Re: Model 3000-Thoughts and Opinions Reply #25 – May 22, 2012, 06:32:10 pm Check with Cummins with your engine serial number for CCA requirements.I use the Optima Red Top starting batteries-- two at 800 CCA each for our Caterpillar 3116. That should be well more than adequate for you. I know newer Foretravels with larger engines take 3 Optimas.Brett Quote Selected
Re: Model 3000-Thoughts and Opinions Reply #26 – May 22, 2012, 08:18:11 pm I used two Interstate flooded lead acid series 31 batteries for my Cummins 5.9 in my 93, U225. They worked fine for me and were very economical. As I recall, they were 650 CCA each. Quote Selected
Re: Model 3000-Thoughts and Opinions Reply #27 – May 22, 2012, 09:25:17 pm The 5.9 Cummins requires to 1049cca batteries. Red tops are best for starting. Quote Selected
Re: Model 3000-Thoughts and Opinions Reply #28 – June 17, 2012, 04:07:12 pm Some small updates on the 3000 with pics. I have not got tires yet, I was trying to find aluminum rims for the MH like the big boys have but could not find any for the Oshkosh chassis, the 6 lug pattern is a killer for any type of custom rims.I guess I will either powder coat or go with replicators on the wheels, also checked on chroming and I would have to send them to California and that is just a little to much trouble for the rims. I thought there might be a place in Dallas but have not found one yet. If anybody know anythingabout custom rims for a 6 lug pattern feel free to share any info.Started treating the wood in the MT with WATCO Natural Danish Oil, apply one coat and let set for 30 minutes and then a 2 coat for 15 minutes, after each coach wipe off with a soft towel. You can see the treated wood on the wall left of the stove. Pulled off the fake wood protecter on the left side of the stove and the mirror behind the stove and will replace with stainless steel. Microwave/conviction oven over the stove will come out and be replaced with a new microwave, stainless steel if I can find one that fits decent, I would think a new microwave would be more efficient than that 20 year old machine that is there now. If anyone wants the old one let me know.There are other shots of the 3000 and I will have a post after this one with a few more pics. Quote Selected
Re: Model 3000-Thoughts and Opinions Reply #29 – June 17, 2012, 04:10:57 pm Chug, If that is a Sharp Microwave Convection over, keep it, probably won't find better in the modern ones. Wood looks good, I'll send you my address and when you finish yours you can .....Gary B Quote Selected
Re: Model 3000-Thoughts and Opinions Reply #30 – June 17, 2012, 04:37:11 pm I will put a full size bed in the back and sleep side ways from the original configuration as I am 6-3 and don't fit with my head at the end of the Motorhome. I will put new wood across the whole back of the room and hinges so I can lift up the hole bed and access the items under the bed like the heater and stuff.Also new handle's in the kitchen area.Took the TV out from over the dash board and will pull out the cabinet that the TV sat in and shorten the bottom, when in the drivers seat it hangs a little low for my liking obstructing my view. I will make it a small shelf or maybe a control panel for electronic.Basically I have just been doing a little cleaning and piddling around, I have another week of work on the computer and then I can get serous about getting this road ready. The electrical plug says it is 50 AMP but has 3 prongs as the picture shows. Can I find a plug for this to hook up an extension cord from the house and run lights in the MH? Any help with electrical would be greatly appreciated.Unfortunately no trips this summer as the old boy to the left is now in a doggy nursing home and I am the nurse. So I will work on the MH this summer and do what I can to make it a solid road worthy and safe MH.As always any advise or wisdom is always welcome. If I get tires this week I will update with photos.Hope everyone is having a great weekend.Chug Quote Selected
Re: Model 3000-Thoughts and Opinions Reply #31 – June 17, 2012, 04:49:39 pm Mr. Bouland, The 30inch built-in microwave-convection hood is a KitchenAid and I believe it is original to the MH, I do have the manual.I may play around with it and see how it works, it looks to be in great shape, I just don't know about the convection part of it.I have heard that it cooks faster but dry's out food if your cooking something but I am no expert. Chug Quote Selected
Re: Model 3000-Thoughts and Opinions Reply #32 – June 17, 2012, 04:53:39 pm Chug, That is a 50 amp twistlock plug. Did you get a cord with the MH ? If not try a MH selvage yard to get a cord, it should have the twistlock on one end and a 4 prong 50 amp plug on the other.Try these sitesBatteries -- and Other Electric Stuff by phredForetravel Motorhome technical help and information linksGary B Quote Selected
Re: Model 3000-Thoughts and Opinions Reply #33 – June 17, 2012, 05:09:21 pm Chug, I think you hit the lottery on that one. What a great looking coach. Quote Selected
Re: Model 3000-Thoughts and Opinions Reply #34 – June 17, 2012, 05:52:37 pm Quote from: CHUG – June 17, 2012, 04:49:39 pmThe 30inch built-in microwave-convection hood is a KitchenAid and I believe it is original to the MH, I do have the manual.I may play around with it and see how it works, it looks to be in great shape, I just don't know about the convection part of it.I have heard that it cooks faster but dry's out food if your cooking something but I am no expert. Chug,I'm not familiar with the Kitchenaid models, but do love my Sharp convection microwave. I do a lot of cooking in the RV and always have excellent results (well, except that one time I accidentally did a homemade pizza on high-Mix. 30% microwave mixed with convection and yeast dough don't play well I treat mine just like a normal oven, no recipe tweaks. Preheat first, then when the preheat is over put the item in the oven and do "convection" for the usual recipe time.If you opt for stainless and it will fit, Sharp has two 18xx models in stainless. One is mostly stainless front (1874T), the other kind of looks like a Roman soldier helmet (1880)If I had my act together a couple of weeks ago before we got on the road, our 1870 in black would now be an 1874T in stainless (solely for the look; we had the microwave out to fish a surge protector display wire).Michelle Quote Selected
Re: Model 3000-Thoughts and Opinions Reply #35 – June 17, 2012, 06:03:02 pm QuoteMr. Bouland, The 30inch built-in microwave-convection hood is a KitchenAid and I believe it is original to the MH, I do have the manual.I may play around with it and see how it works, it looks to be in great shape, I just don't know about the convection part of it.I have heard that it cooks faster but dry's out food if your cooking something but I am no expert. ChugChug, Easy way to check out the Microwave Convection oven.... Have your wife ( Or significant other ) cook you a meal including some Cinnamon sticky buns in it. If she does it right the oven is working properly. Gary B Quote Selected
Re: Model 3000-Thoughts and Opinions Reply #36 – June 17, 2012, 09:22:30 pm I have several of the 50 amp twist loc cords. I am located in Florida, but do not know where you are located. Quote Selected
Re: Model 3000-Thoughts and Opinions Reply #37 – June 18, 2012, 09:27:14 am In case you haven't seen the warnings else where - if you replace the microwave, make sure it is hinged so the door will open all the way. Quote Selected
Re: Model 3000-Thoughts and Opinions Reply #38 – June 19, 2012, 09:26:01 pm I took off the back tires last night and have attached some photos to show you the shape that some of the tires where in.This is why I took the tires off and will take them to the tire shop and not drive the MH.Went out to the pick up truck this morning and someone helped themselves to some of the rims as I was short 2. They got in the back of my truck and took 2 and left 2. I was going to get new tires this morning but called the police instead. Lesson learned.I will get two tires put on my two rims tomorrow and will try to take some pics of the process.I am getting Michelin 8R XZA's on the back. May go a different way on the front tires.Last photo is of the old boy who likes to lay on one of the old mattresses from the MH. I will give him a day or two to enjoy laying on it then off it goes. Quote Selected
Re: Model 3000-Thoughts and Opinions Reply #39 – July 08, 2012, 03:09:17 pm Got new tires on the back a couple of weeks ago at TCI in OKC. They had new dated tires and where helpful with the Michelin Advantage Program.Going to order some 19.5 X 7 rims from Rickson Truck Wheels and put 245's on the front.I have some questions about my heater. It is a Hydro Flame Excalibur 8500-II Series, after 20 years is this a safe heater to have under my bed. Do I need to have it serviced or pull it out and just run an electric heater? I must admit I am not a big fan of sleeping on a gas heater. Also there is a red button under the bed next to the fuse box (see attached pictures) what does it do?Taking the Villa up to Cummins in OKC in the next few weeks, I thought I should get the fluids changed and get it on a regular maintenance program. I will also have them go over the engine and start doing any service that may need to be done to make it a dependable ride.Any advice of what I should have them do or look for would be appreciated? The engine is 5.9 190 horses.Also I think there is a vacuum motor under the fridge, I can just yank that out? I think I will go another rout on vacuuming.And yet another question. What does the Power Switch do and does this need to be updated? I will not be doing any electrical until the engine has been taken care of but thought I would ask.Also Lee's RV in Edmond, OK is now Camping World, I went up there Tuesday and they where closed and the Camping World sign wasgoing up on the side of the building. FYI. Don't know if that is good or bad.Thank you everybody, I do appreciate your time.Ty (CHUG) Quote Selected
Re: Model 3000-Thoughts and Opinions Reply #40 – July 08, 2012, 03:31:24 pm Quote from: CHUG – July 08, 2012, 03:09:17 pmI have some questions about my heater. It is a Hydro Flame Excalibur 8500-II Series, after 20 years is this a safe heater to have under my bed. Do I need to have it serviced or pull it out and just run an electric heater? I must admit I am not a big fan of sleeping on a gas heater. HAVE IT SERVICED-- MAY STILL BE JUST FINE.QuoteAlso there is a red button under the bed next to the fuse box (see attached pictures) what does it do? THAT IS A RESETABLE BREAKER. PROBABLY FEEDS ONE OF YOUR MAIN 12 VDC FEEDS.QuoteAlso I think there is a vacuum motor under the fridge, I can just yank that out? I think I will go another rout on vacuuming.And yet another question. What does the Power Switch do and does this need to be updated? I will not be doing any electrical until the engine has been taken care of but thought I would ask. THAT IS YOUR ATS (AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCH. IT SWITCHES 120 VAC BETWEEN SHORE POWER AND GENERATOR. IF IT WORKS, KEEP IT-- THEY LAST A LONG TIME UNLESS SWITCHED UNDER LOAD (I.E. SOMETHING LIKE THE ROOF A/C IS ON WHEN YOU CHANGE POWER SOURCES. Quote Selected
Re: Model 3000-Thoughts and Opinions Reply #41 – July 08, 2012, 03:39:59 pm Chug, glad things are progressing. When you go to Cummins, OKC, take your check book. I did not have much luck with them when I had my 93, U225. I guess they are OK for changing fluids but the really stuck me for the repairs to my exhaust system and PAC Brake and my imagined cooling problems. You can expect to spend over $1,000 for all of the fluids at Cummins. I would suggest Speedco, http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CF4QFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kudzu.com%2Fm%2FSpeedco-Truck-Lube-2902938&ei=it75T8foDsnd6wH9vojYBg&usg=AFQjCNGP0tBV08pGc9yGz24QDGWDIs65eA&sig2=a9xQwPRMTeNFJsPPr0Yggg. I haven't used them personally but I know several other forum members have used them and liked the results.Regarding the furnace, it probably would be a good idea to have a trained technician check to make sure the heat exchanger has no holes but I have no concerns running my two gas furnaces on my 93. I don't recongnize the red button but it looks like a 12V breaker. The Power Switch under the bed is what controls the source of the110V power in the coach. It is simply a switch that allows only one 110V/220V source. You can get power from either an outside source via the long wire you would plug into a power post at a campground or from you generator, I don't think your coach has an inverter. It decides what power source to use if AC power is available. You would not want both your generator and an exterior power source feeding electricity to your coach at the same time. I have dealt with Lee's in Edmund before. I was very satisfied with their service. I think it will be much better than McClain's. I am presuming that they moved out of the McClain facility. I see no reason you can't remove the vacuum. We use a Oreck and love it. Be sure to close off the exhaust hole from the central vac to the bay. You don't want critters getting into the interior of the coach that way. Quote Selected
Topic: Model 3000-Thoughts and Opinions