Scotty Hutto Posted September 4 Share Posted September 4 Greetings All, Registrations for the Gathering are progressing nicely! As of today, we're halfway to the required 40 coaches. Beat the rush and register now! To encourage folks to register, I thought I'd share the latest on the agenda. We are still working on adding some topics... most notably solar and lithium, but also other topics that aren't quite finalized. That means this is likely to change somewhat, but I though you might find some of the new topics interesting. I'm still open to suggestions of presenters or presentations... Also, Debbie and Stacy are working on additional information on the spouses' agenda, and that will be published soon. As a reminder, you can find more info on the Gathering here: https://www.monacoers.org/events/event/12-2025-monacoers’-gathering/ And you can register here: https://www.monacoers.org/store/category/1-2025-gathering-registration/ Here's what we have as of today: Session Title & Description Presenter Common Problems and Solutions for Monaco Coaches This presentation will discuss common issues and solutions for Monaco coaches, based on the experience of the Monacoers’ group over the past 16 years. This presentation will help attendees identify solutions and upgrades, as well as help new Monaco owners avoid problems Scotty Hutto Open Roads Fuel Discount Program The Open Roads Fuel Discount program is a membership-based program that provides discounts on diesel fuel. Tara will discuss the benefits of membership as well as the process of signing up. Tara Rape, Open Roads Belt Line Repair & Roof Rehab The Upper and Lower Beltlines of Monaco coaches require periodic inspections and maintenance to prevent leaks and sidewall delamination. Ted will share his experience and the advice of experts on beltline repair (and roof rehab) Ted Zimmer Slide Floor Rot Repair & Maintenance This presentation will focus on the issues that cause slide floor rot in Monaco brand coaches and the best solutions to correct and prevent future slide floor rot. TBD Interior Coach Care This session will discuss how to best clean, maintain, and preserve the interior surfaces of your motorhome. TBD Roadmaster Chassis Suspension Handling and Sheppard Steering Upgrades Hear from one of the pioneers in improving the handling and steering for Monaco coaches based on the Roadmaster chassis. Van Williams Coach 120v Electrical Systems, Batteries 101, Magnum Inverters This presentation will review troubleshooting (I don’t have power!!) Monaco brand coach 120v electrical systems and will discuss Flooded Lead Acid (FLA) and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) battery technology, care, and maintenance. Discussion on setting parameters for Magnum and Xantrex inverters to get the best performance and battery life. Bonus discussion on troubleshooting “No house AC” problems. Tom Cherry Coach Safety This presentation will focus on coach chassis safety. It will include how to do a pre and post trip safety check, including air brakes and tires. Also covered will be how to drive a coach with a DFP and how to obtain and interpret a Cummins Insite engine report including parameter setting options an Engine abuse and DPF history report. Frank McElroy Engine & Transmission Service and Maintenance TBD Intellitec Systems Support, Coach Electronics, CPU and Touch Pad Back Ups and Restore. This presentation will cover both the Programmable Multiplex Control and non-programmable systems. Topics covered will include how each system works including the differences between the two systems, how the CPU is read and programmed, how the keypads work, how they are programmed, and real world troubleshooting and repair solutions Paul Whittle & Frank McElroy Kongsberg Chassis Multiplex history & repair This presentation will cover the saga of how a Kongsberg chassis multiplex coach struck by lightning was brought back to life with all that dash switch modules repaired. Topics covered will include - how a chassis multiplex system works, how it can be repaired, what typically goes wrong, do's and don'ts, and real world troubleshooting and repair solutions. Frank McElroy Roundtable Discussion Meet the Monacoers’ team Maintenance Q & A Open Discussion - Problems, Upgrades, Modifications, Technical Problems and Fixes Bring your questions and prepare to take notes!!!! This is one of the most enjoyable events at the rally, and it’s especially valuable for new members to the forum and group. Dave Pratt Scotty Hutto Frank McElroy Tom Cherry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinvz Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 How about Softstart for ACs and the new whole coach softstart. Pros, Cons and implications as a topic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJR1SR Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 Ok did I miss the post on registering? I replied initially that we were interested in going but never saw anything about registering for the event. What is the procedure for registering? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Hutto Posted September 5 Author Share Posted September 5 Dennis, You can register at the link below. An email should have gone out to everyone; not sure why you didn’t receive it! https://www.monacoers.org/store/category/1-2025-gathering-registration/ EDIT: Apparently the email never went out. Thanks for bringing this to my attention! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cherry Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 11 hours ago, Martinvz said: How about Softstart for ACs and the new whole coach softstart. Pros, Cons and implications as a topic? We are considering an entire presentation on HVAC. A matter or INTEREST and TIME and SLOTS.... NOW...if there is ON.....it will be comprehensive....in that....THIS IS HOW THE Dometic MPX system works...and goes from there.....and the COMMON issues. That will also have a section on the Soft Starts. Basically, when the AC Compressors start to wear, there is MORE friction or "DRAG" in the motor. There is ONE common Starting Capacitor on the system. It help "BOOST" the Fan and the compressor motors. BUT....when these motor get some age on them, the starting or the "INDUCTIVE" load increases. An AC Motor(s) always has a higher starting current or load when it has to TURN OVER. Usually this spike is brief. The spike is therefore, no LONG ENOUGH, so the circuit breaker (typically 20 Amp), doesn't "see" or is impacted by the spike. BUT....as time goes on....the motor required MORE starting current...HIGHER for a LONGER time. THEN....the Circuit Breaker says WHOA....that is TOO HIGH...ain't gonna allow that. THEN they trip. SOMETIMES it is a defective Starting Capacitor. One of the MOST COMMON failures on a Home HVAC system is a failed capacitor. There are TWO motors on your home system. The Compressor (in the bottom) and the Condenser Fan in the top (the fan that blows and exhausts the air. A good HVAC tech has a MAJOR assortment of Starting Capacitors....and a LARGE inventory. Same deal here. SO, if a NEW capacitor does NOT some the Dometic "TRIPS THE BREAKER" issue....then there are the SOFT STARTS. They phase in or keep the SPIKE from being as high....as well as LONG. They are considered as a "BANDAID". They will give you a bit more LIFE or let the system run... BUT...they DO NOT ADDRESS the issue.. The Compressor is WEARING OUT... and it is gonna DIE....as eventually the Soft Start can't compensate for the wear or the friction. The SOFT START, as some think, does NOT, REPEAT NOT, improve the operation of a NEW SYSTEM. It is used ONLY when the Compressor is WORN to the point where the NORMAL NEW Capacitor requires TOO MUCH and TOO LONG Current.... SO, putting them on as a "Preventative" serves NO Purpose. That's how they work. The HVAC will also discuss the "GEE...I don't WANT a Dometic and want the Rec Pro". That is the plan....and it will be based on interest as well as time constraints. The seminars are a balance of times and slots and interests... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmotorsports Posted September 5 Share Posted September 5 Looks like a great agenda with a wealth of knowledge to speak on the subjects. Wish we could attend, looks to be an awesome Monaco rally. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbr046 Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 On 9/5/2024 at 7:46 AM, Tom Cherry said: The HVAC will also discuss the "GEE...I don't WANT a Dometic and want the Rec Pro". That is the plan....and it will be based on interest as well as time constraints. The seminars are a balance of times and slots and interests... And heat pump vs AC only . . . . add a few minutes for thermostats (Dometic vs MicroAir), data cables, etc. @Scotty Hutto Also suggest a seminar on dos & don'ts of lithium batteries with / or protecting the engine alternator, adding solar, including mounting techniques, combined with different solar controllers (PWM vs MPPT), antique inverters, etc. Just gotta find the right presenter(s). Good chance we won't be attending. Timing is everything. - bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johncvandoren@gmail.com Posted September 6 Share Posted September 6 I see the registration info, but it doesn’t show the location or the campsite? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Hutto Posted September 6 Author Share Posted September 6 You can find info on location and campsite here: And registration info here: https://www.monacoers.org/store/category/1-2025-gathering-registration/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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