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Topic: New "to me" Foretravel Owner Questions (Read 1036 times) previous topic - next topic

New "to me" Foretravel Owner Questions

Hi Everyone,

I have been reading the forum for quite some time, but this is my first post.

First, I would like to thank Brett and Dianne Wolfe for all their help in guiding me through the inspection of the coach.  We recently took our first "big" trip in the motor home, Gulf Shores, AL.  All went well, but I have a few questions.

1.  We lost power for a short time at the RV park, but the generator (set to auto) did not start.  When I started it manually all was well.  Generator runs fine just did not auto start when we lost power or unplug.  Which led me to the next question.
2.  I wanted to investigate the generator non-start, but when I went to open the generator bay door, it would not unlatch.  The cable pulls fine without restriction but it won't unlatch.  How do I get that door open?
3.  We have motorized shades at the windshield, they do not appear to be MCD.  These have two buttons on the end of the shade (one yellow and one black).  I pushed one of the buttons to try to set the limit of the shade and now the shade will only raise about 4".  Is anyone familiar with this type of shade?  I have no paper work.
4.  I wanted to turn on the lights located in the kick panel of the cabinets in the kitchen and below the desk but cannot find the switch for these.  I have read in the form that the step switch near the door will turn them on, but not mine.  I have tried every switch I can find.

I would really appreciate any information anyone can share on these issues.  Thanks everyone for all the great posts I have learned so much reading this forum,

John
 
2000 U295
DGFE #5635
2000 U295 40'
Build 5635

Re: New "to me" Foretravel Owner Questions

Reply #1 –
Welcome to "Active" membership, John.  For a while, at least, there will be lots of questions, but don't worry - we've all been where you are!

I can only address your first question, cuz my coach is much older model.  I don't have generator auto start, but the way I understand it, the controlling factor is battery voltage.  If your batteries are fully (or almost) charged, the auto start will not kick in until you have depleted your battery bank to some degree.  I believe the actual "low voltage" set point is programmable, but another member will have to advise you on that procedure.

Have fun exploring your "New To You" ride!  It's all part of the adventure.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: New "to me" Foretravel Owner Questions

Reply #2 –
The auto start only starts the generator when the batteries get low, not when you lose power.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: New "to me" Foretravel Owner Questions

Reply #3 –
auto start will come on when your coach battery voltage falls below a set point - so if you are on inverter and you run down your batteries your generator will auto start. Auto start is not influenced by the presence or absence of shore power

the front door often needs some nudging and caressing to open, even if someone is pulling the release out that is located in the first storage bay drivers side - after you get it open, some lube on anything that moves will help

Kick panel lights might be to the right the sink about waist high - but your location may vary...

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start - home of SureStart soft starters TCER Direct - home of Generac Approved Aluminum and Copper TCER Composite cable generator-gas-prod - home of X-Riser Gas Risers for PE installation Call me at 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: New "to me" Foretravel Owner Questions

Reply #4 –
I don't trust nor want the auto-start starting in the middle of the night.

To release the genny door:

1. Bang on the door.
2. Pull the door front.
3. Lubricate the door mechanisms and cable with WD40.

Welcome to Foretravel Forums, the best forum on the net!
1997 U270 34FT Build 5140 Cummins 8.3 Allison 3060R
Solar 1920Watts, 14KWH lithium. Orion BMS.

Re: New "to me" Foretravel Owner Questions

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Tim –
I don't trust nor want the auto-start starting in the middle of the night. Welcome to Foretravel Forums, the best forum on the net!
Ditto to both comments. I don't care what kind of coach someone has, if that gen set starts in the middle of the night, you get to either hear me at the time, or, for sure, in the morning!  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: New "to me" Foretravel Owner Questions

Reply #6 –
Good to know, I thought it was for backup and low battery.  During the inspection, we unplugged to take for a test drive and the generator came on shortly after.  I know the low battery portion works, because on another trip the breaker for the inverter/charger tripped and the batteries went down and gen started.  Took me a while to figure out why it was starting since we were hooked up. 

Also, while we were in Alabama, I tried to close the step cover and nothing happened.  It had been probably two or three days after arriving.  The only way (that I knew of) to fill the air tanks and get pressure up was to start the engine.  Is that normal?
2000 U295 40'
Build 5635

Re: New "to me" Foretravel Owner Questions

Reply #7 –
Gegabyte,

Welcome.

With #1 & 2 addressed
#3  No clue
#4  Have you checked to see if the OEM light string is not burnt out? On some coaches the switch that is labeled "Step"  at the front door is the one that operates the courtesy lights.

Pamelaa & Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: New "to me" Foretravel Owner Questions

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Gegabyte –
I tried to close the step cover and nothing happened.  It had been probably two or three days after arriving.  The only way (that I knew of) to fill the air tanks and get pressure up was to start the engine.  Is that normal?

Yes that is normal.  The air that supplies the step cover has to be replaced sometime. Depending on how many air leaks you have in the system and how many time you actuate the cover will determine when you will run out of air.  OEM the engine compressor is the best way, but you could get creative and add a electric driven air compressor (like some have done) to keep air up for such things as this.

Pamela & Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: New "to me" Foretravel Owner Questions

Reply #9 –
As mentioned by Pam/Mike (above), some of us have rigged up a onboard 110V air compressor as a secondary source of air, so we don't have to run the big engine to recharge the coach air system.  These projects are fun (if you're amused by this sort of thing), PLUS a auxiliary source of air can be very helpful in certain situations.  See the links below for some ideas, in case you want to undertake a similar project:

Pancake compressor (split from How long to build air pressure?)

110V Aux Air Compressor Install
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: New "to me" Foretravel Owner Questions

Reply #10 –
To open the generator door, try opening it in travel mode after starting the engine and building up air pressure.
Bob, Vicki & Lilly
2003 Foretravel U320 40'
2008 Honda CRV - Toad
Build #6138

Re: New "to me" Foretravel Owner Questions

Reply #11 –
Thanks everyone for your replies, As always this is the most helpful, knowledgeable forum around.  Anyone know how to set the limit switch on motorized shades?
2000 U295 40'
Build 5635

Re: New "to me" Foretravel Owner Questions

Reply #12 –
Dry Teflon spray is a good choice for lubrication, as it doesn't cake with dust like oil based lubrication.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: New "to me" Foretravel Owner Questions

Reply #13 –
Re: the shades.  You can download the learning instructions for MCD shades from their website.  If yours are not that brand, you may still get some clues since they use two buttons like yours.
Re:  the generator door, you can reach up behind with a bent coat hanger or something similar to pull the cable manually.
Re:  the generator autostart, most are set to come on at 12.2v, which is 50% capacity.  You only need to fail to notice loss of shore power once to ruin a set of house batteries.  I leave my autostart on all the time.  When I'm in a RV mark I watch my battery condition in the evening to make sure autostart isn't triggered during the night.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R
 

Re: New "to me" Foretravel Owner Questions

Reply #14 –
I have been working on getting my generator bay door open, thanks for the suggestions, but I am still unable to get it open.  I can see the cable run along the inside of the bay door but that is as far as I can see.  I tried using a wire hanger to pull on the latch but it wasn't strong enough.  Does anyone have a picture of the latch?  The door is closed up tight with little or no play at all.

I did find out that the motorized shades are Somfy brand.  I will post how to "reprogram" once I figure it out in case someone else has the same type.

2000 U295 40'
Build 5635