First RV and a few questions

[Jeff Miller]

On the ram you could try raising the airbags, put some wood blocks
under the jack, dump air, ... repeat until retracted. If it holds the
weight of the coach you likely have a problem with the raise/lower
valve.

As far as the camera, the original lense will fit ("C-mount lense).
If it has a milky appearance to the inner lense surface, it needs
replacement (unless you're able to remove the coating).

The two wires that need reversing are the red and blue horizontal
wires which will reverse the image of the TV also, unless you use a
relay to reverse them only when the ignition is on (backup camera
use). The file with those photos might be in the files section, or I
can replace them. The original monitor system MFGR (PMMI)
did "design" a two-relay system, I prefer a DPDT relay setup (less
possibility of a short destroying the monitor system) and have photos
somewhere of the installation. Easier is to just reverse it and not
use it as a TV.

- Jeff Miller
http://www.wanderlodge.net
http://www.millercoachworks.com


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ttikalsky"
wrote:
>
> I checked the fluid level and it is OK. After a little more use I
got
> the front two jacks working decent. The left rear jack works OK but
> the right rear jack is fully extended and will not release. I have
> the lever in the retract position but the jack does not move. I
used a
> screwdriver to wedge between the small (flip down) jack and pushed
the
> ram back in pretty easily. The big ram will not move! I jacked the
> rear corner up and flipped the jack up and gave it a couple of soft
> hits on the bottom of the pad but it did not move. Could the
release
> valve in the main ram be stuck? Will opening the bleed valve help?
>
> Jeff, you mention the PC-164C .0003lux ultra-low-light B&W camera.
> What lense would you recommend? You also mentioned switching two
wires
> to reverse the image. Which wires and is it difficult?
>
> Thanks, Troy in Waconia, MN 1983 FC33
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Miller"

> wrote:
> >
> > A few answers:
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ttikalsky"
>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > After 2+ years of research and searhing I finally brought home
our
> > > first RV, a 1983 Bluebird Wanderlodge FC 33. Can anyone help
me
> > with
> > > a few questions?
> > >
> > > 1) Where is the leveling jack fluid tank? The jacks won't stay
> > > extended and I would like to check the level.
> >
> > Lift the middle step, it is hinged at the front, remove four
screws
> > and the tank is under that cover.
> >
> > >
> > > 2) The rear view camera is not working (the part that mounts in
> the
> > > back of the coach) is it worth fixing or am I better off
> replacing
> > it?
> > > Any suggestions on who or where to fix or replace?
> >
> > The camera can easily be replaced, the original is a C-mount
lense,
> a
> > new C-mount camera can be bought from http://www.supercircuits.com or
> > equivalent, I use the PC-164C .0003lux ultra-low-light B&W camera
> but
> > have also used the low-light color, prefer the ultra-low-light
> > B&W, ... you will have to reverse two wires in the monitor to
> reverse
> > the image.
> >
> > >
> > > 3) The cruise control is not working, any suggestions on where
to
> > > start diagnosing the problem?
> >
> > Check first for vacuum at the unit under the hood/doghouse, you
> have
> > the last year before the Bendix cruise control, I believe it is a
> > Dana, you could replace the whole thing with a King (very nice
and
> > expensive), or a Rostra (less expensive and not as heavy-duty) or
> > search the junkyards for an all-electric unit from (I believe) a
> > wrecked C/K GM pickup/tahoe/suburban and see if it has enough pull
> to
> > work, ... your choice.
> >
> > >
> > > 4) The LP/CO2/Smoke detectors alarms are going off (monitor in
> > galley)
> > > for the center and rear furnaces, but the gas is shut off at
the
> > main
> > > valve. Are the sensors replaceable or could they be cleaned?
Does
> > > anyone know if they operate by opening or closing the circuit
> when
> > gas
> > > is detected?
> >
> > The galley monitor only alarms on detection, it is normal to
alarm
> > when first turned on, the alarms will likely reset within
5minutes.
> > They should be vacuumed, and can be calibrated. The LP
> > monitor/shutoff is the box under the refrigerator, if an old
> original
> > one it is IMO a huge fire hazard, factory was recalling these and
> > yours is likely replaced.
> >
> > >
> > > 5) The cab a/c is not working. Is it worth fixing or will the
two
> > > roof airs keep the coach cool in 90 degrees at 90% humidity when
> > > driving?
> >
> > I love dash A/C, keeps the driver who sits in the sun up front
> cool,
> > many don't feel it is worth saving. I'll save mine every time and
> > have been glad to have spent the time and money doing it.
> >
> > >
> > > 6) One of the roof vents got broken, when I leaned on it. Are
the
> > > Maxair convers decent or just a gimick? Is it worth getting the
> one
> > > that keeps the rain from entering?
> >
> > I don't care for the Maxxair covers, take them off. Some like
them,
> > matter of taste/opinion. Not original equipment.
> >
> > - Jeff Miller
> > http://www.wanderlodge.net
> > http://www.millercoachworks.com