[Jim]

I’ve been to Eugene’s coach where he stores it. He’s the victim of a landlord who stores many RVs while providing NO decent shore power. If BoaterAl was the landlord, BA would be “selling” Eugene 50amp/240volt shore power.

But BoaterAl isn’t the landlord.

Eugene is stuck with 15amp/120 volt; which isn’t squat if you’re trying to keep a coach from freezing up. I personally would NOT try to keep our coach from freezing up on 15amps, nor would I recommend it to anyone else. Too many things can happen. Like the power going out as a result of an ice storm or a brownout. Or coach drawing more than 15amps. In my opinion there just isn’t enough margin for error.

Here are my observations and suggestions:

1. I’ve attached a screen shot of WeatherBug’s ten day forecast for League City. We see only one night below 32*F. But that can change and the actual temps may beat the forecast by 5* to 7*.

2. Eugene can go to the coach, fireup the generator, fire up the Webasto, turn on the Cruise-Airs, and make sure everything is working. If the Webasto doesn’t work, call Rudy. He’s an advertiser and close by you. Exit 800 on I-80. Once Eugene knows all the equipment works as it should, if the temps get close to say 35*F, he can go to the coach, turn on the generator, fire up the Cruise-Airs and Webasto, make sure the valves are open so the coolant circulates through the water bay (assuming his Liberty has a cooling system heat exchanger in the water bay) and he should be good to go. Set two small box heaters with fans on the floor plugged into different circuits. He can choose to stay overnight in the coach to monitor everything and be there if something “quits” on him or let the coach soldier on alone. Leave the cabinet doors under sinks open,

If I was in Eugene’s situation, I’d fill the fresh water tank with water, leave the holding tank empty.

3. Take the coach to a nearby campground that has reliable 50amp/240volt shore power during the cold snap.

4. Find a friend nearby with an open 50amp/240volt shore power hookup.

5. Winterize the coach. I’ll go out to our coach, scan the Liberty manual pages on winterizing, and post them.

I suspect Eugene isn’t the only Prevost owner south of the Mason-Dixon Line who is struggling with this predicament.

[Jim]

The number and voltage output of engine driven alternators was determined by the converter and the coach configuration.

Generally as an example an OTR coach, with a 24V house had a 50DN charging house and chassis batteries.

The same coach, with OTR, but a 12V house usually had a 50DN dedicated to the chassis, and a 12V alternator (around 145 to 150 amps) dedicated to the 12V house.

A non OTR coach that was set up to run house A/C units (roof or Cruisair) through inverters while being driven often had a 50DN to handle the house and A/C loads, with a smaller dedicated 24V alternator (145 to 150 amps) for the chassis.

Then there are coaches with multiple Bosch alternators which is a whole different world.

Point being the coach configuration, how it is equipped and the converter all influence alternators, including how many, their size and principal purpose.

Confused????

[Jim]

There have been multiple posts ranging from upgrading the rectangular Ford style lights (which such) to the newer small round style to an LED bulb option.

As a starting point I would seek advice from

http://chromedepot.com/

One of our advertisers, plus I would search posts on the topic. Some current style upgrades have been done by folks we are uncomfortable mentioning, others have been well done.

Your best bet is to do a little research and pick what might work best for you.

[Jim]

Thanks’ Friends

[Jim]

I was in the airplane biz for a short period of time while in HS and college. Our chief mechanic (who was fully rated in anything up to 12,500# and was an FAA designed examiner for everything too) was a WWII Navy aircraft mechanic stationed on carriers. He taught me quite a few things … one of which was if I didn’t know the exact solution … start with the easy, basic stuff first. RIP Fred Stroebel.

[Jim]

I vaguely recall setting them in the “middle” based on recommendation from George Prentice.

[Jim]

And a Liberty Coach no less!

[Jim]

I’m nor saying what Al is saying is wrong because they can leak, but with the key off the air should be locked in the front air bags system which takes the ride height valve out of the equation.

If the air bags are leak free, the fittings are leak free, all the way to the Norgren(s) then it is the Norgren valve(s). Yours is an IFS coach so to lock in the air you may have a 5 port or 2 3 port Norgens to perfrom that function.

If they are leaking internally they can either be leaking out the end caps, or leaking through to the three port Norgren in the steer compartment that exhaists air. Locate it by hearing the air escape as you lower the nose, Plug the open port and see if the front goes down. That’s an easy next step. If the front remains up it is the Norgren(s) that are supposed to lock the air in the air bags.

[Jim]

I am pleased with Coach Net, it took about 1 1/2 hours. They call each time the tech is scheduled to arrive to make sure they made it. The company and truck they sent to me is what looks like an 18 wheeler roadside repair setup. Obviously when in the heat of the moment of a breakdown it never seems quick enough, they do communicate with you really well. This si the 2nd time unfortunately I have used them with this coach, both times I was pleased.

[Jim]

That would be my guess also.

If the alternator was functioning, putting power to the field wire would have excited the field and the alternator would have been providing output voltage.

[Jim]

So sorry to hear about your loss. We lost “my son” (a cat who simply LOVED is Daddy) last Summer and it was only a couple of days ago I broke down in tears for no particular reason. The love is unconditional but a blessing to those who were granted this gift for as long as the Gods intended us to share it.

The memories will never fade.

[Jim]

The Gift

I’ll lend you for a little while my grandest dog, he said.

For you to love while she’s alive

And mourn for when she’s dead.

It may be one or many years,

Or days, or months, you see.

But will you, till I take her back

Take care of her for me?

She’ll bring her charm to gladden you,

And should her stay be brief

You will have treasured memories

As solace for your grief.

I cannot promise she will stay,

Since all from earth return.

But there are lessons taught on earth

I want this dog to learn.

I’ve looked the wide world over

In my search for teachers true.

And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes

With trust, I have selected you.

Now will you give her your total love?

Nor think the labor vain,

Nor hate when I come

To take her back again?

I know you’ll give her tenderness

And love will bloom each day.

And for the happiness you’ve known

Forever grateful stay.

But should I come and call for her

Sooner than you’ve planned

You’ll brave the bitter grief that comes

And someday you’ll understand.

~Author Unknown

So sorry for your loss

Don & Lisa

---

[Jim]

S W E E T !

[Jim]

I recently changed some bulbs in my bus on a circuit that was 12V, but that I changed to 24V.

The bulbs in question were oddball bulbs with an odd base, but after doing some internet poking around I found on BulbAmerica a 28V equivalent that was used for an aviation application. They work great.

You can order them from Prevost, but I suspect a little searching will turn up what you are looking for likely less expensive.

[Jim]

Jim, Thanks for the real world update.