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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Carol & Scott on December 07, 2012, 07:30:41 pm

Title: Generator door opener button 2002 U320
Post by: Carol & Scott on December 07, 2012, 07:30:41 pm
I hope you folks can help me in my ignorance. Again ::)

Have done a search here and on Barry's site and could not find and answer to this question.

How can you open the generator access door if the red button in the compartment under the driver's seat does not release the mechanism?
Title: Re: Generator door opener button 2002 U320
Post by: Pamela & Mike on December 07, 2012, 07:54:09 pm
We use the same method that we use to use on an old '78 Ford truck hood. As you pull the "T" handle on the rip cord have someone use the palm of there hand and massage the top center of the generator door and it usually will pop open. Definitely a 2 person operation at times when it is cold outside.

Pamela & Mike
Title: Re: Generator door opener button 2002 U320
Post by: Carol & Scott on December 07, 2012, 08:17:01 pm
Great - Where is the T handle.  I only see the red button. :))

Title: Re: Generator door opener button 2002 U320
Post by: Barry Beam on December 07, 2012, 08:17:19 pm
We use the same method that we use to use on an old '78 Ford truck hood. As you pull the "T" handle on the rip cord have someone use the palm of there hand and massage the top center of the generator door and it usually will pop open. Definitely a 2 person operation at times when it is cold outside.

Pamela & Mike
Just pushing the top of door to release the locking mechanism pressure as you push the red release button.
Title: Re: Generator door opener button 2002 U320
Post by: Carol & Scott on December 07, 2012, 08:27:20 pm
Thenk you Sir - Will this work even with no power.  It appeas thet here 2 wires attached to this red button. ???
Title: Re: Generator door opener button 2002 U320
Post by: David and Rita on December 07, 2012, 11:36:25 pm
I had problems opening mine a few times.  I would hit the red button and hear the center mechanism actuate, but the latches would not move, or at least one or two would not work, and the door would not open.  I had to crawl under the front of the coach and reach up and pull the cables to actuate the latches.  There is very little space between the fiber glass panel and the frame that holds the generator, but I was able to get a hand in and grab the cables.

I recently lubed all the latches with silicone spray lube, exercised them vigorously.  Now it opens like new every time. 
Title: Re: Generator door opener button 2002 U320
Post by: Carol & Scott on December 08, 2012, 12:32:27 am
Thanks David - Now I have a backup.
Title: Re: Generator door opener button 2002 U320
Post by: Retired Navy Chief on December 08, 2012, 08:54:49 am
Do you have power to the red button? I lost power one time by pinching wires and shorting out and tripping circuit breaker.  The breaker is located in the large compartment on the drivers Side.  I too reached up and pulled the cables to manually unlatch, repaired the wires and now it works fine.  Lubricating the latches are on my annual maintenance check list as well.  David
Title: Re: Generator door opener button 2002 U320
Post by: Carol & Scott on December 08, 2012, 10:35:53 am
When I first got to the coach I knew it wouldn't start so the first thing I tried to do was start the genset after I pushed the boost switch in the cockpit .  I didn't fire.  I knew that there was an access door release in the front left garage compartment - found it and pushed it.  The door did not open.  I had called my roadside service company to come out and jump the coach.  He arrived and did get the coach started.  He was also helping to get the genset started.  The genset started then it stopped and the red Fault light came on above the auto gen switch.  Read the genset manual and said it could be reset and started by turning off an on the genset switch.  Pressed the genset door release button, the red button, and the door did not open.  After numerous attempts the catch released the top left corner and While some else was pushing the red button I gently pulled and pushed the access door while I attempt to open it.  It did open - I reset the genset and it started right up.

I knew if the door catches were electrically activated by the button there had to be another way to release the catches manually but could not find ithem.  Hence this post.

When I return in 30 days or so to finalize the purchase I will certainly lubricate the catches as well as so many other things I am learning about.

This forum is so aw some and helpful.  There is no way I could purchase this coach without your collective help. 

Thanks to all.

Title: Re: Generator door opener button 2002 U320
Post by: Larry Rubin on December 08, 2012, 12:36:30 pm
After lubing, if the door doesn't pop open every time, try some adjustment of the latches.  The adjustments are easy to get at but may need a little trial and error to get them to work well every time. 
Title: Re: Generator door opener button 2002 U320
Post by: Carol & Scott on December 08, 2012, 12:55:23 pm
Great thought - lubrication and adjustment  of the Genset access door- On the list.

I figgure I will spend at least 1 ty 2 hours rechecking and adjusting stuff b/4 I move it to get tires.
Title: Re: Generator door opener button 2002 U320
Post by: David and Rita on December 08, 2012, 09:25:33 pm
This thread had me thinking so....
Today I went to my coach and looked over the latches on all the doors.  I had worked to make sure that the latches were all lubed and actuating properly a few weeks ago.  I had also replaced and redrilled some of the screws that hold the inside plastic panels.  Many screws were loose and some were missing, a few of the panels were darn near falling off, but thats a whole-nother thread.

So today I noticed the door to the power/water compartment didn't seem to be holding on the upper right hand corner, it was sticking out and when I pushed in on it, it seemed to not be latching.  After looking things over I realized that not only could you adjust the latches on the door, but also the latching post have an adjustment, inboard to outboard.  This one was set as far inboard as possible and was not making proper contact.  I adjusted it outboard about half an inch and it now holds properly.  I then went and looked at all the other bus style doors, I have 6 if you include the generator door.  I found two other post that were not set correctly and I found one that was completely loose.  So this is my roundabout way of saying "check your latching post attached to the door frame.  Oh the things I learn just tinkering.  I spend more time tinkering then camping, I do so enjoy tinkering. 
Title: Re: Generator door opener button 2002 U320
Post by: Dave Katsuki on December 08, 2012, 11:42:56 pm
  ...Oh the things I learn just tinkering.  I spend more time tinkering then camping, I do so enjoy tinkering. 
Camping?  Living in these things has something to do with camping?  Thought it was just a way to let us keep tinkering on the road... :))