Heavy aluminum shields around generator and propane tanks

thomas g. warner

New member
Mar 24, 1998
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Boy and I thought all coaches were built the same way. When I was replacing
the rear floor in mine (1976 Palmbeach), it was made more difficult due to
the heavy aluminum shields around the generator and propane tanks. They
could only be removed with a lot of trouble and I never did so. Don't know
about anyone else, but I would not want to be sleeping next to the propane
or generator without these heavy shields. Is my coach the only one like this?

>
>> Did you have to take the Onan out to replace the old insulation with "The
>> Insulator"? or can you get to most of it thru the right rear davo?
>Obviously, its easier to replace/add insulation with the genset out, but it
>can be done from the inside alone. Question is, do you have the fibreglass
>shell over the genset or is it simple cabinetry? My '73 has no shell and all I
>had to do was remove that side of the bed and the single sheet of plywood it
>rested upon - makes it much easier to measure and fit into place, and you'll
>want to tape all the seams with their super-duper 2-3" wide alum tape.
>Replacing the genset without a hoist is kinda tricky, to say the least, but
>mine was so old, cantankerous and greasy, and I had this new one taking up
>space in the driveway, so I just had to do it. Also, it would take a
>contortionist to get behind the genset to properly place, glue, and tape the
>insulation on the back (interior) wall, so you might as well do it right the
>first time and take the opportunity to clean the cables, cabinet, etc..
>Example - when I installed the macerator, I wired it direct to the genset
>battery terminals - on this project, my engineer rewired it to the posts on
>the bottom rear of the genset cabinet and placed the fuse back there. Just try
>getting both hands in the back of that cabinet to change a fuse - I invested
>in 3 more feet of wire and moved that dude to the outside.
>I didn't mean to write a treatise. When you get ready to do it, holler at me
>and I'll tell you more.
>Lanier
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
>Boy and I thought all coaches were built the same way. When I was replacing
>the rear floor in mine (1976 Palmbeach), it was made more difficult due to
>the heavy aluminum shields around the generator and propane tanks. They
>could only be removed with a lot of trouble and I never did so. Don't know
>about anyone else, but I would not want to be sleeping next to the propane
>or generator without these heavy shields. Is my coach the only one like
this?

Well you're not alone. Our 76 Palm Beach also has substantial aluminum
shielding around the genset and propane tank.

We also have the older "towers" in the front as opposed to the cast
structures. The older coaxhes evidently had the mulitple rod structure
(which a few folks feel is stronger). It seems that this was a 75 standard
item.

Overall, our coach is a combination of 75 and 76. Chassis built in 75 but
finished in 76. I now use the information from folks here in combination
with the manuals to give me an idea of what to expect when I start work.

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/ http://www.henry-davis.com
 
>Henry
>
>OK Henry you have done it again. You lost me with the towers thing.
>I know I am slow but could you tell me what a tower is? I too have a
>75--76 crossover model. The sign out tag I found in mine was dated
>Nov 75 but was titled as a 76. Thanks for the help.

Sorry, didn't mean to lose anybody. I'll do the best that I can - coach and
manuals aren't here right now, so I don't have the "official GMC part
names" at hand.

The front end includes two structural elements that are for securing the
body to the chassis (it's been a while since I looked). The original
configuration used three steel rods that were attached to a top plate and
bottom plate. In later models the three rods were replaced by a cast
(aluminum I think) structure. Several of the GMC mechanics I've talked with
felt that the original design was superior to the cast part because the
rod-based design will deform while the cast part tends to break when
over-stressed.

I've noticed a number of other differences. Mostly they are cosmetic. It
seems that for most things, the chassis is a 75 with 76 engine specs, while
the wiring etc seems to be 76. Some mold/trim is 75 while other parts are
76. Sometimes a bit confusing, but a lot less confusing than what I saw
when we were looking at older (and not so old) SOBs.

Bottom line is that my coach isn't EXACTLY what's printed in the manuals,
but knowing that is good enough for me most of the time.

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/ http://www.henry-davis.com
 
These aluminum boxes are interesting. I was trying to come up with an idea on how
to protect the fiberglass compartments on the inside of the coach and to also give
myself a way to have a solid attachment point for the rear benches and other
stuff. Lo and behold I came up with aluminum boxes made of 1/8 th inch material,
contoured to fit exactly over the fiberglass boxes. I thought it was an original
idea. I am also using this method to cover over the wheel wells. By the way, this
also includes end caps to almost totally enclose the fiberglass. All four boxes
weigh about 110 lbs. Still working on it. Probably seven months to go. Darren

> Thomas
>
> No yours is not the only one. My 76 Glenbrook has very heavy aluminum
> boxes around both.
>
> Take Care
> Arch 76 GB IL
>
> In a message dated 1/20/99 3:39:36 PM Central Standard Time, warner

>
> >
> > Boy and I thought all coaches were built the same way. When I was
> > replacing
> > the rear floor in mine (1976 Palmbeach), it was made more difficult due to
> > the heavy aluminum shields around the generator and propane tanks. They
> > could only be removed with a lot of trouble and I never did so. Don't know
> > about anyone else, but I would not want to be sleeping next to the propane
> > or generator without these heavy shields. Is my coach the only one like
> > this?
> >