WayneC

I have two trucks set up for towing,2500 dodge diesel and 1500 dodge, depending on where we are and what we are planning to do,the 2500 is used for pulling the gravel trailer when we are at our lake property,more of a work truck,the coach stays on the east coast,it is a 4 day drive at 8/9 hours a day. I will carry the rubber only from the last time I changed tires as a spare in the box of the truck, if I did happen to flat out I would use my road side assistance, it may cost me a few dollars for the guy to take it to a tire shop to put it on the rim.I have two tires, one in Nova Scotia and one in Ontario.much lighter off a rim, the way Ivan has it would be the way I would go other then just the rubber in the back of the truck.

Wayne 

1999 Signature ceaser 

When conducting a leak test yourself,use an approved leak detector and or snoop it is called. We used soap and water for many years but the problem with that is some soap brands have a strong degreaser and it will eat old propane lines quickly. I would take it in to the shop and have them do a leak test on the entire coach, propane leaks as we all know are very dangerous for a number of reasons. 

You can buy the leak detector in a summer and winter versions so you can test for leaks in all four seasons if needed. Small bottle,line has about 6" of length ,squeeze the bottle,you can apply the liquid in all types of positions. 

Wayne 

1999 Signature ceaser 

Fuel should be okay,if you have been adding conditioner,everyone will chime in with their favorite brands you will not have any issues, stop at a fuel  station and add conditioner and fuel it up.I will not comment on the tires ,I am not there, whole bunch of factors come onto play.

Wayne 

1999 signature ceaser 

I use a solar panel for my starting batteries, I keep the coach plugged in to the 50 amp plug ,I also have Tom cat mouse deterent plugged into every receptacle in the basement and one in the coach.use wet batteries,it will be in storage for 7 months.when I do go to check the water it will not be down that much,gives me a reason to open the trays and do an inspection.

Wayne 

1999 signature ceaser 

Morning 

I know there can be hiccups shipping across border, and the other issue is finding a shop to switch out the motor, there is a 8.3  rebuild with warranty in Alberta on kijjiji for 13k canadian with warranty, 

Wayne 

1999 signature ceaser 

John

Have to ask , have you tried to source an engine from across the border? As you know your only a ferry ride away,they are relaxing the border restrictions at the end of the month,your money is worth more and welcomed in Canada  eh! I mentioned before on this site,try Alberta Coach and Chassis as well as  the Vancouver area,lots of yards in those areas with treasures. 

Best of luck

Wayne 

1999 signature ceaser 

1 hour ago, just_john1 said:

I haven't posted anything because nothing has changed, till now! We have been looking for an engine for this rig, with no luck. Thought I found one in Arizona but the deal fell through and the mechanic has been looking around Seattle and so far nada.  Just got off the phone with the mechanic and the property he is located on has been sold and he has to move. Meaning the motor home has to go. Anyone want a 1997 Monaco Dynasty complete with blown engine? I don't know what else to do. The rig is in Seattle and we are in Montana. I'm open to Ideas because I'm at my wits end. Anyone got a spare Cummins 8.3 325 laying around they would like to part with? 

I do want to thank all of the people who were of assistance during this ordeal.

Thank you all.

John

 

John

I was just on the website for Premier Used Truck parts in Thunder Bay Ontario, just 45 minutes from USA border,I know Kevin well,he does ship lots of parts to the USA, I seem one 400 Cummings on the web site for $9000.00 Canadian dollars, if you search and find something I would be willing to go over and speak with him as well.

Wayne 

1999 Signature ceaser 

Alberta Coach and Chassis in Alberta Canada 🇨🇦 has access to brake parts for Monaco coaches 

Ask for Steve

Wayne 

1999 Signature ceaser 

Jim, any chance that you have your system set up so when the house batteries are fully charged the generator will automatically shut down? I think this has been made perfectly clear that you can only use the original alternator ( rebuilt) or find a spare exactly the same and have it rebuilt as a spare, I went through this exactly one year ago , John Hagard was still alive , I believe John and Ivan helped through the issue.Actually my last conversation with John was August 9th last year before he passed away. Sure miss him, kind man, he helped me with our 1950's farm tractors 🚜 that we were selling.

God bless you John.

Wayne 

1999 Signature ceaser 

I had replaced the 400lb tube TV in the front,I put a piece of smooth finished plywood and stained it with Old Master penetrating stain,Cherry c40304 , then mounted the 6 lb flat screen to it,it matched up perfect with the rest of the wood.Probably picked up a few miles per gallon after throwing both tube TV out.

Wayne 

1999 Signature ceaser 

7 minutes ago, Flyinhy said:

I did, I couldn't believe how much soot was inside the burn chamber. I probably removed 2lbs of soot. I also replaced the electrical element and 2 thermostats along with the nozzle and rubber grommets. The electrical element was a tough. Over the years it had bent upwards and seperated but after a few choice words and a little blood, it finally came out.  She runs like a top now. 

Nice 

Familiar site Charles,I ended up replacing the burn chamber as well,may be worth taking it out and having a good look before you put everything back together,I cleaned all the soot out after I took the chamber out with shop vac.

Wayne 

1999 Signature ceaser 

I Get it, I was fortunate and bought my 99 signature ceaser from a meticulous logging contractor that is a friend , he had a fleet of logging trucks,always stored indoors?,used it once a year from the time he owned it,it was the only reason I bought it. He would have never sold it to me if he new I was going to have problems.i know that I have to put at least $600.00/month away for what could happen next,it is what it is, I love my rig! Priceless!

Robert

At times it can be discouraging, everyone has felt your pain,when you own a coach you do not need another hobby! It will get better,once you fix these small issues you will be good to go, hang in there, I just fix what I can get to and other things sometimes just have to wait. 

Wayne 

1999 Signature ceaser 

63 mph maximum,sweet spot, I had a front spring break on the front axle on a logging truck many years ago,always in the back of my mind to this day. Save tire,bearing wear just to mention a few things,safety first 

Wayne 

1999 Signature ceaser 

Mine will last 7 days, all original air bags,they will eventually loose air as everyone has mentioned,I take mine to a certified safety shop ,one of my clients  they chase me out the door and say don't worry about it. 

Wayne 

1999 Signature ceaser 

Little sip of Howes every fill up, in the 500 Cummins,6.7 litre toad, farm tractors,never had a fuel issue,echo every one else,always a full tank,but be careful with filling it up to much in extreme heat,expanding fuel and spill in campgrounds 

Wayne 

1999 Signature ceaser 

I believe you, I spoke with GE parts department,every knowledgeable,they have all the cross references for all fuses and thermostat and so on, interesting that the Microwave could hold and a charge of 240 for up to 2 weeks even when unplugged, I know someone mentioned it in another thread just thought it would be a good reminder.

Thanks 

Wayne 

1999 Signature ceaser 

I called a distributor yesterday and he looked up the number came up unavailable ,they have other fuses for different models,going to call GE directly when they open.

Thanks

Wayne 

1999 Signature ceaser 

Thanks Mike 

Little Coffee this morning and I managed to track down the fuse going to try a few places today to see if I can get the correct one,during the research I see the importance of having the correct fuse,it is also written on a warning label inside,wondering if it would be safe to say that if it is a GE fuse same style and all is the numbers are different,being 20 some years old. 

Thanks 

Wayne 

1999 Signature ceaser 

Thanks guys

I had the panel off last night,could not find the fuse,will look in there again this morning,I went back and was reading the other treads under Microwave convection oven,will go back and read it again with coffee in hand

Wayne 

1999 Signature ceaser 

I have had the same GE profile performance sensor convection oven since the coach was new,finally blew up this evening,I was looking at the new Ge stove top quick microwave Oven,pretty pricey but the new technology is impressive, the old ones measurements are 30" w,16" height and 13"depth. Anyone have something they would like to share.

Thanks 

Wayne 

1999 Signature ceaser 

Make sure the t handle screws on the valve are not loose,one is for slide to come out manually and one for pushing it back in manually,  I know this procedure well because I have to get around to pulling my valve out and cleaning it,it will not extend or retract.

Wayne 

1999 Signature ceaser 

Aqua hot 🔥 

Just changed the combustion chamber on my Aqua hot, original, I used it many hours traveling from Northern Ontario to Gulf Shores/AR,in winter months, it had a major melt down,cause ,possible low voltage, 2hours to wrestle it out of there,new nozzle,photo eye,fuel filter,unbelievable amount of soote ,going to clean and blow out exhaust, oh ya that is brand new as well. I used a screw driver to move it like 1/6th of an inch, found a small enough bolt with small rope on it and put it in the hole,turned it so it would put even pressure on the chamber, hooked it to a 5000 pound rachet strap,other end around a tree that was perfectly inline,put some pressure on it tapped it with the hammer and lord and behold it came out.

Just thought I would share that ,just being creative with what I had with me at this time.

Wayne 

1999 Signature ceaser 

3 hours ago, Chuck B 2004 Windsor said:

There are 3 stages to charging your battery bank.  Bulk, absorption, and float charge.  The 3 stages can take up to 4 hours or more time.  If you do not allow the charger to complete the 3 stages, you will shorten the discharge rate time of the battery bank because the battery bank does not receive the full charge. 

Chuck B 2004 Windsor 

Thanks Chuck

I have the generator set to shut down when they are charged and or I wait for the like to flash full charge. 

Wayne 

1999 Signature ceaser 

Welcome

Just to let you know if interested, my Norcold started to act up on Sunday night, Monday afternoon I went to Binnacle and purchased a Vitrifrigo VF75p. It can be either operated as a fridge and or freezer, at this point we are using it as a fridge,have it set at - 8 Celsius. So far we are very happy with it,I will do the same and put it in the basement as a freezer. In the shade in the basement I am positive this unit will be very efficient in extremely warm environments. It has a battery saver options as well.we are boon docking and running the generator 3 hours in a 24 hour period. May be more trips to the local market but that's not a big deal for us.less food being thrown out. I can sleep at night not worrying about the generator running when the big fridge ran the batteries down.so before I pull the trigger on a residential fridge I am going to do some more research in regards to what is used on yachts, aircrafts. 

I have been part of the group for  4.5 years and this is the site for support.

When I first joined some said "when you own a coach you do not need any other hobbies"

Nice rig

Wayne 

1999 Signature ceaser 

4 hours ago, Tom Cherry said:

Wise decision.  I double and triple and did the measurements again.  I had the Dometic and the Samsung fit when you cut off the floor or the shelf where the bottom drawer was under the Dometic.  I did NOT pay attention to the three doors and the swings and such.  LUCKY beats SMART any day.  My sink countertop has a curved extension that overhangs the lower cabinet face or door under it.  Instead of a 3” or so straight overhang, mine is curved and sticks out at least 10 inches.  Doors STILL, with both slides retracted, have good clearance for opening so you can load or use the refrigerator with the slides in.  

Check the Front and the door swings AS WELL.

Thanks Tom

Wayne

1999 Signature ceaser