Frank McElroy

My dynasty came from Monaco with the ECM setup to activate the brake lights whenever the Jake brake is in use. I often use the Jake brake to slow down and use the service brake at the end to stop the coach. As far as I'm concerned I want the person behind me to know when I'm braking by either using the jake or service brakes so I'm not about to change the Monaco default setting to turn off the brake lights when engine braking is in use. My car gets it's supplemental braking from the air service brakes. For trailer brakes activated by the brake lights would need to be wired to when the service brake switch is activated and not when the engine brake activates the brake lights.

Why would you want to do a stationary forced regen? Are you in a situation with engine derate due a plugged DPF? The only tool I know that can do a forced regen are high end diagnostic tools like the Cummins Insite software and because of the heat generated external fans would be needed so you don't damage the fiberglass body. If your DPF dash light is on it basically means that you need to drive the coach at highway speed for the time it takes to complete the regen (could be up to an hour). The engine ECM is programmed to stop doing a regen when coach speed is below about 30 mph or when using the engine brake. High end code readers would also give you the ability to see what happened in the last ten regen cycles. When soot level build up beyond a certain pressure, it will trigger a regen cycle. If you are driving primarily at highway speed, you should be able to go about 100 hours of engine run time between regenerations. Cummins set the time between regeneration cycles to be no longer than about 100 hours independent of soot load. Going 100 hours between regenerations tells you that you don't have issues like a bad injector or egr.

It's all a matter of BTU heat transfer and outside temperature. If below 40 DF outside, even with 2 electric heating coils, the coach will struggle to maintain 70 DF inside. The best solution below 40 DF outside is to run the Aquahot on diesel. The engine coolant heating basically doesn't do much better than the dual electric heating elements. In warm weather it's fine but not in cold weather. When outside temps are below 40 DF I run my aquahot on diesel even when driving down the road.

Wow - A P-30 chassis with a countertop blender! My first motorhome was a P-30 chassis Winnebago and yes, it had exactly the same countertop blender. Lots of memories were made in that motorhome.

Ed, the only way you would know what features are available to change is by either having a cummins dealer connect the Cummins Insite software up to your engine ECM, or to find a local garage with that software. I happen to have the software and found a number of ECM engine parameters that I wanted changed or that Monaco had disabled. Having the jake brake auto braking with the cruise on is an option I liked. I experimented a bit with the speed set points and was most comfortable with low Jake at 5 mph and high Jake 8 mph over set cruise. But, each engine and model can be different with different features. The only way I know to find out is to read the engine ECM Features and Parameter settings table programmed into the ECM software.

Van, on my coach the fan speed is directly controlled by the engine ECM via a hydraulic control solenoid on the fan pump. As it turns out, there is an ECM setting that can be enabled that will run the fan at high speed when engine braking is activated. Monaco has that featured turned off. One interesting ECM feature I did enable is the automatic engine braking when when using the cruise control. When speeds get 5 mph above the set cruise control speed the jake brake will engage on the low setting. If more than 8 mph above it will engage the jake high setting. Then once down to the cruise set speed, the cruise control will automatically reengage.

A few minutes ago I updated the Technical Tips document to include a cover page and document page numbers just in case someone out there finds that the TOC links don't work. None of the document content was changed. Someone asked a question on how to search the document. It turns out that not all browsers default to using Acrobat Reader to open pdf files and some basic file readers do not have a word search feature. If you need to do a document word search, first open the document using Acrobat Reader, then click on the magnifying glass search Icon and a search box should appear. Type in the search word to find what you need. Each time you hit enter, you will see the next entry of that word in the document.

Pat, I tend to agree. The days of free VMSpc software and the silverleaf user forum will likely be history. Time will tell.

After owning motorhomes with Norcold refrigerators for 20 years, when I ordered my 2008 Dynasty the top priority was a residential refrigerator.

Keep us posted on your progress. A few years back Bill G and I kicked around the same idea. We looked at the new BT intellitec interface but it just seemed to have too many limitations. Something I always wanted was to control key functions from the drivers seat. To solve that problem, I programmed put in 2 new 10 button keypads by the drivers seat. That allowed me to work the slides, water pump, inverter, aquahot and a number of others items directly from the drivers seat. I got to like the idea of using the mirrors to view the slideout toppers while I operate the slides from the drivers seat. In my case, if a slide slightly creeps out and starts to rattle while driving, I can bring it in tight while driving from the drivers seat. It doesn't happen very often but when it does, a quick hit of the slide in button solves the problem. My CPU is programmed to bring the slides in while the engine is running.

Paul, an interface device to program the intellitec keypads exists. I have one along with the software to program the keypads. Bought is off eBay about ten years ago. Curious if you used the same to reprogram a new keypad. At one time intellitec was experimenting with a WiFi or Bluetooth interface. From what I recall it had too many limitations that didn't make it practical for final production. On reading and reprogramming the intellitec CPU modules, yes this can be done with and interface adapter easily home made. That's what I did. But, modification of the computer software requires a password to unlock the software. Many years ago both Bill G and I signed agreements with intellitec to get the password to unlock the software on our computer for personal use. M&M has a license agreement for commercial use.

What security software are you using? The only difference between the parts list and the tech tips file that I can think of is the tech tips file has internal hyperlinks going from the Table of Contents to locations within the document. It will be interesting to see if any others have experienced this issue.

Mine uses 12 vdc. No transformer.

I really appreciated all the kind Thank You comments. I’m very pleased that this document will be put to good use and help others learn more about their coaches. If you haven’t already looked through the document, you might want to check out technical tip 212. It covers 33 FAQs about Monaco coaches. These don’t apply to all coaches but there is a lot of useful information in these FAQ’s. Some were curious how I pulled all this together. In case you are wondering, this is how I did it. First, it requires the use of Acrobat and Windows Office professional versions. (I also use this software when updating the Parts List.) Then with just a few global commands I combined all the PDF files into a single file, export it to Word, and reset to a normal text font and size so everything is the same throughout the document. (Word is used for editing because editing a 400+ page document in PDF format is a nightmare.) Then the most time consuming part was to go page by page in Word to clean up page breaks, fix Monaco typos and make the tech tip title a header. Once that was done, using a few commands, the TOC with internal hyperlinks is automatically generated. The Word Doc is then saved as a PDF file with security features such as password protection enabled to prevent editing or page copying. I must say that the final product actually exceeded my own expectations. I’m so pleased that the group sees value in having all these Technical Tips in one easy to use document.

As with the Parts List, I just added a copyright to the index pages and a screen alerting those who download the file that it is for their personal use only and not to be posted elsewhere on the internet. Here is a link to the Parts List. I plan to do another update soon. https://www.monacoers.org/files/category/16-parts-list/

There is a NEW updated download file on Monaco Technical Tips. Of the nearly 290 Tech Tips issued by Monaco from 2001-2008, we originally only had just under 70 of them in our files. Thanks to Scotty, who found over 200 additional Monaco Tech Tips, we now have nearly a complete set. THANK YOU SCOTTY!!! I pulled all the nearly 290 individual PDF files into one PDF master file – put them all in the same format and made a linked Table of Contents. This means that you can download this new single PDF file (400+ pages) and when you see a topic of interest, just click on the title in the Table of Contents and it will bring you directly to the technical tip. (If you have an older version of acrobat reader – just page down to the correct page number listed in the TOC.) As with the parts list, this PDF file has a search feature also activated. Just type in a keyword of interest and it should bring you to the technical tip. Not all tips will apply to all coaches but, there is so much in common that I suspect all this information in one document will be about as valuable as the PARTS LIST. I suggest it be downloaded and saved to your computer for review and future reference. Happy bedtime reading!

Larry - I couldn't have explained it any better. Great job. I added the service manual you posted to the Download File section under electrical.

John - Here is a link to the 1997 Drawings I just uploaded. There is one PDF file with 49 combined drawings plus an additional 11 picture files. https://www.monacoers.org/files/category/56-dynasty-1997/ I think the 1997 owners manual and wiring diagrams are already uploaded to the files. If the information is different from what you have, please let me know and I'll update the files.

Here is a link to Bill's obituary. I was a very close friend to Bill and I miss him every day. Chris and I give our deepest sympathies to Peggy and family. https://www.facebook.com/1831723680449754/posts/2819834678305311/ William “Bill” Warren Groves, Jr. 70, of Pass Christian, MS passed away Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at his home in Pass Christian. Bill was born in Adams, Massachusetts, January 24, 1951 to William Warren Groves, Sr and Barbara Groves Chapman. After Bill’s father passed away, his mother remarried, and the family moved to Pass Christian in 1965. Bill graduated from Pass Christian High School, already interested in electronics, which led him to Mississippi State University. Bill gained a degree in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. Upon graduation he went to work for Square D Company in Metairie, LA. Bill met Chuck Ramsey and soon went to work with him at Bay Technical Associates in Bay St. Louis. In a few years Bill formed his own electronics business, GTEK, Inc. in Bay St. Louis, where he developed the “multi-port serial card” used in many personal and enterprise computer systems. GTEK was a family owned business. While at Mississippi State University, Hugh Castles, Bill’s fraternity brother, introduced Bill to his sister, Peggy Castles, of Starkville, MS. Bill and Peggy were married three years later. They had four children, Barbara Marie Groves, William “Billy” Warren Groves III, Joseph Robert Groves, and Michael Carson Groves. Bill’s thriving company allowed him to pursue his other interests and passions. In the mid 80’s Bill started taking flying lessons and eventually purchased his own plane, allowing him to take his family from coast to coast. He also loved boating as he and his brother, Kevin, purchased a Grand Banks which the family used for outings to Cat and Ship Islands. After many years the Grand Banks and the plane were sold and new adventures began for Bill, Peggy and the family. From the sky to the sea to the land, it was now time for family camping. Over the years, Bill and Peggy had developed a love for traveling across this country. In 2005 Hurricane Katrina caused Bill & Peggy to retire. A motor home was purchased the year prior in which they took their first extended trip to Montana for a family reunion. For seven years the miles added up, and the 1st motor home was replaced by the present model, the Monaco Dynasty, in which Bill and Peggy made “home”. Due to COVID-19 issues, travel has been extremely limited, only going back and forth to Bill’s hometown in Adams, MA. Through his RV’ing, Bill became exceptionally knowledgeable in how the Monaco motor coach worked electrically and electronically. This knowledge was passed on to other Monaco RV owners. Bill was a member of the Elks Lodge in Adams, MA, Family Motor Coach Association, Monacoers RV Club, Monaco International, Magnolia Ramblers, Dogwood Chapter, and the Northeast Pacers. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Bill Sr. and Barbara Groves Chapman and son William “Billy” Warren III. He is survived by his wife Peggy of 47 years, and three children, Barbara, Joey, and Michael. One brother, John Kevin Groves (Cindy), five grandchildren Bailey Groves(20), Gavin Groves(15), Mina Groves(12), Felix Digges (12) and Blu Zaretsky (14). He is also survived by his loyal four footed companions Cinderella, Zippy, and most of all, Mini. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at Edmond Fahey Funeral Home in Bay St. Louis at 12 noon. The family will receive guests from 10:30 am to 12 noon. Interment will be at Bellevue Cemetery in Adams, MA in the spring. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, masks and social distancing will be required. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Humane Society or the charity of their choice. Edmond Fahey Funeral Home in Bay St. Louis is in charge of arrangements.

Over the past decade Bill and I communicated almost every day. Early Thursday morning I received a phone call from Peggy with the sad news. I decided not to post right away so some of Bill's closest friends could be notified privately first. Bill just celebrated his 70th birthday a few days ago. Bill has been a long time contributor to this forum dating back to the early days. His knowledge and expertise will be missed by us all. Bill G (Hotrod) you will be missed - rest in peace. The attached picture was taken on January 28, 2021.

I'll combine and add them to the downloads later tonight.

Bob - The Kongsberg chassis vs the Intellitec house multiplex systems are two completely different multiplex systems. So are the Eaton dash multiplex switches in a chassis multiplex coach. There is no way to backup or replace the chassis Kongsberg Chassis multiplex CCM computer module. This module has been obsolete now for years. Getting a backup on the house Intellitec house multiplex computer program is highly recommended and as you mentioned, there are folks out there that can do it. From my experience, The chassis multiplex problems have been associated with dash switch module problems (REV can provide replacements), improper fusing of the large PCB in the FRB causing fires(Download files has a procedure for proper fusing), or +5 volt power supply issue that control the smartwheel functions. Luckily, I've not seen direct CCM failures - at least not yet..

Well that's interesting. I know the feeds on my 08 Dynasty are all on the PS.

Dan, attached is a link to a service manual in the download files. Service manuals for similar systems are also in the download files. The valving system for the six valves on the drive axle and the 4 valves for the tag are explained.

Is the PS list more in the front or rear? If more on the rear, in the level mode, the PS two drive axle airbags and the PS tag air bag are all tied together via control valves. Sounds like you soaped the PS drive air bags and lines. Not sure if you also checked the PS tag bag and lines. Not sure if the 09 Sig had rear ping tanks but these lines need to be checked if so equipped. Also, have you checked the 8 pack control valves above the drive axle and the control valve set vent for leaks?