting off that biocide you are going down a very expensive rabbit hole with this engine. Algea creates acids in the tank, not just dead bugs and dirt. That acid is going to wreak havoc with the injection pump and injectors and you have not SEEN expensive stuff yet, wait till you see those bills!!!! Same with the air filter, it can only hold so much and it is not a shop vac filter so don't try blowing it out. Once dirt starts getting through there go the rings. Diesel engines flow ten times the amount of air as a gas engine. The fact of the matter is that you now own an RV that is going to cost a LOT more than your old one to maintain. And if you have air brakes be SURE to open the drains on each air tank for a second or two each morning before starting out to drain any water in the tank. Another maintenance item for you to remember. D:oH!
Thanks Rick.
We do have money set aside for this trip for emergencies (a couple of grand), but I was hoping I could put this off. That said, I value your advice, so at the very least I'll get the biocide and a spare fuel filter before we leave.
So the biocide won't clog up the fuel filter? I seem to remember you saying that it was more likely to get a clogged fuel filter if I didn't put in the biocide. Should I put it in when I fill the tank on our way out on Monday? And do they sell biocide at trucks stops like Pilot and Flying J? That would make finding and getting it a lot more convenient before Monday.
As far as the air filter goes, I'll call around again this morning to see if I can source one locally. If I can't find one, I'll get one from Amazon once we hit our destination in northern Utah. The manual that came with our RV said the part number is Fram-CA6855, or Fleetguard AH1193, both of which they have on Amazon in the 100.00 range with free shipping. I think the filter I found last night was so expensive because it was a Wix filter...and I might have bought it anyway, but the auto parts store that I went to was O-Reilly's, and they couldn't find it (even though their computer said they had one). We have to leave first thing Monday morning, so I don't have time to get anything shipped here. But now you have me worried, so I'll call around to the other auto parts stores here and see if they have one.
No air brakes on this thing...they are hydrolic with massive calipers.
Kev
You can put the biocide in whenever, and yes I am sure it is available at the truck stops although probably a bit more expensive there than off the highway. The air filter, I try to stay away from Fram products, Wix is top shelf and all I use on my stuff in oil filters and fuel filters but Fleetguard is a good brand as far as air filters go. Fleetguard has kept many thousands of trucks alive for many millions of miles with all types of filters.
With the biocide, just follow the directions on how much to add to the fuel on your next fill up. If when you get to Utah and your fuel filter is crappy then keep using the biocide until the filter changes look clean and then you can stop. With your kind of traveling you will not have to worry about algae forming in the tank for the short times you are sitting. One thing you definitely want to add is a lubricity formula at every fill up though since the ultra low sulfur diesel fuel does not have the lubrication that the fuel had when that engine was made. Tyhis stuff is inexpensive and goes a long way. This is what I use in all my diesels. Get a bottle or three and remember to add it at every fill up. Since you are on short notice you can find it at Tractor Supply or any place that has truck supplies.
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Service-3025-Cetane-Additive/dp/B004YYIF6Y/ref=pd_day0_hl_0_8?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B004YYIF6Y&pd_rd_r=9a556089-5882-11e9-9c56-b9e9f5e85b72&pd_rd_w=9Jl8b&pd_rd_wg=2GfHu&pf_rd_p=ad07871c-e646-4161-82c7-5ed0d4c85b07&pf_rd_r=FZQQ81HFAPZC4MPMK8M0&psc=1&refRID=FZQQ81HFAPZC4MPMK8M0 (https://www.amazon.com/Power-Service-3025-Cetane-Additive/dp/B004YYIF6Y/ref=pd_day0_hl_0_8?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B004YYIF6Y&pd_rd_r=9a556089-5882-11e9-9c56-b9e9f5e85b72&pd_rd_w=9Jl8b&pd_rd_wg=2GfHu&pf_rd_p=ad07871c-e646-4161-82c7-5ed0d4c85b07&pf_rd_r=FZQQ81HFAPZC4MPMK8M0&psc=1&refRID=FZQQ81HFAPZC4MPMK8M0)
Quote from: Rickf1985 on April 06, 2019, 11:37 AM
You can put the biocide in whenever, and yes I am sure it is available at the truck stops although probably a bit more expensive there than off the highway. The air filter, I try to stay away from Fram products, Wix is top shelf and all I use on my stuff in oil filters and fuel filters but Fleetguard is a good brand as far as air filters go. Fleetguard has kept many thousands of trucks alive for many millions of miles with all types of filters.
Thanks Rick!
Napa has an air filter in stock, Napa Gold FIL 6755, and will have a fuel filter in stock by the time I get there, Napa Gold FIL 3242. They are right near the local Tractor Supply, so I'll look for the Diesel Kleen when I go out to pick up the filters here shortly. What brand of biocide do you recommend? Sta-Bil makes one.
Kev
Hi Kev , Good Advice to stay away from Fram Filters . The post about filters did a lot of research . And Fram was the worst. Wix and NAPA Were both top of the line . I thoroughly believe in additives Not much experience with diesel though, Except preventing waxing in the cold temps . I would follow Ricks advice as he has a diesel R/V, They require different maintenance than over the road trucks, Due to long periods of sitting 30 days is long ! Have a safe trip and i hope you see a mileage improvement right away to help offset a $100.00 Air filter Frank & Louie
So I went to Napa about bought the filters and the Diesel Kleen. Tractor Supply wanted 40 bucks for Biocide, so I decided to shop around, and am glad I did! O'Reilly's had the same brand (Diesel Kleen Biocide) in the same size bottle for 25.00. I'll add both the Diesel Kleen and the recommended amount of the biocide to the tank (which holds 80 gallons) at our first fill-up.
Tomorrow morning I'll install the air filter. No wonder it was so expensive! Napa charged me 141.00 for it (it is branded as Napa Gold, but they told me it was made by Wix). It is HUGE!!! It is actually a big metal canister with the filter built in. I think that is why I was surprised by the price: I had assumed that the big metal canister under our rig was a filter HOUSING, with a replaceable element inside...but nope! You replace the whole thing. I hope I get at least 10K miles on this filter for the price...lol!
The fuel filter will stay in my compartment as a spare, in case the biocide starts to clog up the old one...and then when we get to Utah, I'll check the drain bowl and see how clean or dirty the diesel looks...and change it then, even if it looks clean in the bowl. That filter wasn't cheap either: 30 bucks!
On the way back to camp, I stopped and picked up my friend's weedwacker to mow down the weeds in our camp tomorrow morning as well.
Lots to do!
Kev
The air filter should very easily go 10,000 miles. NAPA used to use WIX for all of their filters, glad to see they still are. Most of the rest of their parts have gone to China. Checking the fuel at Utah will not help, you will have to check the filter itself. You will always get clean fuel out of the drain with the exception of maybe a little water. If the filter is clean you could put it back in but I would recommend putting in a new one but then you know you have a clean tank and unless you get a bad load of fuel you are good for at least 5,000 miles. The only time you will need the biocide after this is if you sit for a couple months and then it is more of a preventative, you put it in before you park and it will protect you until you are moving again. The fuel additive on the other hand should be used on every fill up. The ratio does not have to measured with a cup, just guestimate it, you can't put too much in. Better to have too much than not enough.
Frank, I wish I had a diesel RV! No, My diesel knowledge comes from many, many years of working on them.
Kev Once upon a time a long long time a go. A very ingenuous ad man wrote and it has stuck with me for ever. YOU CAN PAY ME NOW or YOU CAN PAY ME LATER. D:oH! Usually when you payed him later it got real expensive. Take it from a 70 year old. Some times you gots to put your big boy panties on and step up to the plate and pay for what you get. Cause if'n you don't trust me it will cost you a hole lot more than you expect. Then you fall into the wood a, could a, should a and now HOLY Shamoly is this going to be expensive. Hm?
Don't worry LJ-TJ...I'm totally down with spending a little preventative money now to avoid HUGE costs later. I trust Rick and his diesel knowledge, which is why I went and bought the filter, biocide, and Diesel Kleen additive he recommended today. If it wasn't for ALL of the gurus on this group, I never would have made it THIS far with gasoline vintage RVs.
Kev
Quote from: Rickf1985 link=topic=14776.msquote author=Rickf1985 link=topic=14776.msg92174#msg92174 date=1554600374] The fuel additive on the other hand should be used on every fill up. The ratio does not have to measured with a cup, just guestimate it, you can't put too much in. Better to have too much than not enough.
Yikes! The Diesel Kleen additive you recommended was 14 bucks a bottle, and is only good to treat 100 gallons (our tank is 80 gallons). So I should just get used to paying an extra 14 bucks at every fill up? Is there a cheaper place to get this stuff? It is what it is and I'll take your advice...but dang...lol!
Kev
WOW am I beat!
??? ??? ??? ??? ???
But we got a LOT done today! :D :D :D :D :D
After I went to town and got the filters and the fuel treatments, I got back to work on building the last run of ballistae catapults, while Patti strung up the oak machines I finished yesterday. Because there is drying time for glue and wood putty between steps, I kept plugging away at cleaning the shop, bagging up 2 months of debris and garbage in the shop, and staging everything for tomorrow.
By dark, I was finished staining the last of the catapults and ballistae, the shop is completely broken down, everything we store here is ready to stow away tomorrow, all the garbage and scrap wood is staged to bring to the dumpster tomorrow, everything we carry with us in the Jeep and the RV is staged for the tetris-style load up tomorrow, and I am all showered up. Sure is dusty here in Arizona!
Tomorrow I'll install the air filter, do all my air pressure and fluid checks, fill the freshwater tank, weedwack our campsite and bring the weeds and all the workshop debris to the dumpster, return my friend's weedwacker, stow everything we store here for the off season in my friend Dave's booth, and then go to town with Patti to do laundry and stock up on road food groceries (we already stocked up on doggo food and kitty food).
Then I'll rinse down the rig, especially the roof and the solar panels, wash the windshield, wash the doggos, take another shower, and drive the RV from our campsite to the outer parking lot. And then hook up the Jeep so we can leave first thing Monday morning.
Almost done with the hard work! Utah here we come!
:)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap
Kev
Sorry! It is much cheaper here. Here is a link to Amazon for the 80 ounce size which will give you 250 gallons worth for roughly 25.00.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001JT1FJ6/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new (https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001JT1FJ6/ref=dp_olp_new_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=new)
Here is my local Tractor supply. Looks like my 80 ounce is the same as what you paid for the smaller size!!!
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/diesel%20Kleen (https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/diesel%20Kleen)
Quote from: Rickf1985 on April 07, 2019, 10:19 AM
Here is my local Tractor supply. Looks like my 80 ounce is the same as what you paid for the smaller size!!!
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/diesel%20Kleen (https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/diesel%20Kleen)
Yeah...I'll shop around more next time. And if Amazon is the cheapest way to go, I'll stock up on some in Utah before we head east to upstate NY.
So Rick. After I have my morning coffee and wake up a little, I'm going to install the new air filter. Anything I should know before I get started? Am I going to be surprised by some weird inverted Torx bolts like I was when I changed out the transmission on my Jeep? LOL!
Kev
Well, I am guessing you got it done by now. It was 75 degrees here today and I spent the entire day cleaning out the garage and the one next to it. FAR overdue!! There was an article in the local paper one time about five years ago. They had an "Expert" on spiders on there and he exclaimed that "there are NO black widows in NJ". Well, I beg to differ, and I really wish I had kept that article because I have them by the hundreds. And yes, I know my spiders. I don't really mind the Black widows but they do keep you aware of where you are reaching. They are not aggressive at all but you don't want to grab onto one by accident.
Quote from: Rickf1985 on April 07, 2019, 06:07 PM
Well, I am guessing you got it done by now. It was 75 degrees here today and I spent the entire day cleaning out the garage and the one next to it. FAR overdue!! There was an article in the local paper one time about five years ago. They had an "Expert" on spiders on there and he exclaimed that "there are NO black widows in NJ". Well, I beg to differ, and I really wish I had kept that article because I have them by the hundreds. And yes, I know my spiders. I don't really mind the Black widows but they do keep you aware of where you are reaching. They are not aggressive at all but you don't want to grab onto one by accident.
Its all good, Rick! The install went fairly easily...just big clamps with levers holding the assembly, and some big clamps on either end that used 7/8 inch nuts, and a huge hose clamp on the intake hose.
I ran into one little snag...and that was that the old filter was slightly smaller in diameter than the new filter...and the ABS housing on the intake end cracked slightly getting it over the new filter. So off to Walgreens I went, and bought some Gorilla Tape.
While I was at it, I don't know if you remember telling me to make sure I got the intake hose off the exhaust...so I shortened it by 6 inches, which was just enough to raise the intake duct hose safely away from the exhaust.
Kev
Ah...the best laid plans of mice and men...
D:oH! D:oH! D:oH! D:oH! D:oH!
The first thing I did this morning was install the air filter. The install went fairly easily...just big clamps with levers holding the assembly, and some big clamps on either end that used 7/8 inch nuts, and a huge hose clamp on the intake hose.
I ran into one little snag...and that was that the old filter was slightly smaller in diameter than the new filter...and the ABS housing on the intake end cracked slightly getting it over the new filter. So off to Walgreens I went, and bought some Gorilla Tape.
While I was at it, I shortened the intake duct hose by 6 inches, which was just enough to raise the intake duct hose safely away from the exhaust, as it was touching the exhaust before.
Then I took all the trash to the dumpster.
Then I took all my tools and workshop equipment and stowed them in my friend Dave's booth.
Then I played Tetris and loaded up the RV compartments.
After that, I washed the solar panels, rinsed off the roof, rinsed all the Arizona dust off the RV and the Jeep, washed both windshields, washed our porch carpet and welcome mat, disconnected the doggo kennel from the RV (we leave it at our campsite), rolled in the awning (which I also rinsed off), then checked the tire pressures on the RV and Jeep, checked all the fluids...and all the while, Patti was inside cleaning the RV and sorting laundry.
So I weedwacked our campsite and returned the weedwacker to my friend Steve.
By the time everything was almost done for us to leave, it was only 3pm...so we decided to do all the laundry at the local laundromat. We got back to camp at 5:45pm...and then we made plans to go to the Apache Junction, AZ Walmart to load up on groceries and road food, and we planned to stay the night and leave by 6am to beat the Phoenix traffic.
And those were our "best laid plans" that changed on us.
We got the Jeep hooked up and headed out just as it got dark.
And drove to the Walmart.
I had just kicked off my sandals and we were just about to settle in...when some fat little Walmart manager knocked on the door. Now bear in mind that we had just finished our shopping and putting everything away, and hadn't been in the parking lot more than an hour.
"Excuse me sir...you can't stay the night here. City ordinance." I told him we planned on resting a while before moving on, and he got irritable: "If you aren't out by midnight, you'll be getting a visit from the police!" What a jerk!
So off we went!
Our new plan was to just keep driving toward our next show by way of Vegas to pick up I-15 North. We ended up driving all the way through Phoenix, picked up the 303 Loop North, turned onto Route 60 West...and just as I thought we were going to end up driving another 120 miles to a Flying J on I-40...we saw a rest stop! And pulled in for the night!
We had climbed out of the valley! There are actual trees here in this rest stop! Which is nice, because the Phoenix area is supposed to hit temperatures of 96 degrees tomorrow.
We pulled into the rest area at 12:20AM.
So I would say that this is a win! Even though we are exhausted! We'll even get to sleep in a bit tomorrow instead of getting up a 5am to get on the road by 6am. SWEET!!!
:)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap :)clap
That's it for tonight! Off to bed soon!
Kev
Wal-Marts are changing. There is one by me that has the same camper in it that has been there for the most part for over a year. He moves around the lot to different areas and disappears for a few days now and then but always comes back. This is what ruins it for the rest of us. And there is a local ordinance that pretty much covers most of NJ about staying overnight on parking lots. This IS NJ after all. N:( N:( W%
It is a beautiful sunny morning here in Wickenburg, AZ. The rest stop is actually lovely with lots of trees...but I was wrong about climbing out of the valley yet. The hills above the rest stop are lined with saguaro cacti and choilla cacti...and the weather report says it will reach 92 here today.
After our morning coffee, we will be headed back to 93N, which crosses onto I-40 West...and our next destination will be the Flying J in Kingman, AZ...only about a 120 mile trip. It is also supposed to be warm there as well, but we will fill the propane tank and just run the generator to keep the AC going until it gets dark.
On the bright side, our final destination in Ogden, UT is MUCH cooler, with a high of only 68 degrees today. That is about 700 miles north of where we are right now...lol!
So time to end this chapter!
I'll start a new one, Arizona to Utah, 2019, here in a moment.
:D :D :D :D :D
Kev
Opps, my error Rick , I thought you drove a Diesel R/V . With all the required maintenance and cost, and fuel no longer being a bargain. I do not see any great advantage any longer . Frank
Quote from: ClydesdaleKevin on February 06, 2019, 10:48 AM
Hey Postman. I don't really remember the number of views on GoFundMe and have since taken down the campaign since we are all set now.
The sanitation/porta-potty company that services the Arizona Renaissance Festival charges us vendors and participants 65.00 each time they pump out our RV tanks. Renting a big tank from them is also highway robbery at 400.00 a month plus 150.00 each time they pump out the big tank. No thank you! They are a bunch of thieves, but we have no choice if we want to use our own RV bathrooms...and those crooks know it.
Kev
Kevin, gotta get you a large cargo trailer now that you have all that pulling power so can put your shop in the front with all your tools, auxiliary holding tanks so you can use a macerator pump to transfer your waste water onboard the trailer's tank and a garage in the rear to store the jeep in, which you can then turn around and use to tow the trailer into town when the auxiliary tanks are full to use a dump station to empty the waste.