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RE: Pecking order Monaco & Holiday Rambler
I don't see a 2012 Dynasty. I do see 2011 Dynasty
Also it is not using Signature Engine (Cummins ISX 650) instead using the old Cummins ISM 500. Do they really have that old of a shell? I guess the ISX came to Signature around 2003-04 ish.
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caymann
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03/24/12 03:10pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Bucket Lists
secure and safe
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caymann
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02/22/12 01:33pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Dayton Hamvention
all booked this year too
any other suggestion?
thanks
jim
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caymann
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02/06/12 06:50pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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Dayton Hamvention
Has anyone attended Hamvention lately in Dayton OH in a RV?
If so, where do you camp for three days, close to all the action?
The Hamvention website suggests a few places like
1> Dayton Tall Timbers KOA Resort
2> Poor Farmer's Campground
3> Cedarbrook Campground
etc
But i wanted to get your opinion before i called a campground.
thanks
jim
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caymann
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02/04/12 04:23pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Phaeton broken down in Tifton Georgia
I just found out that they think I had a bad O-ring on the fuel filter that was leaking air . That was the way air was getting into it... We will see. Aren't these expensive toys fun. On the positive side my wife found a lot of clothes for 80% off at the local stores. She bought all kinds of stuff for the grandson and nieces. Wait this might not be positive. The longer I stay here at Freightliner the more its costing me in 2 different ways.
Ken
I had exact symptoms you described
Towed it to the nearest truck repair shop
After $250 (2 hrs) labor and a replaced $6 O-ring in the racor fuel pre filter i was back on the road.
I hope it is that same yellow O ring for you.
I now keep backup O rings with me.
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caymann
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12/28/11 08:22pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Monaco Signature floorplan
My family and I really like the rear walk-in closet that was in the 2000-2002 Monaco Signatures.....
Thanks
Just curious, what is so special about a rear walk in closet in the RV?
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caymann
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11/15/11 07:25pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Class A fuel economy for diesel pushers
according to veh computer...
7.45mpg when pulling jeep....level rd, gentle wind
7.1mpg when pulling truck.....level rd, gentle wind
Wt is 40klbs (gvwr is 46klbs) and drive at 62mph
Engine is Cummins ISM 500 w/4.3 axle on a Allison 4000MH tranny
Use gear 6 (max) and economy more on level road
User gear 5 (max) on grades
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caymann
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10/18/11 05:50am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Intellitec battery isolator relay
My MH has this setup: http://intellitec.com/pdfs/BATTERY_web/5300839.100.pdf
The pdf shows the BIRD and Bigboy relay and wiring diagram. Rather straightforward setup to charge both batteries on shore, gen or driving and aux start.
However, the OP indicated he didn't need any more than an isolator to charge the coach battery while driving.
This is the CORRECT hookup for bigboy batt isolator relay
This is how i plan on doing it
Just connect a 12V to I and GND to S and the relay will energize
connecting the two batteries for charging from alternator.
I have the same P/N 77-90006-120 for bigboy isolator relay as you do
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caymann
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10/16/11 06:56pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Intellitec battery isolator relay
.................
enblethen, you are making the same mistake that I made. Read the label on the relay/solenoid in the subject photo. It says battery isolator. Intellitec calls both their Isolator relay and their Disconnect relay "Big Boy's". Very confusing.
I do believe he has it hooked up wrong, however. The chassis battery should go directly to one of the large terminals on the Big Boy and the house batteries to the other.
OP, can you tell us what cables are shown in the photo?
I agree with moisheh that the OP needs to go to a good Monaco board and seek help. They can explain different options to complete his project.
The simplest way to solve the whole problem would have been to make sure the aux start solenoid was a continuous duty solenoid and just add a new pick path from the ignition. Job done!
Sorry i was out all day and just got back to computer
I will try my best to explain all these....
1. LEFT Relay> (hanging upside down) Intellitec BigBoy Battery Isolator relay. This is the one in discussion here.
Also this relay is NOT rated for 200A continuous. Just read the bigboy battery isolator manual. It states that clearly. I am sure i will never reach 200A from the alternator, but i have measured upto 175A once when house batteries were severely discharged while a weekend of dry camping...but that was once only. Most times it is running at 50A or so because i camp with hookups nowadays.
It has two battery posts. I have connected the (left post)BLACK 2/0 cable to ENGINE Battery and (right post) RED 2/0 cable to HOUSE Battery
The BLACK cable from bigboy relay is connected (in star fashion) to engine battery cable, alternator cable and engine batt boost relay cable.
The RED cable from bigboy relay is connected (in star fashion) to house battery cable and engine batt boost relay cable.
I have tried my best to illustrate it here.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/caymann/bigboy/connections.jpg
I just have to make the connections to I and S terminal of bigboy and i am done.
My basic instinct says, i can just wire in IGN to I and GROUND to S and it will charge both batteries when i start the engine.
To make it a little better, i could use the Isolator relay delay which will wait to charge the house battery only after engine battery is fully charged. I liked that, so i ordered this controller.
To make it even more sophisticated, i can take out the battery boost relay and lambert and just add a BIRD controller.
Hope this clears up any confusion i may have caused.
The Bigboy isolator relay is NOT a latching relay
The Bigboy battery disconnect relay is a latching relay.
Intellitec made this very confusing.
2. MIDDLE Relay> Intellitec battery boost disconnect relay
This one is NOT under discussion
Also this relay is NOT rated for 200A continuous. It is a momentary (upto 30S) 1000A current rating to jump start engine.
3. RIGHT two Relays> House and Engine Battery disconnect relays
These relays are NOT under discussion
4. LAMBERT Battery trickle charger
I could use a BIRD and replace all three (1,2,4) components with just the first relay. But WHY? Having all-in-one relay is of course great but when that relay will fail i am out of all three functionality.
Btw, this relay will fail someday. Having a distributed approach such as this will save the day.
In future when 2 and 3 dies, i will have just one relay controlled by BIRD.
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caymann
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10/16/11 06:44pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Intellitec battery isolator relay
OnaQuest:
OP: do you have an Intellitec battery control center. Please post model of battery control center.
I had problems with my charge/auxilary start relay and replaced it with one off the shelf from NAPA. The auxilary start function would work but the charge would not.
My coach is pretty old and so i am not sure what a battery control center is, but here are some pics anyway of what i think you wanted to see....
This is the block diagram. Note the diode based isolator has been replaced by bigboy
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/caymann/bigboy/BlockDiagarm-diodereplacedbybigboy.jpg
Here is the entire setup, housed behind a plexiglass cover.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/caymann/bigboy/entiresetup.jpg
This is the bigboy relay. The IGN and SENSE is NOT yet connected. SO relay id OPEN
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/caymann/bigboy/BigBoyRelayconnectedwoIGNorwoSENSE.jpg
Here is the jumpstart relay that turns on/off from driver's dash
This is also known as BATT BOOST RELAY
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/caymann/bigboy/Jumpstarrelay.jpg
This is the Lambert battery trickle charger when coach is connected to generator or shore power.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/caymann/bigboy/Enginebattchargerfromhousebattwhenconnectedtoshorepower.jpg
Lambert battery trickle charger working on Engine battery
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/caymann/bigboy/enginebatteryvoltagewhilebattcharging.jpg
Lambert battery trickle charger working on House battery
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/caymann/bigboy/Housebattvoltagewhilebattcharging.jpg
As you can see that the batteries are still ISOLATED
The Lambert charger is TRICKLE charger
As per my original questions:-
What needs to be connected to BIGBOY I and S terminals (not shown in the picture as they point downwards).
Not sure what I (could this be ignition?) and S (could this be-house batt or engine batt)?
I ordered the simple batt isolator relay delay thinking, it will do the job of charging house batt when the alternator is running.
Maybe i have to change to BIRD controller.
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caymann
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10/16/11 07:44am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Intellitec battery isolator relay
thanks moisheh... that is exactly what i needed ti know
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caymann
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10/15/11 08:26pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Intellitec battery isolator relay
Using the method shown in the Intellitec delay relay schematic is the easiest way to go being you have it coming.
You could do without the delay relay. This setup is shown in the Tekonsha wiring diagram.
I am interested in knowing how can i control the bigboy without the delay relay.
I chose the bigboy due to...
1. my alternator pumps 200A so i need the relay to carry that power
on a continuous basis
2. the bigboy is "made in usa"...somehow i have better faith in that .Not sure if it is using a "chinese relay" inside..then joke is on me :)
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caymann
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10/15/11 06:32pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Intellitec battery isolator relay
caymann,
My 04 Endeavor had the unit recommended by Intellitec and it worked very well. It has the feature of delaying connecting the battery banks after starting the rig so that the initial alternate charge is for the chassis batteries. Plus the other features.
You've indicated that you don't need the features of the 2 way BIRD so go with their recommendation.
My confusion with the big-boy is the following:-
As per the user manual...
1. to CLOSE the relay, +12V is applied to terminal I and ground to terminal S
2. to OPEN the relay, +12V is applied to terminal S and ground to terminal I
So the relay controller has to switch the +12V and GND between CLOSE and OPEN. I am not sure if the "isolator relay delay" does that. There is no description, in the manual, on how it opens or closes the relay.
PS> The intellitec website provides this information. I'm not sure if this is correct or i am looking at incorrect user manual.
Since you have the bigboy + isolator relay delay combination, can you
verify that the relay controller is doing it the way the bigboy relay expects it.
Otherwise, i will have to get the BIRD like moisheh suggested.
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caymann
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10/15/11 06:26pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Intellitec battery isolator relay
All i want is to automatically charge the house batteries while the alternator is working the engine battery during travel. I don't need to press any switch etc.
I have a separate system to charge both batteries when on shore power or generator automatically.
I also have a separate relay that jump starts engine battery from coach battery using a momentary switch at the driver's dash.
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caymann
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10/15/11 05:11pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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Intellitec battery isolator relay
I just took out the diode based battery isolator and put in a intellitec big boy relay. I figured this can handle my 200A alternator and better yet it is made in the USA.
SO i called intellitec and they said, this big-boy relay requires a controller. They gave me many choices and picked the simpliest one & ordered the intellitec isolator relay delay
What i am unsure of is - will this controller be able to keep the relay
open when my engine is not running (thereby isolating the batteries) and closed when the engine is running.
If not, which controller will do i?
PS> made correction to the link for bigboy
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caymann
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10/15/11 12:54pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Antifreeze change on an ISM Cummins in a 05 Monaco Exe.
I have drained and refilled antifreeze of such a system.
The engine radiator drain point is the lowest point, so drain it from there. It will drain by gravity any antifreeze that is inside your engine and the line connecting to aqua hot. DONOT drain antifreeze in the aquahot as that is a separate loop inside aquahot and nothing to do with engine antifreeze.
Despite all these, you will have some antifreeze left in the system. Just use distilled water to wash it through...several times, by running the engine after filling up with distill water. Collect all antifreeze to recycle. You will have some distilled water left in the system, that you won't be able to take out and that is ok.
Later fill with concentrated antifreeze and add appropriate amount of water to get that 50/50 or whatever mixture appropriate for you.
In my case, i used 36 quarts of coolant+water mixture. I use the OAT based antifreeze that is good for 6 yrs with a recharge halfway.
This job shouldn't take more than an hour.
Being anal, i drain antifreeze and then wash with distill water at least 3 times. At 89c/gallon, this is cheap. Never use tap water.
Run the engine for a few minutes and recheck level to add more antifreeze/water if needed. Always check mixture ratio using a refractometer. You can buy those for 30 bucks and can be used for antifreeze checking as well as battery water checking.
During the final run of the engine, make sure there is no air pockets
in the antifreeze loop. If i were you, i would change the coolant thermostat too, if the mileage is such. Also change any hoses that maybe cracked or shows wear. The engine compartment is pretty hot when in action and that takes toll on anything that is heat sensitive inside that compartment such as hoses, alternators and other electrical devices that is mounted high (heat rises).
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caymann
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10/12/11 06:06am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: alternator dying?
Took out the alternator and the shop did a bench test
There is NO output voltage
Their consensus was that the ROTOR is dead
What causes a rotor to die? (so i can avoid this in future)
Question>
Is this worth doing a rebuild? (don't know)
Should i get another rebuild one? ($550 + 6 m warranty)
Should i get a new one instead? ($815 + 1 yr warranty)
Should i expect a core charge discount? (typical $200)
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caymann
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10/11/11 12:26pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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Refrigerator : Norcold to Household...charging req?
If you upgraded your refrigerator from Gas/Electric to Household type, did you upgrade your engine alternator? What AMPS is your current alternator that is doing the job w/o stressing out?
If you have an OEM household refrigerator, what size (AMPS) is your current alternator that the manufacturer put in?
I assume, if a household refrigerator takes a few amps (say 4 amps AC)
to keep it running, that equates to an extra 44AMPS DC which an alternator will need to supply during drive time to keep house batteries charged (unless you are running the generator). I agree that there is a duty cycle to it....say 33% of the time on and 67% of the time off, since the refrigerator is very well sealed. However, as the compressor ages, it will start pulling more power (just like the roof AC) and will turn off/on more often.
I have measured my alternator pumping up to 150Amps DC (using a DC amp meter), when the batteries were not fully charged (worst case scenario, such as during dry camping). That equates to 150+44=nearly 200Amps DC. If an alternator is rated lower than what the charging needs are, could it lead to damage of the alternator or overheating or fires or other safety concerns?
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caymann
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10/11/11 05:03am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: alternator dying?
Is there an alternator rebuild company recommended that i can contact or lookup on the internet)?
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caymann
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10/08/11 05:25am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: alternator dying?
Well now the alternator is putting out nothing
So i am just going to start the generator and short the house/engine batteries
with a 2/0 cable to get going. Hope this works out.
I tried to look for an alternator but i can't find anything
It's a Leece Neville A0014884JB rated for 200Amps
It's also otherwise known as LN4884JB
Could i use a 160Amp version, which is readily available
When i called Monaco they said they don't have it in stock but can drop ship for $1700+ freight. I almost fell off my chair.
So now i am in the hunt for either a rebuilt one or a new one or a used one (salvage yard)
Can you folks suggest where can i get this - used/rebuilt/new at a reasonable price. Last year when i was pricing one out for emergency reasons, it was around $550 or so.
I have looked into Freightliner, Peterbuilt....no luck
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caymann
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10/07/11 04:31pm |
Class A Motorhomes
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