Onan Generator Choke Adjustment

Last spring I did a tuneup on my Onan 4k Micro-Quite generator. This improved the starting and running of the genney.

However, when starting, it seemed like I had to crank the generator for a long time, especially when cold. Cranking times would be 20-30 seconds, and if it was real cold (below freezing, I’d usually need to crank for 20 seconds, it would catch and act like it tried to start. I’d let it sit for a 10 seconds, then on the second crank it would usually start. Continue reading “Onan Generator Choke Adjustment” →

Replace roof top antenna coax cable

Last summer when I re-coated the roof, I thought about replacing the TV antenna coax, but decided not to. I should have… 🙁

On our latest road trip, I noticed our TV reception was intermittent and would pop in and out as we walked inside the Mirada, clear signs of a lose connection. I inspected all the cable connections inside and didn’t see anything wrong. The only place left was up on the roof.

With the antenna up, I checked the coax connection where it screws into the antenna, it was OK, When I looked at where the coax feeds down through the roof, it was very brittle and I could see the shielding. When I wiggled the coax, the coax broke and came apart. I think I just found the problem. Continue reading “Replace roof top antenna coax cable” →

External satellite antenna connection

satellite_1_800 We usually take our satellite dish with us on our long road trips. In some of the places we stop, there isn’t TV, cell phone, or anything, so having the satellite we can at least stay somewhat connected to the outside world.

Running the dish antenna cable has always been a problem, Like many, we initially solved the problem by using one of those ribbon type connectors and running the cable through a window and stringing the cable to the back of the satellite receiver, After our last trip, I decided I wasn’t going to do this anymore , I was going to add an external coax connector specifically for the satellite antenna.

Continue reading “External satellite antenna connection” →

Is your step IN or OUT?

stepsensor_3_600_1 For those of us who don’t have automatic steps, or only have a mechanical step, the most common question in the RV community has got to be: “Is the step still out?”

Although we check and double check to make sure the step is retracted before getting under way, this question always seems to be in the back of my mind, especially after a quick stop at a Rest Area or a fill-up at the gas station. We can’t quite see the step in the mirrors, so to make sure, we usually go back to the step switch and hold it in for about 5 seconds to make sure the step is retracted.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a indicator light on the dash that warns when the step is extended? Read on… Continue reading “Is your step IN or OUT?” →

Headlight assembly

Headlight_DRL_2 I’m not sure if the Mirada headlight assembly is unique to the Mirada or is used on a production vehicle. If someone knows if this is a production assembly send me a PM or leave a comment.

One item of interest for the 2001 Ford F53 chassis is that the DRLs (Daytime running Lights) stay on anytime the ignition switch is in the ON position. Most vehicles I’ve ever seen either have a separate switch or the DRLs are switched on when the transmission is in Drive. In order to turn the DRLs off, I added a “HEADLIGHT” switch that turns power off to the headlight circuit, Continue reading “Headlight assembly” →

Onan Microquiet 4k Tuneup

I don’t know any of the operation / maintenance history of my generator other than the dealer installed a new control board just before I picked up our New-to-Us Mirada a couple years ago. I believe the previous owner used the generator a lot based on the hour meter. This isn’t the original generator as the generator serial number doesn’t match the serial number on the coach manufactures build sheet.

I changed the oil last fall just before our winter trip. Since then we put 6 hours on the generator, and it seems like its hard to start. So, not knowing the maintenance history, I decided to do a tuneup to bring the maintenance up to date and a known condition. Continue reading “Onan Microquiet 4k Tuneup” →

Exterior entry light replacement

The original entry light was becoming intermittent from a bad bulb socket and the lens was very yellow.

A new fixture was about $7 so I decided to replace it. Instead of using the incandescent bulb, I decided to put an LED panel in it.

I retrofitted all my interior lights to these LED panels and had a few left over.

The new fixture is not a direct replacement. particularly how the screws line up. look carefully at the photo. Continue reading “Exterior entry light replacement” →

Ford fires and the cruise control recall

It was 6:30 a.m and as I looked out the window, I seen smoke coming from my neighbors F150 pickup. I go out to see whats going on and the other neighbor is raising the hood and there are flames under the hood and inside the drivers compartment.

The truck had been parked in the drive for a few days, why would it all the sudden burst into flames? Continue reading “Ford fires and the cruise control recall” →

Adding 12 volt plugs up front

My Coachman Mirada has one 12 volt plug on the drivers instrument panel, not very convenient when running a GPS or charging a cell phone while on the road.

The solution was to add a couple additional plugs that would be convenient while on the road. These can also be used when parked as they are connected directly to the coach batter circuit. Continue reading “Adding 12 volt plugs up front” →

Will a 120 volt TV work on 12 volts DC – MAYBE

I’ve been asked many times how I was able to get my small table top 120 volt TV to work on the motor-homes 12 volts system..

The correct answer is, I didn’t do anything. The TVs I used were designed to run on 12 volts DC, I just did some re-wiring to take advantage of it.

If you want to watch TV without running the generator or connected to shore power, the best option is to find a TV that can operate directly off of 12 volts DC. Many companies advertise and sell 12 volt TVs, but these never seem to be “just what I wanted” and the prices are usually higher than their corresponding 120 volt version.

However, if you know what to look for and what to do, you’ll discover that many “120 volt” TVs are actually designed to run on 12 volts, but aren’t sold or advertised as such. You can find these if you know what to look for. Continue reading “Will a 120 volt TV work on 12 volts DC – MAYBE” →