Wrenchin’ on the RV

[3175375]

Swapped out the transfer switch in the RV today. Things went well. Original transfer switch crapped out for 1 or both of these reasons: 1) the original device was of a poor design. Manufacturer had a massive recall, which drove them out of business.
2) a loose terminal strip screw got loose and almost caused a fire, and frapping the solid state relays (I believe that they are hexfets) to croak.

I had spliced in a ‘bypass’, which tied a 50 amp receptacle directly into the output of the transfer switch (I used a 25’ 50 amp extension cord).
I had to swap the top n bottom flex conduit as they were not aligned with the new transfer switch. Other than that, a relatively easy task.

In process of installing new unit

Installed, less cover

Done

 

[stubs300]

Thanks to the Chinks, they saved me well over 10K from buying a RV. Not going to happen, and I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night either!

 

[3175375]

Thanks to the Chinks, they saved me well over 10K from buying a RV. Not going to happen, and I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night either!

Sorry to hear about that.

I had the blessing of being able to purchase ‘Bruno’ in the fall of 2018 from my Uncle. It is very nice and I am figuring him out. Us who think mid-year production changes in cars & trucks are bad, get to experience a whole new definition of that, when dealing with an RV.

 

[mopar440]

You guys are either rich, brave , or both lol. I always wanted a RV, till I worked on a few . My rep as a decent mechanic got around to a few RV guys. I guess a good RV shop is usually backed up crazy, and the ones that get you in do horrible work. I started to get alot of calls, but started to turn them down, damn things are just too big, and systems are buried! Found out most coach builders connect all lights to the aux trailer circuit, and that makes fixing turn signals fun. Bravo to you guys!

I have a few guys that are patient, and rip the interior apart themselves, do they are responsible for any damage

 

[3175375]

You guys are either rich, brave , or both lol. I always wanted a RV, till I worked on a few . My rep as a decent mechanic got around to a few RV guys. I guess a good RV shop is usually backed up crazy, and the ones that get you in do horrible work. I started to get alot of calls, but started to turn them down, damn things are just too big, and systems are buried! Found out most coach builders connect all lights to the aux trailer circuit, and that makes fixing turn signals fun. Bravo to you guys!

I have a few guys that are patient, and rip the interior apart themselves, do they are responsible for any damage

Thank you for the compliment. I worked on jets in my career. I used a phrase that a co-worker said ‘Steve, you know that every Boeing 727 was exactly the same. Then they made serial #2.’

I (as part of a team) also had to design & engineer the installation of instrumentation in F-14s. Weight, room, power all were challenges, and all expected it to work flawlessly.

 

[mopar440]

Thank you for the compliment. I worked on jets in my career. I used a phrase that a co-worker said ‘Steve, you know that every Boeing 727 was exactly the same. Then they made serial #2.’

I (as part of a team) also had to design & engineer the installation of instrumentation in F-14s. Weight, room, power all were challenges, and all expected it to work flawlessly.

Doing that in your career, you think RV design would drive you nuts lol... I found out a few drinking buddies of mine became electrical engineers at a coach builder, that blew my mind..

I've worked on fire trucks also, some of the engineering is really cave man like on some of those. No real thought, just slap diodes everywhere...

 

[stubs300]

Sorry to hear about that.

It's nothing now, just a minor setback and now change from my original plan. It's a good thing cause now that money can go to where I really want it to put it. Thanks chinks!

 

[3175375]

Doing that in your career, you think RV design would drive you nuts lol... I found out a few drinking buddies of mine became electrical engineers at a coach builder, that blew my mind..

I've worked on fire trucks also, some of the engineering is really cave man like on some of those. No real thought, just slap diodes everywhere...

I had to deal with sailors too. I traveled to NAS Miramar to perform a test on an upgrade to the MITS that I was involved in. The MITS was a piece of‘yellow gear’ used to test the interface between the F-14 and the Phoenix missile. We had to replace a unit in the F-14 (internal software) to conduct the test. When we installed the unit we brought, one of the connectors (circular) wouldn’t fit on the unit we brought. Turns out that someone had used a pair of Canon plug pliers on the connector that turn the plug and receptacle ellipsoidal. We had to have the connector on the jet replaced...

 

[Polara_500]

I had to deal with sailors too. I traveled to NAS Miramar to perform a test on an upgrade to the MITS that I was involved in. The MITS was a piece of‘yellow gear’ used to test the interface between the F-14 and the Phoenix missile. We had to replace a unit in the F-14 (internal software) to conduct the test. When we installed the unit we brought, one of the connectors (circular) wouldn’t fit on the unit we brought. Turns out that someone had used a pair of Canon plug pliers on the connector that turn the plug and receptacle ellipsoidal. We had to have the connector on the jet replaced...

When they finally figured out how to make something "Sailor-Proof" the recruiters found a better grade of Sailors.........

 

[300rag]

After I bought mine, I stopped in at the plant for a tour. This was the same model as mine being built.

 

[Big_John]

I've worked on fire trucks also, some of the engineering is really cave man like on some of those. No real thought, just slap diodes everywhere...

My nephew was a fireman, he usually drove the fire trucks. He was very good at it. He showed me a new firetruck that was built at a place just south of us. Opened an electrical panel and said "See this crap". While it was at least neat, it was obviously done with cheap connectors and things like scotch locks. I would have expected wiring to be heavier and automotive connectors used. He said they had all sorts of electrical gremlins with it.

The firetruck builder went out of business a short while after that.

 

[mopar440]

My nephew was a fireman, he usually drove the fire trucks. He was very good at it. He showed me a new firetruck that was built at a place just south of us. Opened an electrical panel and said "See this crap". While it was at least neat, it was obviously done with cheap connectors and things like scotch locks. I would have expected wiring to be heavier and automotive connectors used. He said they had all sorts of electrical gremlins with it.

The firetruck builder went out of business a short while after that.

Yep, it's crazy companies got away with it for so long

 

[twostick]

If I was willing to spend the money they want for a sticks and staples coach, I'd just buy a 20 year old Prevost conversion for less money. Seldom even 100k miles on them and it's a million mile chassis. All the fixtures are the best money can buy and the trim and wood work is coffin quality.

Kevin


For sale Prevost,
For sale Prevost | RVs & Motorhomes | Kamloops | Kijiji

 

[3175375]

If I was willing to spend the money they want for a sticks and staples coach, I'd just buy a 20 year old Prevost conversion for less money. Seldom even 100k miles on them and it's a million mile chassis. All the fixtures are the best money can buy and the trim and wood work is coffin quality.

Kevin


For sale Prevost,
For sale Prevost | RVs & Motorhomes | Kamloops | Kijiji

I had been looking for a couple of years. My Uncle had Bruno (2010 Holiday Rambler Endeavor, Cummins 400hp turbo-diesel pusher). When he mentioned that he was thinking of selling it, I told him to contact me. He did. The powerplant has 45k on it. Tires and coach batteries are about 2 years old.
I have enjoyed it, made a few upgrades and plan on keeping it for some time.

 

[mopar440]

One of the builders ( I don't remember who) actually makes a buyer apply, and they have to be approved to own one, it was a brand I worked on. I thought that was interesting

 

[300rag]

One of the builders ( I don't remember who) actually makes a buyer apply, and they have to be approved to own one, it was a brand I worked on. I thought that was interesting

That could be any of the coach builders that base their offerings on a Prevost. It is fully paid for well before the coach is complete.

 

[twostick]

That could be any of the coach builders that base their offerings on a Prevost. It is fully paid for well before the coach is complete.

For 2 million plus. Lol

Kevin

Prevost Bus Conversion Inventory | Marathon Coach

 

[mopar440]

That could be any of the coach builders that base their offerings on a Prevost. It is fully paid for well before the coach is complete.

I'm talking they won't even SELL you one, doesn't matter if you have the money

 

[3175375]

One of the builders ( I don't remember who) actually makes a buyer apply, and they have to be approved to own one, it was a brand I worked on. I thought that was interesting

Maybe

You guys are either rich, brave , or both lol. I always wanted a RV, till I worked on a few . My rep as a decent mechanic got around to a few RV guys. I guess a good RV shop is usually backed up crazy, and the ones that get you in do horrible work. I started to get alot of calls, but started to turn them down, damn things are just too big, and systems are buried! Found out most coach builders connect all lights to the aux trailer circuit, and that makes fixing turn signals fun. Bravo to you guys!

I have a few guys that are patient, and rip the interior apart themselves, do they are responsible for any damage

I have just insured that we won’t have freezing temperatures the rest of the spring and summer, because I just fixed cargo bay heater in Bruno. Sensor was bad.