DRicketts
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Posts posted by DRicketts
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For 13 years in the Endeavor, the inverter/converter was never turned off, (even though the inverter function could be shut down independently). Never a problem. BUT, the manual on my new inverter in my new coach says to leave it off if it is not needed. So that's what I do. It's ON most of the time when shore power is not available (driving down the road & dry camping) to power the ac only residential refrigerator, otherwise it's off..
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Thanks to Jeff Miller and his crew at Jordan Ford in Mishawaka, IN, I made it to my Frustrated Maestro pre-rally on time. A leaking Power Steering hose had me stopped for awhile, but Jeff made a real special effort to have the replacement hose express shipped in and got me back on the road in good time. If you need Ford service in the Elkhart/South Bend area, I can recommend this dealer without reservation.
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When I first read the instructions for using the Michelin Advantage Program I thought it would be a little complicated to wade through, but that was not the case. It was a breeze and the tires provide a great ride.
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After re-reading your original post, I doubt that the door sensor is at fault since the steps do respond to door opening and closing. More likely in the ignition switch circuitry or the brain board - just my guess.
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I use M/S Excel and keep a spreadsheet with all of the pertinent information. I now have 10 years worth of trips logged this way. I also use Street Atlas USA, save my GPS tracks and place a red flag, with date, at each overnight (or longer) stop. I've been keeping this map since 1997 when I first started using the GPS. It works for me. We aren't full timers, but we have logged 150K miles in an RV since '97.
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Be sure and check the sensor on the door................
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My coach is 10 years old. I have had two fogged windows, (driver's side and door) and both were pretty definitely caused by too much pressure from a high pressure washer, concentrated at the wrong spot for too much time. I discovered Water droplets between the panes immediately after this wash job. They were repaired 3 years ago by Sun Coast Designers in Hudson, FL and are holding up very well.
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For 8 years, I put up with intermittent operation of my Thetford, 2 button, electric toilet. Sometimes, it would not seal, it would not open, it would not close. I could clean and adjust and it may work for two or three flushes and at best a week. A couple of times I almost replaced it with a manual one. I cleaned, lubricated (with the recommended lubricant) and followed the recommendations from the "experts". It has been 8 months since I liberally lubricated the gasket and slide with vaseline and the valve and toilet have worked flawlessly since that day.
Just saying!
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Planocat:
My family situation is very similar to yours. While all 3 of my kids earn a decent living for their famiies, I don't see any of them in anything more costly than a pop up, if that. They all enjoy camping and the RV life style, but a nice RV, especially a motor home will probably never fit into their budgets.
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Having read several comments concerning FlyingJ/Pilot fueler program (lots of negativity) I decided to comment. We have been traveling since May 1st and have fueled exclusively at FJ and Pilot. Happy to report that each time I inserted our FJ card at the truck pump it was intantly approved with directions to fuel and pay inside. The part that is great is we get "cash" price plus 3cents off of cash price. Worked every time, hassel free. Thanks FJ and Pilot
Jim
Ditto! Maybe we have just been fortunate enough to stop at the right stations, even with the old RV card which was replaced with a new one at the Perry Convention.
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Here we go again. My mail just caught up with me and lo and behold, another Norcold Recall. When does it end? Surely they will get it right eventually. But that is what I thought about the last recall. This reefer is less than a year old....
UPDATE: Received word from Norcold, yesterday via the servicing dealer. Turns out that the last recall did take care of this one. The notice was sent in error and my reefer is good to go. Sometimes the news ain't so bad.
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Well so far I have received one PM with actual corner loads. Since I am presenting a seminar "Tire Basics for RV Owner" at Madison, WI Convention, I would really like some data from FMCA members and not have to depend on the other club members to provide actual data.
I am sure there must be a few here who have had their coach weighed by RVSEF at a convention sometime.
Here is another class A coach for you:
LF - 5150, RF - 5050 = 10,200 Lbs (Front GAWR rating - 12000 lbs)
LR - 9375, RR - 9350 = 18,725 Lbs. (Rear GAWR rating - 20000 lbs)
(GVWR - 32000 lbs.)
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The most disappointing fact about this Norcold recall is that they can't seem to find the end of it. I purchased a brand new model 1210IM in July, 2010 and it was included in the recall in September. I had to wait 3 weeks for the parts to arrive. The fix only required 30 minutes, but needed a second trip because the tech had accidently pulled the ac input lead off of the main control board. So it's a good idea to check operation in all modes before leaving the repair facility. The original reefer failed at age 7 years, 4 months after the original recall was performed on it.
Here we go again. My mail just caught up with me and lo and behold, another Norcold Recall. When does it end? Surely they will get it right eventually. But that is what I thought about the last recall. This reefer is less than a year old....
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My bay heater also failed at the beginning of this winter. After determining that the problem was with the internal elctronics and not the thermostat or heater element, I removed the internal circuit board and straight wired the heater so that it operates whenever the manual "system heat" switch is on, with the thermostat determining when it is actually in operation. Now that I've survived the winter with this setup, I may replace the heater or refine the operation where the fan will run anytime the manual switch is on.
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Starting in 1972, we have had 2 pop-up campers, 3 fifth wheel RVs, and 3 motor homes, non of which were "cost-effective", but the memories we have and the friends we have made are priceless. 49 states and too many FMCA area rallies and national conventions to count, we will continue this life style as long as our health permits.
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I use the SMI vacuum system in my 2009 CR-V and have had no problems (15000 towed miles). I am careful to apply the Honda brakes 3 or 4 times after turning off the engine to bring the vacuum level down to SMI level (11 inHg).
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The most disappointing fact about this Norcold recall is that they can't seem to find the end of it. I purchased a brand new model 1210IM in July, 2010 and it was included in the recall in September. I had to wait 3 weeks for the parts to arrive. The fix only required 30 minutes, but needed a second trip because the tech had accidently pulled the ac input lead off of the main control board. So it's a good idea to check operation in all modes before leaving the repair facility. The original reefer failed at age 7 years, 4 months after the original recall was performed on it.
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I just replaced my 7 year old house batteries. Not because they were bad, but because of the age and the fear that if/when they fail, they could take the charger/inverter with them. These batteries still had normal specific gravity and voltage readings and had never had anything but distilled water added to them. Nor had they ever been overcharged or completely discharged and were always kept clean. They very possibly could have lasted another two or three years, but I just figured that 7 years was long enough and they were beginning to require water more often. That is a sure sign of more charge current. My chassis batteries are the same age and I plan to use them as long as they pass my monthly checks (specific gravity and voltage).
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My PT50 is hardwired in line and has been for 7 years and I can't tell you how many times and how many ways it has protected me. It gets a little irritating when it shuts the power down, but when it does there is usually an error code to tell you the reason.
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I just had my two cloudy windows repaired at SunCoast Designers in Hudson, FL and I can only echo the good things I have heard about them. It did take a day longer than anticipated because of the rain and the on rush of RV's immediately following the SEA rally at Brooksville, but the job was done and apparently done very well. The price - just as quoted $250 for the drivers side and $200 for the other one. $450 + tax. Sure beats the replacement cost.
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James M. Moore JrUSN- USNR
USN -^ July 1961- 30 Sept 1973 enlisted e-1 to e-7 Chief Petty officer commissarymen
USNR commissioned 30 Sept 1973- to sept 1984 Lt
enlisted belly robber (ommissrymen cook- baker-butcher)
commissioned - Comphibron 10 staff- ops dept - USS Mamitowoc LST 1180 CIC- JOOD-Legal officer, Personnel officer- postal officer, electronics Officer, SLJO.
My primary job on staff and on the Manny was putting Marines on the beach-- Ole Navy saying " you can always tell a marine- but you can't tell them much"
I was on the AF-10 Aldebran and got shot at in Bayrute Lebanon in 1962- I was a cook then and some turkey was shooting at our ship from a hotel. we shot back with a 5"
Only Major ops was the Oct war 1973. the staff which se up the clearing of the Suez cannal.
I retired from Charleston Naval Ship Yard Jan 1995 highest grade gs-12 health physics (rad contols)
I retired as a nuclear engineer GS-11 (pro pay) more moneythan a gs 11 hp
In the ship yard I worked on all the types of Navy ships from carrier to admerals gigs, Nuclear subs, battle ships ( Iowa- NJ ), deep divers and hydofoil, engine rooms - deep tanks to the flight decks and the yard arms. nuclear reactors to turbines and recipracating steam engines.
I could tell you more but then I'd have to kill ya. LOL Uncle sam sent me to a lot of schools and paid me well to go. learned a lot.
Were we on the COMPHIBRON 10 Staff together? I was the Leading Chief, (SEA) on staff from the summer of 1973 until the staff was dis-established. I relieved Master Chief McBride as leading RM. I remember the Suez canal operation very well.
Dave Ricketts
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Thanks to all our veterens for your service.
1. David Ricketts
2. US Navy
3. 20 years, 1957-1977
4. RMCS (Senior Chief Radioman)
5. Telecommunications and Communications Security
6. Radioman "B" school instructor, NSA Danang, Carriers (Saratoga and America), Amphibious Forces (TACRON 21 and COMPHIBRON 10), Naval Security Group.
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I too have a cloudy, thermal pain window. It is the drivers side window. My coach is a 2003 H/R Endeavor. I first noticed water on the inside of this window after having the coach pressure washed. At that time, it was only water running down the inside between the glass. We have several glass companies here in Chattanooga and I will attempt to get it repaired locally. I'll keep you "posted" on my results.
Dave
Running Into Things
in Type A motorhomes
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Not entirely my fault: Winding my way out of a campground on a narrow, winding, gravel road with lots of trees on each side. Made it without incident, but just as I made it to the public street I heard the crunch. The 5' tall outside kitchen door had come open and caught the last tree on that side for miles to come. My speed, according GPS track, was 7 MPH, but even at that speed the door was ripped off cleanly with only a sliver of metal holding the rear hinge. I know the door was closed completely and locked and had not been opened anytime since leaving home (200 + miles). I examined the latch and discovered that there was only 1/10th of an inch of latch keeping that door closed - this is evident from the wear pattern on the latching mechanism. I have since checked all of the basement latches and most show a wear pattern much bigger than 1/10th inch and I adjusted those that needed it. .
If you have one of these outdoor kitchens, I would advise an inspection and adjustment of the latch, if needed, so that it doesn't have a "hair" trigger. It might save you $4500 or worse, a real tragedy if it should come open out in traffic.