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Topic: restoring a 1986 grand villa 33 (Read 1078 times) previous topic - next topic

restoring a 1986 grand villa 33

I need some suggestions please. I've got water stained paneling and I need to know what will dissolve the interior finish to touch it up and refinish. I don't want to sand it. Also, I've got a converter that hums bad enough to rattle your teeth. Can I replace it with an electronic battery charger with the only sound coming from a cooling fan ?  The converter seems to be hung from threaded rods under the floor with limited access through the waste dump basement hatch. Is there some way to get to it ?  Is there a problem running the genset while plugged into shore power? I've seen yes and no? Will it damage anything? Thanks for your help



































Re: restoring a 1986 grand villa 33

Reply #1 –
I suggest you contact James Holder, the service manager at Tennessee RV. James has a 1984 Foretravel, but most likely is conversant with your model and year coach. He probably even has manuals.
I know he has been extremely helpful with my questions re our coach.
Oh, they used to be a Foretravel dealer.

His email address is jholder@tennesseerv.com
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: restoring a 1986 grand villa 33

Reply #2 –
Quote from: wantabe –
Is there a problem running the genset while plugged into shore power?
If, repeat IF, your coach has a automatic transfer switch that selects between shore power and generator, and IF that ATS is working properly, then theoretically it will not hurt anything to run generator while connected to shore power.

However, best practice is to use one power source or the other, but don't connect both at the same time.

And, why would you want to?
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: restoring a 1986 grand villa 33

Reply #3 –
Quote from: wantabe –
  Is there a problem running the genset while plugged into shore power?
Prolly not, these days. I do un-hook, and always have. It comes from my years as a Building Contractor where a HO would "shoehorn" a gen set in without proper isolation switching. Many linemen were killed when a gen-set "backfed" into their wires. It's a old habit, and like having EMS, you sleep better.  ^.^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: restoring a 1986 grand villa 33

Reply #4 –
To remove the converter you have to loosen the nuts on the threaded rods and let it down. Those converters were very hard on batteries as they tended to overcharge the batteries. The new smart converters are much better.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: restoring a 1986 grand villa 33

Reply #5 –
My coach had the same factory setup that you have, and the converter fan was loud enough to be annoying. I bought a Battery Tender smart charger as a stop-gap while I was revamping the converter, and now keep it stashed in the vacuum cabinet. It's a great backup.
  I bought a smart converter to replace the original unit. The new one is considerably smaller and, at most, is 1/4 the weight. The remaining threaded rods (too difficult to remove without causing damage) were  very long and obstructing to the available space, so I bought additional nuts and washers, cut plywood  to make shelves, drilled for the rods, and now have adjustable shelves under the converter to store the tank drain hose fittings and goo-stopper gloves. Works VERY well. One shelf was cut from heavy metal mesh to hold the new converter and give it free flow of cooling air. The existing wiring is plug-and-play.
The new charging units are not expensive, are very efficient, light weight, and free up a lot of new storage space. They also will not fry your expensive batteries! Win Win Win.
Route 66_End to End....someday

  1986 36' Grand Villa
    2015 Jeep Patriot
        K1SLD Steve
        K9NIK Nikki

Re: restoring a 1986 grand villa 33

Reply #6 –
Another thing; when doing ANYTHING to enhance your Foretravel, Search this forum and USE THIS LINK!!!
      Foretravel Motorhome technical help and information links
Route 66_End to End....someday

  1986 36' Grand Villa
    2015 Jeep Patriot
        K1SLD Steve
        K9NIK Nikki

Re: restoring a 1986 grand villa 33

Reply #7 –
That obnoxious "humm" is what our Airstreams had, called the "Univolt", had to turn it off at night. Brett installed a "True Charge 40" in this coach, and I never even hear it!  ^.^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: restoring a 1986 grand villa 33

Reply #8 –
Are you sure the hum is from the converter and not the transfer switch (?) next to it. Mine still hums after I installed a progressive dynamics smart charger.
Rich Roberson
Columbia, SC
1991 U280

Re: restoring a 1986 grand villa 33

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Richrpilot –
Are you sure the hum is from the converter and not the transfer switch (?) next to it. Mine still hums after I installed a progressive dynamics smart charger.
I would be suspecting the charger. Our TS was factory, and made no noise. We took a power hit that fried our transfer switch and the tech had a heck of a time finding one. Found a "almost version" in Canada and it works fine, Not a ATS, which I'd never have. After that little "CB Episode", we bought a EMS from Progressive Industries RV Surge and Electrical Protection industry lea     
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: restoring a 1986 grand villa 33

Reply #10 –
You need a transfer switch with a DC relay they stop the hum. Plenty available Google is your friend.
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit
 

Re: restoring a 1986 grand villa 33

Reply #11 –
A very light sanding and some scratch cover did wonders for

the wood on the coach I am working on. Followed it up with

some Deft. If it is a larger area use some wiping stain.


Carter-