Residential fridges

[Pete Masterson]

Newer refrigerators have (1) more efficient compressors and related components and (2) have better, more effective, insulation. It may be possible to swap out the compressor, but the related components may not support the latest design features. The type and quantity of insulation is what it is...

I didn't say "windshield," I said, "window." One of the side windows, presumably the one that's also an emergency escape can be removed so that a refrigerator can be tilted on its side, and in through the window. Since I've remodeled the forward area (removing the sofas), we actually now have the room to maneuver a refrigerator across the floor, once it comes in through the window. However, the job would be a real PITA. So, unless the darn thing dies on me to the point of being unrepairable, it's not at all likely that I'll be removing it anytime soon.

Let's just say, I'm a little disappointed that the coach doesn't handle boondocking any better than it does. I can be done, but it requires more running of the generator than would be the case if the coach had some LP gas appliances. I've adjusted to the situation and don't mind the implications that it has. I'm just a little less likely to stay in a Walmart for an overnight stop than might have been the case if the coach was a little less demanding in its electrical needs. I'm also unlikely to spend much time in California State Parks (that don't generally handle a coach the size of mine very well anyway). In contrast, I've stayed in several Texas state parks with no trouble (except getting to the sewer dump in one of them would have been a bad joke, had I tried).

This thread has gotten me to reconsider the situation with the batteries -- and the controller may not be charging them correctly, now. Over the next few days, as other matters allow, I'll spend some time re-reading the Link 2000R manual and compare it's various charts, etc. with the information pamphlet for the batteries. 

There are a lot of phantom loads in the coach. I've tried to get everything turned off -- and it appears to be impossible. To really isolate the batteries, I'd need to install one of those marine battery switches (I think Tommy Two Shoes has one) -- but that's down a ways on my 'to do' list. In the mean time, it's no big deal for me to keep the coach plugged in while it's in front of the house.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Feb 7, 2008, at 2:21 PM, Gregory OConnor wrote:

Pete it is good that you look for the cause of a failure like your 

assumption that the batteries were not maintained while at the 

dealership. On an old bus like yours there are phantom loads that 

require more attention than new high end coaches.  I do think that 

there would be more incentive  to switch out a 140#/ $400.00 battery 

then a 45#/$70 battery. either way it was likely discharge that 

compramised the set that followed your coach.

I wonder what makes a newer compressor style fridge more efficient 

than the pre 134 '95 in your bus????  Maybe you can just change out 

the compressor and not remove the icebox cabinet???? avoid removing 

the windshield and all that.

GregoryO'Connor

circa 1994pt

RomolandCa

--- In "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com", Pete Masterson 

wrote:

FWIW, the batteries I received in my coach were the very ones 

that  

the previous owner installed. DEKA brand AGMs. At 140 lbs. each 

and  

with their huge size, they're not that practical for a dealer to 

swap  

in-out of the coach. So long as the batteries seem to work, a 

dealer  

isn't going to fiddle with them.

Of course, smaller, more common size batteries might give a 

dealer  

more incentive to mess with.

===============================================

Pete Masterson, Author of

Book Design and Production: A Guide for Authors and Publishers

Aeonix1@...

Aeonix Publishing Group    http://www.aeonix.com

===============================================

On Feb 6, 2008, at 7:41 PM, Gregory OConnor wrote:

When a motorhome passes from dealership to dealership the good

batteries dont pass with the motorhome. not saying that dealers 

are

bad or in the wrong just saying you should ask to find a coach on

the lot to switch batteries with befor you write the check.

GregoryO'Connor

94ptRomolandCa

[Ryan Wright]

On Feb 7, 2008 5:48 PM, Pete Masterson wrote:
>
> Let's just say, I'm a little disappointed that the coach doesn't handle
> boondocking any better than it does.

This is the wonderful thing about the older birds. The LP does present
minor maintenance complications (just one more system to keep up with)
but boondocking ability is amazing and that was one of my goals in
buying a coach. I like the "emotional comfort" of having extended
range, self-containment. I don't like campgrounds, too formal, too
much time spent checking in and out, hooking up cables, parking,
observing rules, yadda yadda.... I just pull into the nearest truck
stop, rest area or Wal-Mart parking lot, turn the engine off and do my
thing. Only need to run the generator for AC or hot water (and that
I'm trying to figure out; I thought my hot water heater would burn
propane, but it doesn't seem to.) As a bonus, I save about forty bucks
a night.

My LP seems to last forever. I can run the furnaces far longer than I
ever expected; I've been running them 2 - 4 hours a day while hanging
out in the coach since November and still have 3/4 of a tank left. The
fridge and stove top don't take enough to even be measurable.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92

[Mike Hohnstein]

Add a diesel fueled boiler with two zones. One for the chassis heater and water heater loop and one for the engine. I got one in the FC, it's a great addition.

MH

----- Original Message -----

From: "ryanpwright@gmail.com"

To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"

Sent: Friday, February 08, 2008 3:20 PM

Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Residential fridges

On Feb 7, 2008 5:48 PM, Pete Masterson <"aeonix1@mac.com"> wrote:
>
> Let's just say, I'm a little disappointed that the coach doesn't handle
> boondocking any better than it does.

This is the wonderful thing about the older birds. The LP does present
minor maintenance complications (just one more system to keep up with)
but boondocking ability is amazing and that was one of my goals in
buying a coach. I like the "emotional comfort" of having extended
range, self-containment. I don't like campgrounds, too formal, too
much time spent checking in and out, hooking up cables, parking,
observing rules, yadda yadda.... I just pull into the nearest truck
stop, rest area or Wal-Mart parking lot, turn the engine off and do my
thing. Only need to run the generator for AC or hot water (and that
I'm trying to figure out; I thought my hot water heater would burn
propane, but it doesn't seem to.) As a bonus, I save about forty bucks
a night.

My LP seems to last forever. I can run the furnaces far longer than I
ever expected; I've been running them 2 - 4 hours a day while hanging
out in the coach since November and still have 3/4 of a tank left. The
fridge and stove top don't take enough to even be measurable.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92

[Ryan Wright]

Mmm, that sounds nice, Mike. Where would I find such a thing?

-Ryan

On Feb 8, 2008 4:03 PM, Mike Hohnstein <MHOHNSTEIN@...> wrote:
>
> Add a diesel fueled boiler with two zones. One for the chassis heater and
> water heater loop and one for the engine. I got one in the FC, it's a great
> addition.
> MH
>

[Bob Lawrence]

Ryan,
Put in a tankless hot water heater in one of the bays made by Precision
Temp. Negligible propane use.
We have had ours for over 4 years now in our bird. This is the third
one we have put in motorhomes and just love it.
Try http://www.precisiontemp.com for info I think.
Bob Lawrence
84 PT36
Boulder City, Nv (Sunny mid 60's today)


Only need to run the generator for AC or hot water (and that
> I'm trying to figure out; I thought my hot water heater would burn
> propane, but it doesn't seem to.) As a bonus, I save about forty bucks
> a night.
>
> My LP seems to last forever. I can run the furnaces far longer than I
> ever expected; I've been running them 2 - 4 hours a day while hanging
> out in the coach since November and still have 3/4 of a tank left. The
> fridge and stove top don't take enough to even be measurable.
>
> -Ryan
> '86 PT-40 8V92
>

[Mike Hohnstein]

I used a Proheat. they have a web site.

MH

----- Original Message -----

From: "ryanpwright@gmail.com"

To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"

Sent: Friday, February 08, 2008 6:35 PM

Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Residential fridges

Mmm, that sounds nice, Mike. Where would I find such a thing?

-Ryan

On Feb 8, 2008 4:03 PM, Mike Hohnstein <"MHOHNSTEIN@wi.rr.com"> wrote:
>
> Add a diesel fueled boiler with two zones. One for the chassis heater and
> water heater loop and one for the engine. I got one in the FC, it's a great
> addition.
> MH
>

[Ryan Wright]

Thank you, gentlemen. I will investigate both options.

-Ryan

On Feb 8, 2008 4:49 PM, Bob Lawrence wrote:
> Put in a tankless hot water heater in one of the bays made by Precision
> Temp. Negligible propane use.

On Feb 8, 2008 6:08 PM, Mike Hohnstein <MHOHNSTEIN@...> wrote:
> I used a Proheat. they have a web site.

[Stephen Birtles]

You can use Proheat ,Webasto,ITR,kabola and there are others
all work all are good some just take a little more planning than others
Stephen 77fc35

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
<MHOHNSTEIN@...> wrote:
>
> I used a Proheat. they have a web site.
> MH
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ryan Wright
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Friday, February 08, 2008 6:35 PM
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Residential fridges
>
>
> Mmm, that sounds nice, Mike. Where would I find such a thing?
>
> -Ryan
>
> On Feb 8, 2008 4:03 PM, Mike Hohnstein <MHOHNSTEIN@...> wrote:
> >
> > Add a diesel fueled boiler with two zones. One for the chassis
heater and
> > water heater loop and one for the engine. I got one in the FC,
it's a great
> > addition.
> > MH
> >
>

[Gregory OConnor]

Ryan, I considered putting in a lp water heater but proper time
management with scheduling generator battery charging eliminated the
need (MikeH 2006? post). I schedule running the generator to
recharge batteries in the morning and evening around the time that I
plan on using hot water and/or the microwave. Since the generator
output is not taxed when the battery charges are the prompted task,
Heating water with some of the generators 110v's is free. I'm
thinking of learning to use the instahot for cleaning and other hot
water needs between genset runtimes. (I never turned the instahot
on, dont even know if it runs on inverter ac output??)

When you schedule two Genset-run/battery-charge times per day, you
also reduce the size of 12 volt battery storage necessary.

I should learn how to cycle my Wabasto to heat the water heater
only. (My 94pt was shipped with a 'LP fired Primus hydronic' that
has since been replaced with a 'diesel fired Wabasto hydronic
heater'
I can see that if you WalCamp it would be nice to wake up and take a
hot shower without starting a genset. Maybe a quick 1/2 hour jump on
your next days journey prior to taking a shower will give the
detroit a chance to heat enough water

GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCa

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan Wright"
wrote:
>
> Thank you, gentlemen. I will investigate both options.
>
> -Ryan
>
> On Feb 8, 2008 4:49 PM, Bob Lawrence wrote:
> > Put in a tankless hot water heater in one of the bays made by
Precision
> > Temp. Negligible propane use.
>
> On Feb 8, 2008 6:08 PM, Mike Hohnstein <MHOHNSTEIN@...> wrote:
> > I used a Proheat. they have a web site.
>

[Larry Dill]

Hi Mike,
Long time no speak... What do you think of a Webasto Thermo-90 as a secondary heating unit???

Sea Ya
Larry
NYC
84 35FCSB

----- Original Message ----
From: Mike Hohnstein <MHOHNSTEIN@...>
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, February 8, 2008 9:08:41
PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Residential fridges

I used a Proheat. they have a web site.

MH

----- Original Message -----

From: "ryanpwright@gmail.com"

To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"

Sent: Friday, February 08, 2008 6:35 PM

Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Residential fridges

Mmm, that sounds nice, Mike. Where would I find such a thing?

-Ryan

On Feb 8, 2008 4:03 PM, Mike Hohnstein <"MHOHNSTEIN@wi.rr.com"> wrote:
>
> Add a diesel fueled boiler with two zones. One for the chassis heater and
> water heater loop and one for the engine. I got one in the FC, it's a great
> addition.
> MH
>

---

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