Old and new things used on Birds

[Ralph L. Fullenwider]

Hi Bill:

From tube logic, to relay logic, to??? and on and on. Today we have more
computing power in a hand held Blackberry than there was to put our men on
the moon and bring them hope safely.

Odd at how some of yesterday's technology is still used in RV's and Birds
today. The "ammonia" gravity fed refrigerators is one. The electronics of
today is used to control, change, and re fire the system but the system is
still old school and works nicely.

We have seen the Birds go from micro switch logic to relay and then further
into the fiber optic, central hubs with satellite hubs going into a digital
central processor. Engines have gone from mechanical control to a DDEC,
DDEC1 and 2 then to computer based units tied into an EPU. Smart
transmissions with on board computers that interface with engine
controllers than can be changed on the fly,,,,, whew, and the test
equipment to trouble shoot all of that has changed and of course the price
of that test unit went out of sight. Remember when we thought setting up a
double pumper or 3 duce carb was a challenge? Now it is trying to find out
how the DD 6 and 8V's incorporate the jake engine break, and that on and
old system.

The list goes on with "smart" cylinders that out put a digital signal for
positioning and stacking two separate units, 20 feet apart and making them
interact as one, every time! Of course drag co efficient's, mechanical
problems interject problems that a computer cannot compute to a point. All
that to make a slide out work. The list goes on and on.

I would guess that many on this Forum know exactly what I am talking about.
My question to my self is; Why so darn complicated just to go camping???
The buttoning of shelter 1/2's used to be the most complicated thing
about it all. LOL

Safe travels,

Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
84FC35 "Ruff Diamond"
Duncan, Oklahoma

At 02:35 PM 5/27/2009 +0000, you wrote:
>Ralph;
>Nixie is old,,, I remember repairing HP test equipment, lots of Nixie
>tubes in the 60's
>
>Bill 88 FC Michigan
>
>--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ralph L. Fullenwider"
> wrote:
> >
> > Not really odd in some ways. Electronics have always had the reputation of
> > failing do to heat. Though todays electronics are less sensitive some
> > "parts" can be and fail. You more than likely have a Dometic board
> > installed and they are "potted" other wise I would suggest waiting until
> > night the take the wifes hair drier out there and apply heat and see if it
> > changes. You have a relay on that board that is heat sensitive or a triac
> > that is heat sensitive. I remember when nixi tubes would heat up the
> "fire"
> > spurious things would really happen then,, oops nixi tubes, am I dating my
> > self or what? LOL
> >
> > Safe travels,
> >
> > Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
> > 84FC35 "Ruff Diamond"
> > Duncan, Oklahoma
> >
> > At 02:33 PM 5/26/2009 +0000, you wrote:
> > >Thanks to all who responded. I may need to replace the board.
> > >
> > >What's odd is that during the day it will switch to DC. At night it
> > >automatically switches back to AC and stays on AC all through the night
> > >and into the morning. I'm wondering if it has something to do with the
> > >heat of the day? Why does it switch to AC at night only???
> > >
> > >It's another one of those little oddities that keeps life interesting.
> > >
> > >Jerry
> > >85 PT40
> > >
> > >--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ralph L. Fullenwider"
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hi Jerry:
> > > >
> > > > Replace the circuit board with a dinosaur board. The board senses the
> > > > changes in voltage and goes to what is sensed or default if not. 1.
> 110vac
> > > > is first, 2. LP then 12 vdc if the other 2 are not sensed. Point
> is, the
> > > > board is telling your system what to do. While you in there, do an ohms
> > > > check on the 12vdc heater, it may be open and not working. At best
> the vdc
> > > > setting is poor.
> > > >
> > > > Safe travels,
> > > >
> > > > Ralph and Charolette Fullenwider
> > > > 84FC35 "Ruff Diamond"
> > > > Duncan, Oklahoma
> > > >
> > > > At 04:25 PM 5/25/2009 +0000, you wrote:
> > > > >I'm currently on the road and my refrigerator is doing some goofy
> > > > >stuff. I believe it's a replacement to my 85 PT40. It's a
> Dometic 3807
> > > > >Royal Designer Series. I don't have the manual for the frig
> (wasn't in
> > > > >the Blue Box) and I've researched a little online. Here's what it is
> > > doing:
> > > > >
> > > > > - It seems to run fine on AC setting then suddenly switches to
> > > > > DC. While on AC, the number 1 setting (1 - 5) seems to stay
> plenty cool.
> > > > >
> > > > > - When it switches to DC (without prompting while still hooked
> to shore
> > > > > power) it tends to warm up even in the 5 setting.
> > > > >
> > > > > - All breakers seem to be fine and there is power at the outlet
> (when
> > > > > tested) at the back of the frig.
> > > > >
> > > > > - There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason on when/why it
> switches
> > > > > from AC to DC.
> > > > >
> > > > >Any thoughts? It might be that I am ready for a new frig (don't
> really
> > > > >think so) or ready for a rebuild. Or, the circuit board may need
> > > replaced.
> > > > >
> > > > >Hope you all have a great Memorial Day and thanks for your service
> to our
> > > > >country!
> > > > >
> > > > >Jerry 85 PT40
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------------
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

[Pete Masterson]

Ralph,

When I was a boy scout, we used shelter halves -- and you always wanted an even number of scouts on a camping trip!! (Or, at least, you didn't want to be the odd one out....)

From experience, I note that there are those who had trouble with the seemingly simple task of buttoning together shelter halves.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

Photos:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Bluebirdzoom/PeteMasterson#

On May 27, 2009, at 8:06 AM, Ralph L. Fullenwider wrote:

<snip>
The buttoning of shelter 1/2's used to be the most complicated thing
about it all. LOL