So what did you do to your GMC today?

[Keith V]

I ripped out the rear bed that was 1 inch of lead filled concrete ( I'm guessing tho it looks like plywood ) I'm going to weight reduce it so I can get under there without needing a donkey and a block and tackle.

Next step is to evaluate switching to a single waste tank, my ex-royale has 2 tanks so I can add a mascerator and simplify the dump experience. So I'll be dropping those tanks.

That was the other reason to remove the bed platform, better access to the plumbing

 

[sailor man]

I installed the 3 battery tray in front of the passenger side front tire but the batteries can only be pulled out behind the tire. It is 22" above the ground.
I am disinclined to jack up the entire coach just to switch out this spent DieHard starting battery. The battery only weighs 38lbs but it is a bitch to get enough leverage. At least this setup allowed me to pull the old battery out.
Getting the new battery in is still an issue! It is much more difficult.
There are also (2) BattleBorn 12vdc 100aH batteries on the aluminum tray. If they have to be replaced, they will have to come out the same way.


I have installed a number of "lift nuts" so I can rig a small block and tackle to lift things in place and provide leverage. These bolts are coming through from above and are from the steel plates (9ea.) and seats (4ea.). I think that they will come in handy.

 

[Kendra]

I installed the 3 battery tray in front of the passenger side front tire but the batteries can only be pulled out behind the tire. It is 22" above the ground.
I am disinclined to jack up the entire coach just to switch out this spent DieHard starting battery. The battery only weighs 38lbs but it is a bitch to get enough leverage. At least this setup allowed me to pull the old battery out.
Getting the new battery in is still an issue! It is much more difficult.
There are also (2) BattleBorn 12vdc 100aH batteries on the aluminum tray. If they have to be replaced, they will have to come out the same way.

I have installed a number of "lift nuts" so I can rig a small block and tackle to lift things in place and provide leverage. These bolts are coming through from above and are from the steel plates (9ea.) and seats (4ea.). I think that they will come in handy.

I imagine you'll be done much sooner, but I'll be in your area of Florida last week of June if you need a hand.
Another option: buy or rent a transmission jack.

 

[Tybalt39]

Cleaned the roof (pressure-wash, foam/brush, pressure and rinse). Now to see if it is clean enough to apply the adhesive for the solar panels.

Next day: It was!

 

[tmsnyder]

Working on a mount for cheap chinese diesel heater to replace original furnace, so that it engages with the OE intake and exhaust vents through the outside wall of the coach

 

[RF_Burns]

Last week I reconnected my two LiFePO4 batteries from their winter sleep. Both batteries read exactly the same voltage as when I disconnected them last fall. LiFePO4 batteries have a very low self discharge rate compared to lead acid.

Then I promptly forgot about plugging in the coach to recharge them. A week later I entered the coach and everything was dead. Damn, I discharged the batteries... but the battery monitoring system (BMS) in the batteries disconnects them so the actually cells do not fully discharge.

When I plugged the coach into shore power the Samlex EVO changer/inverter/transfer switch did not come to life and start charging. Then I remembered there must be voltage at the battery before it will start charging. This is to prevent the charger from attempting to recharge a fully dead or frozen battery. I had left the battery boost circuit in place, so I just momentarily pressed Bat Boost switch and the charger came to life and all is well.

FYI, The BMS in the LiFePO4 batteries limit the maximum discharge current. A starter is likely to exceed that current rating unless you have multiple batteries in parallel, or a single large battery rated for 300A discharge or more. But you can use your Battery Boost switch to give your dead chassis lead-acid battery a boost. Just energize the Bat Boost switch for about a minute to let the chassis battery receive some charge from the house LiFePO4 batteries before cranking. This should lower the current taken from the LiFePO4 batteries to below their Max current while cranking.

 

[Tybalt39]

Installed 400W of a total 900W (possibly 1KW). My Tetris game is improving! No need to keep panel installation symmetrical; fit them any way they will fit (avoiding compound curves)! 400 more to install tonight. Then to decide if I need to return a panel and order two of a different size.

Used the balcony over the parking lot at work as a scaffold.

 

[CV12Steve]

Installed 400W of a total 900W (possibly 1KW). My Tetris game is improving! No need to keep panel installation symmetrical; fit them any way they will fit (avoiding compound curves)! 400 more to install tonight. Then to decide if I need to return a panel and order two of a different size.

Used the balcony over the parking lot at work as a scaffold.

View attachment 14924

BougeRV CIGS Mothers Day Flash Sale on now

 

[LarryW]

Excersized the Onan. Loaded it down for 15min with AC, TV's, and a 1500w ceramic heater. Minor adjustment to carburetor.
Fixed antifreeze leak at the radiator cap extension with new rubber washer.
Flushed out the two holding tanks.
Sanitized fresh water tank and water lines.
Rewired the Macerator with new switch and 10ga wire. Now it runs must faster.
Air suspension system pump was only giving me 100psi. Found the air filter/water separator bowl to be cracked and loosing so much air that the pump couldn't keep up with the leak. So, new filter/water separator.
Tightened alternator belt for a minor "squeal" on start-up
Replaced cracked leaky boot on the steering shaft. Caught it in time. All good under that boot.
Pulled the two 6V golf cart batteries out, filled with distilled water and washed batteries clean.
The terminal on batteries that supplied juice to my inverter was so acid corroded that was ready to break off. I had to snake the cable out, replace terminal and snake back in.
Tomorrow gonna pull front wheels off, set the axels back and grease front wheel bearings.

All in preparation for a Canadian fishing trip coming up in two weeks. Don't want any issues 300mi north of the border. Camping in our GMC out where the only lights at night you see is the Milky Way galaxy. This camper has been so worth it!!

 

[tmsnyder]

I worked briefly on an adapter for exhaust and intake through the original furnace vents instead of through the floor. EDIT: This is for a cheap chinese diesel heater

 

[Carl Stouffer]

Parked it in my driveway after an eight week, 5701 mile trip.

I did have a couple of small issues, a wonky alternator, a leaky power steering hose, and a surging cruise control. So, I will be fixing those issues along with a bit of servicing etc. I'll try to report on the fixes as I get to them.

 

[Bhart]

Finally got to go camping in the GMC over the week-end.

 

[Tybalt39]

Small battles, but important. I now have refrigerator and freezer running off the house lithium battery. I also have all of the solar panels on the roof mounted and wired.

I still haven't eliminated the flooded lead acid batteries near the Onan from my house system. I will address that in the next couple of months. For the time being, my fridge and freezer are stand-alone on a dedicated 280AH lithium battery/solar charging system.

 

[RvRev2]

Like Luther, a small battle accomplished. I had a pleated day/night shade that needed re-stringing at the dinette window. Simple enough job made much more complicated due to a stripped ceiling bolt for the overhead cabinet. The cabinet had had to come out in order to get the shade out. Pain in the posterior!

 

[tmsnyder]

Like Luther, a small battle accomplished. I had a pleated day/night shade that needed re-stringing at the dinette window. Simple enough job made much more complicated due to a stripped ceiling bolt for the overhead cabinet. The cabinet had had to come out in order to get the shade out. Pain in the posterior!

Those threaded inserts are the worst. I drilled a 1/8" hole at the edge of each and put in a pop rivet to keep it from spinning.

 

[N2hcky]

Installed a "proof of concept" woven bambu blind on our door with valance sides. We will be doing all the others and adding some appropriate Palm Beach material to the bottom of door and all other valances.

 

[Wally]

Did a little rehab of the license plate light which had quit working. Took it out, brushed the inside of the lens, replaced the rusted socket and bulb, and reinstalled with a neoprene foam gasket. new socket from amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RPZ3S6?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[Keith V]

I replaced my leaky air tank with a new 1-gallon amazon special. Works great and Ive got the leaks down to a dull roar!

 

[sailor man]

I replaced my leaky air tank with a new 1-gallon amazon special. Works great and Ive got the leaks down to a dull roar!
View attachment 15126View attachment 15127

The Sterling 12vdc battery to 12vdc battery charger remote now works. This is the sole charging source for the DieHard Gold 800CCA sealed lead acid starting battery using the (10) BattleBorn (1,000AH Total) battery bank. This controller continuous monitors the charge state on both the supplying and receiving batteries.
It was initially miswired. The communications cable had to be reversed for it to work properly.
The system is also internally alarmed.
Below is the 12vdc battery to 51.2vdc battery charger remote is not yet activated.

 

[Carl Stouffer]

Today, I pulled out the janky alternator (it wouldn't start charging until the engine reached about 2500 RPM). I will take it to be repaired, it was a fresh local rebuild. I also dug the other faulty alternator (the one I replaced in a campsite in Florida a few months ago) out from under the dinette. It will go to the shop for a rebuild.

Next, I removed the power steering, high pressure hose, that sprung a leak on the third last day of our 6700 mile trip. It was leaking like a sieve and I fixed it temporarily with a hose clamp, strategically placed at the site of the leak.

Hopefully I'll get the repaired parts back later this week and can put it all back together next week.