Scotty Hutto

Bob, is that our buddy on Canton Rd?

That’s a question above my pay grade. 🤣 But I’m sure we have members who can weigh in on that!

Just for the edification of those folks who may curious, the CAPS system (Cummins Accumulator Pump System) was used on Cummins ISC and ISL engines manufactured from approx 1998 until sometime in 2003. Please note these dates are based on the engine manufacture, not the coach model year. For example, my 2006 Diplomat has an ISL400 with a manufacture date in early 2005. In approximately 2003, Cummins changed from CAPS to the High Pressure Common Rail System (HPCR).

I can’t speak to the brand (I have Duracell AGMs), but I’ve been extremely pleased with my AGMs. It made a bigger difference than I expected. In my opinion, though, the biggest difference is not having to fill batteries monthly and fewer corrosion issues in your battery compartment.

Thanks for the follow-up. Always nice to see how the story ends. 😁

There are folks here who really know a lot more than me, but... I have 4 Duracell AGMGC2s (from Sam's Club) running a Samsung RF18 fridge (and several other minor loads). All of my lighting is LED, but I also have a few plug loads like phone chargers and stuff. I know I can go about a day and a half without battery voltage dropping too low. Yesterday, after 24hrs my battery voltage was still at 11.9. Most recommend running the genny once a day to charge the house batteries Someone like @Tom Cherry can give a lot better info than I can, tho...

I believe so. They have several variations depending on what you have in your coach now. Since your coach is similar vintage to mine, look at this one I configured for my coach: Model: EasyTouch RV 357Part Number: ASY-357-X01Color: Black Laurice, I believe they have configurations for Coleman units also. https://www.hutchmountain.com/products/micro-air-easytouch-rv-thermostat

After having to mediate a dispute between two members that got out of hand today, I'd like to make a request... If you feel the need to correct someone's grammar, spelling, or punctuation, you have two options: 1. Send a private message to that person. (Click on their user name, then click message in the upper right hand of their profile) or 2. "Report" it to the moderators (Click on the three little dots in the upper right hand corner of the post, click "Report") and we'll handle it. That said, if the correction is a technical issue (especially if it could cause harm to a person or a coach), don't hesitate to point it out. You can post in that thread or use one of the two options above (as the moderators are volunteers, actually like to spend time on our coaches, and aren't watching every post 24/7.) Said differently, protection of life and property is our first concern. We're all here to HELP each other with our coaches, and we have a very diverse membership. What may seem like a friendly public correction to one might be very embarrassing to another. Let's keep the focus on that; not grammar, spelling, and punctuation. End of lecture 402... Scotty

Sure you can! Name, website, etc. All of that is fair game. Since we’re not a commercial site, there’s no issue with mentioning company names, other RV websites, etc. Our philosophy is that we’re here to help each other, and if there’s good information on another site, don’t hesitate to share it.

I recently purchased a spray can using the paint codes for my 2006 Diplomat. It was an excellent match for my existing paint.

Actually @Dennis H, I think your Exec has different cameras (mounted on the Velvac mirrors?) than my Dip, and I believe @pwhittle already has a plug-and-play kit for the cameras. Adding the DVR/multiplexer to the kit should be pretty easy, and I think we could come up with some instructions... unless you happen to be coming through the Atlanta area any time soon. PS - after seeing what you did to replace your nav unit, this is well within your pay grade 😉

Chad, Right now I just leave the ignition switch in "accessory" position (1 click counter-clockwise from "off") which powers up the Aladdin JR and cameras (and not much else, from what I can tell!) Long term, I'm looking at a solution to remove the rear camera control and camera power from the Weldex system and have separate switches for them. I'll post that when we figure out a solution. I would like to ditch the Weldex monitor for something with better resolution, and the big barrier is camera control and power to cameras.

@Bill Morgan Yes the SD slot is integral to the DVR/multiplexer. 4-Channel Mini DVR with IR Remote + Multi-View Screen https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RT81KV4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_XT1N8PN4TNBKJ2FX1TK1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 @pwhittle said those adapters are EXPENSIVE! 😂🤪

Once again, I need to start out by thanking @pwhittle Thanks Paul! I couldn’t have done this without his help and guidance. Paul Whittle and I were talking New Year’s Eve about how I wish I could display my side cameras full-time and record them like a dash-cam does. I have a blind spot on the passenger side right behind the door, and the side camera is in the perfect position to help with that. Paul said that was entirely possible, we just need to find the right components! The fIrst order of business was replacing (upgrading) my side cameras. One didn’t work very well, and the other was spotty at best. We found some nice cameras on Amazon, and Paul (with me “helping”) worked his magic and created an adapter from the camera to fit in the existing housings. We mapped the existing wiring harness and new camera harness and created a wiring harness such that the new cameras were now “plug and play” with the existing coach wiring. It wasn’t required, but my camera housings were pretty beat up, so I sanded, primed, and painted them with a spray bomb from eBay matched to my color codes, and finished that off with 3 coats of clear-coat. Next, we found a 12v multiplexer / DVR that will accept the composite input from the cameras. This was installed in the dash next to to Aladdin Jr brain. I used “Y” splitters to send the camera signal to both the Aladdin Jr and the multiplexer/DVR. I added a 64GB micro-SD card to record about 72hrs from all three cams. (When full, it overwrites the oldest data like a dash cam). The DVR is powered on at all times, so it effectively acts as a security camera covering the sides and rear of the coach when we’re not rolling. All of this was done for less than $250 (if you don’t count Paul’s time 😂 and inventions) Right now, all of this feeds to a 7” 16:9 monitor that was previously used as a full time rear camera monitor. I plan to upgrade that to a slightly larger 4:3 monitor (10” or 12”) in the near future. After seeing the image quality of the new cameras, I’ve also added upgrading the rear view camera to the list of future upgrades. Here’s a shot of the system as it exists today, also showing the placement of the control joystick and IR remote receiver I’ll post updates after I’ve upgraded the monitor and rear-view cameras.

I have a leak in my low side refrigerant line for my dash AC. AC Tech has spent hours climbing up and down the frame rails (and didn’t charge me) trying to find the leak. At present, based on leak detection dye and sniffer, he suspects the rubber-to-metal fittings where the lines connect to the evaporator. Has anyone replaced those fittings on the existing hoses before? Can that be done by someone with proper equipment? The location is easily accessible with room to work Has anyone replaced their dash AC refrigerant lines before? Any experiences or thoughts are appreciated as I decide how to tackle this problem. Thanks, Scotty

@monacoanarchist That’s a sweet setup! Very cool and inspiring.

Admittedly, I’m way out over my skis here, but my BIL (who is very knowledgeable about diesels) told me to make sure you stay within the torque and HP specs of your tranny. The Allison trannys in our coaches are rock solid, but when I wanted to tinker with my ISL-400, he advised against it because the 3000MH tranny was close to its limits. He said we could change it to a 4000, but that would be really involved. His recommendation if I *really* wanted more power was a Dynasty, Exec, or Sig of similar vintage with a bigger engine. 😂 My darling wife flatly said no, and told her brother to quit meddling, she likes her coach...

Bob, I keep my coach plugged in to a 15a 120v receptacle when I’m storage. That keeps the batteries charged, residential fridge cold, and bay heater running. Now, I *wish* I had a 30a (or at least 20a) circuit so I could run the AC when I’m working on the rig, but it’s a rented space, so not an option for me. One note: if you are using the bay heater that came with the coach, it’s 12v and runs off the house battery bank. IF it runs continually the inverter/charger can struggle to keep up if you have it limited to 9a (Because of the 15a circuit)…. Ask me how I know… Hope that helps.

Monaco Knight. For more info see this article: 😄

Jeffrey, I use the paid version of an app called "Auto Care 3". It allows me to input all of the maintenance for my coach, including pictures, diagrams, drawings, and notes and schedule it based on miles, time, or run-hours. It reminds me when maintenance is due based on those parameters. My only concession is that I list my genny separately from my coach, as the maintenance is based on time and run-hours rather than miles. I spent quite a bit of time going through all of my owners manuals and setting up the maintenance requirements for the coach, engine, chassis, and then each of the subsystems, but in the end I learned a lot and it was worth the time invested. When I get a reminder, I can print a reminder report that includes what needs to be done, along with all of the related documents to that maintenance procedure. As an added bonus, I keep track of my fuel purchases and milage, etc, in the app. It's certainly not the only one out there (may not even be the best), and many prefer an Excel spreadsheet, but this works very well for me so I thought I would share. I do love having all of that in an app on my phone so I have it with me at all times (It also backs up everything to the cloud.) https://xper2solutions.com/autocare3.html

Sounds like a great subject for a poll next week!😉

Yikes! I didn’t know that! Just select Norcold or “other absorption” for this one. Next time I’ll make sure to word it better and include that you didn’t change out as an option. It won’t let me change the poll since people have voted.

Thanks for the info! Hopefully we can get enough here to have a complete “secret decoder ring”!

I don’t! This was pulled directly from a Monaco Motor Coach Tech Support document that I recently found. Also of note, it doesn’t have my coach (40DST) listed. But since it was from Monaco directly (and not hearsay), I thought it worth sharing.