Another Bird fire

[Ernie E]

I am wondering, since there have been 3 fires with the 90s coaches, that if the
battery cables are being chaffed behind the main battery bank. Since the coaches
involved were 92, 94 and 95 models, those with coaches of this era might want to
check the routing of these cables.
This is too much of a coincidence and may have taken these many years to wear
thru.
Fortunately, nobody in all 3 coaches were hurt.
Ernie- 83PT40 in New River, Az

[Ron Thompson]

You have a very valid point there Ernie, I have a 95 coach and intend to check out all the wiring in the rear of the coach. Thanks for bringing that up. Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx. 1995 WLWB 42' (cockyfox@...) --- On Thu, 11/26/09, Ernie E wrote: From: Ernie E Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Another Bird fire To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Date: Thursday, November 26, 2009, 10:10 AM I am wondering, since there have been 3 fires with the 90s coaches, that if the battery cables are being chaffed behind the main battery bank. Since the coaches involved were 92, 94 and 95 models, those with coaches of this era might want to check the routing of these cables. This is too much of a coincidence and may have taken these many years to wear thru. Fortunately, nobody in all 3 coaches were hurt. Ernie- 83PT40 in New River, Az

[Ernie Ekberg]

The place to check is behind that battery bank with the cable that goes forward. Ernie Ekberg 83PT40 Wanderlodge Weatherford, Tx 817-475-3991 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/erni...gandrepair --- On Thu, 11/26/09, Ron Thompson wrote: From: Ron Thompson Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Another Bird fire To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Date: Thursday, November 26, 2009, 1:09 PM You have a very valid point there Ernie, I have a 95 coach and intend to check out all the wiring in the rear of the coach. Thanks for bringing that up. Ron Thompson -Waller, Tx. 1995 WLWB 42' (cockyfox@sbcglobal .net) --- On Thu, 11/26/09, Ernie E wrote: From: Ernie E Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Another Bird fire To: WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com Date: Thursday, November 26, 2009, 10:10 AM I am wondering, since there have been 3 fires with the 90s coaches, that if the battery cables are being chaffed behind the main battery bank. Since the coaches involved were 92, 94 and 95 models, those with coaches of this era might want to check the routing of these cables. This is too much of a coincidence and may have taken these many years to wear thru. Fortunately, nobody in all 3 coaches were hurt. Ernie- 83PT40 in New River, Az

[ronmarabito2002]

Sorry to hear of the loss of anyones coach. I warned the forum after mine to
check these cables and apparently it just went right by everyone. What a shame.
I sure hope everyone gets out there and checks these cables now.

R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ernie E" wrote:
>
> I am wondering, since there have been 3 fires with the 90s coaches, that if
the battery cables are being chaffed behind the main battery bank. Since the
coaches involved were 92, 94 and 95 models, those with coaches of this era might
want to check the routing of these cables.
> This is too much of a coincidence and may have taken these many years to wear
thru.
> Fortunately, nobody in all 3 coaches were hurt.
> Ernie- 83PT40 in New River, Az
>

[SteveQ]

Ron, Ernie

Are you refering to the house batteries or the three engine batteries when you
say main battery bank? I looked at everything after Randy's fire but will give
it another CLOSER look when I get back to Texas next month.

Steve Quandt
1993 PT-40
Cold in Iron Mountain, Mi
Coach enjoying warm weather in Marble Falls TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ronmarabito2002"
wrote:
>
>
> Sorry to hear of the loss of anyones coach. I warned the forum after mine to
check these cables and apparently it just went right by everyone. What a shame.
I sure hope everyone gets out there and checks these cables now.
>
> R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ernie E" wrote:
> >
> > I am wondering, since there have been 3 fires with the 90s coaches, that if
the battery cables are being chaffed behind the main battery bank. Since the
coaches involved were 92, 94 and 95 models, those with coaches of this era might
want to check the routing of these cables.
> > This is too much of a coincidence and may have taken these many years to
wear thru.
> > Fortunately, nobody in all 3 coaches were hurt.
> > Ernie- 83PT40 in New River, Az
> >
>

[Ernie Ekberg]

Where I observed was the batteries on the curbside, close to the firewall of the engine compartment Ernie Ekberg 83PT40 Wanderlodge Weatherford, Tx 817-475-3991 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/erni...gandrepair --- On Thu, 11/26/09, SteveQ wrote: From: SteveQ Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Another Bird fire To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Date: Thursday, November 26, 2009, 8:27 PM Ron, Ernie Are you refering to the house batteries or the three engine batteries when you say main battery bank? I looked at everything after Randy's fire but will give it another CLOSER look when I get back to Texas next month. Steve Quandt 1993 PT-40 Cold in Iron Mountain, Mi Coach enjoying warm weather in Marble Falls TX --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "ronmarabito2002" wrote: > > > Sorry to hear of the loss of anyones coach. I warned the forum after mine to check these cables and apparently it just went right by everyone. What a shame. I sure hope everyone gets out there and checks these cables now. > > R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40 > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "Ernie E" wrote: > > > > I am wondering, since there have been 3 fires with the 90s coaches, that if the battery cables are being chaffed behind the main battery bank. Since the coaches involved were 92, 94 and 95 models, those with coaches of this era might want to check the routing of these cables. > > This is too much of a coincidence and may have taken these many years to wear thru. > > Fortunately, nobody in all 3 coaches were hurt. > > Ernie- 83PT40 in New River, Az > > >

[dan]

Ron, I know you understand what it is like to have trouble in another country as you did in canada. I wanted to ask, what it is that burns there. I know the cable shorts and gets hot but what is it that then catches on fire and burns the coach? Thanks, Dan

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

From: "remarabito@att.net"

To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"

Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2009 8:05 PM

Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Another Bird fire

Sorry to hear of the loss of anyones coach. I warned the forum after mine to check these cables and apparently it just went right by everyone. What a shame. I sure hope everyone gets out there and checks these cables now.

R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40

--- In "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com", "Ernie E" .> wrote:
>
> I am wondering, since there have been 3 fires with the 90s coaches, that if the battery cables are being chaffed behind the main battery bank. Since the coaches involved were 92, 94 and 95 models, those with coaches of this era might want to check the routing of these cables.
> This is too much of a coincidence and may have taken these many years to wear thru.
> Fortunately, nobody in all 3 coaches were hurt.
> Ernie- 83PT40 in New River, Az
>

[gregory O]

I dont think our advice went past everyone without a review, especially Rob. I
dont think your issues were limited to the single ground short at the battery
box and bet Robs was not the same failure. I also dont think you have corrected
all the issues with your coach as it is now. You didnt learn with the engine
rebuild . now with the rewire of your rig leaving many more mods and changes,
chances are there is a next problem waiting to happen. I suspect Rob will do
like Randy and not hide opinion and review in fear of conflicting with the best
return on an insurance claim.

There is a heat sheild on the curb/manifold of the 8v92 that keeps hot air off
of the start batteries. problem is there is a blank spot that leaves the mess of
wires exposed to the heat on the fire-wall behind the batteries. on my and
several rigs the plastic loom protectors are melted and removed. I was thinking
of closing this area off with a thin sheet of metal but wonder if it will
obstruct necessary movement of air past the engine. I may just wrap the wire
area with a fabric heat schield????? (This manifold heat is the same heat that
takes out the pressure protection valve for the bulk oil, which is on the
manifold side of the heat shield)

there are two commercial jump start lugs as you open the rear engine bay door to
the right. the positive should be covered with a rubber boot

batteries blow up, maybe there is too much fuel of wire insulation around this
area and the batteries need a box or cover????

Greg
94ptca



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ronmarabito2002"
wrote:
>
>
> Sorry to hear of the loss of anyones coach. I warned the forum after mine to
check these cables and apparently it just went right by everyone. What a shame.
I sure hope everyone gets out there and checks these cables now.
>
> R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ernie E" wrote:
> >
> > I am wondering, since there have been 3 fires with the 90s coaches, that if
the battery cables are being chaffed behind the main battery bank. Since the
coaches involved were 92, 94 and 95 models, those with coaches of this era might
want to check the routing of these cables.
> > This is too much of a coincidence and may have taken these many years to
wear thru.
> > Fortunately, nobody in all 3 coaches were hurt.
> > Ernie- 83PT40 in New River, Az
> >
>

[mbulriss]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ronmarabito2002"
wrote:
>
> I warned the forum after mine to check these cables and
> apparently it just went right by everyone

I think you would be wrong in that assumption. After your fire, I crawled
around under the back of mine checking all the cables on the start bank and the
house bank looking for loose, corroded, rubbing or frayed cables. After hearing
of Randy's fire, this past weekend I regasketed the front access panel and
crawled around under the front changing the genset water hoses to the radiator
and checking all the power cables up front since his fire started in the front.
While all the electrical cables checked out good, we also greased everything and
did a general check for loose bolts, nuts, fittings, hoses, hose clamps, exhaust
fittings, drain plugs, etc. on both ends also. I have to admit, I was surprised
and unhappy with how many loose items we found when we did that. I made a
mental note to put a wrench on everything I can see and reach more often from
now on. I think everyone needs to put a wrench on everything they can find,
especially the exhaust system clamps, since one of mine off the Detroit was
quite loose.

Yes sir, I think a lot of people listened to you the first time and even more
will this time. Thanks for the reminder Ron.

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




--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ronmarabito2002"
wrote:
>
>
> Sorry to hear of the loss of anyones coach. I warned the forum after mine to
check these cables and apparently it just went right by everyone. What a shame.
I sure hope everyone gets out there and checks these cables now.
>
> R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ernie E" wrote:
> >
> > I am wondering, since there have been 3 fires with the 90s coaches, that if
the battery cables are being chaffed behind the main battery bank. Since the
coaches involved were 92, 94 and 95 models, those with coaches of this era might
want to check the routing of these cables.
> > This is too much of a coincidence and may have taken these many years to
wear thru.
> > Fortunately, nobody in all 3 coaches were hurt.
> > Ernie- 83PT40 in New River, Az
> >
>

[Elliot]

Checked mine and one of the negative cables was stretched tigh t enough that the screw head on the positive clamp had vibrated through the plastic sheath. Wouldn't take much more to dead short across that battery!



Elliot

1995 WLWB 40

RARA AVIS

NW, Illinois

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

From: ronmarabito2002

To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thu, Nov 26, 2009 8:05 pm

Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Another Bird fire

Sorry to hear of the loss of anyones coach. I warned the forum after mine to check these cables and apparently it just went right by everyone. What a shame. I sure hope everyone gets out there and checks these cables now.



R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40



--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Ernie E" .> wrote:

>

> I am wondering, since there have been 3 fires with the 90s coaches, that if the battery cables are being chaffed behind the main battery bank. Since the coaches involved were 92, 94 and 95 models, those with coaches of this era might want to check the routing of these cables.

> This is too much of a coincidence and may have taken these many years to wear thru.

> Fortunately, nobody in all 3 coaches were hurt.

> Ernie- 83PT40 in New River, Az

>