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Miscellaneous. newbie questions [message #310018] Sun, 06 November 2016 20:51 Go to next message
mbgardner is currently offline  mbgardner   United States
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Registered: October 2016
Location: Cleveland OH
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Junior Member
So I experienced my first '75 Glenbrook 26' with a side bath today. Was it my imagination that the side bath was larger than my '73 23-footer? Also had some random newbie questions.
He installed a new waste tank. he indicated that it was behind the bath under the bed, is that right? i would have figured the waste tank was underneath.

He didn't have a generator installed, opting just to plug in wherever he roamed. He used LP gas for stove. Question: Does the standard Onan generator run LP gas?

He showed me the furnace exhaust / intake on the outside, but said he just used an electric space heater when necessary. Does the furnace use LP Gas?

I read something about someone doing an all electric coach upgrade.. How would that work? It still would need a generator, right, so what would run it?

Finally, he also indicated the roof top a/c has a heater bar in it, but that it was not very effective. Is that true?

Re: [GMCnet] Miscellaneous. newbie questions [message #310023 is a reply to message #310018] Sun, 06 November 2016 21:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jimk is currently offline  jimk   United States
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Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
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Senior Member
Why don't you call me, so I can help answer all your questions.

On Sun, Nov 6, 2016 at 6:51 PM, MICHAEL B GARDNER
wrote:

> So I experienced my first '75 Glenbrook 26' with a side bath today. Was it
> my imagination that the side bath was larger than my '73 23-footer? Also
> had some random newbie questions.
> He installed a new waste tank. he indicated that it was behind the bath
> under the bed, is that right? i would have figured the waste tank was
> underneath.
>
> He didn't have a generator installed, opting just to plug in wherever he
> roamed. He used LP gas for stove. Question: Does the standard Onan generator
> run LP gas?
>
> He showed me the furnace exhaust / intake on the outside, but said he just
> used an electric space heater when necessary. Does the furnace use LP Gas?
>
> I read something about someone doing an all electric coach upgrade.. How
> would that work? It still would need a generator, right, so what would run
> it?
>
> Finally, he also indicated the roof top a/c has a heater bar in it, but
> that it was not very effective. Is that true?
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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Jim Kanomata
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
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1-800-752-7502
Re: Miscellaneous. newbie questions [message #310024 is a reply to message #310018] Sun, 06 November 2016 21:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
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Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
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Senior Member
mbgardner wrote on Sun, 06 November 2016 20:51
So I experienced my first '75 Glenbrook 26' with a side bath today. Was it my imagination that the side bath was larger than my '73 23-footer? Also had some random newbie questions.
He installed a new waste tank. he indicated that it was behind the bath under the bed, is that right? i would have figured the waste tank was underneath.

He didn't have a generator installed, opting just to plug in wherever he roamed. He used LP gas for stove. Question: Does the standard Onan generator run LP gas?

NO, IT USED GASOLINE FROM THE MAIN TANK

He showed me the furnace exhaust / intake on the outside, but said he just used an electric space heater when necessary. Does the furnace use LP Gas?

YES, AND IT IS KIND OF HARD TO RUN AN ELECTRIC HEATER IF YOU HAVE NO GENERATOR AND ALWAYS HAVE TO BE PLUGGED IN.

I read something about someone doing an all electric coach upgrade.. How would that work? It still would need a generator, right, so what would run it?


SOME PEOPLE HAVE DONE THAT BUT I LOVE MY PROPANE APPLIANCES (HEAT STOVE, AND REFRIGERATOR). AGAIN YOU WILL NEED A SOURCE OF 120 VOLT POWER. PLUGGED IN OR RUN THE GENERATOR. BOTH CAN GET EXPENSIVE AT TIMES. I'LL KEEP MY PROPANE STUFF.


Finally, he also indicated the roof top a/c has a heater bar in it, but that it was not very effective. Is that true?

YES, THEY SEEM TO WORK WELL ENOUGH IN SOUTHERN AZ, CALIFORNIA, AND FLORIDA. ELSEWHERE YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO SUPPLEMENT IT WITH SOME OTHER SOURCE OF HEAT.




Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: Miscellaneous. newbie questions [message #310026 is a reply to message #310018] Sun, 06 November 2016 23:24 Go to previous messageGo to next message
A Hamilto is currently offline  A Hamilto   United States
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mbgardner wrote on Sun, 06 November 2016 20:51
So I experienced my first '75 Glenbrook 26' with a side bath today. Was it my imagination that the side bath was larger than my '73 23-footer?
I can't say for sure, but I doubt it.Quote:
Also had some random newbie questions.
He installed a new waste tank. he indicated that it was behind the bath under the bed, is that right? i would have figured the waste tank was underneath.
In order for the toilet to drain into it, it would have to be underneath. If he installed a gray water tank for the sinks, it could be above the floor. The OEM waste tank is under the floor.Quote:
He didn't have a generator installed, opting just to plug in wherever he roamed. He used LP gas for stove. Question: Does the standard Onan generator run LP gas?
No. They run on gas. They can be converted to propane. There is a tube in the rear tank for connecting the Onan fuel line.Quote:
He showed me the furnace exhaust / intake on the outside, but said he just used an electric space heater when necessary. Does the furnace use LP Gas?
Yes.Quote:
I read something about someone doing an all electric coach upgrade.. How would that work?
Use an electric fridge and hot plate and microwave oven.Quote:
It still would need a generator, right, so what would run it?
Gas or propane, whatever you install.Quote:
Finally, he also indicated the roof top a/c has a heater bar in it, but that it was not very effective. Is that true?
Depends on how cold it is outside. The GMC has so many windows, and the high school dropouts that sprayed the foam insulation did such a poor job, and the upfitters cut so many oversized holes for fittings and fixtures that they are really drafty. Folks that have them say the heat strips are only good down to about 40F outside air temp.
Re: Miscellaneous. newbie questions [message #310029 is a reply to message #310026] Mon, 07 November 2016 06:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
tphipps is currently offline  tphipps   United States
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Location: Spanish Fort, AL
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Senior Member
I have heat strips in both a/c's. Both make lots of noise and little heat. A typical block cube heater puts out more heat and less noise. Less expense also.
Tom, MS II


2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552 KA4CSG
Re: Miscellaneous. newbie questions [message #310038 is a reply to message #310018] Mon, 07 November 2016 09:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
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Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
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Senior Member
OK Micheal,

I read your post of 31 October but did not get that you had actually purchased that barn find.

Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum....

You do have good answers to most of your questions, so I will not bother with those answers.
What you have is a 73 - 23. Be aware that there are many differences between it and everything else, and I should know.
One thing that is not different is the basic side bath. There are all the same across almost all the line of GM fit coaches.

Now, if you do not have a generator, you simply cannot run the A/C or the microwave unless you are plugged in and that pretty much means a campground with hook-up$. The Monster SOBs that are all electric have 6 or more 8D jars in the bilge and a diesel APU (genset). That set nearly outweighs your coach.

In a typical 73 the stove and heat were gas. The reefer was 12/120 and the water heater was engine and 120V. After 40+ years, anything can be changed.
Any electric heater that plugs into the wall is limited to about 5KBTU. The gas heater install (If OE) was 20+. A single 5Kbtu (no matter how provided) will keep the chill off down to about 40°F and it is easy to go below that along Lake Erie in the spring or fall. We have a heater in our roof A/C, but is only good as a valuable data point.

If he installed a new waste tank under the bed, where did he move the potable tank to. OR, did he say holding tank and mean the potable?

As said, a 73-23 is a strange beast. 23s are only 11% of the total population. Much of the common discussion here does not include us. This is only because there are so few and most still in service are the later and non-GM fit versions. That is why I am going to offer you a contact - Me - at matt(numbers seven three two three) tze at gmail dot com. This goes to everyplace that I read mail. If need be we, can set up phone.

You will be amazed at the comfort when you are finally on the road. That Ford you drove in Alaska was crude compared to your new lady. These coaches were designed from the ground up to be a comfortable traveler.

When get your coach to usable status, you will quickly find that it is more than just another toy. That is because it will connect you to a community that is not at all common. These are very supportive and helping people. They want you to enjoy the coach and the freedom it brings. Do not fear to ask a question here. You would be hard pressed to come up with a problem that has not been solved here. Because this community is so like that of the watermen that are my world, I have taken to welcoming all new owners as a new owner or vessel is welcomed there. So,

May the Good Lord bless this coach and all those that set forth within her.

Welcome Micheal

Matt


mbgardner wrote on Sun, 06 November 2016 21:51
So I experienced my first '75 Glenbrook 26' with a side bath today. Was it my imagination that the side bath was larger than my '73 23-footer? Also had some random newbie questions.
He installed a new waste tank. he indicated that it was behind the bath under the bed, is that right? i would have figured the waste tank was underneath.

He didn't have a generator installed, opting just to plug in wherever he roamed. He used LP gas for stove. Question: Does the standard Onan generator run LP gas?

He showed me the furnace exhaust / intake on the outside, but said he just used an electric space heater when necessary. Does the furnace use LP Gas?

I read something about someone doing an all electric coach upgrade.. How would that work? It still would need a generator, right, so what would run it?

Finally, he also indicated the roof top a/c has a heater bar in it, but that it was not very effective. Is that true?




Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: Miscellaneous. newbie questions [message #310083 is a reply to message #310018] Tue, 08 November 2016 10:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
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Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
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Senior Member
MB, I've got a working Generac 3.6KW unit which came out of my 23'. I don't like it, but if you want to consider it, gimme a PM. The option these days is to modify a 'contractor' style genset which will fit the genset bay on the 23. I used a 7500 Watt Harbor Freight unit. Ken Henderson fitted a marginally smaller Troy-Bilt set, both of which appear to use engines from the same heathen chinee manufacturer. They work fine, but they're 3600 RPM sets so they aren't as quiet as the old Onans. I've also got a Kohler 'thumper' 1800 RPM single cylinder 4KW set which could be fitted to a 23' coach. It spins over but doesn't crank, I've not bothered to fiddle with it and get it going.
In my case and Ken's, choice was determined by 'What's the smallest6 one with an electric starter'. If you go this route, you'll need a fuel pump (seven dollars on eBay) and some arrangement for a choke. My setup uses a solenoid and one of the timer cards I got for various uses. It pulls the choke when the starter is engaged, and holds the engine choked for the selected amount of time. In my case about 8 seconds. Ken used a pump with too much pressure that only runs with the starter, causing gas to run past the float and richen the mixture. Either way lets you crank the set from inside or outside without having to dive into the genset bay. Have a look on the photo site for mine and I believe Ken's as well.

--johnny


Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: [GMCnet] Miscellaneous. newbie questions [message #310125 is a reply to message #310023] Tue, 08 November 2016 19:40 Go to previous message
mbgardner is currently offline  mbgardner   United States
Messages: 5
Registered: October 2016
Location: Cleveland OH
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Junior Member
thanks for your reply
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