Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Brand New Replica HWH Plungers (Read 13082 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #20 –
I paid $109 for a single solenoid last summer at HWH ! 

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #21 –
Greetings from Replica Plunger HQ.  I have some good news, and some not so good news.

Good news: Tom McCloud (my contact at NewellGurus) kindly offered to sell me a "sample" kit from his private stash.  After his first group buy, he held back a couple kits for his own future use.  Now, since he is going to place another order, he is willing to part with one kit.  I will receive the kit in our Monday mail.  I will take (and post) a bunch of hi-res photos, and examine the parts to the best of my ability.  I will even pull one of my freshly rebuilt valves apart, and remove the old plunger, so I can physically compare the two.  We both feel it will ease the minds of those placing orders, to have someone on our Forum actually "see" the contents of the kit.

Not so good news:  Going in, I had no idea this offer would elicit such a hearty response!  I figured 20-25 kits, at the most.  Well, (as of this morning) I now have 29 "customers" on my list, with a total order for 63 kits.  My agreement with Tom was that I would pay him in advance for the total cost of our orders, before he ships them to me.  Then, I will recover my "investment" from our members, before we mail out the boxes.  This means (as of this morning) that I will have to come up with $6300 cash before I will receive our kits.  This is pushing my resources to the limit.

As a result, I have no choice but to give notice that the "order window" for our Forum will close at midnight tonight.

There is a lot of trust involved in this whole deal.  Tom McCloud is taking my word that I will purchase the kits we order from him.  He is putting up his personal money to place the order with the plunger manufacturer.  I am trusting him to send me the kits we ordered, after I send him my cash.  And you, the Forum members, are placing a great deal of trust in me - taking my word that you will actually get the kits you ordered when you pay me.  Plus, of course, I am trusting you all to take the kits you ordered (but I'm not worried in the least about that part).

This will end up being a lot of work for Jeannie and I, because she will be helping me with mailing out all the boxes when the time comes.  I want to reiterate that I am not making a penny on this deal - I will only charge you my cost for the kits ($100), plus shipping expenses.

I hope everyone understands my position, and why I need to "close the order window" with such short notice.

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #22 –
Chuck,

So these kits should be compatible with all Foretravels regardless of the year?

Jim

2002 U320

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #23 –
Jim,

I cannot guarantee compatibility with all years/models, because I have not examined the valves on all those coaches.  If the factory replacement HWH valve for your system would be a RAP1940, then these plungers should fit.  If the valves on your coach look like those in the photos below, then these plungers should fit.  That's all I can tell you.

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #24 –
Sent a pm from my phone but appears to have gone as an email I think.  Thank you for doing this.

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #25 –
Now, if I could come up with a manifold to rebuild, then swap out on the FT with one trip under .

Thanks for putting this together!

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #26 –
Quote from: toyman –
Now, if I could come up with a manifold to rebuild, then swap out on the FT with one trip under .
Check around with the big RV recycling companies.  It is my impression that these HWH manifolds are found on several brands of diesel pusher motorhomes.  You might get lucky and find some good used manifolds for sale!

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #27 –
Chuck,

I have a kit (O rings only, for six solenoids) for my 2002 coach that was provided to my by the HWH tech in Moscow - the number is RAP6554. Hum...I wonder if it is the same as you are getting?

So I called HWH parts dept. today to ask about the years and part numbers. The lady said they are all the same for ALL years of Foretravels including the tag axle:

The RAP1940 is for 1 complete solenoid for $109.00 each.

The RAP6554 is the 12 piece O-ring kit (2 O-rings for each solenoid for a 6    pack) for $8.00.

Jim

2002 U320

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #28 –
The kit offered via Chuck addresses all the Orings and plunger seals.

The HWH Orings kit is for 2/3s of the Orings and no plunger seals.

If had not already ordered these from an previous offering, I would do so now.  Something to give serious consideration to.

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #29 –
Quote from: Rudy –
If I had not already ordered these from an previous offering, I would do so now.
Rudy,

Thanks for the input.  Tom McCloud mentioned to me that you are well-known and highly respected on the NewellGurus forum.

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #30 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
Jimmy, I do not know of any other way to say this except "So, what if we are left with a bunch of plungers as I doubt we will need to do the exchange again anyway, and at this price just think of the money saved compared to what it would have been had Chuck not got us this deal"?
A lot of owners think nothing of paying a mechanic $120 and hour to change their oil etc, so think of the positive side of it all. Money saved for once ^.^d
JohnH

I agree and have ordered two sets , I just hate to throw anything away

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #31 –
Quote from: Rudy –
The kit offered via Chuck addresses all the Orings and plunger seals.

Not just the plunger seals, but the entire plunger plus new springs.  Enough for all 6 valves for less than the price of 1 replacement valve.

Over time, the plastic seat on the plunger will take an imprint of the metal mating piece. 

Jerry Whiteaker successfully remachined one of his on a lathe, Jim McNeece found similar plungers (slightly smaller diameter plastic seat) which Chuck found have a current price of $20/per plunger (or more for 6 than this kit which includes O-rings plus springs for 6).

Thank you Chuck for finding this! 

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #32 –
In case you missed my "Rebuild" thread, this is the condition of the 6 plungers from my front 6-pack manifold (after 23 years of faithful service).  You can see that these appear identical to the one being offered in these kits.  (see the photos in my initial post)

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #33 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Steve,

That plunger looks markedly different from the ones in my valves. 

Actually, that was me, Michelle, who posted.

Just an example of how HWH valve seats "take a set", not necessarily the same valves.  I didn't mean to confuse, just to show that the plastic seats do "age out".  I've since deleted my photo to avoid causing more confusion.  Doug's photo below of the actual plunger shows the issue even better (and on the same part).

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #34 –
Another picture of a disassembled HWH Air Solenoid p/n RAP1940

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #35 –
I just advised Tom that we were now at a total order of 91 kits (546 plungers).  He sounded kinda shocked, and said I need to hold off on taking any more orders until he gets a new price quote and revised lead time.  I'm not sure what that is about...

If any more orders come in between now and midnight (my previously announced cutoff), I will have to put them on a temporary hold until I hear back from Tom.  I will keep you advised as soon as I know more.

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #36 –
Hey Chuck that sounds like you may get a better deal! Usually when volume goes up the price comes down- unless they cannot handle that volume and back out??
JohnH

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #37 –
Yes, John, I think the greatly increased volume of orders is the concern.  I now have 45 "customers" on my list, with 96 kits on order.  I was keeping Tom apprised of the order numbers as we went along, but they suddenly shot WAY up yesterday.  Since he has to front the entire cost of the combined orders from both forums out of his pocket, he is feeling the same financial pressure that I am.  I have assured him that our forum (which means...ME) will step up and take all the kits we ordered, and that he won't get stuck "holding the bag".

Tom contacted me late yesterday evening, and said he needs to check with his supplier on Monday.  Until then, the order list is "locked".

As of today, no more orders will be accepted from our Forum.

I don't think we need to worry.  If we all stick together, I am confident that this deal can go through.  I will immediately post here any updates as I get them from Tom. 

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #38 –
May I suggest you open a Paypal account and we pay the fees in advance (plus the 3% Paypal fee). Those that don't have an account and don't want to open one should send you a check in advance.
I am happy to do either

Re: BRAND NEW REPLICA HWH PLUNGERS! All Members Please Read!

Reply #39 –
X1