JIM
Forum Replies Created
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Paul,
Entertainer coach converters and leasors occasionally have motorhome conversions to sell. But that is rare. However, a visit to a company that handles entertainer coaches along with a list of questions will prove rewarding. You will see that there is a significant difference between a motorhome and an entertainer.Not only is the floor plan going to be different, the systems are different.
The obvious difference is how much space is dedicated to bunks. That takes space away from what we would consider to be kitchen and living room space. Often the rear bedroom is a sitting area, but if it is a “star” configuration it will be a bedroom, but lacking some of the features we expect.
The biggest differences will be in the bays. Entertainer coaches typically have at least 2 open bays. To get that much available bay space you give up tank capacities, banks of batteries, entertainment systems, etc. You will find the holding tanks are not necessarily user friendly because they are not necessarily set up for campground use. You may find two generators. The AC systems may be 5 or more roof units. There may not be awnings. One thing that will give you comfort will be the number of miles on the coach and hours on the generator(s). It is not uncommon to see entertainer coaches with somewhere between one half and one million miles or generators with over 30,000 hours. Then when you see a motorhome conversion with 200,000 miles you will recognize it has hundreds of thousands of miles of life left in it.
If you want slides you will find an entertainer has only one slide and it is much smaller than a motorhome slide. Expect the materials used in the conversion to be more for durability and long life, but less decorative than a motorhome. The dash may not have the nice appearance of the motorhome and in some cases the driver’s area may actually be isolated from the rest of the coach so he can drive without distraction. The coach will have taller interior measurements, a longer wheelbase than most motorhomes, and the side opening windows will not be awning type, but sliders.
As far as campgrounds, we have been in every kind imaginable over the last 23 years and some have been a challenge but I have never been in one where I could not get into a space or work my way through it. One took some effort to get through, but that was because the other RV owners left their aluminum fishing boats in the way preventing turns. There have been small campgrounds we have bypassed because they looked like crap but not because we couldn’t fit. We make good use of the big rig book and if we cannot get 50 amp I just go somewhere else and run my generator.
No experience with the ones you list.
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I don’t have the great drive that everyone talks about I work with the steering wheel. I have tried driving far down the road and replaced rubber underneath and I have a steering damper on hand.
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I too just had a similiar problem with light not going out. What I found in my first bay was the button switch had come loose and was not breaking the contact. But, since they’re wired in series in the first bay, I couldn’t get the passenger side light to go out until I realized the driver side light was the problem. All the other bays are home runs at the switch.
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I agree with Jon.
When I first bought our Liberty, I was also told to shut off the breaker in the transfer switch every time I connected/disconnected from shore power. It just didn’t sound right to me.
In general, breakers are not intended to be used as switches, constantly being turned on and off. So, when I asked Liberty about the proper procedure, they recommended shutting power down at the main panel inside the bus rather than using the breaker in the transfer switch, just as Jon has mentioned.
Reducing the electrical load prior to connection/disconnection from shore power is important to keep arcing minimal at the contact points of the relays within the inverters as they switch from incoming AC power.
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thank you..any idea where to purchase. Who carries it.
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Al, And everyone…. thanks a bunch….what a great group…. post a need for help and folks actually call you to offer assistance…
So here is the update… I followed the instructions by prevost 24 hr. support and individually charged the two batteries that are setup as 12V
Everything is showing good and I have moved the Bus out and have the tow car all hooked up and ready to take a 70 mile trip tomorrow morning to get the airforce one installed in the new towd car…
my plan was to keep my eyes on things and see what happens…
based on my only other Prevost repair attempt with the voltage regulator not sure I want to try to do this myself if replacing the batteries is what is needed although not positive they are… I guess the only way to know that for sure is to pull them all out and load test them..
Thanks again!
I will keep you posted!
Bill
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It appears the weatherman will be delivering the weather I ordered in time for the rally.
The forecast is showing low 70’s during the day and high 50’s at night. There is a possibility of scattered showers on Saturday, but we can accept that to wash some of the pollen off the roof.
If anyone is looking for good Italian food Di and I have a strong recommendation. The place is called the Little Italian Kitchen and it is in a gas station. But WOW!!!!! The food is great and the owner Johnny will take the time to greet you and explain all about the various items on the menu.
Maybe Saturday evening we can all have dinner there. He will set aside a separate room for us if we plan ahead.
See you all in Sevierville.
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Sounds like the motor is pulling too much amperage and tripping the breaker. I would start with the motor and check the amp load. There may be a motor in your future.
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How loud is it ? can you hear it running?
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Thanks for the replies. The voltage leaving the generator and at the inverter is generally the same. When I put a heavier load on the problem leg( inverter 2) then I get a noticeable drop in voltage in that leg as well as a corresponding increase on the other leg e.g. 105v / 135v. If I leave the load on, ultimately the inverter disconnects from the gen and begins inverting and finally over current because of the load I suppose .
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problem fixed no freon it was leaking above drivers seat from line every thing good now recharged AC works great thanks for help went to holiday coach 2000 dollars they work on private coach also Bobby Gordens coach was just there they have 60 H3-45s they no there stuff they do good work
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Read my previous post again for answers to your subsequent question and to see additional added information.
JIM
It is easier to say NO, yes means MORE WORK!
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The relays you describe are not totally reliable. It would not hurt to carry a spare.
If I had to list the items I would look at (aside from freon charge) here they are:
Make sure the fans are running.
If the fan is not running check the fan circuit breakers, the relays, the brushes if everything else checks (you have power to the fan motors) and make sure the clutch is engaging.
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Sounds like a plan . Right now our Beaver XL with the solid walnut interior suits us. I look forward to the day when get to your point again researching the next coach. Good luck. Any more questions list them and we will all help answer
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Some of my personal rules;
Fill in the AM when it is cooler and you are rested (more patient).
Fuel added at the end of a hot day to an empty coach will expand and possibly cause fuel vapor odors in the coach when stopping for the evening. This is another reason for not going below 50% before fueling. Remember fuell in underground tanks is cooler than the fuel in the coach tanks.
Do not fill at the end of the day when you are fatigued hungry and impatient.
Set the nozzle to the lowest setting. When it first clicks off, stop and add no more fuel. The small amount you might add will mean nothing in the grand scheme of things, other than probably cause you grief and to smell diesel in the coach due to overfilling.
If your in a hurry remember, stopping short of a spill takes much less time than cleaning up the resultant mess.
Never fuel up with the over the road air conditioning running. You will suck diesel fuemes into the coach.
Get to know your fuel gauge, that is when at 50% add XXX gal and be done. You will learn how many.
Plan ahead and look up where your next fuel stop will be.
Run off the top of your tank, you will have a great feeling of well being.
JIM