Well, left wrist is still on the mend, but Beth is helping get "Forrest" ready for the Jimmy Buffett concert near Indianapolis tomorrow. When we went to the storage facility I found that the driver's side convex Ramco mirror was just hanging by the wires. The velcro that holds the mirror in place had digested its adhesive qualities. Luckily, I have a lifetime supply of industrial velcro I bought at Costco some time back. A quick adhesive remover application followed by an alcohol rub and the surface was ready for the new velcro. Viola! one job done. Now to wash, sanitize, etc. BTW, after nearly six months in storge, the coach batteries (6 years old) had 13.4v. The Optima starters (6 yrs old as well) were at 12.4v. What great products. Coach started right up. (I do disconnect them while in storage)
Peter:
I too I have a lifetime supply of industrial Velcro that I bought at Costco some time back. It comes in handy for around the coach & home!
I nearly lost my passenger side convex mirror while driving. As I looked at the mirror in anticipation of moving back to the right lane, I saw the convex mirror sailing along behind the body held only by the defrost wires. I duct taped it in place until I got home. When I called Ramco, they said to reattach with RTV silicone. Two years and holding.
That was the same scenerio with my driver's mirror. Hanging on by the defrost wires, I reglued it with sealant, two years and still mirroring.
I'm still looking for just plain white velcro. The kind without glue on one side. Want it for my frog steering wheel. Looked all over Home Depot and Lowes. But this Costo thing, never seen one in my travels? Does one have to be a member like at Sam's?
Hard to believe you have never seen a Costco.
You do need a membership like Sam's.
Here is a list of Costco Locations.
http://www.priceviewer.com/costco_locations/ (http://www.priceviewer.com/costco_locations/)
The unfortunate thing about Costco is that some items are one time only (like the velcro). I bought this item years ago and have never seen it again at the store. Their web site is also very good.
I bought white Velcro at Home Depot and Ace Hardware. Not all stores carry the same stuff.
Yes. The velcro I'm talking about is industrial heavy duty, however. I can hang a flat screen TV with this stuff. But the paint on the wall would probably peel first rather than this type of velcro, would work on wood or metal better. It has a 3M type adhesive.
:-\
As I suspected, the closest store is about 5 hours away in Pittsburgh, Pa. Nothing in the western part of NYS.
Have a question relative to the Ramco rearview mirror so I thought I would revive this thread to keep searching simple.
The plastic inserts have deteriorated completely. I have ordered new inserts from Ramco. Naturally the Allen screws have welded themselves to the aluminum over the years so I have to drill them out and tap new holes. It really would like to take the mirror assembly off before I drill and tap.
Now for my question where do I unplug the wires? Is there a plug or connection behind the convex mirror? I don't want to take apart more then necessary.
Roland
Roland,
If no readily accessible gang plug, it shouldn't be difficult to access and cut the wires inside the coach (flip up the small horizontal "side pieces"). Pretty easy to butt connect them back together once the mirror is installed. Be sure to pull fuse first.
As long as it's revived, silicone or RVT. Lost mine last Winter. Water got in-between, and froze, jacked it off in Oregon. We always RVT'd them on as a FT tech.
There should be a connector behind the mounting bracket, inside the coach sidewall.
There are connectors behind the mirrors.
John
Checked everything out after I pulled the fuse. I don't want to cut any wires if I can avoid it. I was able to loosen the arm from the sidewall bracket and got enough slack to drill and tap. Will let y'all know how it all comes out when I get the class from Ramco.
Now another question what do use on my new set screws to prevent them from welding to the aluminum bracket.
Roland
There is what we use for SS bolts into aluminum masts: TEF-GEL - Ultra safety systems - Home page (http://www.tefgel.com/contain.php?param=tefgel_infor)
You will most likely be dead by then.
RTV stands for Room Temperature Vulcanization. The term applies to a series of adhesives, gasket makers, and caulks that cure at room temperature. Permatex is a well known brand.
Black RTV is the adhesive variety and is what is recommended for attaching morrors to their backs pkates.
Red RTV is the high temp gasket type and can be used to seal engine covers, etc. that need to retain oil.
Chris
Isn't silicone also a RTV?
That's where the big chemistry stuff comes into play. I'm not a chemist so tried to keep it simple.
RTV products are usually rubber based because that's the whole "vulcanization" part.
There are RTV silicones, but are all silicones RTV?
The Black RTV adhesive is different than the RTV gasket maker and silicones I've used. Each adheres differently, spreads differently, etc.
Chris
Thank you Numbers.