dickandlois

Ray, think your on the right track. This type of lamp does generate a fair amount of heat and I have to think that the heat over time and the type of socket used with a spring type of center contact looses some of the intended tension over time. due to the heat they are exposed to over time. Rich. You might try replacing a couple of the sockets and see if the lights with new sockets work better then the ones you have not changed out. You might just try to bend the center contact to increase the contact pressure, but if the spring tension drops due to the spring characteristics being altered do to temperature you should be able to tell with in a short period of time. Rich.

rwitt, Are you using incandescent bulbs or LED's . Just wondering, but my first thought is the small spring connection that keeps pressure on the center connection of the bulb. If the lamps are halogen stile, then there could be some carbon build up in the socket. They can be cleaned with a small emery board, like the ones user to file finger nails. Rich.

Five, Have to agree with you regarding the 4in.by 4in. chocks. The ones I have are like 8in. by 8in. that I found and much heavier. Thing is that as long as the air system check goes well and the fact that with the rear parking brake engaged do not worry to much. Parking in some locations where the coach is on a grade, then adding the wheel chocks is always done. Just got to remember not to jack the wheels off the ground Though ! Joe, thanks for your added points regarding the possibility of slow air leaks and how to spot them! Rich.

Just took the time to read this thread regarding Wheel chocks. I always keep a set in the coach. The main reason is to check the air break system on the current Diesel coach. To do a proper test, one must park on a level surface. SET the air brakes. Place the chocks in front and behind one set of duels. Release the parking break and make sure the coach does not move. Then you can shut down the engine, start pumping the break peddle. When the air pressure drops to apx. 65 lbs. the low air alarm should sound. Continue to press and release the brake pedal. At around 40 psi the Yellow park brake button should pop out and apply the park brakes. This is a test that needs to be performed in MHO twice a year for all coaches with air breaks. Regarding chocks for the gas power coaches. I owned them also and always made use of them with chassis with drive shaft parking brakes and No transmission parking brake palls. A coach is almost impossible to stop if it starts to move when you are not behind the steering wheel !!!!!! Rich. I use the large plastic ones as they are tough and light weight.

Doug, Welcome to the FMCA Forum! The sound you are hearing is most likely from the city water inlet flapper / check valve. You can probably hear it out side where the hose connects to the coach. The city water pressure is opening as it supplements the on board water as the pump pressure fluctuates. Turn off the outside supply and it should go away and allow you to only us water from the fresh water tank, if you are trying to us up that source of water. Rich.

SLSettles, Welcome to the FMCA Forum! Reading over your post, with the refrigerator requiring 170 watts of power and the inverter is putting out 1000 watts. You have 10+ times the power requirement available. That being the case there should be plenty of power to run a microwave for short periods of time with the batteries charged. The Item you mentioned regarding the problem when the discharged to 65% and starting the generator you still got an error code is due to limited charging current of the current inverter / charger. Remember the charger / inverter is rated at 1000 watts, but the charger portion current capabilities are not able to keep up with demand under high loads until the batteries are charged to a level where they can supplement the power needed under a heavy load. The 2000 watt inverter would have a higher DC changing current and this fact reduces the chances of reaching the overload point you experience. A 2000 watt inverter will generate an overload code at the same battery voltage or the 65% point as the 1000 watt unit does. So investing in a newer unit will help, but will still have the same maximum house battery AH level to work with. Rich. Question. does your inverter have a 120 volt bypass that enables you to run the items you want when the inverter function is turned off allowing the unit to charge the batteries only while running the generator?

Bob, Welcome to the forum ! Take a look at this link and see if anything matches what you need. Profiles and size information would be helpful in finding a proper match. http://www.cleanseal.com/products.html You might be able to contact the coach builder and see if they have information on file. Rich.

Thanks for the update and information! Never owned a large boat of any kind, answers the question regarding the alternator and GEL cells. Rich.

The question just came up regarding replacing the coach batteries with GEL cell and still charging Wet cell batteries from a Inverter / Charger. NOW! this leads to another issue: If one replaces the chassis wet cell(s) with GEL cells, what changes need to be made to the engine alternator to properly charge them? I have no clue at this time, but think it is an item that requires more research. I refer this to as opening, Pandora's Box!!! Thinking to water got muddied up some! Rich.

Cleaning the contacts will work just fine ! The cause is connection or disconnecting the shore cable to the riser before turning off the power breaker(s) or turning off all the system loads(AC units) are the main load(s).. The ATS relay contacts can also be damaged by equipment left on and you can cause damage to the generator circuit breaks when equipment is not power off before connecting to a large load. Rich.

Brett, Good point about the wire powering the lights or any other circuits when they are mounted on the slide(s). Common practice is to have a good sized loop in the wiring that expands and retracts with side motion. A wire that can be easily compromised while working under the slides. Rich.

The alarms are sounding because there is no air pressure. The coach starter uses 12 volts DC. There could be enough charge to power the alarm system, but not enough voltage to power the starter. First check the battery charge. Voltage needs to be 12.5. Most likely over a 6 Month period if not connected to shore power they are discharged. The second issue could be the batteries are low on water if they are wet cells. If this is the case, the batteries are going to need to be replaced. Do you have a meter to check the battery charge? Might want to check all the fluid levels before starting the engine. Oil being on top - then coolant and power steering fluid.Idle engine long enough to build up air pressure and run a complete test of the air brake and air ride system and pressure readings on the gauges and air ride for any air leaks. Then go onto the tire pressures, wet hubs if the coach is equipped with them and you might want to have someone check the differential oil levels and or any of the items you do not feel comfortable doing yourself. Rich.

Tim, I looked for some information on your coach and could only find units that are 30 to 32 ft. and not the Open Road series. You could contact Tiffin at 1-256-356-8661 there main number or 256-356-0261 for parts and service. No 800 number listed ! Might ask them what the ATS part number is and if they have had problems that match you issue. Rich.

Well done!!! Thanks! From the number of guest online at the time, it looks like the up date stirred the pot! LOL Rich.

Tom, Well written as mentioned ! One item not listed in the Alternator service, was the condition of the bearings. I'm sure he checked the bearings. No mention that they where replaced or checked in your write up though.. As they say, the devil is in the details. Always enjoy reading you entries. I do get to them, all be it a little tardy most of the time. LOL Rich.

Will you be including the line(s) on the bottom of the index page that lists the members and others looking at the different subject lines ? Rich.

Squiko, Welcome to the FMCA Forum Benny! Feel free to fire away! You are on a learning curve that every coach owner started at some point and all of us are still learning. LOL Rich.

trishw, You looked at the difference in the roiling resistance between the XZE and the XZA3 tires. What the information means is one should get a little better fuel mileage with the XZA3 tires. The Technical information can be kind of overwhelming the first time you start looking for replacement tires. That is one of the reasons the forum tries real hard to help members! The group wants to help people just getting started get and find useful information and answer any and all questions. The site also offers this information when you click on the different tabs. http://www.michelintruck.com/tires-and-retreads/selector/#!/info/x-line-energy-z Welcome to the learning curve that everyone of us are still on, because things just keep changing. LOL Rich.

You might find some information on inventory from this link, give them a call. (888) 410-0604 http://simpletire.com/about Need to know the size and always ask about build date. Not sure they offer the best price, but never hurts to ask and see where the tires might be sitting in stock. Rich.

Blake, Nice offer Regarding the shocks. Could you post the chassis your coach is built on for the group? Makes it easier for others to compare their chassis info. with your 2005 Monaco. Sometimes they change part numbers over the years! Rich.

There is a file on the power gear sight that pictures the motor lock and how it should work. The Side should come in square! If the slide is square to the side wall, then there is an issue - possibly some thing between the front inside wall restricting the slide in that corner. You might move the slide out and just a little and measure all four corner distances from the outside wall and the slide wall that seals to the main wall. Any difference could indicate an out of adjustment issue. The rug could be loose from the floor and is restricting the front from complacently sealing. Look for the simple things before planing a slide adjustment. Keep the group up to speed on your issue! Rich.

Jim, Welcome to the Forum! The key is to know if your number one cylinder is at the top of the compression stroke or in the exhaust position. It needs to be in the compression stroke !!!!! Both the intake and exhaust valves will be closed. Make sure that no material falls into the cylinder when the plug(s) is removed. A good garage will have a inspection camera that can be inserted in to the cylinder through the spark plug hole an see if the cylinder(number one) is at top dead center on the compression cycle. All the plug wires need to be in the proper order as they run between the distributor cap and the plugs!!!!! Reinstalling the distributor and getting the oil pump drive shaft and the distributor shaft aligned can be challenging!!! NOTE: There is a plastic sleeve that keeps the two shafts connected. Plastic sleeves tend to brake and the replacement one is steel. You might need help from a good mechanic on this one. Good luck Rich.

rfsod48, Welding is always the best way as mentioned. I have not welded a hole in this style hydraulic tank. The key is to work with a clean surface. I use a power hand held wire brush, then check the thickness of the material around the mentioned hole. The material thickness is key to setting the welder to the proper current and voltage. A good welding shop should have no problem getting a good fix. I use a gas shielded mig to fill holes in many items. Rich. Note. I have used JB Weld sticks to repair a number of items when on the road until the coach is back home.

ObedB If you have the power gear electric slide system, Check the electric motor locking device is working. It keeps the motor locked so the gears do not move. The gearing ratio is like 50 to 1 to get the power required to move the slides and this also makes for a good breaking system to keep the slides locked in position. Rich.

baileysmom, Buy Simple Green Extreme!! It is made to clean aluminium and the Radiator and CAC are made from aluminium. I have found the 32oz. sized spray bottles at Pep Boy's. The gallon size is often a special order item . Need to mix 1 part extreme to 3 parts water to clean grease off engine and radiator. The Extreme version is FAA approved so an aircraft service center might stock the Gallon size. The bottom left corner - looking from the engine side of the fan is the hardest area to get clean because of the pitch angle of the fan blade. Please WEAR EYE PROTECTION when working the the cleaner !!!!!! Rich.