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Topic: Utility bay upgrade (Before and After) (Read 1153 times) previous topic - next topic

Utility bay upgrade (Before and After)

Utility bay needed a little work so I set out to make some improvements and got a little carried away.
    First I changed both black and gray water valves.
    Second I tore out the old rubber surround and replaced it with aluminum.
    Third I put in an observation port so I could see if there were any leaks inside.
    Fourth I installed a filter, flow ball and a pressure regulator.

The aluminum looks nice and cleans up nice but it was more work than other materials.
My next job is to make a way for the electric to enter the bay and keep out the cold and critters.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

This is a great forum, everyone is so helpful and I hope this may help someone without cause any confusion.

jerrett

Jason
1999 U320 36'

Re: Utility bay upgrade (Before and After)

Reply #1 –
                           Nicely done Jarrett! If i might ask, what is a flow ball?

          Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Utility bay upgrade (Before and After)

Reply #2 –
Howdy Jarrett,
    Great Job!!!  Good pictures..
Good Luck, Dave A
Dave and Nancy Abel
'00 U320 36' WTFE  Build #5669
'10 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Livingston, TX  SKP's Fulltiming

Re: Utility bay upgrade (Before and After)

Reply #3 –
Jerrett,

That is a nice job.  Seems you have the improvement bug.

BTW if you look at the signatures on the posts you will see details of the coaches that people have.  It helps others when you have a question.  You can add your details by clicking on the "Profile" button on the menu.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Utility bay upgrade (Before and After)

Reply #4 –
Quote from: jerrett –
My next job is to make a way for the electric to enter the bay and keep out the cold and critters.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

jerrett
                              Jerrett, this is what we have to keep the critters and cold out. It was made by one of the shop guys at Foretravel for the previous owner. You would need a piece of compartment floor edge or perhaps you could make it out of wood. Looks good and works great to seal the bay.

                  Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Utility bay upgrade (Before and After)

Reply #5 –
Jerrett,
Curious as to your reason for placing the regulator downstream vs. upstream.  I assume that you set the whole assembly outside during fills.
Neal
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Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten

Re: Utility bay upgrade (Before and After)

Reply #6 –
Nice work! We use a couple of big sponges to plug the space around the entry for the hookups. I thing I bought them at an auto supply. The sponges conform well to the cords and hoses. They insulate well and cut infiltration. Determined critters might go through the sponges. However, I'm not aware of any invasions since I started using the sponges.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Utility bay upgrade (Before and After)

Reply #7 –
Dean and Dee
 The little oval glass, right before the pressure regulator has a small white ball inside (you can barely see it in the photo)  if any water is flowing it will rise from its resting position and begin to spin.  It is good for detecting if there are any leaks when you are hooked up to city water.  also thanks for your suggestions.

Neal:
 I close the first ball valve when I hook up to city water, that way I know what the pressure is before I open it to let the water into the filter.  If too high I may not open the valve.  I also thought that more pressure will increase the flow through the filter and then lower the pressure before it enters the coach.  That was my logic for putting the regulator after the filter.  I usually leave the filter inside but most of the time I fill the tank and then close the ball valve and use the pump when I need water (much safer that way)

Thanks everyone for your complements.
Jason
1999 U320 36'

Re: Utility bay upgrade (Before and After)

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Neal Pillsbury –
Jerrett,
Curious as to your reason for placing the regulator downstream vs. upstream.  I assume that you set the whole assembly outside during fills.
Neal
Quote from: Neal Pillsbury –
Jerrett,
Curious as to your reason for placing the regulator downstream vs. upstream.  I assume that you set the whole assembly outside during fills.
Neal

I did the same thing on mine (2 filters in series, can use 1 or .5 micron filter as 2nd, if necessary).  My thinking is that the higher pressure before the regulator will allow more flow through the filters, especially when they are getting clogged. 
Dave and Nancy
1999/2013 U270 36' Xtreme
Motorcade # 16774
2013 Subaru Outback
KD0NIM

Re: Utility bay upgrade (Before and After)

Reply #9 –
Here is my foam plug for the cable entry hole.
 Cut a little oversize to squeeze fit in space. cut at 45* to allow bay door to close
Rick
 

Re: Utility bay upgrade (Before and After)

Reply #10 –
Thank you Rick for the pictures of the sponge solution and your suggestions.  I believe a combination or Dean's floor insert and the sponges will work well.  Fortravel does everyting so well but didn't give much thought to utility bay electric and water entry.
Jason
1999 U320 36'