92 Coachmen Ram Van resuscitation project...
I've been away from Sam and motor homes for about ten years, but now I'm back with a great project van. My last projects were a 70 Winnie Chief and then a 92 Coachmen prestige 5th wheeler. This time a...
Forum Discussion
I dont know your electrical experience so excuse me if you already understand this. People often times are used to systems that use a frame ground and dont realize that rv type stuff goes off of 2 wires. Yes the negative is the ground but there is a lot more territory for that ground to be lost. Often times it's still basic connection problems, not breaks in the wire midstream. When you say coil I assume you mean solenoid? If it has 2 wires and not grounded at the solenoid, check for a good negative as well as a positive. People often focus on the positive only in 2 wire systems.
If you dont know when they were last replaced it may be good to replace all the hoses and belts. The chain is only as strong as the weakest link so small heater hose and bypass type hose need to be replaced too.
You mentioned a 2000 watt generator. So you want to power the ac? A 2000 watt Honda will power some ac units and the one on your rig would seem to be on the small side but check into it first. Some have a hard time starting ac. I remember seeing a van with a cage built on the back door to secure a Honda. It was a nice set up and very quiet. If you do something like that come up with a way to have multiple levels of security. A pad lock can be easily snipped and the generator easily lifted out and gone. For example find a way to bolt it in then and another way to bolt a bracket around it then lock the ventilated cage. Every system can be defeated but the simple cable or lock snips are the quick easy ones. You cant make it impossible but dont make it easy. People have had generators stolen in the day time buy snatch and run artists.
What are you using for battery power? A good up grade is 2 6 volt deep cycles. As far as charging, come up with a good battery charger that can hit 15.5 volts and you will cut down on your generator run time and be able to equalize. If you have a converter, depending on what the charging voltage is it may take many hours or days to fully charge.
Post pics of wiring or solenoid/relay/switch problems and someone in here will help. Enjoy your camper.
If you dont know when they were last replaced it may be good to replace all the hoses and belts. The chain is only as strong as the weakest link so small heater hose and bypass type hose need to be replaced too.
You mentioned a 2000 watt generator. So you want to power the ac? A 2000 watt Honda will power some ac units and the one on your rig would seem to be on the small side but check into it first. Some have a hard time starting ac. I remember seeing a van with a cage built on the back door to secure a Honda. It was a nice set up and very quiet. If you do something like that come up with a way to have multiple levels of security. A pad lock can be easily snipped and the generator easily lifted out and gone. For example find a way to bolt it in then and another way to bolt a bracket around it then lock the ventilated cage. Every system can be defeated but the simple cable or lock snips are the quick easy ones. You cant make it impossible but dont make it easy. People have had generators stolen in the day time buy snatch and run artists.
What are you using for battery power? A good up grade is 2 6 volt deep cycles. As far as charging, come up with a good battery charger that can hit 15.5 volts and you will cut down on your generator run time and be able to equalize. If you have a converter, depending on what the charging voltage is it may take many hours or days to fully charge.
Post pics of wiring or solenoid/relay/switch problems and someone in here will help. Enjoy your camper.
