| Maiden Voyage [message #245065] |
Tue, 25 March 2014 18:08  |
George B.
Messages: 213
Registered: February 2012
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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We took my wife's new (to us) 1976 23 footer Birchaven side bath on its first trip this weekend. Generally, all went well. Engine ran good, gauges reported normal conditions. (Although without all the extra gauges like on our other coach, not much information so not much to worry about)
Only a few items for followup:
Transmission slipped a few times when first started up in the morning. Also upon first start up, reverse would not engage right away. After driven and warmed up no problems with the transmission. Is that an indication of a problem?
Water leak somewhere around pump or plumbing to side bath.
Could not light the frig on propane. Maybe the piezo lighter needs cleaning or replacement.
Heater fan will not turn off and had to wire shut the vacuum valve for the hot water to heater core to turn off the heat.
Onan would not start once after about a one-hour run. Other than that one time started up right away.
Have to get a pair of the front window wind-wing/vents like on other coach...they really help. Also need to get a Ragusa Side Step.
So, not a bad shake down trip.
George Butts
Las Vegas Nevada
73 "Custom 26' Q" & 76 23' Birchaven
71 Honda 600 Coupe & 01 Tracker Toads
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| Re: [GMCnet] Maiden Voyage [message #245068 is a reply to message #245065] |
Tue, 25 March 2014 18:13  |
Rob
Messages: 651
Registered: November 2013
Location: Victoria, BC
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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I'm envious!
Hopefully we'll get ours out in April...
Rob
Victoria, BC
76 Royale - Rear Twins/Dry Bath
On 2014-03-25, at 4:08 PM, GEORGE BUTTS wrote:
>
> So, not a bad shake down trip.
>
>
> --
> George Butts
> Apple Valley Calif.
> 73 "Custom 26' Q" & 76 23' Birchaven
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Rob -
Victoria, BC -
76 Royale - Rear Twins/Dry Bath
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| Re: Maiden Voyage [message #245072 is a reply to message #245065] |
Tue, 25 March 2014 18:26 |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 39
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Senior Member |
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| George B. wrote on Tue, 25 March 2014 18:08 |
We took my wife's new (to us) 1976 23 footer Birchaven side bath on its first trip this weekend. Generally, all went well. Engine ran good, gauges reported normal conditions. (Although without all the extra gauges like on our other coach, not much information so not much to worry about)
Only a few items for followup:
Transmission slipped a few times when first started up in the morning. Also upon first start up, reverse would not engage right away. After driven and warmed up no problems with the transmission. Is that an indication of a problem?
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Low fluid would be the simplest explanation. After that, I defer to others.| Quote: |
Water leak somewhere around pump or plumbing to side bath.
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Sounds like something that you can handle.| Quote: |
Could not light the frig on propane. Maybe the piezo lighter needs cleaning or replacement.
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I defer to someone that can guess.| Quote: |
Heater fan will not turn off and had to wire shut the vacuum valve for the hot water to heater core to turn off the heat.
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GM wired the later models to keep the fan on all the time to keep positive cabin pressure and reduce CO inside the vehicle. One fix is to disconnect the yellow wire before it gets to the resistor pack on the blower box. You end up with two fan speeds, since "low" is then "off". Lots of people put a hardware store shut off in the coolant line to the heater core. Sounds like your water valve is not working. Could be a vacuum actuator problem or a vacuum leak in the heater/AC system somewhere.| Quote: |
Onan would not start once after about a one-hour run. Other than that one time started up right away.
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Wires loosen, control boards develop problems. It might happen again.| Quote: |
Have to get a pair of the front window wind-wing/vents like on other coach...they really help. Also need to get a Ragusa Side Step.
So, not a bad shake down trip.
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| Re: Maiden Voyage [message #245126 is a reply to message #245072] |
Tue, 25 March 2014 23:37 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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| A Hamilto wrote on Tue, 25 March 2014 18:26 |
| George B. wrote on Tue, 25 March 2014 18:08 |
We took my wife's new (to us) 1976 23 footer Birchaven side bath on its first trip this weekend. Generally, all went well. Engine ran good, gauges reported normal conditions. (Although without all the extra gauges like on our other coach, not much information so not much to worry about)
Only a few items for followup:
Transmission slipped a few times when first started up in the morning. Also upon first start up, reverse would not engage right away. After driven and warmed up no problems with the transmission. Is that an indication of a problem?
|
Low fluid would be the simplest explanation. After that, I defer to others.| Quote: |
Water leak somewhere around pump or plumbing to side bath.
|
Sounds like something that you can handle.| Quote: |
Could not light the frig on propane. Maybe the piezo lighter needs cleaning or replacement.
|
I defer to someone that can guess.| Quote: |
Heater fan will not turn off and had to wire shut the vacuum valve for the hot water to heater core to turn off the heat.
|
GM wired the later models to keep the fan on all the time to keep positive cabin pressure and reduce CO inside the vehicle. One fix is to disconnect the yellow wire before it gets to the resistor pack on the blower box. You end up with two fan speeds, since "low" is then "off". Lots of people put a hardware store shut off in the coolant line to the heater core. Sounds like your water valve is not working. Could be a vacuum actuator problem or a vacuum leak in the heater/AC system somewhere.| Quote: |
Onan would not start once after about a one-hour run. Other than that one time started up right away.
|
Wires loosen, control boards develop problems. It might happen again.| Quote: |
Have to get a pair of the front window wind-wing/vents like on other coach...they really help. Also need to get a Ragusa Side Step.
So, not a bad shake down trip.
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Well, he pretty much covered it.
On the slow fan speed the wire to remove is in the plug going in the side of the air box.
On the coolant flow to the heater, go to the hargware store and get a 1/2 turn ball valve for less than $10.00 and plumb it in either line going to the heater core. I have mine under the hood near the the heater core. Open the hood and turn it when the seasons change.
On the wind wings, call Blaine Merrell. He has them in various colors and will mail you a set.
http://www.bdub.net/blainemerrell/
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Maiden Voyage [message #245477 is a reply to message #245126] |
Fri, 28 March 2014 08:02 |
rickmike
Messages: 252
Registered: September 2011
Location: United States
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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For the Refrig, Remove and clean the burner.
Spiders like to build a nest in the orifices.
Mine was obstructed to where the flame was shooting out one side too far and could have been a fire hazard.
Luckily, I was looking at the flame and noticed the errant flame pattern.
Have fun with your coach!
1974 26' Canyonlands
aka "The General"
Clinton, TN
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