brianreed

I believe that the it was already starting to corrode which formed a slight leak and then the anitfreeze level for the heaters dropped a bit and over heated. The heat exchanger cracked and it ran all out.

I wanted to share my most recent journey in what to do to upgrade my inverter charger. This may be a little long so bear with me. I have a 2006 Newmar Mountain Air 4304 which we love. It has the original inverter a Magnum ME-2012 which is a modified sinewave inverter. We recently had a LED TV and a Samsung refrigerator go out while travelling. I am not 100% sure but think it is a result of power issues with my inverter. Last year while in Quartzsite I had issues where I kept getting AC overload faults and believe the inverter was damaged as switching between inverter and generator power would cause the fault. I was able to replace the Samsung residential refrigerator under full warranty so I want to make sure it does not happen again. Like I said I have the Magnum Energy ME-2012 inverter, with the remote, and the auto start generator module. I wanted to keep all these same functions and also add a newer monitor with an app on my pohone to see the latest information. I started my research with three options: 1. Get the latest Victron unit, with the new touch screen remote, and the bluetooth BMK. 2. Get the Xantrex freedom SW 3012, with new remote, and the Conext Combox for xantrex app for full system monitor 3. Get the newer Magnum MSH-3012 unit just do a software upgrade with my existing remote and AGS. There are advantages to all the systems, but ultimately decided to get the xantrex Freedom SW 3012, with the new remote, and the new Conext combox for system monitoring. I decided against the Victron because the inverter dimensions are so different and not sure how I was going to mount it. I believe the Victon was the least expensive and had a ton of features. I liked the idea of just getting the new Magnum hybrid as it was a direct replacement and I think all my current stuff would work, although may require a software upgrade. However the Magnum was the most expensive and did not offer the system monitor without adding even more costs. I was able to get all the newest Xantrex stuff and upgrade the ipad monitoring app for the same price as the new magnum inverter alone. I also decided to go with the 3000 watt as I have that residential refrigerator. That will require some wiring to be upgraded, but well worth the work and expense in my book. Just wanted to share my latest RV journey. I will share everything with the group once it is all in a operating. I have two other big projects before summer. 1. My DOmetic roof top AC Heatpump stopped cooling and heating a few months ago, I ordered the new unit and will get it installed soon. 2. This was the biggest thing, my Aquahot has gone out. The Diesel burner on the unit has a cracked heat exchanger and caused all the antifreeze to run out the exhaust pipe over the winter. I did a ton of research and called John Carillo at Heat My RV dot com. I am going to send him my unit and they will do a factory rebuild where they replace everything inside, he says 90% new. The cost is $6,000 for that service and another $1,500 to pull it out and reinstall at my local dealer. OUCH, but I have to do it. There is no cheaper option other than rolling the dice with a used unit which I do not want to risk. I will let everyone know how things turn out. Good thing I am not full time in my RV.

I know this is a thread that has not bee updated for some time, but thought I would share that a gentleman named Brent called me with the exact same issue last week. He found this thread and tracked me down, very nice FMCA community. I told him what I did and he told me he had his transfer switched replaced and it still did not fix it. I talked him through how I did my reset and how I have been running without incident for a year now. It is time to replace my inverter and I will either go with the Victron Multiplus or the Xantrex Freedom SW. Still doing my research, but one of those will be it. I suspect that once I replace my old Magnum ME2012 all of this will be behind me.

When I purchased my used 2006 Newmar Mountain Aire it had Diamond Shield on it looked horrible. Moldy and cracked. I called Diamond Shield and they said that older product did that, but their new does not and had me contact a dealer to get it removed and reinstalled. I was quoted $950 to remove the old and $1,200 to get new. I decided to have a local 3m dealer remove and I have left it that way. There are some chips but it is fine. I heard getting the front repainted was about $1,000 so I may do that at some point. I even took the time to get a new Vinyl decal made from the front to customize my front end a little. We put in the name of our Coach.

I have a 2006 Newmar Mountain Aire 4304 with 81,000 miles. I have the Toyo 144 tires that are 4 years old. I have been thinking about replacing my shocks as I do not know when they were last replaced. I see they are Bilsteins, but not sure which model. My coach is built on the Spartan chassis "Mountain Master" or something like that. Do you suggest I call Newmar or Spartan to figure out which shocks are on my coach. I also have noticed that most of the time I have to steer to the left in order to go straight, and on rare occasions I need to steer right to go straight. I think getting all six wheels aligned is a good idea. I usually do most service at Cummins (it has the ISL400) I think I will take it there to see if they do that alignment.

Thank you Richard for the reminder and yes I did read the warning and will heed them.

I also have an air leak in my front suspension. It takes a day or two for it to dump all the way down. The rear does not go down like the front. IT also builds air within minutes of starting the coach, and never drops so I suspect it is a very slow leak. I have not started to look for it, but I know I should.

I went to a place in Quartzsite, very nice guy. He looked at it and did the same reset I did with the exception that he also unplugged the remote control. This caused a full reset and was good. He then called magnum to see if his hypothesis was correct that I was leaving the inverter on and then starting the generator. I had been doing that and it was working so I suspect the "switch" of some kind that senses that has gone out. So I am just careful about turning off the inverter every time before I start the generator. Like Jim said above the fault was caused by the AC output of the inverter sensing some power on that output so it gives that BackFeed Fault. With the making sure the inverter is off each time everything seems to work, I will get it fixed once i get one.

I have a 2006 Newmar Mountain Aire 4304 with a Magnum inverter charger. I have had the coach for about a year and all has been working great. I am currently out at Skadden Wash in Quartzsite, AZ and tonight when I started my generator the Magnum control panel went into fault mode with a red light and a flashing power LED light and the screen shows "Backfeed Fault". I read the manual and also did some internet searches. It says to do a manual inverter reset which I did. It reset the fault and worked fine I could turn on the inverter and things will run fine. But when I switch the inverter off and power up the generator it goes right back to that "Backfeed Fault". I checked everything I could think of and there has been no changes to anything in the coach. I plan on heading into Quartzsite tomorrow as early as I can and find someone knowledgeable to tell me what is wrong. Any recommendations on who I should contact in Quartzsite? I am sure there are many different options, but was looking for someplace with a good reputation? If anyone wants to give me a call, 360-951-3550

Such a nice coach. I have an older Newmar 2006 and love it. When I roll into a park I get a ton of people think it is brand new. I cannot imagine when you roll in, they must think you are from the future!

FMCA called me about attending a recent rally and I sked about the plastic ladder mounts that I had seen. He said they had them in stock, I think it was $20 or so. They sent it out and a week later here it is. We joined early last year just because the message board had been so useful when we were looking for a coach.

We stayed at Candlestick RV Resort last summer. Was slightly better than a parking lot, but was FHU. I think it was expensive like $110 a night.

we have a 2006 Mountain Aire 4304 with the same issue. The manual states what other told us that the reset button is on a loose wire switch behind the passenger switches. I have removed the panel and there is a mess of wires there, but cannot find the switch. I gave up after the second attempt. Perhaps I will come across someone who has my exact same coach and can help me find it someday. We shall see.

Our steps already have the sand paper stuff on the steps. We just liked the covers it was so nice and smooth. We used them like a doormat. I do not miss them now though, so problem solved.

I have heard many people stay are Paradise lake near Bothell, WA. I have been there, it is OK. There may be some closer, but I am not aware of them.

This may not be the right crowd, but was wondering if anyone does the winter in Quartzite? I am going to run down there for some of the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous 2019 hosted by Bob Wells. Then doing Oberfest hosted by David Bott. Then doing 2 days at the RV tent show then heading back to Snohomish, WA where I live. Anyone else going to any of these?

Thought I would let everyone know what the issue was. I went to go lube the steps and saw that the step covers I installed last summer the bottom one has become unhinged at the bottom. I took that bottom cover off and they operated just fine. As far as I can tell it was hanging up on the arms somehow and causing the step to reverse back in and trying to open again with no luck, over and over again. They are very thin almost felt like steps covers that held on the bottom by springs. Cheap from Walmart. Totally a self caused problem!

Excellent advice. I will do both later today. Thanks so much, this is why I like FMCA so much and the only reason I initially purchased a membership because the forums were so helpful. I have since used the windshield replacement referral, as well as the Verizon deal. I am now signed up for like 3 years in advance. Perhaps I will be able to meet some people some day or even pay back the information by helping someone else.

I have a 2006 Newmar Mountain Aire 4304 which has the two entry steps that go out automatically when you open the door in order to get into the coach. There is a lockout button so when you are camping that it will remain out. It should work that when the coach is not running and the step is in automatic mode it remains retracted until the door is opened. However when door is open the step extends then should retract when the door is closed, but what is happening instead is that the step will continually open about half way then retract, then try and open again sometimes fully extends, then back retracted. All very quickly. When I push the lockout extend switch it does stay fully extended. Where should I start, is there a switch in the door or the step that I should find and check or damage?

I have read about this new service and currently using the Unlimited Verizon JetPack, but I run out of the 15gig quickly. This says it is unlimited every day of the month you pay for. Says it is 4G LTE speeds. Does anyone have any real world information? www.skyroam.com

I have a 2006 Newmar Mountain Aire 4304 on that Spartan chassis. I took it on our first long trip and from day 1 noticed that there was a "squeak" from the front area sounded like it was underneath the front end. I ruled out suspension, as well as steering as this never really effected the "squeak" I sounded more like the windshield was loose and wiggling, but as it happened we had our windshields replaced on the trip and the sound kept on. After checking everything in the front bay area I was at a loss. I thought I could actually feel the "squeek" in my foot when on the brake or throttle, but could not be sure, perhaps it was just a phantom feeling when I heard the "squeak". Then I was sitting in traffic and with my foot firmly on the brake and twisted a little which caused my foot to rotate and I heard the "squeak". With my foot firmly on the brake I shifted my foot side to side and was able to consistently reproduce the "squeak" while stopped. I have yet to address, as I went in the front bay to investigate only to see that the brake linkages are inside the cab. I will get at it soon.

I keep hearing people saying that it is 25gig a month. Mine is only 15gig a month, I even called because my "plan is "Beyond Unlimited" which is a cap 22gig at the high speeds, then slows down. However that 22 gig is across all devices in your plan and any hot spot is only 15gig no matter how much data you have in the "Beyond Unlimited". I was on the phone for three different calls trying to figure this out because my bill says "Beyond Unlimited" lol. I even paid the extra $35 onemonth for an extra 5 gig for the Beyond unlimited, but of course that did not apply to the hotspot. The part that is the most frustrating thing is I only have the hotspot and no other lines so it is the only device on the account. You would have thought that they would have not allowed me to throw away my money on the extra 5 gig which I could not even use on my hot spot. OK Rant over, but was curious why people are saying 25gig, when everything I see is 15 gig on a hotspot. BTW I pay $95 a moth.

Wayne, Thanks for the tip, Was-Wax-All is a very good product and seems to work great. I was on the road and after 2 full days in the rain our Motorhome was very dirty, and spotted a sign for a Blue Beacon truck wash and decided to go for it. I will never ever go to another one of these again. Their setup had you trapped so that if the line was too long you were stuck, and you could not see how long the line was until after you pulled in. I waited for over 2 hours to get to my rig washed. I told them I wanted a good quick wash and did not need a bunch of extra services. They informed me that they only use sprayers on Motorhomes and not brushes because their brushes were too dirty and may damage the paint. I found that odd, but said OK, I just need all the mud off and the wheels shiny, he informed me that if I wanted shiny wheels I needed to purchase their Citris spray for them, which I agreed to. They finished very quickly, in about 5 mins which was a surprise because other trucks were in there 15-20 mins. I pulled forward out of the bay and did a check. The exterior was horrible. The coach from the windows down were just covered in dirt. When I told them they did not do a good job, the guy told me that they cannot use their dirty brushes and that is as clean as it will get with the sprayers. At that point I just had it! I had been there for 2 hours, and was $50 lighter and still had a dirty coach. I informed them of the dissatisfaction and he just shrugged. I told him that I would never ever go to a Blue Beacon again. The guy just turned around and went back in! This place needs to be shutdown, in Wisconsin off I-90 about 130 miles east of Milwaukee.

Good call and something that I wanted to get a measuring tape on to see what the difference really is. From this pic it does look too far out of spec. When I was hooking everything up I was going to do that, but in the excitement I simply forgot.

Here is Doris, 2006 Newmar Mountain Aire 4304, with Stella, 2007 Mini Cooper 2 maiden voyage. Pulls so great, I went with Blue Ox. Just purchased two bike racks for the top on Stella, we will be pulling with Bicycles (beach cruisers) this weekend.