[Tom]

Sounds like a good time Gary. Man up and do that zipline, we did it last year in Michigan and was big fun. Take some pictures during the towing demo, that’s interesting and would be good for folks to know how it’s done properly. If you can’t post them, send to me and I”ll do it.

[Tom]

Thanks Tom. It has probaply been 1500 miles since service at Prevost Nashville, and this oil positively started on the last leg og this trip. I will check for a small vent hole tomorrow.

I did notice that coming from the relative high altitude in the mountains to sea level here at HHI some partially empty plastic bottles had “crushed in” a little. So it stands to reason the atmospheric pressure change could pop a cap off going up the mountain if the vent was plugged.

I will certainly use my IR thermometer on the next leg (in about a week).

Anybody else? Jon?

[Tom]

Like many of us, I carry a 5 gallon propane tank for the BBQ.
After I’m done grilling, I scan the tank from top to bottom. The propane level
is where the tank suddenly has a drop in temperature due to the phase change or
boiling of the propane. I will never run out of propane again.

[Tom]

Mark, don’t give Truk information like that. he just feeds on stuff like that. He’s already breaking my chops because we didn’t bring a toad and he’s my ride.

Ok, I won’t do that again! I am sure it was my fault anyway because I broke your concentration..

Must be nice to have a driver at your command while you are there..

[Tom]

Jon, size always has mattered , hasn’t it? That said, I can remember with my first car, a 1953 dodge, not wanting to buy a new battery, often finding a place on a small hill (difficult sometimes in NW Ohio) so that if the battery did not crank it over, I could give it a push, jump in, put er in gear and pop that clutch. Whew, the Old Days got to me again.

[Tom]

If I were to guess I would surmise that we would be unable to measure the impact a mud flap has on our coaches without doing a very detailed study of temperatures under extreme conditions.

Under normal use, normal being less than continuous maximum horsepower, average ambient conditions and repeatability of those conditions with and without the mud flap the temperatures we see are likely those that reflect what our coaches are set up to maintain. We all have the engine thermostat which is going to maintain temperatures within a range based on its set points. For discussion consder the thermostat to open at 195 and close at 190. That means with the fan locked the coach is going to run in that range unless it is being run at high horsepower and high ambient conditions. But our coaches are not designed to run at 190 or 195. They have a low speed fan setting of 204 and a high speed fan setting of 208. That means the fan doesn’t even engage until it reaches those settings. The temperatures may not be right, but let’s use those for an example.

So under most conditions which include some hill climbing and high ambient temps it is likely we will see our coaches indicate temps cycling around 204 degrees and below with temps hitting 208 under heavier load. I am sure there is ample margin built into the cooling system such that except when in worst case conditions such as a hill climb in triple digit outside temps we will not really see a significant difference with or without our flaps. What we are likely to see is less time spent above the low fan speed set temp, but my guess is if your coach is cycling between the high and low set points for fan speed you might have an issue other than a mud flap.

The engine manufacturer certifies the engine installation because it is providing a warranty. That is why each horsepower increase Prevost makes is not as simple as just reprogramming the engine. The engine manufacturer want to be certain the heat caused by the increased horsepower can be dissipated. There is ample margin built into the cooling system so while a mud flap is likley to have an impact it is probably not as much as we might imagine.

[Tom]

Sawbonz I am going to take you up on that offer. Unless I can get my shop mirror in there and see it.

[Tom]

Yes that red cap. Is it necessary to be there or just a dust proctector air can flow thru. Mine are all missing. I know this may be a dumb question. But I intend to understand this system totaly! My goal!. The stem is threaded internaly. Thanks Bob

[Tom]

John Deere, New Holland, Case, Catterpillar dealers and similar places that deal with hydraulics.

[Tom]

Hey Tom, we would love to join you but we have family visiting here from out of state until next week. Please let us know if the group has another event close by. We are headed to Myrtle Beach the 30th with other coach owners, will you be there? Didn’t realize there is a Southeast Busnut group?

Debi (Bob doesn’t do typing if he can help it)

[Tom]

Thanks Charles, but just send them to Jon, he’s the one getting the Elegant Lady and has extra funds!

[Tom]

Think the cost of a new condenser will be very hi from Prevost. Remove the condenser and have a fin tube coil company build you a new one. it’s commonly done on building AC systems and should save you a lot.

[Tom]

To add to John’s remarks, you can add liquid at the receiver and when the system is charged pretty close to the correct amount the liquid should be about halfway up the lower sight glass.

John is the resident AC genuis and what he says you can rely on.

[Tom]

$500 is much less expensive then I would have guessed.

I hadn’t thought about an auto upholestry shop. I’ll do some searching and see what I can find.

Thanks for the idea.

[Tom]

WOW, Jus imagine getting your first coach when you were 18
years old !!!!