[Brett]

With coach running are you seeing any fuel dripping under the coach anywhere? Depending on location of fuel leak would determine if safe to drive or not also would verify leak location and extent of leak before I called anyone for a hazmat issue…….

[Brett]

Thanks Tom. I have already talked to a Randy about his company and will be talking with them again before I make a purchase (if I go that route). Their system is designed from the ground up to be a highly efficient and high capacity system where they can run the entire coach, including air, off of the batteries for a few days hence the need to have a 48 vdc system. Going to a 48 vdc system is not something that is even remotely a possibility for me. I am not familiar with their 12 vdc offerings or even if they are available since most of their

RV research has been focused on the OEM luxury market and specifically with Liberty. In order for them to work in this capacity they needed to reinvent an entire system.

Personally, I think it may be overkill for most applications, including mine. Holland Motorhomes will likely do the install for them should I go that route and to date they have not done one. In talking with Holland the system might actually be a 48 vdc system that gets reduced down to 12vdc or 24vdc depending on what is needed on the coach. I’m not sure how they would achieve that an still keep a high efficiency.

The bms will shut down the LI battery before it is damaged beyond repair but I am not sure how you reconnect to it for charging once it is disconnected, it may be a manual process or maybe it auto connects when it sees a voltage of 13vdc or greater.

The new 8D sized batteries are relatively new so the longer I can wait the better.

AM Solar, out of Oregon, has been doing this for a while and they may be a good choice. Their waiting list to get in is pretty long.

These are all valid questions that will need to be addressed for sure. If there are more questions or concerns

keep them coming.

[Brett]

Thanks Jon, I was wondering that myself. It could be that it may be that auto start is triggered when the bms shuts the batteries down before they discharge to the point of no return. If I go this route it will hopefully be when I go full time in early 2018 at which point it is less of an issue for me. At minimum I would need to buy a different remote panel and the Magnum auto start device the is connected to the generator. This is also good argument for solar if it is going to be parked sans power for a few days or to protect against the power going out.

[Brett]

Thanks Mikee,

When I talk to the shop on Monday morning, I will pass this information off to them to make sure they bring what could potentially be needed as well as what else they suspect. Dont want them running back and forth burning miles and $$ if they dont need to. I did read some info on the turbine speed sensor as a possible issue here as well as the speed sensor. Havent come across anything in regards to the tail speed sensor so that will help direct the tech on what to have with him when he shows up.

As for the symptoms? Yes, when I move the coach, the MPH stay at zero, at a certain speed (probably around 5 mph) a warning sounds, then the pad display blanks out the “select” side and the “monitor” side stays at “1”. Once this happens, you need to bring the coach to a stop, and turn it off (can’t switch between D, N or R).

Just to make sure, I did check the fluid level and it’s showing “ok”.

Guess I’ll get some more time to go visit some historical sites before they are closed down due to hurting some snowflakes feelings.

Thanks

[Brett]

Brett, yes…the major change came during the ’99 shell production year. Look for the X in the VIN#. Dash is a visual clue, but the VIN is certain. Changes are numerous. Geo.

[Brett]

Thanks Tom!

Bus has been unplugged from shore power since 8pm yesterday, both inverters on, as well as several lights, fridge etc. Still at 12.5V after 12 hours. May get to save my battery replacement money for a bit yet. Going to see Jeff next week for some maintenance items and general inspection.

[Brett]

Hmm, maybe Liberty designed my coach so it would actually filter the entire fresh tank over time, since my drain line from the RO system feeds back into the fresh tank 🙂

You dont recall what the hose that went direct to the fridge was labeled on your coach, do you tom?

of course it’s an easy test. Hook one up to the fresh water, try the fridge. If it doesnt work, it’s the other one 🙂

[Brett]

sorry I have a 2002 Bruce coach 40 foot 1 slide I never updated my profile. I might not be smart enough to figure it out (lol)

[Brett]

Randall did it right by having his own data plan and still be able to use the Liberty remote connection for his Coach. I think Liberty had good intentiions starting the cell program, but didn’t realize the impact of streaming.

Jetpack with Verizon is the replacement device for the older MiFi.

[Brett]

We were camped out in June with the NewellGurus (nice folks). They had a coach tour set up that we participated in. Many that saw our coach were surprised it was a non-slide coach, because the big windows made it seem bigger. Our friends have a single slide in the salon. They went from a 4-slide Coutry Coach to their Prevost and don’t miss the slides. But that is a personal preference, you will have to use your own judgement.

I don’t agree with Jon that maintenance on a production coach such as your Eagle will be about the same as a Prevost. A Prevost chassis is significantly more complex than a Spartan, Freightliner, Country Coach, Monaco etc. You typically have at least two alternators, a 12/24 volt electrical system, and a nightmare pneumatic system. Then you add the complexity of the converter installed systems–our Marathon installed electrical control system could probably be installed as is in a space shuttle (if they ever build another one). Complexity pretty much adds up to added cost, and item costs are going to be higher. As an example, the drain line from the oil-cooled alternator cost more than the alternator on our last coach. Although I have to admit, replacing our friend’s single windshield on the CC was about $7,000, one section of their Prevost windshield was about $800.

So, why buy a Prevost? As mentioned, you really need to drive one. The folks at Marathon were kind enough to let us and our friends test drive one of their consignment coaches in our price range. We had driven late model CC Affinitys and Magnas, which I would think would ride similar to your coach. There was a big difference in the ride that you would have to experience for yourself.

A significant aspect that swayed us toward a Prevost was having coach expertise both on the Prevost side and the converter side close by, with Prevost and Marathon within 300 miles of our house. There were more than one occasion where the factory techs at CC were stumped with an issue on the Affinity. I never got the Jake brake fixed in close to ten years and several thousand bucks worth of trying. I have yet to bring an issue to Prevost or Marathon that they couldn’t get fixed (although some took a couple of tries!). And that is important to us.

We also like that everything in a Prevost is heavy duty. Compare the entry door hinges, and the weight of the entry door to a production coach, the heavy duty baggage doors, the engine cooling system that stays within limits chugging up a steep hill at 30 MPH in 100 degree outside heat, etc.

The snob appeal of a Prevost does not appeal to us, the quality of a Prevost conversion does.

[Brett]

thanks, was checking grounds at start batteries, found one 16 guage wire on negative ground, was somewhat croaded the wire was ready to fall off, replaced end —works now

[Brett]

I talked to Brad Mason today, but he was the second to call after Newcoast. Don’t want multiple credit pulls so won’t go with them unless Newcoast fails.

Thanks for all the info, this morning was looking pretty rough before you guys came through…lol

[Brett]

+1 for Incredible Bank (internet division of River Valley Bank). Just did my 2000 Vantare. Talk to Brad Mason.

Phone 906.250873

[Brett]

The name is actually the Spokane RV Resort, but it is located in Deer Park. Nice park with a golf course, lots of grass, roomy sites. About 20 miles north of Spokane.

Jim & Sally Aucutt

[Brett]

Jon,

I’m very interested in attending another seminar, I just couldn’t make the dates work . Spring would be great.