As said yesterday…..still no font icon…sorry…. the original intent for this page close to 20 years ago was to give folks with coaches in our process can see and feel a part of our process. Sure, the purpose has included more stuff but we can’t ever forget why we’re here and why those folks come here . And for those that don’t see their coach in a “Pose” know that progress on anything move everyone along the “Q”.
So my chicken to pluck are these 3 dash AC/heat projects so lemme focus on that volume of work today. Actually I’m employing the efforts of my paint crew to help with some really exciting work. I don’t have a key this morning to the building out back where all the wall panels are being textured…I’ll try and do some pics on the for page 2 today.
Right now though, I have some good pics processed so lemme get into that right now. First, my day was full of dash wiring on project #3. lemme show you a pic of that dash as of this morning (I get better pics before dawn without all that light pouring in our windows. So here is the dash as of this morning Here are the circuits connected and tested today:
o A big one is the dash AC blower system is on…yes, we have MAX BLOW! A big thing…next is the dash AC/heat plumbing
o Ramco electric/heated mirrors are operational
o Our alternator light circuit is in and functional. Tell ya what, lemme explain this really important circuit.
General Motors used this circuit in all their electrical systems in the 70’s. The exciter circuit for a GM alternator (the small wire on the 2 wire connector plugged into the alternator) gets it’s slightly lower than the battery voltage by using a 38″ long section of resister wire. This is the dreaded nichrome (electric element) resister wire to drop the voltage. Like I said, all GM cars of the time used this circuit. For some reason though, this circuit in our motorhome ….we know why…this wire can cause a fire issue in your dash harness. The wire heats up doing it’s job of dropping voltage. As that single strand toaster wire heats up, it melts the insulation on this really thin wire…changes it’s resistance which makes it get hotter. At some point…well you get the picture. We do not want that nichrome wire circuit to have current flow at all! The simple diode and ceramic 100 ohm resister circuit replaces the nichrome wire circuit which safely drops the voltage to the small wire going to the alternator. Look above again, this 3 wire circuit disconnects the old trigger circuit…1 wire on a 5 amp fuse (BTW, there is NO fuse on the circuit from GM!). The second wire disconnects the small wire on the alternator bringing it up to this circuit mounted safely under the front passenger hood. The 3rd wire connects to the brown/red stripe wire second from the left on the connector on the back of the instrument cluster. That’s it. We offer the components for $5, I’ll talk you through the install…you really should consider this fire safety measure. Moving along….
o The double DIN radio is now wired and playing
o Ordered up a lower panel with illumination on the air ride controls…the next system I need to wake up.
o At the center of the dash at the old lower center AC vent we have a panel sporting 1 AC outlet tied to the living area AC electrical system, a powered 12 volt outlet and a USB charge port. Customer specified.
Of course there are more circuits to check and connect but hey…we’re getting there.
Oh look, the guys have The Tin Soldiers steering column on Ruby’s dash! We attempted to source a new steering column, a big project but after searching with a cost topping $1000 hey, sometimes it’s better is we use original parts there. Connecting it back into the electrical system I can continue connecting Ruby’s circuits like I am project #3. Hey and where did all of the side panels go….
You might remember we had all the sidewalls cut out and fitted before
That’s what page 2 will show later today. Those as well as #3’s walls are being textured today. Baby when that happens wait till you see how good that’s gonna look. Like Texas Tux panels already textured, it’s going to be a great step forward for both projects
It’s a team efforet to get all this put together. The wall texturing process came from out paint shop, the marine industry and out of the head of my labor foreman Jared. An awesome process WAIT till you see the opting this process offers our overhead cabinet finish!
So this is the kinda stuff our customers with coaches in here wanna see. Remember, each move forward effects all the coaches in the Q so there ya go.
Doing another road test on this machine this weekend Belonging to a family in Switzerland, yeah they fly over…spend time in their awesome coach then fly home leaving it with us. Sounds crazy but really there’s no cheaper way for someone from Europe to vacation in the US.
So Janie & I will be driving near Ft. Lauderdale to a music festival…some facebook friend are putting this on..I hope to see ya there.
And to fill my dance card for more seat time…..we’re trying to plan a coach delivery and pick pick up of “Fandango” for some updates. This was a cool recent project….you may have seen this coach on a hot rod calander…I’ll try and get a copy to show
An awesome ride. So in an effort to strap my butt into more GMC seats this may just be a new part of my job description…..
Yeah, we gotta be careful around here to not have too much fun! NOT!
Jared just pulled in…see ya on page 2 later