eric@babin.com

Time for the heavy lifting!

Skid steer (Bobcat) rental on the way - Landscaping starts tomorrow. Crushed granite and flagstone has been delivered. It's going to be a fun week! Here is a few "before" pictures.

Just got back from our event in New Orleans "Pardi-Gras". We've got about 11 days before we have to be in Marble Falls for "Lone Star Luau". The major stuff is almost done..... only the metal roof needs to be put on.... then we'll star landscaping and making it 'pretty' after we get back from Lone Star Luau. Here are the latest pics:

Is it possible over fill would cause 1 zone to not flow?

I don't know for sure they did anything.... but I do know it's not a valve you manually close because it was working shortly after the service. I did what was suggested above.... and..... one hose warm, other hose clearly NOT warm. I tapped, then whapped, and finally WACKED what I believe was the check valve attached to the cool hose.... no luck. Still not working.... Looking at the picture below.... the metal thing just left of the center hose with a hex bolt looking thing on top is the check valve? Is the plastic square thingy under and to the right of the center hose..... is that a little 12v pump? I tapped on that too.... no luck.... still doesn't work.

Yep... I'll give that a shot... I did take a quick look at it last month and the problem was when I take the cover off it disconnects the power via a sensor... I guess I could tape it down so it thinks the cover is on.... also, the **** thing is in there sideways.... tough to squeeze in. But, I'll give it a shot. Also.... Since we had it serviced and working in October we did run it every couple of weeks. Good info.... I'm just not sure why the level is so high.... since it was recently serviced... (October)… maybe when they did the service they filled to "hot" line while cold? No diesel smell so that is good. I'll take a look inside the panel next week.

Coach: 2014 Itasca Ellipse 42QD - All electric Aqua Hot 450D I had my Aqua Hot serviced in October, had never used it prior to that. (I bought coach used in May). All zones worked when we first used it in November, shortly after the service. In December I noticed Zone 1 was not heating, blowing only cold air. (On mine, Zone 1 is the rear which is in main bathroom, and 1/2 bathroom) Zone 2, which is mid-coach, worked fine (and still does) I finally took a look after I noticed it appeared to leak under the coach under the AquaHot location from time to time. Yes, I see now when 'hot' it is overfull. (see pictures). Here is my thought, but I know nothing about Aqua Hot.... I think MAYBE the Zone 1 piping liquid is all in the tank, and not in the pipes..... maybe a stuck check valve prevents the liquid from getting back into the piping to circulate????? You can see in the below pictures the aqua hot reservoir is full to the top, and leaking out the overflow tube.

So my Lippert auto levelers on 2014 Winnebago / Itasca Ellipse 42QD were making a popping noise once it's complete with it's cycle.... and afterwards during regular sitting / level. After some research I found out it is something common in levelers and it's called "stiction". I was already working with Lippert on another issue I had so I asked about this "stiction" thing.... David at LCI Customer Service was very helpful. ( customerservice@lci1.com). Here is the fix: CCD_0002091.pdf David recommended the "Fork Oil" of the three listed on the PDF. (Fig. 2) I did as directed... so far, so good. Just in case the PDF doesn't load... here are pictures of what is included with the PDF.

Coach: 2014 Itasca Ellipse 42qd So, one night our dog decides to look out the window next to the passenger seat while we are at an event. Guess what is on the ledge right under that window? The power lock button for the door. Yep.... We normally lock our door with the top lock key.... the bottom lock is the one that the power lock controls... so, we have no key to that lock outside the coach.... We are LOCKED OUT! We call a locksmith and he comes out.... knows nothing about RVs... and we are tired and need in our RV. (it's 2am)…… So, he destroys the bottom lock (see picture below)….. and we get the pleasure of paying him $120 as a "thank you" for doing that. But, we do get into the coach. I make a call to Winnebago and it just so happens they don't sell just the part the guy destroyed... I have to purchase the entire door handle assembly.... I think it was $260 give or take a few bucks... It was a pretty easy install.... it took me a couple of hours but I think now that I've done one... I could do it again in about 30 minutes. Be sure to remember the order in which you disassemble... this will be helpful as you put it back together.... Point of contact at Winnebago: Chris A. Andersen caandersen@winnebagoind.com Image 0501: original assembly... the one the locksmith destroyed image 0513: backside of door handle assembly image 0516: inside of door after inside door handle removed image 0520: new door handle assembly with part number image 0521 edge of door at the height of door handle you'll find a round plastic cap... you must remove this plastic cap and unscrew the 7/16 bolt to remove the inside door handle assembly image 0523: part numbers for what I had ordered image 0525: IT'S FIXED! Last image: The guilty dog! Lessons learned: 1- Never forget, if you have FMCA roadside assistance it has lock out assistance.... I bet if I had remembered that I would have gotten someone that knows about RVS. 2- Maybe this should be #1..... Always keep extra keys for every lock hidden somewhere. 3- Fixing stuff yourself is very satisfying... but, I think I'd be more satisfied if this mistake didn't cost me about $400 in locksmith and parts! Guess who has extra keys for the coach in his Jeep, hidden outside coach, and with friends????? THIS GUY!

We will be here Wednesday.... just remember... we're LIVE on air starting at noon for about an hour, sometimes a little more. If anyone wants to tune in you can stream it on www.RadioTropRock.com or our free smart phone applications. If you are tech savvy then I'll tell you we're also available on Streema, Tune In, and Radio.net

The "membrane" is down... next step... metal roof!

4 inches of rain and pea size hail last night.... would have been nice to have been able to park under it last night.... but they were here early in the morning to finish the framing... / Next up metal roof and electrical.... then paint.... estimated completion... Jan 11.

So close... but nope... Here is where we stand as of now.... next crew will be in on December 26th..... Why won't they work on Christmas? Just kidding... Merry Christmas!!!!

No worries! It's all good info / chat. I'm told by our contractor more work will be done today! Here's hoping! May have more pictures of the project before Christmas!

Sorry we didn't get a chance to visit longer..... we stay pretty busy even though we are "retired". The property is actually owned by the inlaws…. I'm not sure they understand the whole "RV community" thing.... If we owned it the answer would be yes... but as mentioned.... also it's only 3 acres and it's a circle drive... if you get off the drive, you will sink pretty quick... unfortunately I know from experience.

Progress as of today..... framing ALMOST done! Next I'd assume is the roof!

We stopped by TCC this morning to drop off a couple Christmas CDs our radio station produced last year..... just a "Merry Christmas" thank you type of gift.

We are about 6 miles from Texas Custom Coach.... take 1283 at the post office near TCC for about 6 miles.... We're about a block from Hill Country Elementary.

Replaced the hex plug today.... It appears to have fixed the leak.... See the attached photos of the old and the new..... one thing of note.... the new ones have some sort of black coating on them making it difficult to get the allen wrench to fit easily.... You can see the damaged o-ring on the old one. (btw- there is just one.... I got 2 new ones so i'd have a spare. )

We're actually parked on a different part of the drive while they build the RV cover.... so, the drips will be here.... but, since it's caliche (gravel) is seems to soak in pretty good... probably no permanent "damage". Kind of like when you get a new pick up.... just go back to the truck bed and put a nice big scratch in it with your key.... then you don't have to worry about scratching it later... the stress is gone.

Here is our Lippert reply: **** Hi Eric, there is a O-ring on the plug. We do not have replacements but do have the plug with O-ring part number 140998 @ $2.95 and can be ordered at this link https://store.lci1.com/6408-hhp-04-o-ring-adapter-hex-plugThank you,David BiceLippert Components **** Here is my order: (look at price of shipping a little hex plug) (I ordered two so I have a spare) **** 1/4" Hydraulic Fitting - Hex Plug (6408-04) SKU: 140998 BU-039 2 $5.90 Subtotal $5.90 Shipping & Handling $18.67 Tax $1.66 Grand Total $26.23 **** I'll post once it replace the part and let you know if it fixed it.

Today's picture update:

2014 Itasca (Winnebago) Ellipse (tour) Lippert components leveling / LCI See below I've got a leak. It only leaks during the time with the levelers are extending or retracting. It's obvious it's leaking right out of the brass fitting / and or the hex plug fitting. My question is this: Is there a gasket or o-ring or something that may have failed causing the leak? When it first began to leak I did find the plug was a little loose. I tightened it up, but it still leaks. I'm sending this same inquiry to Lippert... but you guys are so smart... I thought you may be able to help.

I have no idea..... I hired a contractor to handle everything..... My guess is we don't have permits.... I could be wrong... but I think if you have permits you post them on property just in case of an inspector stops by. We have nothing posted. We are pretty far out in the country.... unsure if we are with any "city limits".

Thank you guys... all great suggestions.... we will be getting about 15 yards of crushed granite... may use that in some spots to prevent mess when it rains.... Here is today's picture update: (those 2x10s that are held up by other 2x10s... uh... ye, that is "scaffolding".