Breaking-in the new 77FC on Thanksgiving - Printable Version +- Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum (http://www.wanderlodgegurus.com) +-- Forum: Yahoo Groups Archive (/forumdisplay.php?fid=61) +--- Forum: WanderlodgeForum (/forumdisplay.php?fid=63) +--- Thread: Breaking-in the new 77FC on Thanksgiving (/showthread.php?tid=3152) Pages: 1 2 |
Breaking-in the new 77FC on Thanksgiving - Brent Swartzentruber - 11-25-2006 12:23 We are really excited about our new Wanderlodge. I got our new 1977 FC31 home last Saturday from Eugene, OR. The 900 mile drive home was mostly a pleasure, though my ears where ringing after 12.5 hours. I averaged 10 mpg - mostly 60-63 mph. (I think I can do better with practice). here are some pictures of the new rig, my wife Hillary, and her sister at the beach near Ventura, CA where we spent Thanksgiving (bbq'd the turkey) http://www.pbase.com/bajaroad/wanderlodge I must admit the purchase was a stressful process. The generator wasn't as new as suggested, the engine heaters don't work, the instrument panel lights are mostly out, the tach doesn't work, the speedo is off by about 5%, the front tires are about 8yrs old, the storage compartment pans are rusting badly, and the previous owner didn't know the ins & outs of the rig's systems. The interior, the body & paint, brakes, engine, and trans all seem in good shape and well maintained. The generator worked fine after I got home. In fact I used it to power my saw to trim a low hanging tree. But later in the week it wasn't cranking over. I could here the starter clicking when I toggled the switch, but no crank. I removed the starter this morning and it is definitely shot. One of the permanent magnets is broken, but I'm not sure if I did that while initially persuading the starter to work with a few light taps with a wrench. So I will replace the starter and see if that was the problem. ? Anyone have experience with an Onan non-OEM replacement starter. The issue I am most determined to remedy, but fear could get expensive, is the generator slide-mount. Whoever installed the Onan did a hack job and didn't maintain the same level of mechanical structure. I had to use a come-along to pull it out. The Onan doesn't require as much overhead clearance, so I would like to raise the whole system while I'm at it. ? Has anyone had experience with these slide supports Brent 77FC31 Ventura, CA Breaking-in the new 77FC on Thanksgiving - davidkerryedwards - 11-25-2006 12:46 Congratulations on your purchase. It looks nice. Sounds like your generator battery may be bad. Do you have a switch tht connects the generator and engine batteries to crank the thing over when one set is weak? Did you try it when starting the generator? Kerry82 Fc 35 Denver --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Brent Swartzentruber" <swartzentruber1@...> wrote: > > We are really excited about our new Wanderlodge. I got our new 1977 > FC31 home last Saturday from Eugene, OR. The 900 mile drive home > was mostly a pleasure, though my ears where ringing after 12.5 > hours. I averaged 10 mpg - mostly 60-63 mph. (I think I can do > better with practice). > > here are some pictures of the new rig, my wife Hillary, and her > sister at the beach near Ventura, CA where we spent Thanksgiving > (bbq'd the turkey) > http://www.pbase.com/bajaroad/wanderlodge > > I must admit the purchase was a stressful process. The generator > wasn't as new as suggested, the engine heaters don't work, the > instrument panel lights are mostly out, the tach doesn't work, the > speedo is off by about 5%, the front tires are about 8yrs old, the > storage compartment pans are rusting badly, and the previous owner > didn't know the ins & outs of the rig's systems. > The interior, the body & paint, brakes, engine, and trans all seem > in good shape and well maintained. > > The generator worked fine after I got home. In fact I used it to > power my saw to trim a low hanging tree. But later in the week it > wasn't cranking over. I could here the starter clicking when I > toggled the switch, but no crank. I removed the starter this > morning and it is definitely shot. One of the permanent magnets is > broken, but I'm not sure if I did that while initially persuading > the starter to work with a few light taps with a wrench. So I will > replace the starter and see if that was the problem. > ? Anyone have experience with an Onan non-OEM replacement starter. > > The issue I am most determined to remedy, but fear could get > expensive, is the generator slide-mount. Whoever installed the Onan > did a hack job and didn't maintain the same level of mechanical > structure. I had to use a come-along to pull it out. The Onan > doesn't require as much overhead clearance, so I would like to raise > the whole system while I'm at it. > ? Has anyone had experience with these slide supports > > Brent > 77FC31 > Ventura, CA > Breaking-in the new 77FC on Thanksgiving - Gardner Yeaw - 11-25-2006 13:20 So why are you worried about an engine heater in California? Definitely get rid of those old tires, or up your life insurance! Check the age and condition on all of the batteries and replace as needed. Maintenance is a fact of life, you didn't buy new so face the music and buy, buy, buy what ever the Bird needs. It's not an investment, it's a money pit that returns great pleasure to your life. Gardner 78FC33 (spending like a drunken sailor) --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards" > > Congratulations on your purchase. It looks nice. Sounds like your generator battery may > be bad. Do you have a switch tht connects the generator and engine batteries to crank the > thing over when one set is weak? Did you try it when starting the generator? > > Kerry82 Fc 35 > Denver > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Brent Swartzentruber" > <swartzentruber1@> wrote: > > > > We are really excited about our new Wanderlodge. I got our new 1977 > > FC31 home last Saturday from Eugene, OR. The 900 mile drive home > > was mostly a pleasure, though my ears where ringing after 12.5 > > hours. I averaged 10 mpg - mostly 60-63 mph. (I think I can do > > better with practice). > > > > here are some pictures of the new rig, my wife Hillary, and her > > sister at the beach near Ventura, CA where we spent Thanksgiving > > (bbq'd the turkey) > > http://www.pbase.com/bajaroad/wanderlodge > > > > I must admit the purchase was a stressful process. The generator > > wasn't as new as suggested, the engine heaters don't work, the > > instrument panel lights are mostly out, the tach doesn't work, the > > speedo is off by about 5%, the front tires are about 8yrs old, the > > storage compartment pans are rusting badly, and the previous owner > > didn't know the ins & outs of the rig's systems. > > The interior, the body & paint, brakes, engine, and trans all seem > > in good shape and well maintained. > > > > The generator worked fine after I got home. In fact I used it to > > power my saw to trim a low hanging tree. But later in the week it > > wasn't cranking over. I could here the starter clicking when I > > toggled the switch, but no crank. I removed the starter this > > morning and it is definitely shot. One of the permanent magnets is > > broken, but I'm not sure if I did that while initially persuading > > the starter to work with a few light taps with a wrench. So I will > > replace the starter and see if that was the problem. > > ? Anyone have experience with an Onan non-OEM replacement starter. > > > > The issue I am most determined to remedy, but fear could get > > expensive, is the generator slide-mount. Whoever installed the Onan > > did a hack job and didn't maintain the same level of mechanical > > structure. I had to use a come-along to pull it out. The Onan > > doesn't require as much overhead clearance, so I would like to raise > > the whole system while I'm at it. > > ? Has anyone had experience with these slide supports > > > > Brent > > 77FC31 > > Ventura, CA > > > Breaking-in the new 77FC on Thanksgiving - Brent Swartzentruber - 11-25-2006 13:27 Kerry - I used a battery charger on the Gen battery and it indicated a full charge very quickly, so the problem didn't appear to be the battery. My battery charger has a start mode, which I tried with similar results (click but no crank). Next I cleaned all the power cables and ground cables that connect to the Gen with no improvement.. --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards" > > Congratulations on your purchase. It looks nice. Sounds like your generator battery may > be bad. Do you have a switch tht connects the generator and engine batteries to crank the > thing over when one set is weak? Did you try it when starting the generator? > > Kerry82 Fc 35 > Denver > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Brent Swartzentruber" > <swartzentruber1@> wrote: > > > > We are really excited about our new Wanderlodge. I got our new 1977 > > FC31 home last Saturday from Eugene, OR. The 900 mile drive home > > was mostly a pleasure, though my ears where ringing after 12.5 > > hours. I averaged 10 mpg - mostly 60-63 mph. (I think I can do > > better with practice). > > > > here are some pictures of the new rig, my wife Hillary, and her > > sister at the beach near Ventura, CA where we spent Thanksgiving > > (bbq'd the turkey) > > http://www.pbase.com/bajaroad/wanderlodge > > > > I must admit the purchase was a stressful process. The generator > > wasn't as new as suggested, the engine heaters don't work, the > > instrument panel lights are mostly out, the tach doesn't work, the > > speedo is off by about 5%, the front tires are about 8yrs old, the > > storage compartment pans are rusting badly, and the previous owner > > didn't know the ins & outs of the rig's systems. > > The interior, the body & paint, brakes, engine, and trans all seem > > in good shape and well maintained. > > > > The generator worked fine after I got home. In fact I used it to > > power my saw to trim a low hanging tree. But later in the week it > > wasn't cranking over. I could here the starter clicking when I > > toggled the switch, but no crank. I removed the starter this > > morning and it is definitely shot. One of the permanent magnets is > > broken, but I'm not sure if I did that while initially persuading > > the starter to work with a few light taps with a wrench. So I will > > replace the starter and see if that was the problem. > > ? Anyone have experience with an Onan non-OEM replacement starter. > > > > The issue I am most determined to remedy, but fear could get > > expensive, is the generator slide-mount. Whoever installed the Onan > > did a hack job and didn't maintain the same level of mechanical > > structure. I had to use a come-along to pull it out. The Onan > > doesn't require as much overhead clearance, so I would like to raise > > the whole system while I'm at it. > > ? Has anyone had experience with these slide supports > > > > Brent > > 77FC31 > > Ventura, CA > > > Breaking-in the new 77FC on Thanksgiving - one_dusty_hoot - 11-25-2006 13:53 Brent, The '77 FC31 did not have a slide-out, what you have is an after market add-on. Tach is attached to front of engine, could be DC gen. The coupling could be broken as well. Valve to circulate water may be off, manual valve. Age on tires says that would be priority item. Tire size larger than std could affect the speedo or it may just be off. Tapping a starter to get the last out of it is a sign the brushes are worn out and the armature is dirty. You'll Love the Adventure, Welcome, and happy trails in your new to you bird. Bob Janes, '87FC35, Greenville, SC --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Brent Swartzentruber" <swartzentruber1@...> wrote: > > We are really excited about our new Wanderlodge. I got our new 1977 > FC31 home last Saturday from Eugene, OR. The 900 mile drive home > was mostly a pleasure, though my ears where ringing after 12.5 > hours. I averaged 10 mpg - mostly 60-63 mph. (I think I can do > better with practice). > > here are some pictures of the new rig, my wife Hillary, and her > sister at the beach near Ventura, CA where we spent Thanksgiving > (bbq'd the turkey) > http://www.pbase.com/bajaroad/wanderlodge > > I must admit the purchase was a stressful process. The generator > wasn't as new as suggested, the engine heaters don't work, the > instrument panel lights are mostly out, the tach doesn't work, the > speedo is off by about 5%, the front tires are about 8yrs old, the > storage compartment pans are rusting badly, and the previous owner > didn't know the ins & outs of the rig's systems. > The interior, the body & paint, brakes, engine, and trans all seem > in good shape and well maintained. > > The generator worked fine after I got home. In fact I used it to > power my saw to trim a low hanging tree. But later in the week it > wasn't cranking over. I could here the starter clicking when I > toggled the switch, but no crank. I removed the starter this > morning and it is definitely shot. One of the permanent magnets is > broken, but I'm not sure if I did that while initially persuading > the starter to work with a few light taps with a wrench. So I will > replace the starter and see if that was the problem. > ? Anyone have experience with an Onan non-OEM replacement starter. > > The issue I am most determined to remedy, but fear could get > expensive, is the generator slide-mount. Whoever installed the Onan > did a hack job and didn't maintain the same level of mechanical > structure. I had to use a come-along to pull it out. The Onan > doesn't require as much overhead clearance, so I would like to raise > the whole system while I'm at it. > ? Has anyone had experience with these slide supports > > Brent > 77FC31 > Ventura, CA > Breaking-in the new 77FC on Thanksgiving - Henry Jay Hannigan - 11-25-2006 18:06 ---Don't you just love to hear all the things we have already been thru that seemed like big things to us at the time! such as the "water running out above the fuel tank." no problem, just turn off the water because the tank is full!! whew!! front tires are very important!! I like Garndners reply BEST SO FAR..."spend like a drunken sailor." A money pit that gives occasional pleasure.! I love it!! I love these birds!! Wish I had one down here!! Back to poker. Sunday afternoon here. Regards, Hank Hannigan..In Australia.. 90SP36 80FC31 Both stored in Vegas In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw" wrote: > > So why are you worried about an engine heater in California? > Definitely get rid of those old tires, or up your life insurance! > Check the age and condition on all of the batteries and replace as > needed. Maintenance is a fact of life, you didn't buy new so face > the music and buy, buy, buy what ever the Bird needs. It's not an > investment, it's a money pit that returns great pleasure to your > life. > > Gardner > 78FC33 (spending like a drunken sailor) > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards" > > > > > Congratulations on your purchase. It looks nice. Sounds like > your generator battery may > > be bad. Do you have a switch tht connects the generator and > engine batteries to crank the > > thing over when one set is weak? Did you try it when starting the > generator? > > > > Kerry82 Fc 35 > > Denver > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Brent Swartzentruber" > > <swartzentruber1@> wrote: > > > > > > We are really excited about our new Wanderlodge. I got our new > 1977 > > > FC31 home last Saturday from Eugene, OR. The 900 mile drive > home > > > was mostly a pleasure, though my ears where ringing after 12.5 > > > hours. I averaged 10 mpg - mostly 60-63 mph. (I think I can do > > > better with practice). > > > > > > here are some pictures of the new rig, my wife Hillary, and her > > > sister at the beach near Ventura, CA where we spent Thanksgiving > > > (bbq'd the turkey) > > > http://www.pbase.com/bajaroad/wanderlodge > > > > > > I must admit the purchase was a stressful process. The > generator > > > wasn't as new as suggested, the engine heaters don't work, the > > > instrument panel lights are mostly out, the tach doesn't work, > the > > > speedo is off by about 5%, the front tires are about 8yrs old, > the > > > storage compartment pans are rusting badly, and the previous > owner > > > didn't know the ins & outs of the rig's systems. > > > The interior, the body & paint, brakes, engine, and trans all > seem > > > in good shape and well maintained. > > > > > > The generator worked fine after I got home. In fact I used it > to > > > power my saw to trim a low hanging tree. But later in the week > it > > > wasn't cranking over. I could here the starter clicking when I > > > toggled the switch, but no crank. I removed the starter this > > > morning and it is definitely shot. One of the permanent magnets > is > > > broken, but I'm not sure if I did that while initially > persuading > > > the starter to work with a few light taps with a wrench. So I > will > > > replace the starter and see if that was the problem. > > > ? Anyone have experience with an Onan non-OEM replacement > starter. > > > > > > The issue I am most determined to remedy, but fear could get > > > expensive, is the generator slide-mount. Whoever installed the > Onan > > > did a hack job and didn't maintain the same level of mechanical > > > structure. I had to use a come-along to pull it out. The Onan > > > doesn't require as much overhead clearance, so I would like to > raise > > > the whole system while I'm at it. > > > ? Has anyone had experience with these slide supports > > > > > > Brent > > > 77FC31 > > > Ventura, CA > > > > > > Breaking-in the new 77FC on Thanksgiving - Brent Swartzentruber - 11-26-2006 03:35 Gardner, The temperatures are supposed to drop to the low 60's later this week, so yes I need that engine heater to work. Seriously though, we camp in the snow so heat is a good thing. The furnace heaters work well enough. I do plan on buying tires, though these don't show signs of cracking. Do they fail from the inside? As for maintenance, I bought a maintenance-free Wanderlodge, so that shouldn't be a problem. Brent Ventura,CA 77FC31 --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw" wrote: > > So why are you worried about an engine heater in California? > Definitely get rid of those old tires, or up your life insurance! > Check the age and condition on all of the batteries and replace as > needed. Maintenance is a fact of life, you didn't buy new so face > the music and buy, buy, buy what ever the Bird needs. It's not an > investment, it's a money pit that returns great pleasure to your > life. > > Gardner > 78FC33 (spending like a drunken sailor) > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards" > > > > > Congratulations on your purchase. It looks nice. Sounds like > your generator battery may > > be bad. Do you have a switch tht connects the generator and > engine batteries to crank the > > thing over when one set is weak? Did you try it when starting the > generator? > > > > Kerry82 Fc 35 > > Denver > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Brent Swartzentruber" > > <swartzentruber1@> wrote: > > > > > > We are really excited about our new Wanderlodge. I got our new > 1977 > > > FC31 home last Saturday from Eugene, OR. The 900 mile drive > home > > > was mostly a pleasure, though my ears where ringing after 12.5 > > > hours. I averaged 10 mpg - mostly 60-63 mph. (I think I can do > > > better with practice). > > > > > > here are some pictures of the new rig, my wife Hillary, and her > > > sister at the beach near Ventura, CA where we spent Thanksgiving > > > (bbq'd the turkey) > > > http://www.pbase.com/bajaroad/wanderlodge > > > > > > I must admit the purchase was a stressful process. The > generator > > > wasn't as new as suggested, the engine heaters don't work, the > > > instrument panel lights are mostly out, the tach doesn't work, > the > > > speedo is off by about 5%, the front tires are about 8yrs old, > the > > > storage compartment pans are rusting badly, and the previous > owner > > > didn't know the ins & outs of the rig's systems. > > > The interior, the body & paint, brakes, engine, and trans all > seem > > > in good shape and well maintained. > > > > > > The generator worked fine after I got home. In fact I used it > to > > > power my saw to trim a low hanging tree. But later in the week > it > > > wasn't cranking over. I could here the starter clicking when I > > > toggled the switch, but no crank. I removed the starter this > > > morning and it is definitely shot. One of the permanent magnets > is > > > broken, but I'm not sure if I did that while initially > persuading > > > the starter to work with a few light taps with a wrench. So I > will > > > replace the starter and see if that was the problem. > > > ? Anyone have experience with an Onan non-OEM replacement > starter. > > > > > > The issue I am most determined to remedy, but fear could get > > > expensive, is the generator slide-mount. Whoever installed the > Onan > > > did a hack job and didn't maintain the same level of mechanical > > > structure. I had to use a come-along to pull it out. The Onan > > > doesn't require as much overhead clearance, so I would like to > raise > > > the whole system while I'm at it. > > > ? Has anyone had experience with these slide supports > > > > > > Brent > > > 77FC31 > > > Ventura, CA > > > > > > Breaking-in the new 77FC on Thanksgiving - one_dusty_hoot - 11-26-2006 03:48 Brent, You brought home a winner, a maintenance-free Wanderlodge is worth 10-15 grand more to you for the first 3 years of operation. Bob Janes, 87FC35, Greenville, SC --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Brent Swartzentruber" <swartzentruber1@...> wrote: > > Gardner, > The temperatures are supposed to drop to the low 60's later this > week, so yes I need that engine heater to work. > Seriously though, we camp in the snow so heat is a good thing. The > furnace heaters work well enough. > > I do plan on buying tires, though these don't show signs of > cracking. Do they fail from the inside? > > As for maintenance, I bought a maintenance-free Wanderlodge, so that > shouldn't be a problem. > > Brent > Ventura,CA > 77FC31 > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw" > wrote: > > > > So why are you worried about an engine heater in California? > > Definitely get rid of those old tires, or up your life insurance! > > Check the age and condition on all of the batteries and replace as > > needed. Maintenance is a fact of life, you didn't buy new so face > > the music and buy, buy, buy what ever the Bird needs. It's not an > > investment, it's a money pit that returns great pleasure to your > > life. > > > > Gardner > > 78FC33 (spending like a drunken sailor) > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards" > > > > > > > > Congratulations on your purchase. It looks nice. Sounds like > > your generator battery may > > > be bad. Do you have a switch tht connects the generator and > > engine batteries to crank the > > > thing over when one set is weak? Did you try it when starting > the > > generator? > > > > > > Kerry82 Fc 35 > > > Denver > > > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Brent Swartzentruber" > > > <swartzentruber1@> wrote: > > > > > > > > We are really excited about our new Wanderlodge. I got our > new > > 1977 > > > > FC31 home last Saturday from Eugene, OR. The 900 mile drive > > home > > > > was mostly a pleasure, though my ears where ringing after 12.5 > > > > hours. I averaged 10 mpg - mostly 60-63 mph. (I think I can > do > > > > better with practice). > > > > > > > > here are some pictures of the new rig, my wife Hillary, and > her > > > > sister at the beach near Ventura, CA where we spent > Thanksgiving > > > > (bbq'd the turkey) > > > > http://www.pbase.com/bajaroad/wanderlodge > > > > > > > > I must admit the purchase was a stressful process. The > > generator > > > > wasn't as new as suggested, the engine heaters don't work, the > > > > instrument panel lights are mostly out, the tach doesn't work, > > the > > > > speedo is off by about 5%, the front tires are about 8yrs old, > > the > > > > storage compartment pans are rusting badly, and the previous > > owner > > > > didn't know the ins & outs of the rig's systems. > > > > The interior, the body & paint, brakes, engine, and trans all > > seem > > > > in good shape and well maintained. > > > > > > > > The generator worked fine after I got home. In fact I used it > > to > > > > power my saw to trim a low hanging tree. But later in the > week > > it > > > > wasn't cranking over. I could here the starter clicking when > I > > > > toggled the switch, but no crank. I removed the starter this > > > > morning and it is definitely shot. One of the permanent > magnets > > is > > > > broken, but I'm not sure if I did that while initially > > persuading > > > > the starter to work with a few light taps with a wrench. So I > > will > > > > replace the starter and see if that was the problem. > > > > ? Anyone have experience with an Onan non-OEM replacement > > starter. > > > > > > > > The issue I am most determined to remedy, but fear could get > > > > expensive, is the generator slide-mount. Whoever installed > the > > Onan > > > > did a hack job and didn't maintain the same level of > mechanical > > > > structure. I had to use a come-along to pull it out. The > Onan > > > > doesn't require as much overhead clearance, so I would like to > > raise > > > > the whole system while I'm at it. > > > > ? Has anyone had experience with these slide supports > > > > > > > > Brent > > > > 77FC31 > > > > Ventura, CA > > > > > > > > > > Breaking-in the new 77FC on Thanksgiving - davidkerryedwards - 11-26-2006 05:13 Mine starts pretty easily down into the 20's without using the block heater. It will smoke out the neighborhood for blocks around for about 15 minutes though. The heater makes for less smoke on start up. Make sure you have plenty of PowerServe in the tank or the appropriate mixture of #1 and #2 diesel in cold weather. Since you have a gas generator, you will always have the option of starting the generator and using the block heater before starting the CAT. Kerry 82 FC 35 Denver --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Brent Swartzentruber" <swartzentruber1@...> wrote: > > Gardner, > The temperatures are supposed to drop to the low 60's later this > week, so yes I need that engine heater to work. > Seriously though, we camp in the snow so heat is a good thing. The > furnace heaters work well enough. > > I do plan on buying tires, though these don't show signs of > cracking. Do they fail from the inside? > > As for maintenance, I bought a maintenance-free Wanderlodge, so that > shouldn't be a problem. > > Brent > Ventura,CA > 77FC31 > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw" > wrote: > > > > So why are you worried about an engine heater in California? > > Definitely get rid of those old tires, or up your life insurance! > > Check the age and condition on all of the batteries and replace as > > needed. Maintenance is a fact of life, you didn't buy new so face > > the music and buy, buy, buy what ever the Bird needs. It's not an > > investment, it's a money pit that returns great pleasure to your > > life. > > > > Gardner > > 78FC33 (spending like a drunken sailor) > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards" > > > > > > > > Congratulations on your purchase. It looks nice. Sounds like > > your generator battery may > > > be bad. Do you have a switch tht connects the generator and > > engine batteries to crank the > > > thing over when one set is weak? Did you try it when starting > the > > generator? > > > > > > Kerry82 Fc 35 > > > Denver > > > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Brent Swartzentruber" > > > <swartzentruber1@> wrote: > > > > > > > > We are really excited about our new Wanderlodge. I got our > new > > 1977 > > > > FC31 home last Saturday from Eugene, OR. The 900 mile drive > > home > > > > was mostly a pleasure, though my ears where ringing after 12.5 > > > > hours. I averaged 10 mpg - mostly 60-63 mph. (I think I can > do > > > > better with practice). > > > > > > > > here are some pictures of the new rig, my wife Hillary, and > her > > > > sister at the beach near Ventura, CA where we spent > Thanksgiving > > > > (bbq'd the turkey) > > > > http://www.pbase.com/bajaroad/wanderlodge > > > > > > > > I must admit the purchase was a stressful process. The > > generator > > > > wasn't as new as suggested, the engine heaters don't work, the > > > > instrument panel lights are mostly out, the tach doesn't work, > > the > > > > speedo is off by about 5%, the front tires are about 8yrs old, > > the > > > > storage compartment pans are rusting badly, and the previous > > owner > > > > didn't know the ins & outs of the rig's systems. > > > > The interior, the body & paint, brakes, engine, and trans all > > seem > > > > in good shape and well maintained. > > > > > > > > The generator worked fine after I got home. In fact I used it > > to > > > > power my saw to trim a low hanging tree. But later in the > week > > it > > > > wasn't cranking over. I could here the starter clicking when > I > > > > toggled the switch, but no crank. I removed the starter this > > > > morning and it is definitely shot. One of the permanent > magnets > > is > > > > broken, but I'm not sure if I did that while initially > > persuading > > > > the starter to work with a few light taps with a wrench. So I > > will > > > > replace the starter and see if that was the problem. > > > > ? Anyone have experience with an Onan non-OEM replacement > > starter. > > > > > > > > The issue I am most determined to remedy, but fear could get > > > > expensive, is the generator slide-mount. Whoever installed > the > > Onan > > > > did a hack job and didn't maintain the same level of > mechanical > > > > structure. I had to use a come-along to pull it out. The > Onan > > > > doesn't require as much overhead clearance, so I would like to > > raise > > > > the whole system while I'm at it. > > > > ? Has anyone had experience with these slide supports > > > > > > > > Brent > > > > 77FC31 > > > > Ventura, CA > > > > > > > > > > Breaking-in the new 77FC on Thanksgiving - Gardner Yeaw - 11-26-2006 12:47 Brent, I missed out on that 'maintenance free' option, so I bought the extended warranty kit (tools, wire, blueprints, more tools, fuses, 10,000 watt flashlight, Advil, Beer, more Advil, more beer, etc..etc...) Gardner 78fc33 --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Brent Swartzentruber" <swartzentruber1@...> wrote: > > Gardner, > The temperatures are supposed to drop to the low 60's later this > week, so yes I need that engine heater to work. > Seriously though, we camp in the snow so heat is a good thing. The > furnace heaters work well enough. > > I do plan on buying tires, though these don't show signs of > cracking. Do they fail from the inside? > > As for maintenance, I bought a maintenance-free Wanderlodge, so that > shouldn't be a problem. > > Brent > Ventura,CA > 77FC31 > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gardner Yeaw" > wrote: > > > > So why are you worried about an engine heater in California? > > Definitely get rid of those old tires, or up your life insurance! > > Check the age and condition on all of the batteries and replace as > > needed. Maintenance is a fact of life, you didn't buy new so face > > the music and buy, buy, buy what ever the Bird needs. It's not an > > investment, it's a money pit that returns great pleasure to your > > life. > > > > Gardner > > 78FC33 (spending like a drunken sailor) > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards" > > > > > > > > Congratulations on your purchase. It looks nice. Sounds like > > your generator battery may > > > be bad. Do you have a switch tht connects the generator and > > engine batteries to crank the > > > thing over when one set is weak? Did you try it when starting > the > > generator? > > > > > > Kerry82 Fc 35 > > > Denver > > > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Brent Swartzentruber" > > > <swartzentruber1@> wrote: > > > > > > > > We are really excited about our new Wanderlodge. I got our > new > > 1977 > > > > FC31 home last Saturday from Eugene, OR. The 900 mile drive > > home > > > > was mostly a pleasure, though my ears where ringing after 12.5 > > > > hours. I averaged 10 mpg - mostly 60-63 mph. (I think I can > do > > > > better with practice). > > > > > > > > here are some pictures of the new rig, my wife Hillary, and > her > > > > sister at the beach near Ventura, CA where we spent > Thanksgiving > > > > (bbq'd the turkey) > > > > http://www.pbase.com/bajaroad/wanderlodge > > > > > > > > I must admit the purchase was a stressful process. The > > generator > > > > wasn't as new as suggested, the engine heaters don't work, the > > > > instrument panel lights are mostly out, the tach doesn't work, > > the > > > > speedo is off by about 5%, the front tires are about 8yrs old, > > the > > > > storage compartment pans are rusting badly, and the previous > > owner > > > > didn't know the ins & outs of the rig's systems. > > > > The interior, the body & paint, brakes, engine, and trans all > > seem > > > > in good shape and well maintained. > > > > > > > > The generator worked fine after I got home. In fact I used it > > to > > > > power my saw to trim a low hanging tree. But later in the > week > > it > > > > wasn't cranking over. I could here the starter clicking when > I > > > > toggled the switch, but no crank. I removed the starter this > > > > morning and it is definitely shot. One of the permanent > magnets > > is > > > > broken, but I'm not sure if I did that while initially > > persuading > > > > the starter to work with a few light taps with a wrench. So I > > will > > > > replace the starter and see if that was the problem. > > > > ? Anyone have experience with an Onan non-OEM replacement > > starter. > > > > > > > > The issue I am most determined to remedy, but fear could get > > > > expensive, is the generator slide-mount. Whoever installed > the > > Onan > > > > did a hack job and didn't maintain the same level of > mechanical > > > > structure. I had to use a come-along to pull it out. The > Onan > > > > doesn't require as much overhead clearance, so I would like to > > raise > > > > the whole system while I'm at it. > > > > ? Has anyone had experience with these slide supports > > > > > > > > Brent > > > > 77FC31 > > > > Ventura, CA > > > > > > > > > > |