Lesharo Newsletter April 2014

Transcription

LESHARO/PHASAR GROUP NEWSLETTER
APRIL 1, 2014
Coast To Coast
LeSharo/Phasar Yahoo Group Newsletter
What’s New in this Issue?
Providing H-body owners with Information and Enjoyment
Moderators/Editors Message
Coming Events
Moderators Message
Wisdom for New Owners
Welcome to our first LeSharo Group Newsletter. We hope you enjoy
it. Our primary purpose in delivering the Newsletter to you is to increase
everyone’s LeSharo knowledge, make it easy for you to navigate the
group site, so we can all travel in our great little RVs: safely, reliably while
having much fun and building great memories. Remember we are here
to help each other.
Jacques Page!
Rick Heslop
Cool Upgrades
Summer Travel
Recent Completed Repairs
Parts Bucket
Keeping your Transmission Happy
Gas Coach: Great Tip
Easy Files Navigation
[email protected]
Coach Corner #1 and #2
Editors Message
Dave Martin’s Great Trip
Our goal with the Newsletter is to provide information to increase
your coach reliability and safety, thus, making your ownership more
enjoyable. We also need you to communicate back to us article topics you
want to see published. Send us your feedback. If you have wisdom and
experience, help your fellow members by passing on your information in
the form of an Article, or Tip. Thanks,
Great RV Apps
Avoiding Battery Blues
Solving Pesky Problems
Gauge Wisdom
Rally Information
John Sargent! [email protected]
DON’T MISS THESE KEY EVENTS
The LeSharo Summer Rally
This Rally will be held in Elkhart, IN at the
Elkart Campground. Mark your calendars: June 8, 9,
10, leaving on the 11th. See the faces
behind the emails and messages. Go to
the Rally Group https://
groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ohiorally/info for
more information,. Let the organizers know you will
be coming: Check out the Poll, go to: https://
groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ohiorally/polls/open
Various events are planned, both fun
and educational. Don’t miss it.
The WIT Grand National Rally
In Forest City, IA, Don’t miss this event:
July 16 - July 20th. The rally consists of some
seventy-five seminars ranging from product
information on Winnebago products, vendor
products, to craft classes. Vendors are located
in a large air-conditioned facility. There are Merchant
and Craft rows available, and entertainment
throughout the week during the day, with top
professional acts at a 3,000-seat amphitheater in the
evenings. You must be a WIT member to
participate. Go to:
http://www.witclub.com/
grand_national_rally/
VOLUME I, SPRING EDITION!
PAGE 1
APRIL 1, 2014
WISDOM FOR OUR NEW OWNERS
By Rick Heslop
All members of our group were new members at one
time. As such, there were times when they could have used a
hand to solve a problem, repair a broken part, or known of
places to buy key parts.
Current new members are in luck. There are many
members with huge amounts of experience and wisdom.
Members enjoy helping new members get their coaches
going. So what is their advice for our new members?
Obtain a copy of your coach’s Owners Manual.
Obtain a copy of the Factory Service Manuals for your
year and model coach. Invest time to review the
Conversations, Files, Photos, and Database sections
as they have many answers to questions you may have about
your LeSharo.
Remember Maintenance, Maintenance,
Maintenance, Check the rubber components of your LS.
Timing belt older than 5-7 years?, Replace. Hoses for
coolant and vacuum lines must be checked, replaced as
needed. Tires, check the date code and for cracking around
the rim on both sides of the tire.
Check the FILES for articles on Buying a LeSharo, or
read the Spring Checklist (https://groups.yahoo.com/
neo/groups/Lesharo-owners/files/Checklists/) and the
Ready for Travel Checklist, go to: https://
groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Lesharo-owners/files/
Checklists/ Being prepared will help others help you to
recommend fixes.
Remember all of those giving advice are volunteers.
Respect their time by being prepared for a conversation and
In the Database section are the 'For Sale and
being clear in your message or email. There are other
Wanted items'. Take a look, Click on Database then For Sale groups you may want to join as well. They also reflect users’
and Wanted items. Use the Search Conversation search, needs in some other forums such as Get togethers,
use the 'Messages Help' button if you are unsure how to
Conversions, Rallies, and there may be overlap of
use the search. Search the old messages before you post a
discussions. It is optional to join these groups.
new question on a topic that may have already been
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/1winne_hcovered. When you start a new topic, use the New Topic
bodys/
button as this will help get more precise answers to your
http://www.lesharorv.com/index.php
question rather than trying to piggyback onto another topic
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/ohiorally/
When posting, don’t forget to add your name, coach http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/LeSharo-Convertedyear, model, fuel type, engine, and transmission as this helps Moterhomes/
everyone to fully understand your situation.
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/
COOL UPGRADE IDEAS
Turn Signal Beeper
Larry Schoppe, Fairborn, Ohio
Since the dashboard turn signal indicator is
very hard to see during bright day driving, I added a
small buzzer wired in parallel with the turn
indicator bulb. The buzzer comes on anytime the turn
signal lever is used, It makes enough noise when
driving to hear over road noise, open windows or
the radio. You turn it off by centering the turn
signal handle, as you turn off the turn signals. Prevents a lot of horn
beeping and one finger salutes if
you don't turn signals off after
you pass a number of vehicles.
Example shown to the right from
Amazon.
Porch Light
John Sargent, Tucson, Arizona
Since my 89 Lesharo LX did not come with a
porch light, I thought adding one would be helpful.
Had one lying around or
you can get one at
Camping World or off the
internet. I located it
outside so the wire would
come straight into the
cabinet above the sink. I
installed a little rocker
switch on the cabinet side,
wired to the light, then got 12v power from the light
under the cabinet. Any 12v source will do. Now
getting around outside at night is easier.
PAGE 2
APRIL 1, 2014
SUMMER TRAVEL, WHAT FUN!
Summer travel...now that is fun to look forward to! More
fun though if our coaches run like clocks and there are no
unexpected breakdowns or problems. Last summer
many members drove their coaches 5000- 7500 or
more miles in the hot summer months, with limited
or no problems. Yet, traveling trouble free means
being prepared and preparing your coach.
So where should we start?
First, check the tires for cracks and
ensure they are properly inflated, no slow
leaks,
Second, Is the engine oil, transmission
fluid and final drive fluid fresh and up to proper
levels? If not change them out, top them off,
Third, Check the cooling system, hoses OK, engine
running at proper temp, no leaks, coolant at proper level in
the overflow bottle, do a pressure test to ensure you have no
leaks,
Fourth, check the brakes, stop well, no pulling, no weird
noises, no leaks from the rear master cylinders?,
Fifth, check the water system, pump OK, no leaks under
pressure, refresh the tank to eliminate stale odors,
Sixth, check all the 12v electricals, lights, wipers, etc, all
working OK?, House battery good?,
There is more to check than the above to eliminate
breakdowns. Use the Spring Checklist to
identify the critical To Do items that will help
ensure breakdown free travels.
Go to FILES, open folder called Checklist
look for: Ready For Travel. (https://
groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Lesharo-owners/
files/Checklists/
Print out and keep a copy so you can remember the To
Do items you need to do.
RECENT COMPLETED REPAIRS
By John Sargent, Tucson, AZ
Resealing Roof Seams
Do your roof seams look anything like this? Are you
concerned your roof
may leak?
Has it been a long time
since you or the PO of
your coach ensured all
your seams are leak
proof ? You already know
RV’s and water leaks are
not friends at all.
Getting a water leak can cause havoc to the inside of
your coach. Once a leak has damaged the coach inside,
fixing everything, both inside and outside can be very time
consuming and expensive.
Why not inspect
and fix the sealing
on your roof seams
now? It is easy to do,
the cost is low, a
fraction of the cost
to fix roof damage;
and can be done
before the big rains
come.
There is a
detailed summary of the steps any owner can do to clean
reseal, and tape your roof seams in the Files section of the
Group website. Go to https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/
groups/Lesharo-owners/files/Body/. I just completed this
job on my 89 Lesharo LX. The seams were really bad, see
pix to the left, and now the seams look like new. Let the
rains come!
ANOTHER ITEM TO GET MORE FROM YOUR GROUP MEMBERSHIP
There is a map of where the members live. Plan your trips and visit other members. You have to sign up to
add your name, easy and quick to do. Encourage other members to do so as well. Go to Files, scroll down to
LeSharo Map, click , click again on Lesharo Map Link, copy the url, paste in your browser, it opens up.
Add your name. That’s it!
PAGE 3
APRIL 1, 2014
TO OBTAIN PAST AND CURRENT EDITIONS OF THE NEWSLETTER.
Go to the LeSharo Yahoo group site. Click on FILES on the top menu. Then click on the Newsletter icon, there you go!
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Lesharo-owners/files/Newsletters/
THE PARTS BUCKET
Coach year, type: ‘89 2.2, gas,
Bosch
Coach year, type: ’89 2.2, gas,
Bosch
Part Name: Hayden dual fan
3800
Part Name: Brake Master
Cylinder
Brand Name: Hayden
Part Number: 130.11600
Purchased From: Amazon,
avail in Parts Stores
Brand Name: Centric
Getting the right part for your
Price w shipping: $140.00
coach can be a challenging job. Here
are recent member parts purchases.
Notes: Replaced original dual
Save this as you may need the same fans, only draws 15 amps vs original
part some time in the future. Don’t
fan draw of 30 amps, uses the same
forget to check the parts articles in
holes to install, quick and easy.
the Files and search the Messages
for the part you need.
Purchased From: RockAuto
Price w shipping: $75 each
Notes: Make sure you get the 5
valve unit, 4 for the front, 1 for the
rear brake lines.
A WISE RV’ER ONCE SAID
“It is easier, quicker and less expensive to fix my RV in my driveway than it is to fix it out on the highway, late at night, in
the rain, where no one is familiar with Winnebago or Renault when getting the correct part to fix the breakdown may be a
real problem.” Good advice from many group members.
MUST KNOW “FACTS”
Contributed by Shirley of Florida
In the 1400's a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than
his thumb. Hence we have 'the rule of thumb'
Many years ago in Scotland , a new game was invented. It was ruled 'Gentlemen Only..Ladies Forbidden'...and
thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.
The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV were Fred and Wilma Flintstone.
The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this..) The percentage of North America that is
wilderness: 38%
The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $ 16,400
The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.
The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments
Q. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what? A. Their birthplace
Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, laser printers , & binary language all have in
common? A. All were invented by women.
In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the
mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase......... 'Goodnight, sleep tight.'
PAGE 4
KEEP YOUR AUTO TRANSMISSION
& FINAL DRIVE HAPPY
Conventional wisdom says our automatic transmission and final
drive can be a weak link in our propulsion system. However there are a
number of factors that can hasten their demise, including maintenance
and how we load and drive our RV. The reverse is true, take care of it, do
the maintenance, load the coach and drive smartly; you will extend your
transmission’s and final drive's life.
Let’s remember our engine and transmission is pulling 6700 lbs or
more. This is significantly more than the typical car or even small SUV
that may be 3500-5000 lbs. Complicating matters is the engine is a small
displacement, high revving engine, not the powerful low revving, V-6 or
V-8 you may have in your other vehicles. Also, our coaches are often more than 20 years old, often 25 or
more, with who knows what kind of maintenance and use, so a little TLC
and proper maintenance will go a-long way to increase reliability.
Driving Tips for longer Auto Transmission Life
- Full throttle acceleration - forcing the transmission to shift while
under high stress will greatly affect the loads imparted into the various
components. If you can, don't use full throttle - ever. - Get used to merging onto hi-ways at 40 -45mph and take a mile or
more to get up to 50 - 60 mph. - Don't speed excessively, the faster you go, the higher the
temperatures, putting stress on all those elderly components. Drive 50-60,
55-58 mph can be a good compromise. - Look ahead down the road, slow down in advance of stops to avoid
hard braking,
- Don't let the engine lug in high gear- below 3000 rpm, better to
downshift, don't worry if the revs go to 4000, your engine is designed to
do this. Think of your transmission as a semi-automatic and use the
lower gears more like a manual transmission as you speed up,
- The transmission was designed to run at 3700-4100 rpm, though
compared with the typical american car, it feels high revving.
- Pay attention when it comes to grades, keep the revs high by
downshifting versus lugging below 3000 rpm,
For much more information about how temperatures affect
transmission life, optimum transmission and final drive fluid change
intervals, and more information about keeping your transmission and
final drive happy, go to:
FILES, then click on Transmission Automatic , then click on
Transmission Article, Jan2014.pdf
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Lesharo-owners/files/
Transmission%2C%20Automatic%20/
Make your Auto Transmission/Final Drive smile!
Contributions from: Larry Schoppe, Dave Martin, Scott Edwards, John Sargent,
and the Files
APRIL 1, 2014
Coming In Your Next
Issue...
More Engine Maintenance Tips
More Pictures of Great Coaches
Navigating the new Yahoo Group
site
More info for New Members
Finish Dave Martin’s trip
More Completed Upgrades/Repairs
Buying the Right Parts
Rally info you want to know
Articles you want to read
And More....
COACH CORNER #1
Group members have cool coaches,
some old, some a little newer, yet all are
examples of how we love and enjoy our
coaches no matter what the age. Our coaches
are not getting older, just getting better.
John & Trish Sargent,
Tucson, AZ, USA
89 Lesharo LX, 2.2, gas, Bosch, 59,000
miles. We are the 4th
owners, purchased
at 51,000 miles, no
maintenance
history, prepped the
coach last spring for
our 7500 mile
summer trip to the
east coast to see
grandkids & family.
Got them to wash
the coach! We love
the coach, just
perfect for both of
us. Still working
some fixes and
upgrades.
PAGE 5
APRIL 1, 2014
GOT A GAS COACH? GOOD TIP
Here is some information for you gas coach owners out
there.
to spray each vacuum hose, even the hard to reach difficult
ones. Mark the hoses to replaced.
Easy to Fix: Many of the hoses are standard size,
available
at your local auto parts stores. Check your Factory
One of the biggest causes of rough running, hard
Service
Manual
for hose information. If you are unsure of
starting gas engines is cracked, split or broken vacuum
the size, take the old hose with you to the parts store. Buy
hoses. Understandable, given the ages of the coaches and
new clamps while you are at it. Then reinstall the hose with
possible questionable prior maintenance.
the new clamps. Don’t forget to keep the metal pieces/
This condition is easy to diagnose and easy to fix.
orifices located in two of the hoses, see hose illustrations
To Diagnose: First, visually inspect all the hoses for
near the end of the Fuel system part of your book for
cracks, loose clamps. Then, buy a can of spray starting
location of the orifices. Do this for each suspected bad
fluid. Start your engine. Check your Factory Service Manual hose.
for information on the vacuum hose locations. Then, spray
Do the hoses one at a time so you remember where the
each vacuum hose with the starting fluid. Listen to the
new hose goes. The two large ones by the intake manifold
engine rpm’s. If there is a crack, split or hole in the hose you are usually the culprits. Given the age of the coach, you
will hear the engine increase rpm’s- as the flammable spray might just replace all the vacuum hoses and you will be
is burned in the engine. Time to replace that hose. Continue done with it.
Vacuum Hose Leaks
NAVIGATING THE FILES: VERY SIMPLE, VERY EASY
By Rick Heslop
There is no magic in navigating the FILES section of the group site to find the information you want. Very Simple,
Very easy. Go to the LeSharo group site, Log in, then click on the FILES in the top menu, a window will open with all
the topics available. Each title is really a folder containing all the articles on that topic. Most all are in pdf format so are
easily read on computers, phones and pad devices.
Good reading. HTTPS://GROUPS.YAHOO.COM/NEO/GROUPS/LESHARO-OWNERS/FILES
COACH CORNER # 2
Scott Edwards
Orangeville, Ontario, Canada
You have probably seen me on this site listed as
Farvernugen. I purchased my first RV back in 2009. I
knew nothing about
an RV, the lifestyle, or
the mechanicals, yet
knew I wanted
smallish. I ended up
driving for 4 hours
out to Sarnia to look at this LeSharo thing. A Renault
drivetrain….hm… weird, but ok, lets go and look. It
turned out to be a meticulously looked after little, but big
RV, was slow as molasses, yet that was ok with me, after all,
the 4 cylinder drivetrain gave good fuel economy, Yea!
It had a new transmission installed. Problem was, it ran
poorly, like it was on limp mode. So, being the mechanical
type of guy I am, and maybe a little over confident, struck
a deal, and would pick it up in a week. I have a friend with
a plane, so said he would take me out to Sarnia to pick it
up, guess I was committed. It was a US model, so I had to
import it, transfer title, plate, emission test, sticker, insure.
My problem: I could not emission pass the silly
thing until I could solve the limp mode problem. It took a
few months, working on lots of little things before the AH
HA moment hit. As soon as the gasketed spark plugs were
changed out for proper tapered type, the EGR gasket
installed
properly, not
backwards, the
engine started
up, and idled
perfectly. It has
been absolutely
perfect ever
since.
I still
work full time,
so take it
camping a few
times a year, this
I have done
since a kid. It really is nice not sleeping on the ground, and
having a most amazing awning to cover you while it rains.
PAGE 6
APRIL 1, 2014
ROAD FOOD: GREAT INFO ABOUT COOKING & KITCHEN
Motorhome Goop
by John Sargent
" When the kids were young, we had a
Winnebago Brave Bunkhouse. I needed to be
better organized when planning food for the
weekends. I would prepare in advance various
meals I could freeze, then bring to the coach on
Friday night. I made spagetti w/sauce, chicken
fricassee, beef stew or any other similar meal for 4:
2 adults, 2 kids. Then, filled and froze at home in
flat freezer bags. On Friday night took 2 bags out
of the freezer and put in the coach fridge. By the
time I needed them, they would be almost
defrosted, then heated up either in the microwave
or fry pan, serve with salad and bread, meal all
done! Kids named my creations: Motorhome
Goop. The name stuck to this day. So now I make
Motorhome Goops for our LeSharo travels, put in
the fridge or our cooler and meals all set for the
weekend or longer trips. Quick clean up is a plus.
Email the editor with your favorite Cooking, kitchen
Tip. Members will enjoy it!
[email protected]
READ A GREAT TRAVELOG
by Dave Martin, Vail, AZ
Summer 2013, 50th HS Reunion
Trip: AZ to East Coast & Back
Thursday, August 15th
Tucson, AZ to Fort Stockton, TX
Filled both gas tanks, auxiliary
tank repair leaking slowly. Will have to
reseal on return home after trip. Later
in day transferred most of the
contents to main tank. All else
working well. Fueling every 125-150
miles with 8-11 gallons. First night
stopped in a Pizza Hut overflow dirt
parking lot, then moved to a WalMart in town. Much too hot to sleep
until very late. Poor cross ventilation
at main (rear) bed. Slept instead on
folded down middle seat with front
passenger seat spun backward and
reclined making a small single bed
next to an open screened window.
Just south of El Paso in very
desolate area the charging light came
on. Drove fine but worried for 20+
miles; as I braked to get off at the first
gas station in middle of nowhere, light
went off and never recurred for entire
trip.
Friday, August 16th
Fort Stockton to Katy, TX.
Continued east to Katy, TX WalMart. Took photos of a nearby water
tower that looked like it was from the
War of the Worlds
movie.
Still very hot,
still needed to use
front bed and wait
until very late to
sleep. Cold drinks
and restrooms at
Wal-Marts are nice
to have late at night
and early in the
morning.
Saturday, August 17th
Katy, TX to Pass Christian, MS
My New Orleans house invite
had to be bypassed as they were
returning from Colorado only on the
19th or 20th. Drove instead along the
MS gulf coast starting at Bay St.
Louis. Very heavy rain from a tropical
storm obscured all views while
crossing the bay bridge that led to
Long Beach and then Pass Christian,
which was heavily damaged by both
Hurricane Camille and more recently,
Katrina. Miles of deserted beach on
one side of the road, with big old
southern homes on the other.
Long Beach had miles of great
beach and of ‘For sale’ empty lots
opposite facing the water – the homes
on them had been washed away by
Katrina. Pass Christian had a small
downtown up the hill
on the north side of
the coast road. In
Pass Christian some
solid old homes
remained. Most that
survived are those
built on pilings
raising them well
above the ground.
The Pass
Christian Wal-Mart
was on the coast road but set way
back from the road. The large grassy
area between the road and the
parking lot was the former site of the
store, which was destroyed by
Katrina. The coastal temperatures
were lower and sleeping was easier in
Pass Christian.
Sunday, August 18th
Pass Christian, MS to Albany,
GA
In Gulfport there was storm
flooding blocking the coastal roadway
and I had to detour 10-15 blocks
inland and then head east, then back
south to the coast. This tropical storm
was pounding the FL panhandle so I
gave up the idea of sitting there on the
Cont’d on the next page
PAGE 7
beach eating great seafood. Biloxi was
high rises along the coast. I cut north to
I-10 and from there to Montgomery, AL
to avoid the storm. It blew my mind to
see road signs for the Jefferson Davis
Memorial Highway, Selma, AL turnoff,
and Rosa Parks Boulevard. History is
what happened where other people
lived.
I then turned east towards GA.
Eufaula and Lake Eufaula on the GA
border were very interesting. Big old
southern columned homes, a neat old
antebellum downtown and unchanged
since. Worth a future visit/stay, maybe.
US 82 ended up being a virtually
private highway on which I drove for
many miles alone on newly paved and
striped 2 and 4-lane road with deer at
night grazing on the roadsides. I drove
to Albany, GA Wal-Mart for the night.
Monday, August 19th
Albany, GA to Savannah, GA
APRIL 1, 2014
The drive was quite uneventful out
to the GA coast. I had planned to stay
in Brunswick but the storm was still just
to the west so I left Brunswick and took
the interstate to the Savannah area,
exited and drove through the city to a
small Wal-Mart outside city limits (no
RV parking overnight ordinance in
Savannah). Still hot and muggy, small
tree lined parking lot. Wal-Mart closed
at night.
virtually no other nearby campers. A
clean, well-stocked and modern
Kroger’s was just a few miles, which was
WAY better than the grubby old PigglyWiggly I had previously stopped at.
Wednesday, August 21st
To Tybee Island, GA and back to
Savannah, GA
Great beach w/pier. $2/hr. parking w/
2 hr. minimum everywhere, credit card
only. All lots are set up for passenger
Tuesday, August 20th
vehicles. Fortunately my motor home is
In and around Savannah, GA
small and only stuck out of the space a
In the daytime I took the motor
little. VERY touristy. Swimsuits, Thome downtown to the Historic Society shirts, boogie boards, sun tan lotion
parking lot and paid $7.00 for a 24 hour emporia. Ate first real meal of the trip
parking pass. I walked to the nearby
on a rear patio of a seafood restaurant.
historic district and along the riverfront. ½ dozen raw oysters, ½# boiled
Then I took the free downtown shuttle
shrimp, 1/2 lb boiled crawfish, fries,
bus around the entire district and back
to the motor home. I hadn’t realized
that the Savannah River downtown is
the border with SC. The neat historic
district has 24 squares. Very heavily
treed city. Lots of tourist and local tour
buses and, even, horse-drawn carriages.
Despite the 24-hour pass entitling
me to park overnight, I left and drove to
Skidaway Island state park. With a
senior rate I paid $29.00 for the first
night and only $24.00 for the second.
This included hot showers, toilets, a
coin laundry, central wi-fi outside the
park office, electric hookup (1st nights of
cold AC!) Spanish moss, big trees,
corn on cob, large bowl of clam
chowder -- $42 w/ tip. Back to
Skidaway Island for 2nd night. To be
Continued.
TRAVEL APPS FOR PHONES AND TABLETS
There are many iPhone and Android apps, some
for both Phones and Tablets, many can make your
travels easier, safer and more fun. Here are a few we
use all the time when travelling. Check out your App
Store, most are free or only a few bucks.
IExit: shows all services oﬀ all the interstate
exits, no more worrying about where or how far to
get food or fuel 24/7,
Road Trip 66: Follows route 66 along the whole
route, noting key places of interest: The World’s largest
Rocking Chair!, Don’t miss it!
Diners TV: Describes and shows the location of
all the restaurants on the TV show Diners, Drive-Ins
and Dives,
Here I Am: Shows a map of where you are, easy
to email to grandkids/family to let them know where
you are on the way to visit them,
Rest Stops: shows rest stops by state for all
interstate highways, easy to stop for lunch or a nap!
Rest Area Finder: another App like Rest Stops
above,
Woodall’s: Electronic version of their huge
phonebook size campground directory,
GPS Drive: Good GPS App, routing, works on
phone and tablet,
Fuel Monitor: Easy to keep records of fuel
mileage, repairs, and services done to your RV.
InRoute: GPS plus altitude, weather for your
route, Best $2 ever spent.
PAGE 8
chargers can lose effectiveness over
time.
Most chargers will charge at
between 14 to 14.4 volts, the newer
smart chargers will start at a high
voltage, then as the battery is
charged, the charging voltage will
taper off. This helps your battery last
longer and increases reliability.
Avoiding Battery Blues
by John Sargent, Many Group
Members, the Files, and Conversations
The condition of our coach
battery is critical to our enjoyment of
our RVing. No juice, no 12v lights,
no 12v fridge, no furnace on cooler
nights, no LP appliances that require
12v igniters, no 12v water pump, no
phone or tablet charging, no backup
battery to start your engine if your
engine battery dies. Not good.
Given the short distance
between a 75% charge and 0%
charge/ dead battery it is helpful to
have a battery gauge that is both
digital and goes to 2 decimal places,
so you can read 12.45 vs 12.4. The
analog meters, like the one on your
dashboard, are hard to read and are
not as accurate. Small LCD digital
voltage meters are available on the
Your battery condition is
assessed with the battery at rest, ie,
no loads drawing on the battery.
Interestingly enough there is very
little voltage reading difference from
a charged battery to a dead one.
The following chart displays the %
charged and voltage relationships.
Your Battery Condition
Volts.
%.
>12.7.
100.
12.6.
12.5.
12.3.
12.1.
<11.7.
87.
75.
50.
25.
0.
It is helpful to have a voltage
meter in your coach that takes a
constant reading so you can see how
the voltage draw affects your battery.
In addition, when you are connected
to shore power you will better see
the charging voltage and the
effectiveness of your charger, as
APRIL 1, 2014
frequently, or if you are connected to shore
power for a long time: weeks or longer, check
the water level in your battery cells frequently
so you don't run the battery dry.
Running dry will kill your battery
Move Your battery:
If your coach model and space allows
in your engine bay, think seriously about
moving the coach battery from under the
coach into the engine bay. Doing so makes
checking water levels, tightening terminal
connections and cleaning off battery acid/
corrosion a piece of cake. The cost to move
your battery is nominal. See Articles in the
Files on how to make this change.
Key Take-Aways:
! Buy and install a LCD digital two
decimal place gauge,
! Check your voltage readings to see
they are normal when your battery is being
charged and when it is not.
! Check your battery cell water levels
frequently,
! If you can, move your coach battery
into the engine bay.
Reminders!
Internet for a few dollars. I bought
mine from Amazon.
Install the digital gauge connected to a constant 12v source
like a 12v light- where the gauge can
be easily seen by driver or passenger.
Now you can check voltage while
driving, as well as when you are
stopped. And also when plugged in
to shore power.
Check your Water Level:
When you are using a lot of 12v
power: many lights, fridge or furnace
and your battery is being charged,
then discharged, then charged
Don’t forget the Lesharo Rally in June
and the Winnebago WIT rally in July.
Call For Articles!
Email the Editor with ideas for articles
or information you would like to to see
in the next Newsletter issue.
Send the Editor stories, articles, pass
on your wisdom to other members.
We are planning an article on
awnings, so if you have an awning, tell
us your story.
[email protected]
PAGE 9
APRIL 1, 2014
MAKE YOUR LESHARO LIFE EASIER, MORE FUN
! Search the your coach correct year,
model,
fuel system in the Factory Service
Where do you start? Based on the experience of
many group members, we have created a list of items to manual covering your vehicle: Service Manual 1983
check to get your coach ready for Spring travels. Taking -1986 Centauri, Lesharo, Phasar and Utility Van, the
time to review and fix these items now will help increase two book set of manuals covering the Diesel and Early
Gas H-body's. The Service Manual 1987 your coach reliability and your enjoyment during your
summer travels. Please take a look, you will be glad you 1989 Lesharo, Phasar, Utility Van Bosch Fuel Injection
takes care of the Bosch FIS plus all systems for that
did. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/
series vehicles. If answers aren’t clear from reading the
Lesharo-owners/files/Checklists/
manual, then,
Getting ready for Summer Travels
Where are all those items I packed
somewhere?: Trish Sargent
! Search the group Files section for the
topic containing your problem, it will take just a few
minutes, you may probably find your answer, if not,
I keeping asking my wife, Trish, where things are in
the coach. She got tired of answering me and suggested
! Then search the group Conversations for
I do an storage inventory. We now have an Inventory of
your topic or problem, review the relevant messages and
all the stuff we might carry in our coach and where it is
see if an answer is clear, if not,
stored. Make it easy to put your needed stuff back in
! At this point you can go to Conversations
the coach after a winter’s nap, and find it quickly when
and create a new Message to go out to the group. Be as
you are traveling. Will be in the FILES soon.
specific as possible. State your problem: what happens?
Solving Pesky Problems Requires
When? State what you have done to try to fix things.
Teamwork: You with Other Members
Members cannot help you if you don’t add your name,
There are many resources available to you to
coach year, fuel type, transmission type and engine
solve your pesky problems. Most all LeSharo/Phasar
model. problems are very well known and have been discussed
Being detailed helps your fellow member give
before, maybe many times, in Messages, or have write- accurate advice to you the first time. You remain
ups in the Files section. Answers to your specific
respectful of the time they spend helping you. Members
question are most likely in the Files, the Messages or in who answer your post/message are all volunteers, in
the heads of a fellow member. reality, they can only spend so much time answering
There are many members who want to help you.
Yet, don't jump first to the Messages forum. You need to
take a few steps and a few minutes to obtain a workable
answer to your problem before you ask a member for
help.
questions from the group, before they go back to their
"Day Jobs".
Be organized. Print out the Messages or Files
information to keep track of suggestions because there
may be different workable approaches to solving your
! Specifically define what your problem is, problem. Common courtesy: say Thank You back to the
when it occurs, write it down so you can explain it
forum when your problem is solved.
clearly to others, then,
Pretty soon you will be answering questions for
! Search in your coaches Owners Manual other members. Pass on your wisdom to others.
to see if the answer lies there, if not, then,
Thanks to Larry Schoppe, Scott Edwards, Rick Heslop,
Dave Martin and many others for their wisdom.
SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Let us know what topics you want discussed in your Newsletter.
Tell us what topics you like best in the Newsletter.
Why not email the Editor right now with your comments.
[email protected]
PAGE 10
APRIL 1, 2014
SO, WHAT ABOUT THEM GAUGES?
So, What About My Gauges and Dash
Lights?
Gauges are your window into
the operation of your electrical system
and engine. In your Lesharo/Phasar
there are a number of dash lights and
gauges providing you key information
on how everything is running. Gauges
provide early warning when
something is about to be wrong or is wrong. Given your
high revving, small displacement engine, and the running
hot nature of our engines, keeping track of our engine’s
situation is critical to reliability and the avoidance of
breakdowns; with accompanying expensive repairs.
Many gauges also have warning buzzers that go off
when there is a problem. Ignore warning lights, buzzers
or gauge readings at your peril. Watch them and you will
be good to go and feel confident in your coach. ( I know
there is no Check Engine light on a LeSharo!)
Dash Warning Lights:
The lights run along in a row at the top of the
cluster. See your model’s Owners Manual. For gas
engines, the lights noted below in red are absolutely
critical to knowing your engine’s health.
Position 1. Coolant Temperature Warning
light: This light comes on if your engine is overheating.
The overheat buzzer also comes on in a short time if the
cause of the problem is not detected and repaired.
Position 2. Seat Belt Reminder light:
Position 3. High beam indicator light:
Position 4: Speedometer
Position 5. Brake Warning light: Lights up
when the handbrakes is on, or the brake fluid reservoir is
low or there is a possible line breakage or other
malfunction in the braking system. Stop immediately
and determine the cause.
Position 6. Oil pressure Warning light: Lights
up if the engine oil level is low or there is an engine
malfunction.
Position 7. Turn indicator lights:
Position 8. Brake pad wear indicator: Lights
up if the brake pad sensors indicate worn brake pads.
Position 9. Battery Charge Indicator:
Illuminates if the battery is not being charged/alternator
malfunction, can indicate a belt failure or a charging
system wiring malfunction. If the alternator charge rate
is higher than the battery voltage- the light will be off. If
the alternator charge rate is lower than the battery, the
light will be on. Stop and check the belt condition and
tightness, the tightness of the battery cable connections,
and the connectors that are out of the alternator are
tight.
Position 10. Hazard Warning Indicator light:
Illuminates when switched on by the Hazard Warning
Switch located to the left of the steering wheel.
Position 11. Automatic Transmission
Monitor
light: Lights up if
there is a
malfunction of the
transmission
control unit and
also could
mean the
transmission
fluid is low. The
light comes
on when the key
switch is on
start, then goes out
within a few seconds if everything is OK on older units
and goes off when you drive away on newer units.
Diesel owners may have a different set of dash
warning lights specifically for diesel engines. See your
Owners Manual for information.
Dash Gauges:
Dash Oil Level at startup: Indicates the level of oil
in the engine when the ignition is On/Start: Top of the
meter is good. When the engine starts the needle goes
back down. It is a temporary reading. This gauge is
installed on the 88 and later gas 2.2 vehicles. The 83-87
vehicles do not have this indicator. Check it every
time you start up.
Dash Volt Meter: In the middle of the dash near
the ash tray. Indicates the voltage of the Engine battery/
Main, and the Coach battery/Aux: 12.5-14.7 volts or
above is good, less than 12 volts indicates there is some
electrical problem or need for a charge. The gauge can
read engine battery anytime, yet the ignition switch must
be on to read the main battery volts with the engine
running. Main gauge reading should indicate 12.5 - 14.7
volts. Check as you drive.
Dash Water Temperature Gauge: When warm,
the needle points at about the 9 o’clock position. Usually
the thermostat is 193 degrees, so the 9 o’clock position
PAGE 11
should be about that temperature. The temperature can
go up if engine is being worked hard or in stop n go
driving in hot summer weather or if
there is a problem with your cooling
system. It is not good to be consistently
in the orange band at the top of the
gauge. Check as you drive.
Additional Gauges:
Many owners add additional gauges to keep
track of key systems affecting coach reliability and
safety:
Transmission Temperature Gauge: measures
the temperature of fluid coming out of the transmission.
160-190 degrees is normal operating range. Consistently
above 220 degrees is not good. Reduce your speed and
shift down to reduce the transmission temperature. See
the article in the Files: Transmission Article
Jan2014.pdf.
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Lesharoowners/files/Transmission%2C%20Automatic%20/
Oil Pressure Gauge: measures the oil pressure
going through your engine. Low oil pressure means the
internal parts of the engine are not being properly
lubricated and/or major internal engine parts are worn
or broken. According to the service manual, Minimum
Oil Pressure with the engine warmed up (176 degrees
F) should be, @Idle - 11 1/2 psi
minimum, @3000 RPM 40-44
psi minimum. Your pressure may
read higher.
Ammeter: measures the amps
output in your electrical system. If
there is too much amp draw from
electrical components your alternator
will not keep up, will overheat and fail. Also if your
alternator is not putting out
enough amps, your battery will go
dead. It won’t take too long.
Under normal conditions the
ammeter should read slightly to
the right of the center line. If it is
reading to the left of center - in
the minus area- you could be
overloading the system with too
APRIL 1, 2014
many electrical items on at once. 12v to 115v Inverters
have a huge impact on the 12 volt battery draw.
Depending on your model, the alternator amp output
could be between 70 and 110 amps. Your alternator is
very susceptible to heat. Running at a high amp output
will shorten alternator life.
Coach Battery Voltage Gauge: measures the
voltage in your coach battery at all times. Place the
gauge in a position where the driver and others can
easily read it at any time. This is helpful if you drive
charging your engine battery and your coach battery at
the same time. Using the gauge when you are connected
to shore power shows you state of charge in your house
battery. Below 12 volts indicates a problem with your
coach battery or the charger/inverter.
Types of Gauges
There are two types of gauge movements:
Electrical and Mechanical.
Electrical gauges have a sensor/sender
transmitting the reading to the your gauge via a wire.
These gauges depend on your electrical system to
provide the gauge reading. Malfunctions in the electrical
system will shut this type of gauge down or give
incorrect readings.
Mechanical gauges read directly off where the
sensor is located. In the case of an oil pressure gauge the
reading is via a hose from the connected point to the
gauge, or in the case of water temperature gauge a
capillary tube connects the sender reading from the
probe in the engine coolant to the gauge in your
dash.water.
Each gauge type can provide accurate readings.
Yet, there is one large difference. If your electrical
system fails or the wiring to the electrical gauge fails,
your gauge will not provide an accurate reading or any
reading; you will be flying blind. That is not good if it is
your water temperature gauge failing in the hot summer,
going over a 10,000 foot mountain, with your AC on,
500-1000 miles from home.
If you have a mechanical gauge and your
electrical system fails, the gauge will still read what it is
supposed to because the readings are direct rather than
PAGE 12
APRIL 1, 2014
through an electrical sender, through wiring, to the
gauge. With mechanical gauges you still have your
window into your engine.
Some group members have had catastrophic
failure of key components because their electrical
gauges failed and they lost the “window” into how their
engine was operating. Bad things can happen to engines
and transmissions very suddenly. Driving “just a few
miles to the next exit” may be really bad news for your
engine situation. See the Files for information on
installing extra gauges.
Take-Aways
Before you pull out of your driveway or campsite,
check your dash warning lights are working properly.
Most all of them should come on when you turn on
your ignition, then turn out when your engine starts.
Get to know them. Get in the habit of checking them
often. Not seeing those dash lights come on is not good.
It could mean a bulb failure or worse a gauge failure.
See your Owners Manual for more specific information
on each warning light, when it lights up and when it
turns off. All coach drivers should be familiar with these
lights, as they could malfunction at any time. It isn’t just
the primary driver’s responsibility to be an aware driver.
For anyone who drives your coach, keep an eye out
on your water temperature gauge and your voltage
gauge, as well as the dash lights discussed above as you
drive. If anything doesn’t look or feel right, pull over
and stop in a safe place. Identify the cause of the
problem.
Adding supplemental gauges can provide much
needed information on the health of your engine or
transmission. When you add a supplemental gauge, buy
and install mechanical gauges. They increase reliability
and create peace of mind as you travel.
This article is also in the Files, go to:
Go to your Owners Manual to see the warning
light and gauge definitions for the above
graphic for your coach.
Thanks for reading our first
Newsletter.
We hope you enjoyed it and hope you
will submit your wisdom for the next
issue,
The Editor & Friends
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Lesharoowners/files/Electricity%2C%20vehicle/
PAGE 13
HERE IS THE RALLY
INFORMATION
By Larry Schoppe and the Rally
Committee
Rally ‘Round the LeSharo.
After checking in at the office,
continue to your specified site
where a greeter will meet you,
explain whatever you need to know,
help with setup if necessary, and
collect a surcharge of $20.00 per
adult- cash please- which will cover
cost of meals provided, expendables,
and Pat's smiling face. APRIL 1, 2014
Bring your Maintenance
Manuals to the discussions.
Trouble on the Road: Have
your members telephone numbers
handy in case of breakdown, you
call, we haul a_ _to help you. See you there.
I can be reached at:
937 545-5196,
Larry S.
First, Greetings to the new
Newsletter from the LeSharo
Owners Group. This will be a
valuable addition to the Group.
Now down to business, this year
the Craig’s LeSharo Rally will be
held at the Elkhart Campground
just off hwy 80/90 in Elkhart IN.
Dates are Thursday, Friday,
Saturday, June 8, 9, 10. To get there, set your GPS for
the Elkhart Campground located
at 25608 County Rd 4, Elkhart
IN,
Their web site address is
http://
www.elkhartcampground.com
Directions: The exit off toll
road -Highway 80/90 is Exit 28 on
to State Road 19 North, follow to
turn left to County Road 4, follow it
to the Campground on the right.
Stop at the office to pay and get
your lot location in the reserved
Rally Camping Area. Cost: Cost per vehicle is $28.00
per night. Time for your lot
possession is from 1 PM to 1 PM, so
best to get there after 1 PM.
Events: Our group is open to
whatever you want to do, visit, talk
about our Motor Homes, be shown
around the vehicle by the proud
owners and get a look at the many
Conversions that will be there. Tours: There will be tours/
visits available to the RV Parts
Salvage sales stores, the R. V.
Museum- don’t miss it! Walmart,
and other stores and restaurants as
requested.
Any questions, please contact
Pat for more information:
Pat Mullins and hubby
Email is [email protected] Phones:
Meals: Meals will be provided 269 699-5967 for Thursday supper, Friday supper, 574 215-0557
Saturday breakfast and supper and a 269 683-6458 breakfast of leftovers on Sunday
Morning.(bring your doggy bags) Discussions: Discussions by
members on LeSharo/Phasar
systems will be available upon request on subjects such as Servicing
the final drive, Diesel vehicle
maintenance tips, Gas vehicle
maintenance tips. Electrical systems,
fuel system, (Bosch), fuel
system (Bendix), Brake/Axle and
Bearing brief, etc
PAGE 14

Lesharo Newsletter April 2014

Transcription

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