What did you do to your coach today.

Topic: What did you do to your coach today. (Read 49565 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #50 – November 02, 2011, 07:23:36 am

Removed, cleaned & re-caulked shower. Second time in two years. Silicone just does not stick very well to that plastic.

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #51 – November 02, 2011, 07:57:37 am

Just replaced my 160 amps alternator with a 210 amps alt. Half an hour job.

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #52 – November 02, 2011, 11:14:47 am

Climbed on roof, pulled A/C units apart and cleaned coils, getting ready for cold weather and using heat strips. Installed a Tornado tank cleaner on black water tank.

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #53 – November 02, 2011, 03:19:48 pm

Noticed a burned out light bulb under the Sharp microwave. It had 2 40watt bulbs for the range cooktop. Getting the plastic cover open was a bit of a chore, finally had to read the manual. These are screw in bulbs with a small base about 5/8 " in diameter. Neither one wanted to unscrew and the bulb part came out of the base. I got both bases out of the sockets with needle nose pliers, but broke one socket. Found I could remove the sheet metal that holds the filters (7 screws) and a piece of sheet metal around the sockets (1 screw) without removing the microwave. Removed the broken socket (1 screw). Rapped the equivalent of bailing wire around the 2 broken socket parts(3 turns) and twisted the ends together. Went shopping with the socket for bulbs; bought 2 25 watt bulbs that fit for $6.98. Put everything back together. The lower wattage bulbs seem bright enough. I can work on the leaking fresh water pump some other day.

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #54 – November 02, 2011, 06:17:27 pm

Quote from: flite2010 – November 02, 2011, 07:23:36 am

Removed, cleaned & re-caulked shower. Second time in two years. Silicone just does not stick very well to that plastic.

Bob, try a good quality urethane (polyurethane) caulk like Sonneborn NP1, Dicor Non-Sag or GeoCell RV caulk. They will adhere much better than Silicone. If you clean the substrate properly they should last at least 10 years.

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #55 – November 02, 2011, 07:57:23 pm

I was great! I jumped into the rear hatch and removed our seized water pump. I was a little intimidated by it, but with slow, deliberate progress I went from gloves on to pump in the car trunk in less than two hours. There are a bunch of hoses and some tricky bolts (The AC compressor mounts to the water pump from the side.) Tomorrow I get the new pump, and maybe Saturday...

oldMattB

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #56 – November 11, 2011, 12:12:32 pm

Replace the old mattress with a new Simmons Beauty Rest firm plush pillow top, should make for a good night's sleep.

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #57 – November 11, 2011, 12:23:34 pm

Packing it with a whole pile of crap to go south in the am
John

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #58 – November 11, 2011, 07:43:47 pm

Installed a new Sharp R1875-T microwave/convection oven in place of the old one. Received a new speedometer from MOT and plan on installing it this weekend.

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #59 – November 11, 2011, 08:52:33 pm

Installed a new plug in our gas/AC water heater. It has had persistent leak (drip, drip...), so I bought a new plastic plug. Didn't help. Wrapped it with Teflon tape. Didn't help. Bought a brass plug from Camping world (Anderson Brass Company - Water Heater Drain Valve - Water Filtration - Camping). No drip!

I thought about putting an anode plug in the water heater, but due to the cautions concerning anodes provided on this forum, I checked with Atwood and got this response.

"Thank you for visiting the Atwood Mobile Products, LLC website. Atwood's water heater tanks are aluminum which DO NOT use an anode rod. It will do more harm than good. If you are using the plastic plug then I would recommend using a brass plug. The plastic ones are fine but they tend to warp over time creating the leak you are experiencing."

That makes sense if you are talking about the usual zinc anodes used on boats. See this site for a listing of electrochemical potentials.

the electrochemical series

The anode plugs sold by Camping world are either aluminum or magnesium, not zinc (Replaceable Anode Rods for Atwood and Suburban Water Heaters - Product - Camping). I guess they might work, but I took the advice from the guy at Atwood and went with the brass plug.

One additional point. Be very careful about removing that plug. The hot water tank is under a fair amount of pressure. Turn off the water and relieve the pressure before carefully removing the plug.

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #60 – November 11, 2011, 09:21:20 pm

Installed an Intervac central vacuum cleaner (Vacuums for your Home, R/V, Garage and Yachts - interVac Design). Pat didn't like our portable vacuum cleaner because it always left a odor in the coach after it was used. With the Intervac the exhaust is down below, as is the noise.

I installed the unit in the back half of our main storage bay. From there it took about 16 feet of 2" hose ($1 per foot from Intervac) to get to the location for the vacuum hose plug-in located in the galley (see photo below). I used a 2.5" hole saw to cut through the floor below the galley drawers (cut from below). The floor has about 1/2" plywood on top with about 2" of blue foam and then a thin plastic layer on the bottom. No problem to cut the hole. Running the hose was no problem either (secured with wire ties). In addition to the hose, I had to run two wires (16g) to the plug-in. These turn the vacuum on when the hose is plugged in.

The only problem I had was with the mounting screws for the vacuum in the bay. The wall is very thin plastic material and not the plywood I expected. But the screws held. I may put in some wall anchors later.

The vacuum works well.... lots of suction. It comes with a 40' hose, but there is a problem with the hose. It compresses to about 10' when the vacuum is on. The compressible hose makes for easy storage, but is a bit of a pain when using the vacuum. But all in all, it was a good addition to the coach.

One fun moment during the installation was when I spoke into one end of the hose while the other end was near Cosmo, our Miniature Schnauzer (see below). It was priceless. Where is that guy in the hose?

Update: Tried to put some wall anchors in to secure the vac on the wall. Tried several types and none would hold.... very thin wall. So mounted vac on a piece of plywood and bolted the bottom to the frame as shown below. I think this will hold it.

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #61 – November 11, 2011, 10:04:33 pm

We had the deadbolt re-keyed today to match our (land) house key.

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #62 – November 12, 2011, 05:24:43 pm

Quote from: George Hatfield – November 11, 2011, 09:21:20 pm

Installed an Intervac central vacuum cleaner (Vacuums for your Home, R/V, Garage and Yachts - interVac Design).... The compressible hose makes for easy storage, but is a bit of a pain when using the vacuum.

This is a GREAT addition, and thanks to Karl & Madelyn Brenneman for showing us their system!

First, I scoured the internet for pricing (yes, even CW), as well as the factory itself. These units are made in the USA (Florida) and their customer service is outstanding. The phone is answered by a very knowledgeable rep (Susan), and technical installation questions are referred to Peter in the factory. LazyDays here in Tucson was able to match the factory price (~$250), but no shipping charge. They obtained it from their distributor in a couple of days. When I spoke with Susan, she advised me to purchase it from LazyDays. Her explanation (besides saving on shipping) is that the factory unit ships with the older model of the mini turbohead (which she told me was not a very good accessory). However, the accessory kits that are shipped to distributors (LazyDays uses Stag Parkway) include the newer turbohead.

The stretch hose (stretches to 40 ft, and compresses to 8 ft for storage) is a more of a challenge, than a pain (as George mentions above). As he said, the suction is so powerful that it tends to keep the hose mostly compressed. However, I put one foot on the hose, one hand about 3 ft from the grip, and it is easy to use and reaches to both ends of our 36' coach (and Madelyn says it reaches all areas of their 42' FT).

I did read reviews on both the InterVac and the Dirt Devil central vacs, and the interVac clearly was the "winner" with regard to positive comments. I also learned that the Dirt Devil, made in China, has a 3-year warranty, while the interVac, made in USA, has a 6-year warranty. interVac systems are also made for boats, airplanes, and home installation as well. Great product!

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #63 – November 12, 2011, 05:48:56 pm

Changed transmission fluid (Transynd) and filters.

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #64 – November 12, 2011, 06:46:01 pm

Installed a new ignition solenoid to hopefully solve previously mentioned problem.

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #65 – November 12, 2011, 07:17:39 pm

All new LED clearance lights...

She looks really nice!!

chris

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #66 – November 12, 2011, 08:09:03 pm

Replaced the black trim (edge guard) around the frame for the entrance door. The folk at Xtreme suggested that we replace it because it had been installed in pieces and there were about four small gaps in the trim.

Created a better route for the charge wire for the Battery Tender to the chassis battery. Have been testing the Battery Tender for a few weeks. It appears to be serving the purpose of maintaining the charge on the chassis battery without using the boost switch.

Replaced the failed latch the secures the bed down on top of the engine compartment.

Pressured up the water system with the water pump to verify things were working well, and to make sure the water heater had plenty of water in it. Checked the toilet bowl to verify that there was water in it, and there were no dead animals in the water. (Found a dead mouse in the toilet a few weeks ago.) Fired up the propane water heater to discourage mud daubers and verify that they haven't plugged it yet.

Looked for locations to place the Lasko Personal Heaters (200W ceramic heaters) in the bays. We are planning some trips to areas where it gets cold. (Montana in December.)

Told the coach, and some people, about plans to drive up on I-35 to Kansas City, MO, next week.

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #67 – November 12, 2011, 08:38:44 pm

Removed and cleaned bathroom fan screen; cleaned A/C fillters, treated paneling with Zep's Wood Doctor.

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #68 – November 12, 2011, 09:07:47 pm

Quote from: Don Hay – November 12, 2011, 08:38:44 pm

Removed and cleaned bathroom fan screen; cleaned A/C fillters, treated paneling with Zep's Wood Doctor.

Hi Don,

Have been using "Old English" on the paneling and floor. What's Zep's Wood Doctor like?

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #69 – November 12, 2011, 09:24:36 pm

i went and picked up another motor for it

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #70 – November 12, 2011, 09:28:20 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – November 12, 2011, 09:07:47 pm

Quote from: Don Hay – November 12, 2011, 08:38:44 pm
Removed and cleaned bathroom fan screen; cleaned A/C fillters, treated paneling with Zep's Wood Doctor.

Hi Don,

Have been using "Old English" on the paneling and floor. What's Zep's Wood Doctor like?

It appears to be a cleaner/oil. It is recommended and sold by FOT. It comes in an aerosol can. We bought a can and have used it on the walnut in our U295. It does spiff up the walnut. I renews a rich look. It looks like a can would "do" the coach two or three times.

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #71 – November 12, 2011, 09:38:40 pm

Quote

Pierce asked: "What's Zep's Wood Doctor like?"

It comes in a spray can; one can is enough to do the entire coach's paneling twice. I treat the paneling once a year with this. Normally I spray 12-18" square, let it absorb for a short time, wipe with a clean, absorbent cloth. Surprisingly, it has a pleasant odor after using, not at all like the 50:50 linseed oil/turpatine mixture I used to use. I get mine from MOT, but I have seen it at other RV stores.

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #72 – November 12, 2011, 10:55:08 pm

Removed the Dash A/C unit to determin the reason for the low air flow. Found all the plastic deteriorated and missing pieces aloowing the air to recirculate around the evaporator coil rather than be pushed out the vents. Now I need to find replacement parts or I have to fabricate new pieces from fiberglass.

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #73 – November 13, 2011, 09:19:25 am

Washed coach Saturday with Meguiars wash and using the HD Oxidation Remover today hope to do entire coach but I may have to do in stages.

Re: What did you do to your coach today.

Reply #74 – November 13, 2011, 11:02:23 am

* Still trying to figure out how to reach the gen feed line in the middle of the fuel tank. I think we have a plan.
* Removed the closet door in pre for the installation of the Splendide w/d.
* Pulled the Splendide out of the corner of the garage and will clean that up. Already have the louver doors, drip pan,
outside vent kit-painted to match, and plumbing parts.
* Just replaced the Dometic ref vent and both Vac-Jet vents.
* PTl door gasket parts, both screen and outside door should be delivered tomorrow by UPS.
* Earlier this week used gasket silicon to fill all gaps on all the bay doors. Cleaned and lube all door hardware.
* Fri-Ordered new Delome atlas for Mich, Fl & Tx.
* And last, but not least, putting finishing touches on the 32" Sony & Blu-Ray project.

Affiliate Notice