Been busy working on the Wishing Star.
Got 8 new tires installed today. Yokohama 104ZR in 12r22.5. Spin balanced and torque tubed. Left front rim was badly bent, so I got a new Accuride rim too. Replaced all drive studs and new nuts all around. There were 10 rounded over nuts, and the drive studs were too short—no threads showing. Reliable Tire in West Sac was great, and I got out the door for less than $5k.
Got 4 new Northstar SMS-AGM-480 batteries to feed the Trace 4024 from Battery Systems in Sacramento.
Greased the chassis.
Installed a new ride leveling valve at the left rear to replace the leaking one.
Changed the oil in the 8V92.
Replaced some hoses on the 8V92.
Rewired messed up and redundant battery cables in the engine compartment.
I installed a new 12-volt alternator and 12-volt house bank (4 group 27 FLA) plus a new 12-volt genset start battery. I installed a new 60 amp 12-volt “Boondocker” 4-stage converter from Best Converter. It also has a manual mode with a user-set constant voltage.
The coach also has a 24-volt alternator, a new 24-volt starting pack (4 group 31 FLA), and a new 24-volt inverter pack (the 4 Northstar SMS-AGM-480 @215ah each for 430ah @24 volts).
I installed two new Blue Sea Systems automatic charging relays. The 7610 SI-ACR connects the 12V house pack and genset battery when charging and separates them when either discharges. The 7623 ML-ACR connects the 24V chassis and inverter packs the same way and has an override switch in the house for manual combine or separate. Wiring is full busbar. I’m watching the voltages.
I also picked up a Balmar Smartgauge SOC meter (from Marine How-To) to help me keep an eye on things.
I gutted the inverter battery pack area in one of the bays to bare metal due to lots of acid damage to the plywood. As found, there were 6 group 27 FLA being boiled away by a 75 amp Triad dumb converter/charger. Cables and Romex everywhere. An old isolator with about 8 cables on it and a Vanner 100 that was hooked up but not attached. A real mess! Cleaned up well. Lost the Triad. Lost the Vanner. Lost the isolator. I lined the bay with new ply and FRP and a rubber floor. Installed the 4 Northstars. Built a new ventilated battery box with fans and a thermostat. Full busbar system. Trace is happy again 😄.
Other work:
Replaced the generator water pump.
Replaced all belts on the engine and genset.
Replaced two obsolete and non-repairable macerator toilets (Raritans) with Jabscos.
Repaired the leaky front shower valve.
Pulled up over 30 loose floor tiles and installed new ones, then regrouted.
Got the Webasto working (bad switch). Installed a new nozzle, and it works great!
Got the headlights and wipers working, but still puzzled by the horn. It worked once about a week ago, but that’s it.
Pulled out the stuck pocket bedroom door and installed new HD hardware. What a bi_ch! The solid wood door had 1/4 inch plate glass mirrors on both sides and was just too heavy for the track. Screws pulled through the track. We replaced the mirror with mahogany ply. Looks better and is much lighter. New latch too. Getting the door out required major effort and disassembly.
Went through the dash replacing burnt-out bulbs and recrimping shoddy connections. Replaced old tiny backlight bulbs with LEDs. Cleaned and lubed the many switches and connectors. Replaced the old fuzzy greyscale CRT backup camera and monitor with a wired color kit with infrared.
Replaced all 120-volt bulbs throughout the coach with LED and replaced old touch dimmers with new Leviton dimmers. Replacing most of the 12-volt bulbs with LED as well.
Replaced the nice old 220-volt 4-burner Gaggenau cooktop with two new vertical 2-burner induction cooktops @120 volts each. Together, they fit in the existing hole perfectly. Only have the one Trace @120 volts, and we wanted to cook sometimes without having to start the generator or being plugged in.
Removed the dishwasher, trash compactor, and icemaker. What do we need these for? Building in some big pantry drawers in the spaces.
We’ll be replacing the stupid Norcold absorption fridge… 120 volts and propane! What were they thinking? All-electric coach. Anyway, we’ll get a new Novakool RFU9000 to fit in the existing hole. It will fit perfectly, be a 12/24 volt compressor unit, 3 cubic feet bigger inside, front-venting, and much more efficient. We have to stick with the same size refer as there’s a baseboard heater below and a Cruisair evap unit above.
The 3 Cruisairs are working well. I need to clean them up, but for now, I’m pooped!
Will be posting some before and after pics when I get a chance. Have a wonderful holiday and be safe!