air compressor dead - need wiring info

R

ron keener

New member
Jul 8, 1999
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my compressor is dead in 78 Birchaven - motor does not run - all
components and wiring seem fine up to ground wire that leaves compressor
compartment - where is the other end of the ground wire? - I am guessing
I have a bad connection there - motor runs fine when hard wired to
battery

thanks
- --

ron keener near Austin, Texas http://MidAmericaBreedingTech.com
**************************************************************
* proud owner of classic 1978 GMC Birchaven motorhome
**************************************************************
 
My ground just went to the frame, close to the compressor (in the closet).
Chances are that is the culprit, as it was on mine.
I just replaced the ground to a good spot and made it ample size to be sure.

Heinz

> my compressor is dead in 78 Birchaven - motor does not run - all
> components and wiring seem fine up to ground wire that leaves compressor
> compartment - where is the other end of the ground wire? - I am guessing
> I have a bad connection there - motor runs fine when hard wired to
> battery
>
> thanks
> --
>
> ron keener near Austin, Texas http://MidAmericaBreedingTech.com
> **************************************************************
> * proud owner of classic 1978 GMC Birchaven motorhome
> **************************************************************
>
>
 
"
my compressor is dead in 78 Birchaven - motor does not run - all
components and wiring seem fine up to ground wire that leaves compressor
compartment - where is the other end of the ground wire? - I am guessing
I have a bad connection there - motor runs fine when hard wired to
battery

"

CONFIRMED - bad ground wire - ran a temporary wire thru cabin to battery
- - compressor works fine - all I have to do is find the other end of that
permanent ground wire

- --

ron keener near Austin, Texas http://MidAmericaBreedingTech.com
**************************************************************
* MidAmerica Breeding Technology
* Using Technology to Enhance Your Breeding Program
*
* chat at http://forums.delphi.com/m/main.asp?sigdir=eamproducts
*
* ID-1 natural colostrum based immune system stimulant
* available as liquid or powder http://www.colostrum.com
*
* Ovatec electronic heat cycle detection
* BirthAlert beeps you at foaling time
* SureFeed stops those wasteful feed slingers
* http://www.eamproducts.com
*
* AlertoMast electronically detects mastitis in 2 seconds
* MiniMill portable minihorse exercise treadmill
*
* chat room at
* http://forums.delphi.com/m/main.asp?sigdir=eamproducts
*
* Little Big Man Exotics Ranch
* miniature longhaired Tennessee Woodenleg (fainting) goats
* and Great Pyrenees guardian dogs
*
* home of Zeigy - AnheuserBusch ZeigenBock beer mascot goat
* http://www.hopnotes.com
*
* Amateur radio station WA0REE
*
* proud owner of classic 1978 GMC Birchaven motorhome
**************************************************************
 
"By the way, you might want to put a relay near the compressor and have
the switches feed the relay and the relay take the power from the fuse
panel located next to the compressor. This would eliminate the voltage
drop caused by the long run to the compressor.

Emery Stora"

so if I am reading this right (I dont have a schematic yet) the power
comes from a 'hot' source, goes through the relay (which I have - looks
like a spdt horn relay), through the compressor motor, and to ground -
all of the control signals that come from the panel at driver site are
just low current control signals for relays and valves

if so I should be able to pick up hot and ground connections at the
cabin fuse panel - but then the compressor will be running off of cabin
batteries rather than engine battery - potential problem (low voltage) -
seems to me the best is to get hot from engine battery and use the cabin
ground as my return since it is so close to the compressor - at this
point I dont appear to have a problem with my existing hot lead just the
existing ground lead

where does the hot lead come from precently? - does it get routed
through the driver control panel on its way to the compressor relay? -
if so where is it attached to the engine battery hot lead?

yes, no, maybe?
- --

ron keener near Austin, Texas http://MidAmericaBreedingTech.com
**************************************************************
* MidAmerica Breeding Technology
* Using Technology to Enhance Your Breeding Program
*
* chat at http://forums.delphi.com/m/main.asp?sigdir=eamproducts
*
* ID-1 natural colostrum based immune system stimulant
* available as liquid or powder http://www.colostrum.com
*
* Ovatec electronic heat cycle detection
* BirthAlert beeps you at foaling time
* SureFeed stops those wasteful feed slingers
* http://www.eamproducts.com
*
* AlertoMast electronically detects mastitis in 2 seconds
* MiniMill portable minihorse exercise treadmill
*
* chat room at
* http://forums.delphi.com/m/main.asp?sigdir=eamproducts
*
* Little Big Man Exotics Ranch
* miniature longhaired Tennessee Woodenleg (fainting) goats
* and Great Pyrenees guardian dogs
*
* home of Zeigy - AnheuserBusch ZeigenBock beer mascot goat
* http://www.hopnotes.com
*
* Amateur radio station WA0REE
*
* proud owner of classic 1978 GMC Birchaven motorhome
**************************************************************
 
thanks emory and gene and others

I was just on Gene's web site - it appears that my 78 Birchaven has the
compressor upgrade in the photograph - my installation looks almost
identical to that one and it has the recommended coil of copper tubing
for moisture condensation

guess i need to download my serial number and see if there is a history
on this coach - I have the original operators manual with a few notes
from previous owner but no mention of upgrades

I am finishing off preparations for trip in september - be going from
austin to denver to calgary for horse show from sept 8-12 then to regina
to see a ham friend then to columbia MO for another horse show sept
17-24 then back to austin - if you see a creme GMC pulling a white
trailer with ham antenna on front bumper give me a beep or channel 19

- --

ron keener near Austin, Texas http://MidAmericaBreedingTech.com
**************************************************************
* proud owner of classic 1978 GMC Birchaven motorhome
**************************************************************
 
speaking of upgrades - is cabin batteries in the front (on passenger
side) stock or a field modification?

78 Birchaven
- --

ron keener near Austin, Texas http://MidAmericaBreedingTech.com
**************************************************************
* MidAmerica Breeding Technology
* Using Technology to Enhance Your Breeding Program
*
* chat at http://forums.delphi.com/m/main.asp?sigdir=eamproducts
*
* ID-1 natural colostrum based immune system stimulant
* available as liquid or powder http://www.colostrum.com
*
* Ovatec electronic heat cycle detection
* BirthAlert beeps you at foaling time
* SureFeed stops those wasteful feed slingers
* http://www.eamproducts.com
*
* AlertoMast electronically detects mastitis in 2 seconds
* MiniMill portable minihorse exercise treadmill
*
* chat room at
* http://forums.delphi.com/m/main.asp?sigdir=eamproducts
*
* Little Big Man Exotics Ranch
* miniature longhaired Tennessee Woodenleg (fainting) goats
* and Great Pyrenees guardian dogs
*
* home of Zeigy - AnheuserBusch ZeigenBock beer mascot goat
* http://www.hopnotes.com
*
* Amateur radio station WA0REE
*
* proud owner of classic 1978 GMC Birchaven motorhome
**************************************************************
 
>
> speaking of upgrades - is cabin batteries in the front (on passenger
> side) stock or a field modification?
>
> 78 Birchaven

All early coaches(maybe through '75?) had both batteries up front. All
Transmodes had both batteries up front for the entire production run. Since
your Birchaven was finished by Coachman, it left the factory as a Transmode.

Patrick
 
Ron

While in Columbia, give me a shout 410-005-6629 or 301-596-2484

Wayne Newland F9300 75 Palm Beach

> thanks emory and gene and others
>
> I was just on Gene's web site - it appears that my 78 Birchaven has the
> compressor upgrade in the photograph - my installation looks almost
> identical to that one and it has the recommended coil of copper tubing
> for moisture condensation
>
> guess i need to download my serial number and see if there is a history
> on this coach - I have the original operators manual with a few notes
> from previous owner but no mention of upgrades
>
> I am finishing off preparations for trip in september - be going from
> austin to denver to calgary for horse show from sept 8-12 then to regina
> to see a ham friend then to columbia MO for another horse show sept
> 17-24 then back to austin - if you see a creme GMC pulling a white
> trailer with ham antenna on front bumper give me a beep or channel 19
>
> --
>
> ron keener near Austin, Texas http://MidAmericaBreedingTech.com
> **************************************************************
> * proud owner of classic 1978 GMC Birchaven motorhome
> **************************************************************
 
Emory - just need the wiring info for personal knowledge for now since I
have the ground lead problem fixed - thanks
- --

ron keener near Austin, Texas http://MidAmericaBreedingTech.com
**************************************************************
* proud owner of classic 1978 GMC Birchaven motorhome
**************************************************************
 
Check the wiring diagrams in the shop manuals. If you don't have a set,
contact Cinnebar. Every coach needs a set. Don't leave home without them.

Wayne Newland

> Emory - just need the wiring info for personal knowledge for now since I
> have the ground lead problem fixed - thanks
> --
>
> ron keener near Austin, Texas http://MidAmericaBreedingTech.com
> **************************************************************
> * proud owner of classic 1978 GMC Birchaven motorhome
> **************************************************************
 
thanks emory - the wire size agrees with what I found - as someone else
pointed out I should have shop manuals but right now the GMC budget is
oriented toward keeping the rig on the road for business use ie. high
speed long distance runs with minimal major problems - in other words
the money is going for air bags and gauges

so far I am thrilled with the coach - once I got over the 'getting it
back on the road after sitting for a few years' problems it has done
good by me (knock on wood with a 4000 mile trip starting in a few days)
- - so far I would say it has paid for 1/3 of my initial investment just
in motel bill savings and convenience - and nothing like coming back to
my own little home after a long day of working a trade show booth!

- --

ron keener near Austin, Texas http://MidAmericaBreedingTech.com
**************************************************************
* proud owner of classic 1978 GMC Birchaven motorhome
**************************************************************
 
Ron

What kind of trade shows?

I own Classact Show Service. I'm a small general contractor. We set them
up and tear them down and go to another city and do it again.

Wayne Newland F9300 75 Palm Beach Columbia, Md.

> thanks emory - the wire size agrees with what I found - as someone else
> pointed out I should have shop manuals but right now the GMC budget is
> oriented toward keeping the rig on the road for business use ie. high
> speed long distance runs with minimal major problems - in other words
> the money is going for air bags and gauges
>
> so far I am thrilled with the coach - once I got over the 'getting it
> back on the road after sitting for a few years' problems it has done
> good by me (knock on wood with a 4000 mile trip starting in a few days)
> - so far I would say it has paid for 1/3 of my initial investment just
> in motel bill savings and convenience - and nothing like coming back to
> my own little home after a long day of working a trade show booth!
>
> --
>
> ron keener near Austin, Texas http://MidAmericaBreedingTech.com
> **************************************************************
> * proud owner of classic 1978 GMC Birchaven motorhome
> **************************************************************
 
Wayne - i will leave my complete signature file here to answer the
question about what type of trade shows I go to - I have a line of
products that help animal breeders determine the best time to breed and
helps with birthing and feeding and keeping the animals healthy

I have a homemade booth that I carry with me in a trailer behind the GMC
- - I can pull into a show and be set up in about 3 hours and about the
same to tear down and be back on the road to the next show

I will be in columbia sept 17-24 for the national championship
mini-horse show out at the expo center at exit 121 - come on out if you
are home - just look for the MidAmerica booth

- --

ron keener near Austin, Texas http://MidAmericaBreedingTech.com
**************************************************************
* MidAmerica Breeding Technology
* Using Technology to Enhance Your Breeding Program
*
* chat at http://forums.delphi.com/m/main.asp?sigdir=eamproducts
*
* ID-1 natural colostrum based immune system stimulant
* available as liquid or powder http://www.colostrum.com
*
* Ovatec electronic heat cycle detection
* BirthAlert beeps you at foaling time
* SureFeed stops those wasteful feed slingers
* http://www.eamproducts.com
*
* AlertoMast electronically detects mastitis in 2 seconds
* MiniMill portable minihorse exercise treadmill
*
* chat room at
* http://forums.delphi.com/m/main.asp?sigdir=eamproducts
*
* Little Big Man Exotics Ranch
* miniature longhaired Tennessee Woodenleg (fainting) goats
* and Great Pyrenees guardian dogs
*
* home of Zeigy - AnheuserBusch ZeigenBock beer mascot goat
* http://www.hopnotes.com
*
* Amateur radio station WA0REE
*
* proud owner of classic 1978 GMC Birchaven motorhome
**************************************************************
 
Ron

That's great. I can see where the GMC fits into the picture. I've been
thinking about doing something like that.

Do you do anything with magnetics?

Wayne

> Wayne - i will leave my complete signature file here to answer the
> question about what type of trade shows I go to - I have a line of
> products that help animal breeders determine the best time to breed and
> helps with birthing and feeding and keeping the animals healthy
>
> I have a homemade booth that I carry with me in a trailer behind the GMC
> - I can pull into a show and be set up in about 3 hours and about the
> same to tear down and be back on the road to the next show
>
> I will be in columbia sept 17-24 for the national championship
> mini-horse show out at the expo center at exit 121 - come on out if you
> are home - just look for the MidAmerica booth
>
> --
>
> ron keener near Austin, Texas http://MidAmericaBreedingTech.com
> **************************************************************
> * MidAmerica Breeding Technology
> * Using Technology to Enhance Your Breeding Program
> *
> * chat at http://forums.delphi.com/m/main.asp?sigdir=eamproducts
> *
> * ID-1 natural colostrum based immune system stimulant
> * available as liquid or powder http://www.colostrum.com
> *
> * Ovatec electronic heat cycle detection
> * BirthAlert beeps you at foaling time
> * SureFeed stops those wasteful feed slingers
> * http://www.eamproducts.com
> *
> * AlertoMast electronically detects mastitis in 2 seconds
> * MiniMill portable minihorse exercise treadmill
> *
> * chat room at
> * http://forums.delphi.com/m/main.asp?sigdir=eamproducts
> *
> * Little Big Man Exotics Ranch
> * miniature longhaired Tennessee Woodenleg (fainting) goats
> * and Great Pyrenees guardian dogs
> *
> * home of Zeigy - AnheuserBusch ZeigenBock beer mascot goat
> * http://www.hopnotes.com
> *
> * Amateur radio station WA0REE
> *
> * proud owner of classic 1978 GMC Birchaven motorhome
> **************************************************************
 
Ron

Just courious. I've been an independant Nikken Dist for 4 years and I know
a lot of horse people who use the Nikken Horse Blanket. I work with a lot
of pro sports people helping them get back into the game quick. I
frequently use my GMC to haul my stuff to football games and then let the
cheerleaders use it to change in. Tough life. And I make money, too.

Wayne

> Wayne - i dont sell magnetics but have used them on myself after back
> surgery - the inventor of my products is severely handicapped - he has a
> full size magnetic sheet he sleeps on - he SWEARS by it!
>
> --
>
> ron keener near Austin, Texas http://MidAmericaBreedingTech.com
 
>
> So if I am reading this right (I dont have a schematic yet) the power
> comes from a 'hot' source, goes through the relay (which I have - looks
> like a spdt horn relay), through the compressor motor, and to ground -
> all of the control signals that come from the panel at driver site are
> just low current control signals for relays and valves
>
> if so I should be able to pick up hot and ground connections at the
> cabin fuse panel - but then the compressor will be running off of cabin
> batteries rather than engine battery - potential problem (low voltage) -
> seems to me the best is to get hot from engine battery and use the cabin
> ground as my return since it is so close to the compressor - at this
> point I dont appear to have a problem with my existing hot lead just the
> existing ground lead
>
> where does the hot lead come from precently? - does it get routed
> through the driver control panel on its way to the compressor relay? -
> if so where is it attached to the engine battery hot lead?
>
> yes, no, maybe?
 
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