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vito.a

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Posts posted by vito.a

  1. I'm not certain on the weight rating on a 1994 model.  But most of the early coaches with the C8.3L Cummins and Allison 4 spd trans were rated to tow 5000 pounds.  The 5.9L Cummins coaches were rated for less, but it depends.  

    What are you trying to tow?

  2. Attached is a picture of the bottom of the old style boiler.  This style has the copper pipes wrapped around the outside of the boiler.  The copper pipes near the exhaust port are exposed to outside air because the hole in the floor is larger than the exhaust port.  In freezing weather this can be a disaster even with a heater in the bay.  

    The picture is turned sideways, so the bottom of the boiler is on the left.  

    Old boiler bottom picture.jpg

  3. I took Paul's advice and made up a pressure gauge connected to a fuel nozzle.  I thought I was drilling a soft brass nozzle, but they have a hard stainless steel insert.  I ended up drilling it from the back side and pushing the stainless insert out the back.  Then I drilled and tapped it to 1/8" NPT.  

    Spray nozzle parts drilled.jpg

    I installed the pressure gauge with nozzle adapter on the diesel pump and ran the system with the pump laying in the tray.  About 20 seconds after tuning it on I saw 1 spark and the fuel pressure rose to 140-145psi.  I tried it twice with the same result.  

    I removed the gauge and reinstalled the standard nozzle and pump into the system.  This time when I ran the system, I again had 1 spark (you can here it) and good fuel flow.  but no ignition.  

    This morning I again removed the pump and disconnected and checked the resistance of the photo cell flame sensor. Regardless of whether the sensor was covered or uncovered, it measured about 60 ohms.  

    I'm going to replace the flame sensor and try again.  

    Pressure gauge connected.jpg

  4. After the unit was assembled a friend helped me slide it back into the coach forward compartment, then though the divider and back into place.   Then I cut and crimped the two short pieces of Pex water lines (blue in and red out).  After that I reconnected the heater hoses from the engine, and the two fuel lines.  I had removed the three brass elbows at the top of the zone pumps, so I reinstalled them.  Then I connected the six house boiler fluid hoses. 

    When taking it apart I used these plugs to keep the fluid from running everywhere.  Amazon.com: 40 Pc 1/16" to 3/4" High Temp Silicone Rubber Tapered Plug Kit - Powder Coating Custom Painting Supplies : Automotive

    I spent hours reconnecting all the wires.  The terminal screws are mostly Phillips except the ones below the fuses are T-15 Torx.  Most of the ground wires go to one long bolt.  I also reinstalled the 120v wires.  

    The new 120v heat element is much better than before. 

    This boiler only has a 90 degree brass hose bib on the top.  No radiator cap.  I installed the new overflow tank in the next compartment forward.  The overflow tank must be 4" above the boiler.  I routed the 5/8" heater hose from the tank up through the plywood basement ceiling cover and then back to the new boiler.  

    I order 95% propylene glycol from Chemworld.  You will need at least 8 gallons plus 8 gallons of distilled water.  I used a hand transfer pump to fill the boiler. 

    But I'm working on the diesel burner not lighting.  With Paul's advice I ordered a pressure gauge and some fittings.  I'm going to tap an old spray nozzle and make a fuel pressure tester.  

    Unit Re-installed with pex water lines connected.jpg

    120v wires.jpg

    • Thanks 1
  5. You need to adapt the new 12v boiler thermostats to the old wiring.  I used this picture to connect the new to old wires.  

    Somewhere about this time I discovered that the new boiler sits 5/8" closer to the exit bulkhead.  That meant I had to shorten the two boiler fluid pipe nipples to the fluid pumps as well as all the copper tubing.  I also had to modify the mixing valve copper tubing to adapt the stainless steel fresh water hose.  Lots of copper pipe soldering.  

    New thermostats wired.jpg

    Aqua Hot going back together.jpg

    Mixing valve before mod.jpg

    Modified mixing valve.jpg

    I also learned that the new boiler exhaust is 1 1/2" pipe and the old one was 1 1/4" pipe thread.  You could make up an entire new exhaust system but mine was in excellent condition, so I used a pipe reducer and 1" shorter pipe nipple with a new elbow into the original Aqua Hot exhaust pipe adapter.  Make sure you have two very large pipe wrenches and a cheater handle.  PB Blaster to loosen threads also helps.  

    exhaust manifold.jpg

    new vs old exhaust.jpg

    • Thanks 1
  6. After removing all the copper tubing, you drill out the 1/8" rivets holding down the rear stainless-steel enclosure.  Then drill out the 3/16 rivets holding down the old boiler and remove it.  This point is a big deal as now you are halfway! 

    After wrapping the new boiler in fiberglass, fit it into the base.  Then turn it all upside down and layout & drill new mounting holes.  You must center the exhaust opening on the opening in the base, then layout and center the new hole pattern.  The holes in the new tank base are 14 3/8" width, and 12 1/2" front to back.  It uses four 3/16" dia x 1/2" grip length rivets

    Then install the new firewall with 1/8" rivets.  

    Fitting new boiler.jpg

    Laying out and drilling.jpg

    New boiler going in with firewall.jpg

    • Thanks 2
  7. Yes, Ben is correct.  The large pipe plug on the left is for a 2nd 120v element.  The picture is turned sideways.  

    The plug at the top may be for a float or level sensor. 

    The picture below is the unit disconnected and slid forward into the next compartment.  This took me 1 1/2 days to accomplish.  Lots of hoses and lots of wires.  And the exhaust is tough to disconnect.  I used cardboard to make it easier to slide.  Then slid it out onto a furniture dolly.  

    sliding out of forward compartment.jpg

    Aqua Hot on dolly.jpg

    The amount of wiring and plumbing is incredible.  There are two engine heater hoses, two fuel hoses, and two fresh water pex hoses along the bottom.  And there are six more large boiler fluid hoses for the house heat exchangers along the top.  

    Relay Wire terminals.jpg

    Wire connections.jpg

    Disconnecting heater hoses.jpg

    Aqua Hot upper hoses.jpg

    • Thanks 1
  8. I don't think this system has a float switch.  If it does, I can't find it in the schematic.  It also doesn't have an hour meter or LED diagnostic board.  

    But these are great basic heat and hot water systems.  I've owned a newer 450D and this older 100-02.  This older system has a stainless steel enclosure and all copper pipe.  No plastic connectors or heater hose.  The pumps on these older systems are high quality USA made.  The relays are Dayton made in the USA.  Even the electronic controller is rebuildable where the newer systems are not.  

    Yes, the fresh water loop had a slow leak.  One of the outside copper pipe coils rubbed through near the bottom.  That's the weak point on these systems manufactured in 2003 and earlier.  I had to keep water turned off to the system.  

     

  9. The boiler tank and all the tank contol thermostats are new. The firewall bulkhead and overflow tank are also new. Everything else is original.

    At this point, I'm also thinking I should have waited for warmer weather and taken it to Colorado for service.  

    I'll post more pictures and details after I get it sorted out. 

  10. I'm in the middle of installing a new boiler in our Aqua Hot 100-02S .  The new boilers are quite a bit different.  They do not have a radiator cap, the copper coils are on the inside (which is much better) of the boiler tank, the limit thermostats are a new design, the exhaust opening is 1 1/2" pipe vs 1 1/4" pipe threads, and the tank sits 5/8" more forward in the cabinet.  This last difference forces cutting the copper tubing to the cabinet exit point by 5/8" and re-soldering.  And you can't just move the boiler back because you have to center it on the exhaust opening.  The fresh water lines use braided steel hose but the engine coolant and house heating loops are copper tubing.  Lots of soldering practice!

    I have it mostly back together, but I'm currently having trouble.  The diesel burner is not firing and I think it's not getting fuel.  Our resident double E (k7jv) is helping me but the wiring diagrams are incomplete. 

    I checked the DC control and high limit thermostats and they have continuity when the boiler temperature is below the cutoff temperature.  I've made sure the fuel supply and return lines didn't get swapped.  I removed the diesel burner and checked the electrode gaps are correct.  It appeared dry on the inside with no sign of fuel.  

    I'm thinking of removing the diesel burner again and using jumper wires to check diesel solenoid activation.  After that I'm down to checking wires again and maybe having the controller checked.  

    If anyone has any ideas I could use the help?

    Aqua Hot boiler new Mar 2023.jpg

    • Thanks 1
  11. Auto transfer switches require regular exercising.  When we sit on shore power or in storage they can get sticky and/or make noise.  I would start up the generator for about 10 min and shut it down for a few min then start it again for another 10 min.  Do this while plugged into shore power so the ATS has to switch back and forth.  

    It also helps to spray some Hosa Deoxit on the mechanism.  

  12. I'm not sure on Safari, but Monaco used seats from Villa International.  Unlike many RV suppliers, Villa is alive and doing well today.  They will not recover older seats but will sell you a new set.  On our coach they were the only ones that made seats with the built in seat belts.  

    Be prepared.  The seats unbolt easily with just four 3/4" head bolts but are they are extremely heavy.  

  13. I would install six standard Bilstein's on the rear and four new Koni's on the front.  No matter what shock you put on the rear it is going to be stiff.  The Koni's take some of the bridge abutment hit out of the front.  And this saves about $600. 

    One of my rear shocks was broken off also. I think the rubber bushings wear out and then the shock just hammers the stud until something breaks.  

  14. Wow, sounds like you've been working hard.  If the blown 20a fuse was for the Allison it would not even crank over.  

    The ISM doesn't have a heater grid for starting, so that's not it.  

    How cold it is up there?  Try using the Aqua Hot to Pre-Heat the engine.  

    Try WD-40 down the intake instead of ether.  Also try pumping the throttle pedal hard while cranking.  

    Best of luck!

     

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