1984 Wanderlodge Love/Hate Relationship

[Loretta Catlin]

Greetings Mike,

Thanks for responding to my e-mail.
The individual we purchased it from said it was 34 feet. Doug found the title and it doesn't show that information. So we just now got out the tape measure and it actually measures 35 feet bumper to bumper. The engine is in the front.

I see you live in Texas-we are in NC and the first real trip we took with the BB was to Fort Worth to attend our nephews wedding. We hope to make another trip to Texas if we ever get the ole girl in shape----right now I don't feel confident about taking her that far. I love the interior which is mostly original. The carpet is not original and I would like to replace it--if I am ever comfortable it is 'road worthy'.

Doug checked the connections on the back of the fuel
gauge. Connections good. Don't think he is willing to go thru the floor to check any further.

He said main power switch is on, both gauges read 60 volts, GFI circuit breaker in bathroom has been replaced with new one. He had the voltage reg. 'bench checked' (whatever that means) and all readings were per the factory service manual. Also brushes and commutator rings have been cleaned. He said voltage at all outlets reads 60 volts. The man I bought the Bird from assured me it was in perfect condition--He said "it could provide power for a small town".

By the way, we sent the radiator to be checked for leaks. It is the original. The shop flushed it out and I think made some repairs and new hoses. They said it was better than anything we could get to replace it.

Thanks again for your help.

Loretta Catlin

l984 Wanderlodge
Fairview, NC

---

From: mbulriss <mbulriss@...>
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, May 6, 2011 10:52:00 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: 1984 Wanderlodge Love/Hate Relationship

Loretta,


Welcome to the world of forum posting!

On the gen set output, my first gut reaction response is voltage regulator on the generator. My 83 did that. Ralph says bad brushes on the commutator ring could also be a culprit. Of course a little trouble shooting might be appropriate to make sure, before someone just goes ripping into the genset. We will assume the main power input selector switch is on gen set, right? Are both voltage gauges reading 60 volts or just one? Have you measured the actual voltage at an outlet? Have you checked all circuit breakers and reset the GFCI circuit in the bathroom? That's a start anyway.

Personally, the fuel gauge would be one of my minor things given the size of the fuel tanks on these things -- I re-fill after every trip, and I can't drive far enough to run out of fuel without a bio break and re-fuel anyway! On the other hand, if it was working and then stopped, my first guess is check the
connections on the back of the gauge. Getting to the sender is more of a non-trivial task since you have to go through the floor of the coach to get to it. Is yours a PT or FC model? By the way, how did you decide it was 34 feet? There was not a 34' model.

Happy troubleshooting.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", Loretta Catlin wrote:
>
> Hello Fellow Bird Enthusiast,
>
> Although I joined your group a year or two ago, this is the first time I have
> participated in your many interesting discussions. I have a lot of questions,
> but I'll try to keep this short and not be 'long winded' as my husband might
> say.
> We had been looking for
a good, used RV for a long time before finding the BB.
> (I had never seen or heard of a BB) Seriously,we looked at a LOT ugly of RV's.
> I absolutely hated the shabby cardboard walls and tacky interiors--even in the
> very expensive homes. So we kept searching. Since I'm trying not to be 'long
> winded' I won't get into how we found out about the BB. That's a whole 'nother'
> story and I need to get to the point, but I will say, as soon as I stepped
> inside the BB I fell in love. Soooo.....
>
> H E L P! PLEASE! There seems to be several mysteries connected to our BB, but
> right now I will ask about only two and hope someone will be able offer some
> suggestions.
>
> (1) Kohler Generator, 12 1/2 KW, Should power up to 120 Volts, won't get past 60
> Volts
> (2) Fuel Gauge stopped working first time we took it out. (?)
>
>
Thanks for letting us be a part of your group.
>
> Loretta Catlin
> 1984 Wanderlodge
> 34 feet
> Diesel
>