Breaking-in the new 77FC on Thanksgiving

[davidkerryedwards]

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"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > 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
> > > >
> > >
> >
>