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General Discussion / Re: Dead battery

« on: September 16, 2020, 09:44:45 pm »

Why doesn't the PC have a solenoid battery isolator like these? https://www.powerstream.com/battery-isolator.htm

That connects the house batteries for charging to the engine battery and the alternator once the engine battery is fully charged, but it also has a connection point that goes to the momentary emergency switch inside so you can manually make the connection to start the engine from the house battery. The cables to the relay would be heavy battery cables so there is plenty of current for both charging and emergency starting.

I thought the emergency switch on the PC is the same but it's the light wire that only charges while you hold it.  I can understand why the fuse on it slows if you try to start the engine while holding the switch as you would do with an isolator.

I already got stranded when the engine battery died because I left the lights on while camped. In that case the existing switch didn't help.

Maybe I'll install one of the Powerstream isolators.

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General Discussion / Re: How to mount solar panel(s) on the roof

« on: September 16, 2020, 01:51:59 pm »

Thanks. Doug from Phoenix USA is installing my solar panels and they certainly know where the roof struts are.

I asked how many panels he thought there was room for. He said three. I figured as long as it was being done I'd send two more panels and a 30 AMP controller.

This is moderate overkill since my mission is mainly keeping the batteries topped off since the PC is stored away from line power.  As I mentioned the house batteries died when I left them connected during storage.  My Clarion and some of my cars always need to be jumped when I visit.

I'm reminding myself that I should get a solar BatteryMinder, too.

--Mike

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General Discussion / How to mount solar panel(s) on the roof

« on: September 13, 2020, 02:05:12 pm »

... also installed aluminum uni-strut for 4ea 100W solar panels I will be adding soon,

You're using "aluminum uni-strut?" to mount the solar panels?

I'm going to ask PHX to install my one 100 watt solar panel: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L6LZRXM
using these plastic mounts: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQF8BL1
but I also have these metal brackets: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LDHFD7O
I was thinking that it would be better to use plastic that has some give to avoid breaking the solar panel with flex stress.

I want to reserve enough space to add to 2-3 more panels someday if possible.

Are the uni-struts preferred as mounts?

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General Discussion / Re: Dead battery

« on: September 13, 2020, 12:45:42 pm »

There is NO reset switch. One thing that will keep steps from working is the little switch to the left of the steering wheel was left on. (It would have had to be changed out to an on-off switch) Or the engine is running or key on. This is a safety feature so step goes in when you start.

A separate issue is the main power switch near the door on? If not batteries will not charge.

How old are your batteries? Are the 2-6v in series?

I put the step door bypass switch in both positions but the step never extends.
I now have the house batteries connected at the panel by the door and the PC has been on shore power overnight.

Mine has two 12v batteries in parallel. 
If PHX tells me they're bad - which doesn't seem to be so now - I'll do as Ron did and get 2 6v AGM batteries to put in series, provided I can make them fit.

I bought a TRIK-L and have a permanent connect eigne BatteryMINDer conditioner on my old MH that I'll transfer over.

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General Discussion / Re: FlexArmor Roof Coating

« on: September 13, 2020, 12:37:31 pm »

I can tell you that it is not always the roof that leaks. So, unless you FlexArmored over your marker lights, you need to check them annually and make sure they are sealed.  Ask me how I know....

When we replaced the clearance lights on my Clarion with LED we sealed them with FlexSeal tape which holds and seals well and fills the gaps.

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General Discussion / Re: Dead battery

« on: September 12, 2020, 10:50:23 pm »

The step extends via the engine battery, or at least on my 2015 model.  Yes, the engine will charge the house batteries after the engine has been running for a minute or so.  There is already an isolator in the PC.  Shore power is better, you don't need a 30 amp outlet as long as you don't try to run the air conditioner or microwave.   So a standard 120v plug adapter to a 30 plug works fine. 

On my 2015 model, the generator will start via the engine battery but the engine must be running for a minute or two before you get any power to the generator starter.

Make sure, if your house batteries have water in them if they are flooded cell batteries.  If they are the original batteries, they may just be plain worn out.

No, do not jump the house batteries with your car.   That will only give you a momentary charge unless you want to leave your car idling for several hours.

A standard 12v battery charger will work.  Depending on the amperage of the charger, it could take 12 or more hours and that's if your house batteries are in good condition.

Thanks, Don.

I brought the PC home and put it on house power.  Everything, including starting the generator works, EXCEPT the power step will not extend.
The inverter panel shows 13.7 volts, which dropped to 12.n when I cranked the generator, which did start after a handful of tries.

Did I read here that there's reset switch for the step underneath?  I may be able to have someone look.

I'll be ofg to Elkhart to get my long list of to-dos addressed, up to putting a solar panel on the roof.  I can drive it so I may get the step fixed on arrival.

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General Discussion / Re: Dead battery

« on: August 18, 2020, 06:44:16 pm »

I found that the house batteries on my new-to-me 2551 are dead because I didn't turn off the battery switch when I parked it.
The step won't extend.

I don't have shore power near my parking space.

So...what is the best way to bring it back to life?
I figure the generator won't start with no house battery power for the starter.

Will starting the engine eventually charge the house batteries?  I replaced the isolator relay in my Clarion with a hybrid one that automatically switches in the house batteries for charging once the engine battery is topped off:     https://www.powerstream.com/battery-isolator.htm

Should I plug it in to shore power temporarily? Jump the house batteries from my car? How long should it take for the convertor to charge the house batteries?

I do have a solar panel and controller.  That may be one more thing I add to the list for Phoenix to install when I visit in September.

 

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General Discussion / Re: Are they doing OK in Elkhart?

« on: August 18, 2020, 05:30:24 pm »

We have decided to just stay home this year.   No travel.  We cancelled campground reservations for six weeks all together.   Having a life long friend die from COVID 19 last week affirmed  our decision to stay in a controlled environment like our home.   We are just risk adverse right now but certainly don't criticize those that travel and an RV is certainly the safest way to go. 

I wonder when this is all over  what percentage of the Newbies will stick with RVs?   Time will tell. 

Paul

RVs are booming because it's relatively safe travel where you can stay "socially distant" from others. 
We made several trips with the dogs and never had a problem keeping our distance from other campers, and of course, RV people are good people.

We're planning on taking out PC out on a lotta weekends.

I have my old Coachmen Clarion parked in an obscure storage lot in Wisconsin, and have gotten dozens of calls about it.  They lose interest when I tell them I want collector's item money, but they are calling.  It may be that some people are looking for an inexpensive place to live, but nobody has said that.

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General Discussion / Re: Are they doing OK in Elkhart?

« on: July 29, 2020, 03:31:55 pm »

UPDATE: I'm now scheduled to take my 2151 to Phoenix RV USA in Elkhart in September.

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General Discussion / Re: Are they doing OK in Elkhart?

« on: July 29, 2020, 03:30:49 pm »

I have a For Sale sign on my Clarion parked in a storage lot in small town Wisconsin.
I have gotten literally 16 calls from people asking about it.

It looks like the word has gotten out that RVers can go out and about in relative safety.
That - and maybe people are thinking of campers as a place to live.

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General Discussion / Re: Are they doing OK in Elkhart?

« on: July 28, 2020, 01:41:34 pm »

Keith, the Phoenix USA RV service manager, called me.
They're all OK.

He'll let me know when I can get on the schedule for service.

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General Discussion / Re: Are they doing OK in Elkhart?

« on: July 27, 2020, 09:39:36 pm »

Mike - With  the reports of asymptomatic  transmission  you need to be careful about letting anyone inside your rig , regardless of what’s up with the service manager.

I was there a month ago.
We all wore masks, and washed hands and I didn't catch it (yet)

If I get it I'll be dead.

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General Discussion / Re: Are they doing OK in Elkhart?

« on: July 27, 2020, 09:35:40 pm »

I had an appointment last week for service for my 2151 at Phoenix Cruiser USA in Elkhart.
I haven't been able to get a response back from anybody there, other than from Keith, the service manager who said he is home sick.

Has anybody heard? Are those folks doing OK?

How did the appointment go?  I have an appt for August 27 and 28.

Cheers
Barry T

I didn't go because I wasn't going to go there and find a closed office.
None of my recent emails or calls were answered.

I have a long list of work to do so I'm planning on leaving the PC and renting a car one way to drive back home.

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General Discussion / Are they doing OK in Elkhart?

« on: July 27, 2020, 06:56:13 pm »

I had an appointment last week for service for my 2151 at Phoenix Cruiser USA in Elkhart.
I haven't been able to get a response back from anybody there, other than from Keith, the service manager who said he is home sick.

Has anybody heard? Are those folks doing OK?

15

General Discussion / Re: Tall driver comfort

« on: July 27, 2020, 06:52:39 pm »

I am very interested in buying a used 2350 on the Ford chassis.  Unfortunately, there are none for sale in the Northeast to try on for size

Is the 2350 comfortable to drive, to walk thru and to sleep in the corner bed, since I am 6 feet tall?

Thank you in advance for your replies.

Im 6' 2" and not petite. I did check very carefully that one bed in my 2151 is long enough to be comfortable for me.  The right bed is 74" or so so it's long enough.  To give you an idea, I can actually have my toes on my yuge feet almost touch the bottom of the wardrobe cabinet.   

On the other hand I knew from seeing a BT Cruiser that the "walkaround" queen beds are not walk-around-able.  That's why we learned we needed the twin beds on the 2151 when we toured the PC factory.