[al]

replaced my 110 v thermostat in the plumbing bay broken when my bay door was crushed . With a trip to Pa in the morning i figured best to get this done in 45 degree temps 🙂

[Chuck & Katrina]

Ralf, where did you get your front windshield upgrade?

---

2000 Featherlite H3-45

2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Leesburg, FL

[Art]

A month or so ago I made a short trip with the coach, returned home, backed into the coaches parking stall, shut down, and walked behind the coach where I found engine coolant running out behind the coach on the concrete. This is not supposed to happen.

One of the hoses to the coolant filter was leaking profusely. I had a mobile mechanic come to our house and drain some cooant out, replace the coolant filter device, remove the roached out fittings in the engine block and water pump, had new hoses made, button everything up, and replace the lost coolant.

I’ll write up a separate post with pictures, links, and more discussion.

In the meantime … if you have an old coach, consider replacing the coolant filter hoses (mechanic said the crimped fittings on the hoses often corrode and leak), fittings in the Detroit engine block and water pump, and the coolant filter fixture (got that from Inland Power in Butler, WI the local Detroit Diesel shop).

Thankfully this happened and was discovered in the driveway at home! This would have stopped us on the road.

[AL]

Installed new front turn signal housings and LED bulbs.

Also installed new surge tank caps and belt tensioners.

Soon I’ll be installing 3 new lithium house batteries in place of our 3 ole Lifeline 8Ds.

[terry]

Don, Keep in mind Li batteries do not like cold temps and below 30 F there is a limit to the charge current.

You can address that easily by adjusting the charge current on the inverters so if you need to charge them you will not exceed the limit.

However if they have been allowed to get below 30 F and you start the engine you have to lower the 12V alternator output or risk damaging them. To avoid any potential with my Li batteries I put a wall between them and the aux compressor and A/C units and sealed and insulated the compartment to an extent. Then I added a 200 watt heater in the box and used a thermostatic device to cut in at 40 F, and cut out at 50 F.

I have had numerous occasions to be in below 30 temps, and with the heater control powered up I have no issues. The heating system for the battery box is powered through the batteries via the inverter and is on the entertainment center electrical circuit. To minimize the possibility of dead batteries due to the relatively modest load I have a voltmeter in the coach with a warning alarm. It is set to alert at 24.8 volts (12.4) which on Li is close to when the Li voltages drop sharply.

[Archived]

Jon: Is the cold weather issue with Lithium batteries that they WON’T accept a charge if below 32*F? Or that they should NOT be charged if below 32*F (under the premise that Lithium batteries can be damaged when charged at temps below 32*F)?

This probably isn’t a good comparison … but … I have an extensive set of Craftsman C3 19.2 volt cordless tools that originally came with Ni-Cad batteries which have been replaced with C3 19.2 volt Li-Ion batteries. A couple of weeks ago I left a tool and two batteries in the car outside on a cold night (in the 20’s). The next morning I needed the tool, brought it and the batteries in the house, dropped the batteries into the multi-chemistry charger, and immediately got the “bad battery” indication for both of them. I knew they were good and presumed they were too cold. So I unplugged the charger and an hour later I plugged it in and both batteries accepted charging.

Now I don’t know if the charger sensed battery temp and refused to charge them because of their low temp, or if the batteries knew their temps and refused to accept a charge which caused the charger to see a “fault” and gave the “bad battery” indication.

[Archived]

Thanks Jon, yes I’m aware of the various limits of Lithium batts. I’ve been doing a lot of homework.

I will be fully enclosing the battery area even though we live in TX. During a typical winter here it may get a few degrees below freezing for a few hours a few times/yr. Regardless, I’ll be prepared for another polar vortex like we had last Feb. I’ll be installing a small 12v 12w heating mat on/under each battery that will be automatically controlled by a capillary tube type thermostat and switch. At least that’s the current plan, subject to change at any time. 🙂

[Jon]

The batteries will have low temperature protection built into the BMS. That’s great except when you have to charge during cold temps, so some form of heat is necessary, the mats should work fine.

For folks that are operating up north in cold temps as a norm, a Lithium with built in heaters should be considered.

[Archived]

Cold temperature charging of Li batteries is restricted to a percentage of the battery capacity.

I am using heat to compensate for a brain fart. My fear is accidently starting the coach with cold batteries and having the coach alternator (50DN, 24V, 270 amp) slam a lot of charging current into cold batteries.

[Archived]

After changing the 3 mini airbags for the belt tensioning system, I changed the check valve for that system too.

[Archived]

Not done to the Coach but *for* the Coach to plug in and stay happy

Talon 50 / 30 / 20 Panel with Siemens breakers

[Dan]

12/23/21

Pulled out our 3 used up house batteries.

I had a spectator that was of no help.

[Archived]

Hey Don sometimes all you need and want is spectator support.

[Bill]

Chopped Bernese.

[Archived]

Figured I had some free time so I would go about replacing the leaking check valve (or repair) at the mini air bag connection in the engine compartment. I could not get the check valve to let go and gave it a good push. That snaped the 1/8 x 1/4 inch connection to the pressure regulator clean off! As I started checking, everyone is closed on New Years Eve that would have the replacements necessary. Wish I had thought of that earlier. I was able to unscrew the 1/4 threaded section from the regulator but would need a new 1/8 x 1/4 adapter and would need to get the stub of the 1/8 inch thread out of the release valve section. Headed to the closest option which was Ace Hardware and was able to get a extractor but nothing else. That did get the stub out but no one had a 1/8 x 1/4 adapter. So, off to Lowe’s, nope. Home Depot had a 1/8 but nothing to connect the 1/8 to a 1/4. The Home Depot 12 miles away did. Upon arrival there I found I had left the old parts at the first Home Depot. Got the necessary parts, returned to the first Home Depot (after a call for them to save the parts) and then returned home. Great waste of a couple of hours as I am no farther ahead at this point but at least the coach is driveable!

I think the check valve only needs a new o-ring so might check see where I can find such a tiny thing. I saw a post about a Harbor Freight o-ring set. Maybe that. No matter, my New Year’s resolution is to try not to be so stupid!