U320 for Dummies

Topic: U320 for Dummies (Read 5017 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #50 – December 16, 2020, 08:22:31 am

Yay!

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #51 – December 16, 2020, 11:50:18 am

So I know it was a short rushed experience driving home, but was it more enjoyable than the dragging the fifth wheel? Perform as you expected? Those first hours were quite exciting or terrifying for me. I also had a couple more issues going on but was very Pleased with my purchase. Hope yours is the same. Again good looking coach.
Scott

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #52 – December 16, 2020, 12:01:36 pm

Quote from: dsd – December 16, 2020, 11:50:18 am

So I know it was a short rushed experience driving home, but was it more enjoyable than the dragging the fifth wheel? Perform as you expected? Those first hours were quite exciting or terrifying for me.

Definitely more enjoyable than the 5th wheel, especially in traffic. The transmission retarder is the bees knees once you figure it out. I'm a pretty big dude at 6'2" so the bigger, more adjustable chair with a more upright position and taller windshield really helped too. As for my wife, she couldn't have been more happy lounged out in the big leather captains chair riding shotgun.

Like you though, the first few hours were stressful. The roads out of Nacogdoches are narrow, hilly, and have a lot of construction right now so that added to it. I only had to block traffic twice as I three-point turned my way through a busy intersection

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #53 – January 14, 2021, 11:53:52 am

I have a few more questions for you guys that aren't worthy of their own threads:

When going over rough terrain, can I hit the "raise" button on my HWH panel to give myself a bit more ground clearance? I just about dragged the tail getting into our current spot and it got me wondering.

I am suspicious of how quickly my black tank appears to be filling up according to the dash gauge. I'd like to test how "true" it is. What happens if I keep filling it up? Will it eventually back up the path to the toilet? In the old rig I could smell it when it was getting close, is that a good litmus test here as well?

At the very least, my AC compressor is shot. The bearings are toast and the system won't hold a charge. The shop I had diagnose it suggested that could just be the start and suggested a "full AC kit". How valuable is the dash AC? Is it worth prioritizing or does everyone end up using their roof air on hot days anyways? Is it DIYable with limited tools out in the desert?

[/list]
Thanks!

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #54 – January 14, 2021, 12:09:51 pm

1. You can raise your coach using HWH on rough patches. I think I read don't exceed 5mph??
3. I fixed my dash A/C. It does help some but when it gets hot out (85+) and your driving into the sun you better have your roof airs running and for me I have a floor fan that sits under the one mid coach directing a/c to the front. For me it is hard to get ahead of the heat through the front windshield when you are driving into the sun so if that is the case I make sure to start the roof A/C early and try to stay ahead of the heat.

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #55 – January 14, 2021, 12:11:23 pm

Elliot,

1) For moving slowly (I like TommyD's 5 mph) over uneven terrain, hit and hold the raise button for nearly a minute to get the coach up front and back. Continue to hold the raise button until you have cleared the area of concern. Once released, the coach will return to travel heigth.

2) My foot operated toilet is over the black tank (1995 and 2001 U320). I can shine a flashlight down the open valve and see the height of the tank. It is hard to guess how full it is until it reaches the tube from the toilet to the tank.

3) The dash A/C costs good money to fix. It never had the capacity to cool the front of the coach like the roof airs. So I just start the gen, get the roof airs back on line and go. I some times add a small fan to blow on the driver's seat while sitting on the floor. I removed the belt to the A/C compressor so no wear on the compresso bearing plus my compressor was bad.

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #56 – January 14, 2021, 12:18:25 pm

Rudy,

Do you have to have the Aqua Hot diesel switch turned on when you are driving to use the furnace? I was thinking since the engine is keeping the boiler fluid heated and circulating it may not be necessary?

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #57 – January 14, 2021, 12:23:11 pm

Not Rudy, but no you don't.

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #58 – January 14, 2021, 02:40:57 pm

Elliott,
1. (others answered this very well)
2. I don't know for sure if yours will do this, but on mine the a burp occurs during flush when the level gets very high. My theory on this: the 3" drain pipe extends into the tank some distance (maybe 2-3", I'm not sure). When the level gets above the bottom of the pipe the air inside the pipe is trapped and it escapes when you flush. I believe you have a Microphor toilet so maybe the burp isn't detectable. Another thing you can try a the dump station is lifting the middle of the dump hose to a height above the top of the tank before you open the dump valve. Once the dump valve is opened it let it settle, and then slowly lower it and notice when it starts to flow (should be able hear it) into the dump station sewer inlet.
3. So yes you can do it but you will need to invest in a few things:

Education on auto A/C systems: how it works and components, how to charge, how flush out a system, pressure test, check for leaks, etc. This will take hours of research. I think you probable need a some desire to learn it and not just to save money. It's been years since I did it but there were many good sites out there. I even bought a book on it. It can become a skill set you will be able to use for the rest of your life, if you choose to.

Tools: a gauge set, vacuum pump, leak detector. I'm not sure how much this might add up to but be leary of cheap tools: they are frustrating to work with and often make you wish you spent the extra dollars on better tools. I think you will also need a air compressor for blowing out and flushing the lines.

Parts: In addition to a new compressor you will almost certainly need a new dryer as well as refrigerant and refrigerant oil. I'm not sure but I think your dryer is under your dash which is quite involved to get at. Research the Forum on this to see for your year. My compressor is a Seltec which appears to be quite common. Attached are guides that shows all the possible combos these things come in. You will need to identify what you currently have installed and get the same or equivalent unit. It's possible you will need other parts too, but most likely just these two components are replaced for compressor failures. Sometimes the system can get contaminated with failed compressor bits which can clog the evaporator orifice/expansion valve causing them to need replacement too.

As an option you can see how your first summer is without dash air. My Grand Villa windshield is much shorter so less sun coming in and it was miserable traveling west in the afternoon during summer in Arizona.

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #59 – January 14, 2021, 03:25:50 pm

Great stuff as usual, thanks guys.

Quote from: JohnFitz – January 14, 2021, 02:40:57 pm

Another thing you can try...is lifting the middle of the dump hose to a height above the top of the tank before you open the dump valve.

You're a much braver man than I!

On a serious note, you've got me thinking I should learn how AC systems work. We'll see how quickly I can work through my list of other things to fix and maybe I'll try to tackle it next winter.

Edit: Also John, you never cease to amaze me with the archive of technical documentation you seemingly have at the ready at all times

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #60 – January 14, 2021, 07:38:15 pm

You are missing a plethora of first hand corporate knowledge, just up the road in Quartzsite. We been known to fix stuff here too!!!

Woody.

Quote from: Elliott – January 14, 2021, 03:25:50 pm

Great stuff as usual, thanks guys.
You're a much braver man than I!

On a serious note, you've got me thinking I should learn how AC systems work. We'll see how quickly I can work through my list of other things to fix and maybe I'll try to tackle it next winter.

Edit: Also John, you never cease to amaze me with the archive of technical documentation you seemingly have at the ready at all times

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #61 – January 14, 2021, 08:32:39 pm

Quote from: Pyolet – January 14, 2021, 07:38:15 pm

You are missing a plethora of first hand corporate knowledge, just up the road in Quartzsite. We been known to fix stuff here too!!!

Woody.

Ay, I should have brought my to-do list out there for sure. We had one day in Q and spent it with a buddy in town do less-than-productive things. We've been at AGM the last week and have been thoroughly enjoying the margaritas in Los Algodones with friends

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #62 – January 14, 2021, 10:12:14 pm

1 Yes although I've never had a functioning HWH computer, but should be hearing from them soon
2 You can always fill with clean water to figure out.
3. Yes
A. It's a mechanical system. Must be clean and free from water. Replace all that you can to prevent contamination.
May run into issues with getting Freon but somebody is always selling some.
Tools to do this can be rented from autozone for free!
Just like fuel lines the Freon lines they now make are much better.
Read up on it and find someone that can help. They do exist.
B. To increase efficiency of the system can also be done by increasing the efficiency of the losses of cooling.
Nano window tint can reduce UV by 99% and heat gain by +40%. I did this on my suburban and am very impressed.
I will learn how to do windshields, but haven't yet. Suburban windshield was $225 and worth every penny. The coach
Probably would be $600 (guessing) $100 worth of materials
Scott

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #63 – January 14, 2021, 10:35:57 pm

Quote from: dsd – January 14, 2021, 10:12:14 pm

3. Yes
A. It's a mechanical system. Must be clean and free from water. Replace all that you can to prevent contamination.
May run into issues with getting Freon but somebody is always selling some.

I am pretty certain the refrigerant would be 134a. Not sure about all states, but it is sold in all auto parts stores, Walmart, Northern tools, etc in Texas. And like Scott stated, many auto parts stores have gauge sets and vacuum pumps you can borrow at no cost.

Our compressor was running, but air was not cold, so borrowed a gauge set from O'Reilly and added a couple cans of 134a. Not hard to do.

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #64 – January 14, 2021, 10:52:58 pm

On my last coach I replaced the compressor and drier, that was the easy part. Went to a cousins place as he had all the tools and we got it working. This coach was low on refrigerant and I put a couple of cans in and it was working great.

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #65 – January 15, 2021, 09:49:06 am

There are alternatives to freon for cooling.

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #66 – January 15, 2021, 10:41:16 am

Quote from: folivier – January 15, 2021, 09:49:06 am

There are alternatives to freon for cooling.

Please elaborate on the alternatives. Always interest to expand my knowledge.

I am only a "Google Expert", but my understanding is Freon is a trademark used for a line of refrigerants manufactured by Chemours Company and the refrigerant most commonly used in current automotive applications is R134A which I believe replaced R12 sometime in the mid 1990s. I believe R134a is being replaced with R1234yf.

I have a 1992 truck that used R12 before I had it converted to R134a and our 1997 Foretravel uses R134a.

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #67 – January 15, 2021, 11:41:23 am

DayDreamer search for hydrocarbon replacements for freon, lots of info pro and con, but the refrigerants have excellent cooling properties.

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #68 – January 15, 2021, 02:01:02 pm

Is that spelled A l a s k a ?

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #69 – January 15, 2021, 07:47:50 pm

Have you ever noticed that when the patent runs out the old refrigerant becomes a problem with the environment
just a thought
Chris

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #70 – January 15, 2021, 07:52:29 pm

Surprise surprise, absolutely amazing, ha! Jim

U320 42'

Re: U320 for Dummies

Reply #71 – January 15, 2021, 09:42:41 pm

This topic has become a catch-all, which doesn't benefit future searches. Let's start individual new topics for unique questions going forward.

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