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General Discussion / Another SurgeGuard Question

« on: December 26, 2019, 05:45:50 pm »

Don't want to hijack the previous thread so here's my question:
Anyone switch out a hardwired Surgeguard in exchange for a Progressive Industries EMS instead?  Was it no big deal?
Also, how did it work as far as switching the remote display panel?  Was that easily done or a pain in the neck?  (On my 2351 the EMS is under the bed in the rear corner and the display panel is way up on the wall behind the driver's seat, so am hoping it's easy to switch one display panel for the other using existing wiring.)
My Surgeguard is about to die and I like the Progressive Ind's bypass feature, which Surgeguard does not have.
Thank you!

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General Discussion / Refrigerator

« on: April 23, 2019, 04:19:07 pm »

Hi!
My 2351 is almost 5 years old, constant use.  The refrigerator is going on the blitz.  Called the factory and have not gotten a return call yet so figured I'd tap into the forum's expertise.
Question:  What model of refrigerator is PC installing nowadays?  Mine is a Norcold N621 (6 cu.ft.), and it doesn't seem to be made anymore... at least I can't find it through a web search.  In fact, I can't find a Norcold RV frig between 5.5 cu.ft (too small) and 7 cu.ft. (way too big).
Found Dometic 2652 and Dometic 2662 2-way RV frigs that come close in size but are slightly taller and wider, which will necessitate the cabinetry being cut (and raising the price of an already expensive project even more).
Any one have any other suggestions?
Thanks for your input!

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Tips and Tricks / 3-way water-fill valve tip

« on: August 15, 2017, 05:09:42 pm »

Got my honey-do list done at Phoenix today.  Doug was awesome and very patient with all my questions.  One of my problems was that my water pump was cycling every few minutes, but I had no evidence of a leak.  This may have been posted elsewhere, but in case not or in case someone missed it, Doug gave me a very good tip.  Whether you operate off of your tank/water-pump when parked or hook up to city water, be sure to relieve the pressure out of your water system (by opening a faucet while the pump is off until you get a trickle or less) before you switch the 3-way water-fill valve to another position, like you do when you need to fill your water tank.  Apparently the new valve they are putting on their rigs is better than the old one, but it is still important to relieve the pressure and it will last you longer and give you less headache down the road.

As an aside, Phoenix raised their hourly labor rate to $80 recently.  Still a deal to have someone intimately familiar with your rig work on it should you be in the general neighborhood.

As a second aside, apologies to the people with the the cute gray dog when we rounded a corner after a stroll and my dog lunged for yours.  Very sorry.  Her manners stink.

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General Discussion / Coconut Oil in Tanks

« on: February 03, 2017, 06:59:10 pm »

I've searched and cannot find the original thread where someone mentioned adding some coconut oil to the waste tanks to help with the problem of sticky valves so I'll post a new thread here.

I had sticky valves to the point where when I was finished dumping and tried to close the black or gray valve, the light would continue to blink.  I tried the coconut oil and it worked... for the first few weeks, then the problem came back and stayed back.

This week I stupidly entered a parking lot with a bad grade between the lot and the road and bottomed out my left rear corner, damaging the pipe that connects the macerator to the rest of the tank plumbing.  I called Phoenix and Kermit recommended having the macerator removed and using the regular dump system until I make it back to Elkhart with my annual honey-do list.  (Remember, for those of you who don't know, Phoenix only charges $50/hour to work on their rigs for you and no one knows their business better than they do.)

Ok.  So when my helpful fellow removed the macerator today we found clumps and glumps of oily gunk all over the place.  I am in TX and it's not terribly cold, but still the oil partially solidified.

Please don't take this as any disrespect to the original poster of the idea, but I wanted to put it out there that if you want to try using the coconut oil, proceed with great caution.  The problem may well be with me.  I tend to err on the side of "Well!  If a little bit works well, then a little bit more will work even better!"  I may have used too much (a cup or so per tank after each dump).  I don't know.

In any case, I wanted to get this posted for anyone who is considering using the oil.   

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General Discussion / Phoenix After Sales Support

« on: April 07, 2016, 08:00:08 am »

Posting this a bit late because of trouble logging into the forum this past week (which Aimee and her team helped with tremendously!). 

I wanted to put something on the forum for the record regarding Phoenix's after-sales support.  I had my rig into their shop last Friday so they could take care of fixing things that went awry over the past year.  They did a fantastic job.  Bob took three hours working on everything from my house door handle/lock, which broke the previous week and needed to be replaced, to trying to diagnose an odd electrical hookup problem I've been having.  We weren't able to figure out the electrical problem (mostly because we could not replicate the problem while in the shop--things decided to behave!), but I have a workaround so it's not going to be an issue.  He also checked my roof and resealed the seams, fixed the hinge on the drop-leaf table (that is built into the bottom section of the closet behind the passenger seat), checked the plumbing, provided me with equipment and instructions on how to bypass the built-in SurgeGuard should that ever be necessary, and gave me a fresh supply of those cabinet latches that seem to only last so long.

For anyone considering buying a Phoenix, or anyone who has one but isn't aware of this, once you are out of your warranty period, the shop is happy to continue to work on your rig at a super reasonable rate ($50/hour).  I've found many RV shops easily charge double that, and do not have the same level of expertise and knowledge that we can get from Phoenix itself.

Bottom line, it's pretty great when you drive out from the factory with a lovely, quality-built RV.  It's even more awesome when you can drive back in and be treated with the kind of respect, care, and competency found at PhoenixUSA!

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General Discussion / Weighing Your Rig

« on: October 13, 2015, 07:27:43 am »

In case anyone is traveling south for the winter and wants to get their rig weighed, the Escapees RV club has a SmartWeigh station at three of its RV parks:  Florida, Texas, and Arizona.  I've used the one in Florida (at the Sumter Oaks RV Park south of Bushnell, just a couple of miles off of I-75) and it was well worth it.  I'll try to post a link here but if the link doesn't work, you can just type in www.escapees.com and go to the knowledge page, then click on SmartWeigh under that. 

www.escapees.com/knowledge/smartweigh

Safe travels, everyone, and enjoy your autumn weather, wherever you are!

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General Discussion / Dinette or Couch Seat Belts

« on: June 21, 2015, 09:28:38 pm »

I hadn't tried to use the seat belts provided with my dinette until last week.  I found that they are way too short for most normal sized adults.  Fully extended, they would only fit a child or a skinny adult.  Does anyone else have this problem?  I just thought I would check with other PC owners before calling the factory to see what's up with that.  Thanks!

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General Discussion / Anybody I know? (Natchez Trace Pkwy)

« on: June 09, 2015, 04:52:52 pm »

Hey there!  Anyone from the forum happen to be in their PC today traveling NE of Jackson MS on the Natchez Trace Pkwy?  I waved belatedly as I passed you heading in the opposite direction!

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Adventure Anywhere / TN State Parks

« on: June 03, 2015, 03:37:16 pm »

For anyone interested in a couple more TN State Parks, we stayed at a couple recently.  Both were W/E hookup only, with dump stations on the grounds.  Both were less than 8 miles off of the interstate.

Warriors' Path State Park near Kingsport in NE TN is a few miles north of I-81.  Sites can be on the small side, but were fine for my 25 footer.  The campground sits above a beautiful lake with fishing and boating and walking paths.  Lots of shade.  Bathrooms just OK.  I was in site 1 on top of the hill, so TV antenna and phone/internet reception was good.  Not sure about the sites lower down.  Cost was $21 per night.

Edgar Evins State Park is 60 miles east of Nashville off of I-40 near Silver Point, TN.  Really nifty place.  Also on a big lake with lots of boating and picnicking and walking opportunities.  The campground is on a steep hill next to a lake and the camping sites are wooden (a few cement) platforms built off of the steep slopes.  Many sites are small but, again, most were perfectly fine for my size rig.  Their campground map actually has the measurements of each site listed.  The camp office lady let me scope out the sites before picking one, which I highly recommend, as some could be hard to maneuver into.  TV antenna reception so-so.  Phone/internet connection good.  Cost was $26 per night.  I've posted a picture for ya.

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General Discussion / Check TV Screws

« on: May 13, 2015, 02:03:49 pm »

After bopping around town the other day I looked up to find my TV sagging down on the right side and sticking out from its normal flush position.  I looked in the cabinet on the right side and the three mounting screws were almost all the way out (picture included).  The left side and the screws over there were fine, although now I worry they may have been stressed by holding up the TV all by themselves while I was driving.  I emailed Kermit and asked if vibration could have caused that to happen.  He said he's never heard of it happening and doesn't think vibration did it but also doesn't have any idea what caused it.

Just putting this up on the forum so that people maybe think once in a while to peak into those cabinets and check those screws.  They are far enough into the corner that you have to actually look for them or feel them.  Better safe than sorry... and that could have been a really painful sorry.

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General Discussion / Frig or Surge Guard Issue?

« on: April 25, 2015, 08:21:39 am »

Strange issue going on with my frig when I hook up to shore power, so I figured I'd see if anyone here has some insight before I dig further.  I have a built-in Surge Guard, and the only way to get shore power to get "approval" after the 128 second delay is to power off the refrigerator.  If the frig is on (propane) while the Surge Guard is counting down its test period, then when we hit the 128 second mark the display panel on the Surge Guard goes blank.  No error code, nothing, just blank.  And of course no power comes through.  I do hear a small clunk type sound and it sounded like it was either from under the corner bed (where the Surge Guard and Converter are located) or the refrigerator, which is why I tried turning the frig off and found out that it worked that way.  After shore power is established, I turn the frig on (electric) and all works fine.  Any ideas?

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Adventure Anywhere / Santee SP, South Carolina

« on: December 04, 2014, 08:23:27 pm »

Almost lost my silver rig in the thick fog and Spanish moss!  
This is a lovely state park, although a little on the rough side... mostly sand and some gravel, so lots of pot holes and exposed tree roots in the campground loop road... drive slowly!  All sites have water and electric, and there are showers in the comfort stations.  Gorgeous view out your windows if you camp near the overlook.  All sites nicely shaded.  There is another campground to the East, but I was in a rush to leave so did not check it out.  The park is just a few miles west of I-95 so very convenient if you need a stop-over while traveling that route.  

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Tips and Tricks / Traveling with Safe Plumbing in Winter

« on: October 17, 2014, 08:50:22 am »

John & Holly (Frazzled)... and anyone else in-the-know!

I saw your post re traveling to the NW corner of our perty country for the Winter (Wow!  have a great, safe trip!) and tried to private message you, but I can't see that it worked, so rather than hijacking your thread in the travel section, I am posting here.

I may be delayed in cold weather before I can flee south.  Like you, I live in my rig, so I am looking for PC-specific tips on keeping the plumbing safe in freezing weather while living in it.  Most of the tips I find on the web apply to winterizing for storage purposes.  If possible, I would like to be able to have access to my plumbing rather than shutting things down.  I am not talking sub-zero temps, but I would like to be confident to survive the 20s for a spell.

I understand I have heat pads for the Gray and Black tanks, and that the FW tank and most of the plumbing is inside, but I am confused about the things that are outside, how vulnerable they may be, and what action I should take.  Please know (if you don't already), I am a total noob and need layman's explanations. 

Re the outside shower, do I simply turn the faucets on, with the water pump off, to drain whatever is in there?

Re the macerator, if I put antifreeze in the gray tank and then don't drain it out all the way when I am done emptying the gray, will that protect the macerator and it's connections by allowing some of the antifreeze to sit in there?

If I keep antifreeze in the black and gray tanks and do not empty them all of the way, will that be enough to protect them, along with the heating pads?

Re the hot water tank, do you leave it on overnight to protect it from freezing?  Does it draw so much electricity that I would be in danger of tripping a fuse when the furnace came on at the same time?

If I am driving in freezing weather for a few hours, do I need to worry about things freezing?  Should I (can I?) have the propane furnace running when driving?

In the outside storage drawer, to the right side, there is a cut out in the wood which gives access to the drains (hot, cold, and ?).  Are those vulnerable to freezing?  Even though they are under the bed, I imagine the fact that they are open to that outside storage bin can make them vulnerable.

Are there any other points where the plumbing comes outside that I need to watch or address?

Thanks!

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General Discussion / Electrical Nightmare

« on: August 20, 2014, 12:14:45 pm »

Posting this just in case there are any electricity gurus out there who might have insight into an extraordinarily odd problem going on with my electrical system (cab, not house).  So far, Kermit from PC, the towing people, the RV shop, and the Ford technicians that I've spoken to on the phone have all been flummoxed by what my vehicle is doing.  To a person, they say they have never heard of anything like this.

After being parked for a few hours while I was visiting a friend, I entered the vehicle and heard the headlight-on beeping sound...  I went up front and the instrument panel lights were all blinking randomly (brights, turn-signals, anti-theft light, etc.)... even the radio would turn on by itself.  On the outside, the headlights were on, and the turn signals were randomly going on and off.  If we turned the headlights on, they actually would turn off, and vise versa.  When I tried to crank the engine, I got absolutely nothing.  Except the first tow-guy had success when he tried to crank the engine at the same time as turning the headlight switch on, then it did crank right up.  But that only worked a couple of times.

The RV shop disconnected half of the circuit board and got the engine to crank fine.  But driving it that way would mean having no lights or blinkers.  Plus, when I actually did try to drive it (they wanted me to go elsewhere because the problem was too hard for them), it turned out that the parking brake light was on, so it refused to come out of park.  If you reconnect those fuses so that the vehicle can be moved, then you end up going down the road with all the lights and blinkers going on and off all crazy-like.  Hardly legal or wise.

It is being towed today to a Ford dealership that will run diagnostics on it and hopefully locate and kill the gremlins, but they can't look at it for a week.

Guess I am posting this just in case anyone out there has had a similar experience or is knowledgable enough to give me some useful tips or ideas as I talk to technicians and repair people.

Good news is my doggie and I were visiting a friend when this happened and we are safe and sound as a guest in their home while our house-on-wheels is being exorcized.

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Photos / 2450 non-slide

« on: July 11, 2014, 10:57:55 pm »

Got my 2450 this past Monday and have been busy getting up to speed on things and learning how to stay between the lines and stuff!  I love it!  I'm having trouble with the internet, but I think I've managed to at least get the two exterior shots attached here...  I hope so.  I asked for a simple non-swirl paint job (full body) with the middle Sterling shade on the bottom and the lighter on top.  They very kindly added that one wave so it wouldn't be too boring.  Will post inside shots when I can.