1986 Holiday Rambler Imperial Limited 38 diesel pusher
After a big search (Search Tempest) found a seemingly rare (NADA has no listing) 1986 Holiday-Rambler Imperial Limited 38 (really 39'9", called a 40 '87 on). 28k on the odometer, 12.5 k Isuzu diesel genset, Its built on a Gillig bus chassis, aluminum frame, with a 250hp Cat hidden behind the tire cover.
Bill of sale shows $177k original price, and we're grateful to have it. We've rebuilt the air shifter (old school mechanical marvel), worked through engine starting problem (bad house batteries were drawing current through isolator to require charger boost at start) pulled all the carpet and laid vinal planks, insulated walls for subzero Temps in Colorado, and moved gas line and rebuilt old hydro-heat ducted heater.
Biggest problem now is the rats nest electrical system. Through layers of switch plates and zip ties it seems that there has been 3 additions to the original system. There are 2 glass tube shape breaker panels, untold number of inline glass fuses, 5 solenoids, 3 isolators, 2 d8 batteries, 2 golf cart batteries, 1 battery for the genset, 1 2lede charger, 1 in house converter, a PACS 1500 sine wave inverter, a 120 volt panel with 2 subs, and a breaker mounted in a cabinet opening.
Grounding problem has me pulling everything apart for a wire brush and d-electric grease. But the wads of wire are astounding. There is one place where there are 7 connectors laid on top of each other for positive source.
How can a break this down into bite size pieces? The ledes on my ohm meter don't seem long enough. I've contacted both Gillig and Holiday Rambler for an electrical schematic with no joy. Not sure it would matter with the overlays.
I've ordered the 450 piece soldering shrink wrap kit from Amazon and will be reworking all wire ends and adding blocks.
but.. in a circuit that has a dash switch, an inline fuse, a circuit breaker, and a thing, is there a quick way to find the piece causing a circuit failure? Or is it just this process x 100 slightly identified circuits?
Any wisdom is appreciated..
Edit, no paperclip to attach pictures of sales brochure and option list.. How do I upload pictures?
Bill of sale shows $177k original price, and we're grateful to have it. We've rebuilt the air shifter (old school mechanical marvel), worked through engine starting problem (bad house batteries were drawing current through isolator to require charger boost at start) pulled all the carpet and laid vinal planks, insulated walls for subzero Temps in Colorado, and moved gas line and rebuilt old hydro-heat ducted heater.
Biggest problem now is the rats nest electrical system. Through layers of switch plates and zip ties it seems that there has been 3 additions to the original system. There are 2 glass tube shape breaker panels, untold number of inline glass fuses, 5 solenoids, 3 isolators, 2 d8 batteries, 2 golf cart batteries, 1 battery for the genset, 1 2lede charger, 1 in house converter, a PACS 1500 sine wave inverter, a 120 volt panel with 2 subs, and a breaker mounted in a cabinet opening.
Grounding problem has me pulling everything apart for a wire brush and d-electric grease. But the wads of wire are astounding. There is one place where there are 7 connectors laid on top of each other for positive source.
How can a break this down into bite size pieces? The ledes on my ohm meter don't seem long enough. I've contacted both Gillig and Holiday Rambler for an electrical schematic with no joy. Not sure it would matter with the overlays.
I've ordered the 450 piece soldering shrink wrap kit from Amazon and will be reworking all wire ends and adding blocks.
but.. in a circuit that has a dash switch, an inline fuse, a circuit breaker, and a thing, is there a quick way to find the piece causing a circuit failure? Or is it just this process x 100 slightly identified circuits?
Any wisdom is appreciated..
Edit, no paperclip to attach pictures of sales brochure and option list.. How do I upload pictures?
