Prior to purchasing our “New-to-Us” 2001 Mirada, we took it on a short test drive. One of the items on the list was to evaluate the handling. During the test drive the handling seemed tight and responsive, and didn’t appear to have any nasty behaviors.
Back at the dealer, I crawled around underneath, I didn’t know specifically what I was looking at, but generally, all the bushings and movable parts looked ok and I didn’t see anything lose.
Having a generator is nice, but there are occasions that it doesn’t make sense to run it. i.e. When we travel down the road and need to plug in a cell phone or lap top to re-charge the battery.
I decided to install a small inverter for these situations when it just wasn’t worth it to crank up the genny.
These small inverters are inexpensive and can supply 110 volts (unfiltered square wave) to many small appliances and even tools like a drill or small compressor. Continue reading “Installing small 400 watt inverter”
Our “New to Us” Mirada came with two LCD TVs, one in the bedroom and one in the trucks center hump. Neither one had a CD player. They were both digital, but the front one was an older model that had separate Analog and Digital antenna inputs. Both TVs were powered by 110 volts ac. I prefer the TVs to run off of 12 volts, that way I don’t need shore power or run the generator or inverter to watch TV.
Time for an upgrade.
On those very, very, very rare occasions that I actually pass another vehicle on the highway, The driver of the other vehicle will blink their headlights to signal me its ok to pull back in the lane. The normal response is a “thank you”, by blinking my tail lights or brake lights.
A tap of the brake switch (unfortunately, it disengages the Cruise control) or simply flipping the lights switch to ON then back to off will do it. If its night turning the lights off also turns the headlights off.
Daytime running lights (DRL) are a good idea, they make the vehicle easier to see, especially if your blind and failed to see this oversize house coming at you down the road.
Sarcasm aside, I drive with the DRLs on, but I don’t want them on when I’m parked and the engine is idling, i.e. truck stop, road side rest, campground, driveway, etc.
Unfortunately, there is no way to turn them off, UNTIL NOW.
After sitting for about 6 weeks I went to start the truck and was greeted with that click-click-click-click sound as I turned the key. ^@)%<:@&&#$%#*(#@%^
I held in the “EMER START” switch and tried again, the truck started right up.
Its nice to have the EMER START feature, it energizes the Isolator Solenoid and ties the truck and coach batteries together and can save the day when one of the batteries is low or dead Continue reading “Keeping the truck battery charged while on shore power”
I spent all weekend cleaning up some wiring and adding a few features to make our MH more personal to us.
I added five switches to the instrument panel
BLINK – On those rare occurrences when I actually pass a truck on the freeway, they will generally blink their headlights to let me know its OK to pull back in to the lane. a “Thanks” is generally acknowledged by blinking my tail lights.This is a momentary switch that blinks the tail lights. Continue reading “Instrument panel switches added”
Our Coachman Mirada came with factory installed water heater bypass valves. I was not able to fully test the water systems before we bought it as it was in the winter and the water systems had been winterized by the seller.
When we drove south into warmer weather we discovered one of the valves was physically broke and was leaking water faster than we could pump it in. The temporary fix was to just cut the line to the water heater and put a valve in the line. Continue reading “Water heater bypass valves”
There were numerous problems with my F53 truck frame regarding the heater A/C . I was missing the temperature control knob, and it didn’t seem like the heater was blowing correctly.
One of the aspects of the internet is the ability to search using google, One of the little known search tools is the ability to search and look at images instead of web sites. This is how I found out about Evans Tempcon. They are the maker of the various heating and A/C components in the 2001 Mirada. Continue reading “Heater A/C blows Defrost mode, regardless of switch setting”
(CHECK UPDATE) When we picked up this unit (New to us) I noticed a slight “chirping” when the engine was idling.
I figured the belt has never been replaced, so its probably in need for a new belt.
The idler and tensioner bearings also start making noises, so while I had everything apart, may as well replace the idlers bearings. Continue reading “Belt and Idler pulley replacement”
