A few questions from a new guy

tom winslow

New member
Jun 28, 1998
156
0
0
Before the questions . . .

As some of you are aware, my first experience with the GMC Motorhome began
in July of this year. I was able to squeeze only one half day at Marion and
only one technical session (on Monday).

In one message I read that some of the folks who have owned GMC for a long
time were bored by the elementary level of some of the Sessions at Marion
(or other gatherings). Maybe there should to be two levels these of
sessions, one group for the more experienced and one group for us 'newbies'.
I (we) do not know the elementary stuff yet.

My wife and I want to be one of the first to sign up for the GMCMI
CONVENTION in Myrtle Beach, SC March 21 - 28 and we are eager to learn all
we can.

During our short time at Marion, my wife and I were really pleased to be
able to meet a few of the fine folks that are on the GMCnet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few Questions:

(1) I am tracking an air leak (1974 Eleganza SE) without success. The
coach leaks down on one side (usually over night). I have pulled out the
controls at the front of the coach by removing the four (4) screws. Using
soapy water, I could see no leaks. I have traced the air lines to the
compressor and the tanks, and still I have not found the leak. I have
checked around the air bags and the connections at the rear of the coach. I
realize that I am looking for air bubbles or the sound of leaking air but so
far, nothing. I did notice that there was an open line at the rear wheels
and, depending on the position of the front valves, there would be some air
escaping from the open tube. I do not know if this is a problem or normal.
Is there any procedure documented for tracking down an air leak? It seems
that, when I am on the road, the compressor starts every few minutes. If the
air system is normal, how often should the compressor start? My wife wants
me to take her to Myrtle Beach, SC next week (she wants to go to Camping
World and fondle everything in the store). I really need to resolve the air
problem first.

(2) When I work in the coach at home, I plug the coach into my house
power. I do not have an outlet other than a standard 20 amp at this time. I
do not run the AC or anything other than lights. The converter makes a
annoying 'Buzzing" sound. I do not recall the same noise when plugged into
the 40 amp camp ground power. Can the 20 amp house power damage the
converted? Could the 'Buzzing' indicate an existing problem?

(3) Tonight, my wife and I are installing a microwave in the coach over
the refrigerator. In order to keep it from moving around I built a 'tray'
using 3/4" plywood and mounted it to both sides of the refrigerator
compartment wall. It will not move front, rear, right, left, or down. Do I
need to be concerned with up? Does it need to be physically fastened down?

I hope that these questions are not too elementary. I visited the section on
Frequently Asked Questions at http://www.gmcmotorhome.com/faq/index.html. Is
here a place where the questions and answers from GMCnet are cataloged other
than the Archives? Many answers are there but they are not always easy to
dig out.

Thanks for any help or advice.

- --
Thomas P. Winslow
1977 GMC Coca-Cola TZE167V101893
1974/75 GMC Eleganza SE TZE064V101146
189 Hicks Creek Road, Troutman, NC 28166
h704-528-5868 * f704-528-5868 * p704-878-1157
E-Mail: winslow * tom_winslow
Web Page: http://www.iredell.com http://www.iredell.com/gmc4sale.html
 
>
> In one message I read that some of the folks who have owned GMC for a long
> time were bored by the elementary level of some of the Sessions at Marion
> (or other gatherings). Maybe there should to be two levels these of
> sessions, one group for the more experienced and one group for us 'newbies'.
> I (we) do not know the elementary stuff yet.

Not to worry, I'm pretty sure the "basic" sessions will continue. 25%
of the attendees are Marion were first-timers. I'm told this is right
at the average for GMCMI rallies.

> (1) I am tracking an air leak (1974 Eleganza SE) without success. The
> coach leaks down on one side (usually over night).

Since it only leaks down on one side, the offending side is where your
leak is. In addition to connection points trace the air lines where
they run under the coach. Often they rub against the frame, resulting
in leaks.

> I did notice that there was an open line at the rear wheels
> and, depending on the position of the front valves, there would be some air
> escaping from the open tube. I do not know if this is a problem or normal.

The open line at the rear wheels allows the height control valve to
bleed air off to lower that side.

> Is there any procedure documented for tracking down an air leak?

I believe GMC Motorhome news published a leak detection procedure in an
early issue. I'll check when I get home if you don't get a more
definitive answer.

> It seems that, when I am on the road, the compressor starts every few minutes.
> If the air system is normal, how often should the compressor start?

Once you get your leak fixed, the compressor should cycle less often.
How often is determined by the road surface and any shifting of weight
inside the coach. Depends on how hard the system is working to keep the
coach level.

> (2) When I work in the coach at home, I plug the coach into my house
> power. I do not have an outlet other than a standard 20 amp at this time. I
> do not run the AC or anything other than lights. The converter makes a
> annoying 'Buzzing" sound. I do not recall the same noise when plugged into
> the 40 amp camp ground power. Can the 20 amp house power damage the
> converted? Could the 'Buzzing' indicate an existing problem?

The original 12V converters are notorious for "buzzing". The 9/88 GMC
Motorhome News has an in depth review of "switching" converter/charger
which is reportedly silent.

> (3) Tonight, my wife and I are installing a microwave in the coach over
> the refrigerator. In order to keep it from moving around I built a 'tray'
> using 3/4" plywood and mounted it to both sides of the refrigerator
> compartment wall. It will not move front, rear, right, left, or down. Do I
> need to be concerned with up? Does it need to be physically fastened down?

Probably not necessary. If you hit a bump big enough to make that
microwave levitate, you've got bigger problems than the microwave.

> I hope that these questions are not too elementary.

Not at all.

> I visited the section on Frequently Asked Questions at
> http://www.gmcmotorhome.com/faq/index.html. Is here a place where the
> questions and answers from GMCnet are cataloged other than the Archives? Many
> answers are there but they are not always easy to dig out.

Not yet. If anyone wants to take up the challenge, I'll be more than
happy to post their work on my web site.

Patrick
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailto:patri63

The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com
 
>
>
>3. Yes, fasten the microwave down. Possible just by putting a couple of
>screws in the frame of the microwave by the edge of the microwave door.
>

Some microwaves have short legs with a screw in the bottom. The screw can be removed to provide an attachement point.

Henry

Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
ph: (408) 462-5199 / full service marketing
fax: (408) 462-5198
http://www.henry-davis.com
 
Before the questions . . .

As some of you are aware, my first experience with the GMC Motorhome bega=
n
in July of this year. I was able to squeeze only one half day at Marion a=
nd
only one technical session (on Monday).

In one message I read that some of the folks who have owned GMC for a lon=
g
time were bored by the elementary level of some of the Sessions at Marion=

(or other gatherings). Maybe there should to be two levels these of
sessions, one group for the more experienced and one group for us
'newbies'.
I (we) do not know the elementary stuff yet.

My wife and I want to be one of the first to sign up for the GMCMI
CONVENTION in Myrtle Beach, SC March 21 - 28 and we are eager to learn al=
l
we can.

During our short time at Marion, my wife and I were really pleased to be
able to meet a few of the fine folks that are on the GMCnet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few Questions:

(1) I am tracking an air leak (1974 Eleganza SE) without success. The=

coach leaks down on one side (usually over night). I have pulled out the
controls at the front of the coach by removing the four (4) screws. Using=

soapy water, I could see no leaks. I have traced the air lines to the
compressor and the tanks, and still I have not found the leak. I have
checked around the air bags and the connections at the rear of the coach.=
I
realize that I am looking for air bubbles or the sound of leaking air but=

so
far, nothing. I did notice that there was an open line at the rear wheels=

and, depending on the position of the front valves, there would be some a=
ir
escaping from the open tube. I do not know if this is a problem or normal=
=2E
Is there any procedure documented for tracking down an air leak? It seems=

that, when I am on the road, the compressor starts every few minutes. If
the
air system is normal, how often should the compressor start? My wife want=
s
me to take her to Myrtle Beach, SC next week (she wants to go to Camping
World and fondle everything in the store). I really need to resolve the a=
ir
problem first.

(2) When I work in the coach at home, I plug the coach into my house
power. I do not have an outlet other than a standard 20 amp at this time.=
I
do not run the AC or anything other than lights. The converter makes a
annoying 'Buzzing" sound. I do not recall the same noise when plugged int=
o
the 40 amp camp ground power. Can the 20 amp house power damage the
converted? Could the 'Buzzing' indicate an existing problem?

(3) Tonight, my wife and I are installing a microwave in the coach ov=
er
the refrigerator. In order to keep it from moving around I built a 'tray'=

using 3/4" plywood and mounted it to both sides of the refrigerator
compartment wall. It will not move front, rear, right, left, or down. Do =
I
need to be concerned with up? Does it need to be physically fastened down=
?

I hope that these questions are not too elementary. I visited the section=

on
Frequently Asked Questions at http://www.gmcmotorhome.com/faq/index.html.=

Is
here a place where the questions and answers from GMCnet are cataloged
other
than the Archives? Many answers are there but they are not always easy to=

dig out.

Thanks for any help or advice.

- --
Thomas P. Winslow
1977 GMC Coca-Cola TZE167V101893
1974/75 GMC Eleganza SE TZE064V101146
189 Hicks Creek Road, Troutman, NC 28166
h704-528-5868 * f704-528-5868 * p704-878-1157
E-Mail: winslow * tom_winslow
Web Page: http://www.iredell.com http://www.iredell.com/gmc4sale.html