[Rodger]

Jon I just paid today for the Branson rally, I would like to see 2007 or 2008 H3-45’s Really looking forward to this might even bring a lobster to eat if I have any left from Maine I will see you in Maine, gary

[Rodger]

When I was young and stupid, I bought a large boat with twin 625hp 6V92s. The boat had been used as a demo for 2 years and had already 1000(!) hours on the engines having gone from the West Coast to the East Coast and back.

Just before I bought it, one engine dropped a valve coming up the coast as none of the dealers seemed to have done any maintenance or oil changes. They repaired the engine and I insisted on a letter from Detroit that they would honor the new engine warranty. They did. Two years later at 1500hours the other engine showed signs of weak compression and Detroit paid for an inframe overhaul (6 kits) with me picking up some ancillary costs. Kept that boat for 10 years. Engines were fine as long as you planned on an inframe every 1500 hours or so. Just too much horsepower out of a small engine.

In short, unless the rules have changed significantly, you should get new engine warranty if you are the first owner.

Gerald

[Rodger]

Ditto what others said about avoiding cruise in the steep and twisty, plus keep in mind that the cruise will disengage at a certain low speed. I learned the hard way on an 8% climb in my old 8-v92 when I got to particularly steep spot with cruise on. The cruise disengaged at 25mph and I was do instantlhy down to 10mph, which was the best I could do for the rest of the climb. The Series 60 is better about building speed, but those 8Vs would not build speed up a hill if a hornet was in the tail pipe. Sure did sound great coming down though, with the jake in high.

I made a 12 mile 8% climb this weekend in my car. Eventually caught up with a semi pulling double (empty) flat beds. He was able to maintain 30MPH on a very twisty road. I was impressed with that.

[Rodger]

Beachcomber is being shy.

He is posting while riding in his new-to-him Liberty Elegant Lady. Congratulations to Rod and Nancy.

[Rodger]

A Detroit shop can trigger the fan relays, both high and low, from their computer.

[Rodger]

No vaccum hoses I know of….

[Rodger]

Jon here’s a simple test you can do while enjoying the sweet sound of your generator starting. I think you’re going to be surprised.

Turn on commercial power.

Plug in 2 lamps with incandesent bulbs. One needs to be plugged into an outlet that is not serviced through the inverter/charger. The other plugged into an outlet serviced by an inverter. Turn them both on and make sure you can see them both from where you start your generator.

Start the generator without turning off commercial power.

After 15-30 seconds the generator will take the load. The non inverter light will likely have a very short flicker. If you have a Trace inverter you shouldn’t even see a flicker in thr inverter powered light. With any other inverter there may be a very short flicker, if there’s any noticable switch time.

Turn off the generator and see if you don’t get roughly the same results.

[Rodger]

We have about a one second delay on our coach accepting shore power. I can turn on the 50 amp breaker and in about a second hear the relay in the transfer box.

I was going to open up my box and take a picture but I loaded the bay with stuff going to Rick at the Lobster rally so when we are in Maine we can open it up and over spirits discuss the meaning of life and transfer switches.

[Rodger]

Bryan,

For any of us to answer your question we would need to understand the MCI leveling system. I strongly suspect it is different from the Prevost system so any answers might end up being guesses.

Prevost has on line access to 100% of the technical information regarding its coaches, including wiring and pneumatic diagrams, service manuals, owner manuals and links to component technical information. I suspect MCI likely makes the same information available so that would likely be a good starting point to understanding your specific coach suspension system. I think you will find that your suspension, like ours has some type of valve configuration that allows only ride height valves to function when you are driving, but when you are parked it isolates them and enables other valves that can add or exhaust air from the air bags individually so you can level the coach on uneven sites. What we Prevost owners are unlikely to know is how those valves function within your aux air system.

I have printed out my pneumatic diagram so it is about 3 feet wide. That large size helps me when I take a highlighter to the diagram to follow the air path on any of the pneumatic systems. I enlarged “tiles” and taped them together, others have brought the PDF file link to Kinkos and had them print out an oversized copy. It is a valuable resource.

[Rodger]

Bill, forgot to answer about knowing you have Equal. You could pull the valve stem cores, but that will only reveal if the cores have the filter or not. The only way to know is to open the tire and wheel up.

Roger, I’ll sell you my $10 bags of equal for $30. That’s less than the $50 price they charge in Bristol.

[Rodger]

Yay! I was hoping that I didn’t need the aux air while parked.

Except that I have had to use it in the cold weather, which causes a mild case of the leans. I believe it was Jon who turned me onto the fact that I can simply turn on the ignition, without firing up the coach each time (to avoid accumulating moisture in the engine) and the coach will re-level for driving.

I am going to fix the lean problem. As a first step, I wanted to make sure that the aux air and other easily accessed leaks are addressed.

Thanks, Tom. Susan

[Rodger]

With the check valve located down stream from compressor I believe the Grainger parts would work fine.

When I checked with Marathon service, they use the Grainger valve. When looking for Convertor AUX air leaks that check valve would be on the top of my list. The amount of air that valve if defective can leak down is substantial. Your not aware that it’s leaking without setting up a test isolating the valve.

That box located on top of your tank is the “cut in-out pressure switch” which signals the compressor to turn on.

When your system is back together you can verify the working pressures. Should be 85 psi on….120 psi off. The low setting is your choice based on demands to have ample supply ready. Some set the low side lower so the compressor cycle is less, owner choice.

This pressure switch is normally trouble free with a long service life and can be adjusted to your needs.

Your choice on the low end for cut-in but on the high end most would agree 120 psi is the “cut out” max.

Here is the Missouri my list in order of where to start finding air leaks.

A) Aux compressor check valve. If over 3 years old it leaks due to moisture, heat, micro dirt.

B) SMC regulator adjustable valves, # 1 target ……generator bay (heat issue) If you replace this valve it must be replaced with the exact replacement number.

IMPORTANT >>>>>There are two types used thoughout the bus which in generator bay this valve keeps constant 25 psi. As temp rise it discharges excess. If you install the wrong replacement valve air will expand and your mini air bags….well something has to give.

C) mini air bag regulator located in engine bay. Also add a check valve in service line which will keep pressure in mini bags for long periods. Prevost service put me on this one. This is not on convertor air list but can be a source of air leak down. The check valve here keeps mini bags tight now. Prevost stated there should of had a check valve installed here from the get go and is routinely added now.

D) SMC canister filter and auto drain valve located in service bay under drivers seat. Ours leaked from the bottom sight glass canister seal. I had it rebuilt but one day with the electronic leak detector picked up positive leak. Again the lower seal was leaking. Replaced with new style which had been improved by SMC.

E) Any junction where multiple connections are located. I believe the wiggle and shake puts stress on connections causing minor leaks, especially push in fittings.

F) Air toilet, obsulate type now but there are lots of them still in service. When finally located

malfuction of valve assembly leaking air into hopper, very rare I’am told.

Enough for now…grass needs cutting.

[Rodger]

Jon and Tom if u spent more time driving and staying in coach u would not have to badger each other about updates Just kidding laugh out loud just left Calgary and will be home in 3 hours 950 miles in 16 hours what a nice drive. I have had tecma for 10 years and u can adjust water use and it’s bomb proof never a problem I think micro toilet is junk compared to tecma mine is rear discharge By the way my aux comps never comes on any more once I got rid of the micro air toilet

[Rodger]

Does it make sense to require a special license so someone can drive a motorcyle where the public risk is relatively small, but in most jurisdictions to not require any special license to drive a 50,000 pound bus and a 25 foot 10,000 pound stacker trailer that would be capable of great public harm?

[Rodger]

If it is just one of the Crestron devices, can’t it just be shipped down to Stuart?